The Criticism Of Magic: The Gathering | Dies To Removal 50 | MTG Video Podcast

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

Vince has a KZbin channel? He does! Watch his new gameplay series here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4ndg3ijZ5WXp9U

[@spamtneo]

My favorite tea is lapsang souchong! I love the smoky, bacony taste it has! 🍃🐖🌋

[@omghackslol]

"Wizards of the Coast has a KZbin channel?!" was a wonderful joke

[@RobSomeone]

How tf you not taste the difference between british breakfast and earl grey? And I'm American.

[@richardbagshaw1647]

Love me some dies to removal, British Breakfast Tea tastes COMPLETELY different to Earl Gray. Blended tea's are the best tea's.

[@Leny1777]

If it wasnt people like you this wretched card game would die quicker

[@caulifloodle]

So admirable of Prof to distract from Vince’s bad American accent by immediately unleashing a British accent that is so much worse.

[@jamescruz8678]

THREE Dies to Removal episodes in one year? Prof and Kenobi putting in work.

[@huckthatdish]

The output is truly prolific

[@omiq]

I misheard Vince saying 'this term' at the start and thought that yeah, two a year sounds about right

[@theodorheidhues2566]

Hasbro is there daddy now and has high standards

[@cattelia]

This is the content I came for! I also want more. MORE! MAAAAWWWRRRR! Thank you Prof and PleasantKenobi!

[@slimek20]

And we're only halfway through the year! This is an incredible quantity!

[@kingkamek]

That intro was great! After about 8 fake intros I was thinking, “Okay, this one has to be the actual one”. The Prof says it’s time to open Epilogue boosters and I lost it 😂

[@levirynearson5800]

Rule of three? Never heard of it. Lol.

[@bearrington2024]

Legit made me laugh out loud, they were all fanstic

[@Greg501-]

Rule of 3*3

[@love2scoobysnack]

Prof. I have chosen both, to buy and not to buy products because of your reviews. However, just because I chose not to buy a product because of your review does not mean I would have bought it, it just means you saved me the time of looking more into the product myself before choosing not to buy it.

[@crypticmedicine]

I feel the same! It also saves the waste of having to return something when it doesn't work -- that's fuel and packaging and work hours spent on correcting my mistake, due to lack of information, and sometimes the products don't even get resold to someone who might want them due to distributor policies. An honest review is a high-quality tool for decision making, and having an expert eye means I can spend that time and money in a more informed way.

[@alexvoigt2154]

I think the reality is a lot of the more casual MTG players with lower budgets look to you guys to give closer inspections on products before we spend our money and then feel bad if the products end up being trash. You also give positive reassurances on products that we like and make us feel a little more justified in our purchases. Should we have this mindset? Maybe not, but it is the reality. You guys know far more about the inner workings of the game than most. So, as one of the more casual people, thank you for being critics (both positive and negative).

[@crypticmedicine]

Honestly, I think there's nothing wrong with relying on expert opinions. Even other experts can't be experts on everything -- that's why astrophysicist and surgeon are different careers, to make a silly example. I really value these MtG specialist perspectives, because there are some aspects of my hobbies I'm going to want to build expertise in, and some aspects I just don't really care to. Time is precious and people should be encouraged to spend it in the way that's most fulfilling -- as long as people are having fun, who cares? That's why having a community is so important, in a purely efficiency-oriented intellectual-economies-of-scale sort of way.

[@DanHink4]

“You wouldn’t proxy a car” got me 😂

[@bwhitta]

You wouldn't download a card

[@Aigis31]

Oh, but I WOULD proxy a Vehicle!

[@xolotltolox7626]

I literally would if I could lol

[@alejandrovallejo6763]

I would proxy a car so fast, no shred of doubt about it

[@matteorossi1172]

​@@Aigis31for greasefang rigth?

[@Ravensgale]

"Don't ask questions. Just consume product and get excited for new product." Is the motto of those unable to accept criticism of their product. Without any sort of criticism, you don't know if you've made any missteps or errors. Listening to the echo chamber brings no room for improvement or consistency in quality.

[@sebastian55112]

Hasbro does not care😂

[@Ravensgale]

​@@sebastian55112 Oh, it's painfully obvious they don't give a shit. It was obvious from day one.

