Do you actually have to tell the people that you’re playing with that you’re recording the game? I was under the impression that you could record tournaments, etc. without having prior approval. As for gross conduct of players- I suppose it’s a reality of MTGO (and MTG in general) for better or worse.

I’m sure this site could host Commander tournaments that could have prize/be recorded with commentary(this may already happen?).

I’ve seen it posted before where you have the list already in .txt format. Could you make that available as well?

Keep up the hard work you guys…. I should be working on another article soon.

J.

1.) Academy posts new content, daily. This is something not even WotC opts to take on. This means we have to differentiate content as best we can all-the-while trying not to be utterly redundant topically. So brisk deck walkthroughs help break up the epic 2 to 3 hour live play recordings that we post weekly via gents like JustMeBaby and 3000 plus word articles from our esteemed roster of talent. It’s simply an alternative type of content, a visual snack, if you will. I do agree though that this month has been rife with them, due largely in part to myself, Kool, and Marin’s efforts being concerted elsewhere as we continue to expand and improve on the site. I simply have not been playing much at all this last month. That, and Commander is my secret crush format that is grossly ignored, so I try and share what I can to shore up that deficit.

2.) Watching a deck in action, especially with Singleton decks containing 100 different cards, doesn’t always give you the total and absolute insight into the deck that simply laying it out on a table and breaking it down does. Then of course, Commander games are always very long, and do not provide the same insurance of worthwhile playbacks as a one-on-one Magic. In fact, I have sat down to make videos of me in action whilst playing Commander and then someone intentionally discons, says something uncouth in game, or ends quickly in a lopsided manner or is drawn out for eternity by virtue of people being sado-masochistic weirdos. Also, I need the approval of the three other players to make the video, which is not always easy to achieve and most definitely alters the way they play in a typically negative and flamboyant manner.

Perhaps this is less exciting, but it does peel the skin off so you can see the gutty works beneath for a more complete look. The good majority of the decks I have shared have won weekend events or the player run events, which I feel makes them a tad more enticing if you want a leg up in these perspective formats. And while I have received criticism for this approach to video contributions, I have received equal if not more praise for taking the time to discuss at length (my videos are usually 45 or more minutes) why I play the decks that I do and why they yield the successes they have. I say this not defensively, but just to indicate that there is an audience out there, hence why I have put aside time to share my weapons of choice.

Hope this sheds some light on the decktech dilemma of late.

I will make this promise though: expect to see some games from me very, very soon.

They’re basically useless, and maybe like 5 people would actually want to watch these. No one wants to see 20 minute deck-techs. They want gameplay. And live gameplay, not recorded. I’m sorry.