Is there a "right way" to experience Magic: The Gathering?
After all, the game (which has been around since August of 1993) has a multitude of expansions, supplemental products, and formats available from which players can choose. But, when it comes down to it, which is the "correct" way to play the venerated collectible card game?
The question, in a way, was posed to Magic's principal designer, Gavin Verhey, during MagicCon Atlanta this past September. Indeed, Verhey pointed out the various ways available for Magic players to experience the game. And it's something he sees as a strength for it.
"One of the about Magic to me (and this has been true and only becomes more true each passing year) is that Magic isn't one game -- it's a hundred different games," he commented.
Between all of the different formats, both official and unofficial, such as tried-and-true 60-card options like Standard, Legacy, and Modern to casual formats such as Oathbreaker and Commander to cube, Dandân, and beyond, there really are myriad options for Magic players in terms of different ways to experience the CCG. And, going beyond just the various options for playing the game, there are those who experience the game in other ways as well, such as fans of the game's artwork or narratives.
"To me, that's fundamental to what the game is," says Verhey. "I don't think that will ever go away."
VIDEO: Is Commander the "Right Way" to play Magic: The Gathering?
But, with all of these options of how to experience Magic, which is the definitive "right way" to go about it?
In short, if you were to ask Verhey his thoughts, he would simply say "no."
The reason for this, he states, is that Magic is a game engine that fosters innovation and creativity within its player base. It's this engine that allowed for the creation of Elder Dragon Highlander (EDH), now commonly referred to as Commander. The format, arguably, is the most popular way to play the game today.
"Commander, itself, came as a fan format," explains Verhey. "It came from the community, originally."
That said, he never wants to see a day where Commander is considered to be the one official way to play the game.
"I do not believe we'll ever hit a time, nor do I want us to hit a time, where Commander is the only way to play Magic," he says.
By-in-large, though, Commander continues to be the most common and easily accessible way for Magic players to experience the game together. It's something that nobody sees changing any time soon, even if there is no one right way for anyone to experience the game.
No right way, that is, aside from whatever way one finds to be enjoyable. After all, Magic is a game and games are, by nature, designed to be fun.