[@NEPrincess]

But it does bring-in truckloads of money lol

[@BobardeZanzibar]

It's just when people do nothing but complain which makes you wonder why you even want to play this "terrible" game.

[@Ravensgale]

@@BobardeZanzibar So let me get this straight... If you ask me, "What is 2+2=?" And I keep giving you the wrong answer, how many times would you correct me before telling me the answer? One time? Five times? Eight-hundred times? Or would you even correct me at all to avoid seeming to be too critical?

[@enternamehere5498]

I don't normally laugh out loud at stuff, but when Kenobi shouts "You wouldn't proxy a car!" genuinely made me laugh out loud.

[@torreykat]

The Prof sadly saying "Hasbro is both of our daddy now" awakened something 😂

[@TheManInRoomFive]

New kink unlocked.

[@butHomeisNowhere___]

DONT PUT THAT EVIL INTO THE WORLD

[@kyleellis1825]

Bout time the people still buying this junk are just as much the problem as Hasbro/Wizards. They ruined the game and people kept giving them money. Things don't change because most people don't care about anything.

[@marcvanmaanen2946]

Prof... Vince was on point; earl grey and English breakfast teas are like Star Wars and Star Trek, in a totally different universe.

[@Obversechaos]

Wait... are you saying Chewbaca and Riker aren't the same person?

[@xxPenjoxx]

I'd definitely watch Chewie present Beyond Belief:Fact or Fiction 😂

[@tapitandsacit]

All tea comes from one plant, Camellia sinensis- google lol

[@garrett1433]

Green Tea > Earl Grey imo

[@Imperial_Squid]

​@@tapitandsacitall tea comes from one plant but Earl Grey isn't just a type of tea, it's a blend, one of the most prominent parts of which is bergamot, which comes from a type of orange, making earl grey taste citrusy and floral, it's also normally served without milk

[@Gshadewolf14]

Brian’s point about wanting to watch uplifting content because you’re depressed about the state of things in the world is so relatable to me. There’s only so much true crime content that I can take before I just want to watch a goofy slice of life anime or listen to someone talk about how much they like Baldur’s Gate and stuff like that. While negative criticism can drive passion, sometimes I just need something happy

[@magnusprime962]

I actually did buy the Hobbits precon Commander deck based on your enthusiastic recommendation. I really appreciate how you try to keep your bias against Universes Beyond out of your reviews and grade the products on their own merits. And thanks for leading me to PleasantKenobi’s channel, I’ve been enjoying his content too. I think tough but fair is a good description of you both, and it’s why I feel like I can trust your word. I don’t always agree, but life would be rather boring if everyone agreed on everything. Cheers!

[@zachsmith2349]

Wait Kenobi has a KZbin channel?!

[@jacobpream6356]

What often gets lost in a conversation about criticism, is that we tend to spend the most time criticizing the things we love the most. Any criticism that’s well laid out and thoughtful should be looked at as positive in my humble opinion. Remember folks, someone disagreeing with you or having a different opinion is not inherently a bad thing. It’s a good thing. Growth comes from discourse, change, discussion and criticism. Not blind obedience. Always challenge the things you love the most.

[@resentfulshrimp8044]

Yeah. When something lacks criticism it's not necessarily because its good its just because people stop. Caring. Insert examples of dead card games here

[@oliverb8571]

Hey Prof, I almost missed this episode as it isn’t in the Dies to Removal playlist yet! By far the best MtG podcast series, insightful and hilarious. If my fellow englishman PK can’t be there in person i’d happily watch webcam only episodes. The previous ones with set reviews or more general conversations even covering aspects/formats that i don’t play were fantastic, I’d take any form in which you guys can talk magic and lightly poke fun at each other :) I hope there’s a bunch more on my next rewatch!

[@Aigis31]

I want to say that Vince's videos of gameplay on Arena have really warmed my perception of Alchemy cards. I always thought they were kinda neat but it sucks that they were digitally exclusive, but now I don't have as much of a feels bad around them and can enjoy them for what they are- cards like Jarsyl and Settle the Wilds are some of my favorite cards I've played with this year and it's thanks in large part to Vince's gameplay of Jarsyl!

[@PleasantKenobi]

I'm really glad I managed to help inform and expand your view of the game in a way that helped you enjoy it more. Genuinely glad to hear it, thank you.

[@Greg501-]

@@PleasantKenobi The only digitally unique thing I find unforgivable is Specialize, but otherwise they're mostly good or ok

[@Obversechaos]

Alchemy is the devil.

[@RoughToughTonkasGotTheStuff]

Sometimes youtube doesn't show me your videos even though I'm subbed to both of you. I subbed to PK because of his Minotaur tribal gameplay, and I have been loving the Gladiator content (I also love Shuffle Up & Play). I don't like that you have to, but I have watched many videos from Prof *because* he made a community post saying he posted a video. I value both of your opinions regardless of if they're positive or negative, but I understand that I am just one person. Thanks to both of you for all the work you do.

[@SOLARN01SE]

I love prof throwing packs at vince screaming, "Open it!" 🤣🤣🤣

[@Genocide4all]

I love flesh and blood but I hate that they tear down anyone who criticizes anything they do. We're left with just praise and it's not how the game is discussed at the game stores there's a lot of good and there's a lot of bad. The one channel I know of that used to discuss it in a fair manner had their store banned by flesh and blood for tournaments.

[@KerrxLaeda]

Really? Sorry to hear that! From Sweden myself, and F&B hasn't really gotten off the ground here so not at all up to date, but always sad when communities are treated like that.

[@Genocide4all]

@@KerrxLaeda it was a KZbinr he made a comment how they overprinted monarch and took a guess the box numbers and it turned out he was pretty close to correct and when channel fireball unloaded nearly 50% of all first edition monarch boxes after the price had stabilized crashing it.

[@KerrxLaeda]

@@Genocide4all And they banned them for that? Feels both petty and vindictive, especially if they didn't get the information in an underhanded way

[@Genocide4all]

@@KerrxLaeda I don't think that them giving 50% of their entire stock to channel fireball was meant to be vindictive I just think from the pre-orders came and the box the shot up to $500 that channel fireball wanted to cash out. Apparently LSS had been paying them in products to run their tournaments in the United States. It was vindictive for them to ban his store he was one of the first couple stories that actually took up flesh and blood and he didn't even play at his own store or let alone go there so his customers were punished.

[@xolotltolox7626]

​@@Genocide4allthere is such a thing as "overprinting"?

[@adamattwood5097]

“The Command Zone” “Spell Slingers” and “You” are the reason I hint back into magic again. And I’m going to keep playing because of you and your videos. Thank you both for your service to the MTG community.

[@TheDzjennick]

On a product-by-product basis, I don't think you've persuaded/dissuaded me from buying anything, but you've definitely influenced my approach to determining what to dedicate my money towards. I think I've purchased fewer boosterboxes, opting for singles instead, specifically due to points you've made in the past. And I thank you for it :)

[@ursulcx299]

Thank you for shouting out to Film Joy Prof, Movie with Mikey is always such a great moment!

[@eatit8262]

In this episode of DtR, we learn The Prof can't distinguish flavors very well.

[@mikotagayuna8494]

As an inhabitant of Barcemenapolis, I can confirm that our Pro Tour showcased the new Double Feature-Aftermath cards which, as demanded by tradition, were respectfully laid to rest in a local landfill.

[@EffinChat]

The most unrealistic part of the opening skit is that there were that many episodes of Dies to Removal in 6 months

[@patonnight]

It's funny and sad, because once I saw a podcast that used to be very, very renowned... Talk about how Product Fatigue is a "Lie", Magic 30 not being "That Bad" and "Maybe not every product is for you"... When they got sponsored by Wizards. It was a sad moment.

[@Owesomasaurus]

I don't consume a lot of mtg content who was this?

[@caulifloodle]

I think content creators who want to focus on positivity should be allowed to do that. But when there are major, significant things happening in the community that they won’t even mention in passing because they’re “negative”, it’s really just advertising, and it feels very alienating. As much as I don’t want to endlessly hear angry people complaining about everything in videos and podcasts, I do want to have some sense of how people actually feel, and to know they care even a little bit about something like skyrocketing product prices, or Wizards siccing the Pinkertons on a small KZbinr. A refusal to even acknowledge the basic fact of these problems’ existence is discrediting, imo.

[@Tuss36]

I can agree, but also don't envy the creators' position in how to convey that. A lot of various bad/dumb things happen around the game, be it Pinkertons or Double Feature or Magic 30 or whatever, that if you make a video on each one as it happens for relevancy's sake you could potentially end up with your solid chunk of your content being (rightfully) negative content. And you can't exactly make a yearly roundup because who cares about how bad Double Feature was when it's long gone. So while I agree such a creator should feel comfortable breaking from their style to address serious issues with the game, it's not exactly easy to do while maintaining their intended content feel.

[@Hemlocker]

Personally, I'm just so bored by all of it. For example, I skip quite a few Pleasant Kenobi videos nowadays when I see that they're about a scandal that I've already heard enough about. which is a shame because I often do enjoy hearing his perspective, but it's just too draining to hear about the same topic for the tenth time. I get why people want that kind of thing though. I think it might be a personality/taste thing. I'm pretty quick to compartmentalise the shitty things that a franchise or company does and move on from them, which has its upsides and downsides. Others may be less willing to separate the wheat from the chaff, which has its own positives and negatives. Ultimately, all of this should be in the hands of the creators themselves. All we can do is choose to follow the creators that we feel matches our preferences the closest.

[@caulifloodle]

@@Hemlocker Yeah, and I guess I should offer the specification that I'm talking about content creators who purport to cover Magic news in some capacity, even if it's not all they do. If you're someone who really just does deck-techs or lore analysis or whatever, then I get that it would be jarring to suddenly switch to some video about the latest evils of WOTC. But you know, the Pinkertons thing was big enough that not talking about when you talk about other Magic news is a very clear and deliberate choice, and as much as it's easy to get tired of hearing about it, I think in some ways it didn't get enough coverage, in that even though it may have seemed like all anyone was talking about for a couple weeks, it wasn't enough to elicit any kind of response from WOTC. It's still upsetting to me that the response was for a few specific people to act mad about it for a couple weeks and then go on talking about the new products like it was all normal. Maybe I'm getting into a separate issue at this point but I think there's certain stuff that just kind of NEEDS to matter to people who produce content about these subjects, and to brush it off under the banner of "staying positive" is very worth criticizing to me.

[@Hemlocker]

@@caulifloodle Fair enough. Personally I'd still say that what "needs" to be talked about should generally still be up to the creators themselves, but I can see why certain issues might feel so severe that they cross that boundary. The Pinkertons scandal might have been an example.

[@cristinbuskard9250]

I had the most growth working with my toughest professors 👨‍🏫 they were supportive but also knew me well and knew what I was capable of and thus pushed me to be better. I feel like you’re that professor of magic. (Or to Wotc) Your content is a supportive, standard holder, cheerleader, growth cultivator, educator, making people aware of other voices kind of professor.

[@TheTheatreKing]

Tolarian has a podcast?! Okay day made. I’m getting back into magic because of this amazing channel and it’s fair and balanced commentary. Keep up the good work!

[@winterplaysmtg]

I think its safe to say that your videos do cause people to not buy certain products but on the other hand your videos got me back into magic. WOTC has gotten more money out of me because of you than your videos could take away. Thank you both for all the positivity you bring to the community.

[@VagrantKing]

You guys wondering if you were a part of someone getting into something new, Pleasant Kenobi you got me into both Marvel Snap and way into Warhammer Lore (along with other channels with their deep dives on the insane amount of Warhammer lore there is). And Prof you convinced me to make not one but two pauper commander decks, and also my own version of Jon Irenicus after your season finale episode, which was one of if not the best games of recorded commander content I have ever watched. And you also got my nostalgia firing for Yu-Gi-Oh (my first TCG) with your videos with Team APS and I’ve been playing a little bit of Master Duel lately.

[@johanandersson8252]

No, i don’t think that Critics are bad for Magic

[@rookt31893]

That intro skit was amazing and the whole podcast was great

[@EMPCraft]

Wizards messed up since: Balance is less important than power creep, They took over every fun format to turn it into their gold donkey, They started neglecting the physical game for easier online Cashgrab, They bought the opinion and voice of every magic influencer, They started printing less creative more whacky cards to cash bait casuals, They printed important cards for competitive play at higher rarities for more set sales, They printed more and more "premium products" aka secret lair, mythic editions etc. To grab money inflating the value of foil or high rarity cards by having 10 different "high rarity versions", They ruined competetive play by custom designing the format with powercrept "must play" cards, They let magic die for low quality low identity and low creativity design on cards, sets and basically everything portrayed to the outside. Also the old Employee working conditions issue. Basically since war of the spark or some time around that

[@DanHornerPlumber]

I’ve loved this conversation The intro was hilarious, that you then followed into a super thoughtful conversation on life and meaning Love you guys and yes you’re both a part of my love of Magic

[@JackieM00se]

I didn’t even look at the thumbnail, I saw pleasant Kenobi and bryan’s face in my peripheral vision and went, “DIES TO REMOVAL” thank you for making my morning excellent

[@curtisboucher6727]

My favourite tea is when entire sets are leaked online months prior to release

[@minervadetauro7646]

Set leak tea, now with 30% more Pinkertons!

[@GeorgeWrightTheMayor]

Well done to Vince for challenging Prof's view at 34:50 . I think fair criticism is important, be it either positive or negative but you can't on the one hand say that you have to create 'negative' thumbnails for the algorithm so that you get more viewers and then on the other hand say a negative review wouldn't have some sort of effect on sales. I know that if I see a reputable channel like this say a product isn't worth it or an alternative is better then I will not buy said product. It's a really interesting topic. Thank you both for the podcast!

[@GeorgeWrightTheMayor]

also props to the Prof for changing or clarifying his viewpoint!

[@cireegdoh]

You get a thumbs up for that skit. It just kept getting better and I busted out laughing 3 different times. Love the new play on the "has a KZbin Channel" bit. Also, I do prefer an Earl Grey over an Eng Breakfast and they are 100% different flavors.

[@jordanlewis523]

I'm just getting back to Magic after about 15 years away from game after quitting in High School. Your videos give great information and advice for me to utilize in my choices as a complete plebiscite. I mentioned to a long time player I've been in a commander pod with for a couple months now that I was getting the LOTR starter decks so I could get the exclusives rates and mythics that come in them, and he had no idea that was a thing. Magic is a completely baffling and confusing array of products to sift through as a born again player, and I thank you for your help in doing so. This is an amazing channel.

[@slivex676]

That was one of the greatest intros yet, and that's a high bar!

[@JSlide13]

I know it is a few days late for this video, but (for your personal data research) you and my friend Zack are the two main reasons I got into and have been playing Magic for the last 14 months. Thanks, Prof!

[@dukevulture4562]

On MTG creators bringing success to MTG: Prof and the TCC team, your content got me back into the game after a 10year hiatus.

[@Dandyfloss]

Being jumpscared by seeing myself at 30:55 stepping on Vince again

[@AJKiesel]

I enjoxed seeing you step on Vince. Maybe he enjoyed it too.

[@Loki-]

I can't express enough how much fun I had watching you two play and interact! [His editing was really fresh too!]

[@ForgetfulPaladin]

I pre-ordered the Tyranid 40k deck, and getting the promo from the LGS made it feel really special. Those promo cards do make a difference in all their forms.

[@mikecantwell77]

British person here: Earl Grey and Breakfast Tea are TOTALLY different! Both are black teas but the main difference, which is the unique feature of Earl Grey, is that Earl Grey has bergamot for an added orangey, citrus hint.

[@jamieraper9829]

Great episode of Half in the bag !!!

[@DerringerHK]

Lol it really does feel that way. I love the chaos

[@Code_Negative]

The problem is regardless of what critics say Wizards can basically do whatever they want with Magic because people still throw tons of money at it anyways. The MTG community needs to come together and force change like the DnD community did.

[@lukestange]

ngl, my interest in magic has plummeted to near zero in the last year. it used to be my main hobby, now i pretty much exclusively play pokemon tcg and warhammer. it is what it is i guess.

[@TheDxanakin]

I am new to the channel and TCG. What I enjoy about the channel's perspective is the overall love for the genre and the sincerity of the views. I have never thought that the Prof was trying to be negative for views.

[@Insane_Kane]

10:00 You mean talking in a wrestling announcers voice complaining about every single thing and calling for the doom of magic is not good criticism ? Iam historically disappointed

[@TheEasyMck]

I genuinely clicked to hear two of my favorite MTG creators have a thoughtful discussion about the roll of critics in an engagement driven space. Commenting for the algorithm.

[@josephpropati5690]

Laughed so hard when Vince got up and left 😂

[@jtelm157]

It's so fascinating that in their individual channels, I feel like Kenobi is waaaaaay more negative. But in these episodes it is the exact opposite xD cool to hear them discuss that!

[@arenkai]

Critics are bad for revenue. So it's the company's mandate to make us believe that it means it's bad for the game.

[@cannibalskitchen8421]

I just watch Dies to Removal. It doesn't matter what the title or thumbnail is as long as I get to see Prof and Vince talking about Magic.

[@LadyBernkastel92]

Ah yes, 'just doing it for clicks' directed at the guy who can get clicks by literally talking about if a box is good or bad.

[@notme222]

For me, the appeal of a critical video is not the negativity. But rather the fact that it forces analysis. I could make a positive video about any Magic product by picking 5 random cards, reading what they do, and imagining possible uses. That says nothing about the product because I could do it for everything. People who always complain are a little better not because you should want that energy in your life, but because at least they're offering some kind of comparison. Nevertheless, those people aren't much improvement because it too is something they can always do. Reality never matches imagination. The best creators are, as you say, fair critics. But even among them I'm more likely to watch a critical video simply because it takes more effort to say what's wrong than to simply describe something and declare it "good enough."

[@cyberphoniex7529]

Let’s go pioneer on Arena!!!!

[@kristopherinfante1206]

I keep playing magic because of people like you two. You helped me feel like getting back into the game after over a decade would be a reasonable goal. Been playing consistently for years now. Thanks. Jasmine, but Earl Grey over English breakfast.

[@vinnythewebsurfer]

Thing about all those “positive” centric spaces and people who don’t wanna get bogged down in the negative aspects of the game is that sure, other people can respect that and move on to other types of content that speaks to them. They’re still not going to be safe when wotc eventually ruins the game in a way where even the most positive and open minded of mtg players say it’s enough and apathy truly sets in from them too. The enemy is not and has never been the player base, the enemy is wizard of the coast and their masters at Hasbro. Always has been, always will. Yelling amongst ourself does nothing but let them win.

[@matthewlittle2212]

Proff, whatever my enfranchised opinion is worth I think you (and Vince) are a very reasonable voice of criticism and acknowledger of Wizards in both their successes and failures. You are my main source of Magic news and product info because of that trust you've earned in me with your fair evaluations. Like Vince said I like feeling validated when I think a product is whack and hearing you agree with my feelings OR giving me alternative views that may adjust my feelings. It's to the point where I don't even look at the commander precon decklists when Wizards publishes them, I wait for your product review because it's so detailed and encompassing (and more digestable for me). Thank you for ALL of your efforts as a voice for our community.

[@stevewithab2367]

"English Breakfast is superior to Earl Gray" It's ok, Vince, not everyone can be correct 🙂

[@lucascavalcanti9301]

so sad to know that the podcast is on hiatus :(

[@love2scoobysnack]

Epic intro I couldn't stop laughing

[@Andrew_Venn]

Spell Table with Vince and guests is a must.

[@Herbilizard]

good video as always prof

[@stephenbradford8524]

The shoutout to Rhystic Studies is fantastic. The game is better for those critics providing thoughtful insight into the visual aspects of the game.

[@nicholascox6411]

The price of magic cards is bad for magic

[@shiningotter2033]

Heres some fuel to the whole critic arguement - I ignored all criticism and gameplay videos, ignored all positive and negatives when it came to MoM aftermath. I just saw the cool card I liked. I bought a booster box, cracked it, and immediately regretted it. Alternatively, I did watch basically only criticisms on and bought Innistrad Midnight Hunt and loved it! People need criticism but they also need to synthesize the information to their needs. You don't like negativity? Well be prepared to get let down when you buy something you didn't get info on.

[@B-Randall]

The poster board with all the MtG flyers was a fun background joke! Love the work the crew does for the set.

[@Zappers42]

A buddy of mine is just getting into magic. We had a fantastic game of 6 player edh, he borrowed my izzet dragon tribal deck and ended up winning (and we definitely didn’t hand him that win either.) he had a great time. When he expressed interest in learning how to play he opted to look up tutorial videos online. He likely came across some of your videos. My fear is if he continues to research to decide which commander he wants to build, he is going to stumble upon the critique videos, which tells the algorithm that he needs more negative energy. Then next thing you know he’s going to see nothing but the magic historian or other hyper negative channels and he starts wondering what the problem with this game is. We just want a friend to hang out with, and channels like that are going to prevent this, potentially. I think you’re absolutely right, fair criticism makes a lot of sense. Blatant hate is a waste of time

[@rjphilla]

Great video guys! I know for a fact that The War Hammer set specifically got Josh from den of nerds channel into war hammer. And now he loves it.

[@underscore_5450]

Great point at the end. Even the whiniest, most pedantic critics mean that people still care about what you're putting out. Outrage is preferable to apathy.

[@michaelgrey1503]

So, the thumbnail caught my eye, but the title and the publisher is what made me watch. But yes, a lot of people just want to be angry. Also, I will say that as a former primarily Yugioh player, Yugioh has a very in depth creatorsphere. I'm not sure any one Yugituber is as popular as Tolarian Community College, but so many Yugitubers are incredibly popular within the Yugioh playerbase. I would be surprised if other popular TCGs (Pokemon specifically) didn't have creatorspheres as large as MTG and Yugioh.

[@unseeliedream42]

the intellectual honestly here is over the roof and we can't thank you enough for that. I guess that is why this channel is the most followed MTG channel. What you are talking about here is a nice conundrum, does the algorithm create our tastes or does our taste create the algorithm? also your reviews are pivotal for me in choosing what to buy or not - especially for preconstructed decks! your reviews are super important for us because you're honest about it I think and people saying otherwise don't see what you're trying to build here

[@rileymcphee9429]

Leather daddy Hasbro is the only product I need for 2023. - "Oh daddy, give me those curled foils!" - (gruff voice) "you've been a bad customer.." - "So bad, Daddy Hasbro, I'll buy all the worthless collector boosters you want!" - "AND SECRET LAIRS!" - "Yessss Daddyyyyy!"

[@houndoom73]

Great video and inspective. I first discovered your channel many years ago not because of the magic content but because of the video you did reviewing the pokemon ex tins and it got me to start watching your product reviews. Eventually I started watching all of your content because I still had an interest in Magic even if though I hadn't played in years. I will give a lot of the credit to me getting back into the game and building decks for Magic again to channels like yours and Vinces channel. So when you're KZbin rep tells you that the game might have grown a bit because of you I can totally believe it because I'm one of them and I'm sure I'm not the only person that got into magic or got back into magic because of channels like yours.

[@supertux2998]

This is kinda random, but am the only one who watches the professor just move his toes around while I listen? It's really nice to just feel like he's not trying to impress, just be himself and talk about something with us like friends.

[@s.a.hellenbrand8450]

Prof: We are not uncomfortable at all, isn't that right ,Vince?...... Vince? Vince (looks to his left, off camera) LINE!?..... Love what you two do. Keep up the good work.

[@ComDenox]

The thumbnail was catchy, but I honestly got brought here by the topic. It was very interesting to hear you have an introspective review of yourselves.

[@ZM-nb9ib]

You guys are the positive media I consume to bring joy to my day. :)

[@robertstraughan6194]

I can honestly say I did not click this video due to the thumbnail or title, or due to some magical algorithm. It turned up in my subscription feed... Keep up the good work.

[@michaelbrady8619]

Incredible intro. I fell like the whole thing was a lead up to Vince’s line about KZbin. Loved it!

[@dziz1298]

I think its important to remember as a consumer, WotK is not there to be my friend, they aren't doing me any favors. They only want the contents of my wallet. Thats it. They will use every metric to get as much out of every customer as possible. When it comes to critics, When i see a critic who WotK is afraid to interact with, because THEY KNOW they are offering a weak/greedy product. The more I trust the critic. I can honestly say I trust Prof. more than any other outlet. Your growth proves you're a positive influence on the community, and helping to protect us from predictory marketing, Just like the late Total Biscuit (rip). Love ya Prof.

[@Obversechaos]

Wizards of the Coast should be extremely ashamed of the decisions they've been making, but they're not, because they're too busy murdering puppies with butter knives, which. based on their decisions, is definitely a thing they do regularly and is not even close to the most horrible thing they do. We can't possibly think of what those things are because we have souls. Wizard's bad.

[@Spencer4686]

As creators/influencers you have a voice. This will resonate with your audience both positively and negatively. This does have an effect on product purchases for your viewers but does that affect the overall product sales, unlikely.

[@urdnotpandacc8617]

Listening to this has reminded me of a Twitter post I saw recently, asking for your hot take about magic, and the one that really popped off was that wotc ruined edh by making all of these commander specific products over the years, and how the power levels of edh has just exploded to almost yugioh levels because of it

[@zangesu01]

Thumbnail had nothing to do with me clicking on the video. I clicked cause I love your guys content and watch them all

[@MisterMeaner3000]

MTG isn't really my go-to game but I have enjoyed it, but this video is a great evaluation of the toxic content that is created against a lot of popular IPs. Anger mining, negative media. Great topics that are relevant accross many genres.

[@daguynexdoor]

I really enjoy watching and listening to your videos. A lot of what you say is how I feel as well. I really enjoy how vocal you are about your criticisms and let's me not feel like I need to speak up on the internet amd endure any negativity myself. Thanks guys!

[@KingBobXVI]

That intro was the _longest_ ever buildup to the dumbest joke - A+, absolutely perfect.

[@HMK9049]

Your reviews on MTG products actually made me buy them based on your detailed and awesome analysis. No video made by you made me change my mind on not buying something. For example I've bought a few theme boosters because I wanted to, even though you are not a fan of them.

[@Jammonstrald]

I actually think both Prof and Kenobi are underestimating the influence of algorithms on content creation/interaction. Yes, it's a more symbiotic relationship than merely "the algorithm says do this", however it is still a relationship where one party (the algorithm) is setting the parameters of that relationship. Similar to how a person's thoughts can be largely dictated by the language and ideas they are immersed within, a person's relationship with media is largely dictated by the method of its delivery. "The medium is the message" is the adage that applies. For example, Twitter has (had?) a strict character limit, which severely limits and shapes what a "conversation" on that platform is, and people quickly adapted to that environment such that the messages they share thrive within the set parameters (short, witty, snarky one-upsmanship). With algorithmic content delivery, algorithms have set a sort of "content character limit" of what is and is not promoted, and despite how an audience chooses to engage with that, they are beholden to the dynamic that emerges in such a system: provocative, binary extremes vying for attention. Try to "tell" the algorithm to stop functioning that way only by engaging the content it suggests, and see what happens. Algorithms don't necessarily foster negativity, but they do push people towards content bubbles which further reinforce algorithmic delivery, because that is the "best" way for them to function. And it so happens that extreme negativity is very profitable; both for attracting people's attention, and for eliciting a susceptible marketing response.

[@ellaser93]

I must applaud Prof and Pleasant Kenobi for doing a spot on impression of LRR's "Tap Tap Concede Podcast" for the first five minutes of the vid!

[@jdmzdomokun253]

This is the most REAL comedy ive ever seen 😂

[@veripassiun4410]

I’d watch a full-length movie of PK going about his day while the Prof appears out of random places and crannies and screams “PACK! OPEN IT!” Before letting loose with a handful of D-tier sealed packs.

[@notme222]

Ooh, an RLM shoutout. What people tend to say about RedLetterMedia is that the KZbinrs you watch probably watch them. Apparently it's true again.

[@esergio]

Love the new lighting! Much softer, sets a better mood!

[@Mokai]

It's really quite surprising to me that people would accuse Prof of being too negative towards MTG. Frankly I don't think he's being critical enough; MTG in it's current state is absolutely worthy of content creators entirely overhauling their channels to shift to non-MTG card games that better respect their playerbase's time and money. There's a ton of other CCGs and CCG adjacent games out there like Ashes Reborn, Summoner Wars 2nd Edition or even Arkham Horror LCG that are much more deserving of attention than MTG.