Why Magic Reporting Is So Bad by The Ferrett

[Icecoldavery]

you're damn right.

[NivMizzetFiremind]

very good. would like to see if your words make a difrence in the future. keep up the good work.

[Ashgrimm]

Really well put,well said and totally funny.

I liked it!:D

[Sapphiretri]

Very well put. Coverage blows cause the people that should benefit from it doesn't actually care about it.

Its all well and good to know whats the best deck but it means dick when you don't know how to play it.

Welcome to FNM... where we THINK we know what the hell we are doing.

[xanthophobia22]

I love watching T8 coverage. But in the end ur right about decklists- but I think everyone knew that already. Anyways, well put together though.

[me1337je]

This is one of the best magic critic stuff i've ever seen or read/listened to.

The only thing that I don't agree with is the fact that he assumes that viewers don't like the full top8 coverage. I like it A LOT and almost everyone I know watches them to.

[jhmelton]

First, great job on your first video Ferrett.

I know little to nothing about video production, so I'll leave those comments to those with more experience. Nonetheless, I, being a person who recognizes his inner suck, have also often bemoaned the coverage of Magic events. (cont.)

[jhmelton]

In that regard, I think you make great points, but you only explain why magic reporting is so bad. Granted this is the first step to addressing the problem, but too often observation of a problem without offered solutions can be, although different, lumped into the "Gold Brick Complaints" that you mention. (cont.)

[jhmelton]

And I really would have enjoyed your ideas on how to fix the problem. As someone who moves in better Magic circles (no pun intended) than this humble 1600-level scrub, I would think that your insight, informed by relationships and exchanges with some of the best Magic players and writers, would consider elements that escape me. (cont.)

[jhmelton]

You seem to identify two elements of the equation: Magic reporting is hard, and there is little incentive to do it. So,maybe, next time (and I do hope there is a next time), you address how the equation is changed. (cont.)

[jhmelton]

First, I question whether the second element is true. While there is no immediate incentive to produce quality coverage, there is a longer term incentive. This can be seen by analogy to the poker boom (and yes, all Magic players must work poker references into any discussion of the game). (cont.)

[jhmelton]

Better reporting and commentary of matches, largely through the introduction of technology and better commentary, expanded the audience for poker. This, in turn, led to the bazillion poker books, etc. and the attendant "gold bricks." (cont.)

[jhmelton]

Now, I will admit that there are significant disparities between poker and Magic that likely would limit any growth that improvement of coverage would provide to Magic (e.g. the ubiquity of 52 playing card decks v.s. the relative frequency of magic cards in the average home). Notwithstanding this, that does not mean that a similar long-term incentive, though smaller, might also exist for Magic. (cont.)

[jhmelton]

So, if we consider that there may be a long-term incentive, how does that change things? Again, I say look to the poker boom. We must find ways to apply technology to make Magic coverage better. For poker, it was the "hole cam." Knowing the hole cards allowed for better commentary and understanding of the strategy involved. (cont.)

[jhmelton]

Magic, however, is more complex than poker. A mere hole cam does not help, if (a) you can't read the card due to glare, small text, etc.; and (b) the pace of the match does not allow a person who happens to be unfamiliar with certain cards to become familiar with those cards. And this is just one of the difficulties of producing better coverage.

(cont.)

[jhmelton]

So, at the very least, we must see the opportunity presented by good Magic coverage, and, thus motivated, apply technology to minimize the difficulties of quality coverage. This is not to say that technology is the only part of the solution (change in attitude of players, etc), but I've droned on long enough.

In sum, great piece; loved it. But further engage me by moving the substance beyond explaination.

[bladderisbursting]

I dun get it. Isnt magic about having fun? not so much on winning? why do people go for winning than fun? Its a CARD GAME for crying out louds. its a form of entertainment!

[cjva1688]

ofcourse is magic about having fun, but...

1: it aint fun playing if your not playing for winning.

2: its not fun playing if you dont play against somebody thats also play for winning.

ppl saying "i just play for fun" realy says "i realy suck at this game, but i can't admit it to myself, so i tell a half ass lie instead"

[bladderisbursting]

Lol. u misunderstand. i was jus thinking that using other peoples deck ideas just because u think its the deck that matters and not the skill is just noober than thinking loosing is ok as long as u had fun with making a deck u made even though it may suck.

[cjva1688]

ahh ok. ;) Missunderstanding it is. ofcourse playing skill also is important. Its not the deck that wins (unless you play flash in vintage), its your skill. But a good deck (even if its netdecked) helps you a long way.

[bladderisbursting]

Cool. from my experience. magic is 20% luck 50% skill and 30% deck structure.

[XtheunnamedX]

the pic that says name that card...

~Ice Cauldron~

[JBauer6430]

where di you find that Minesweeper pic? that was great :D

[bobby2055]

Thank you. Thank you very much.

[CyclopsFan1]

I understand where he is comming from. I personally want to know how to play better, I still make misplays. Now I know some people who only play tier one top eight decks. Thats cool but when they suck so bad at it I hate them. Oh well

[Strichnine19]

Very well done, I think this is exactly... EXACTLY , wait no... the most accurate portrayal of magic coverage EVER, and when it comes down to it, even if I win games all night long at my FNM all everyone wants to know is my decklist.

[tustruman]

hah I can't usa tham wily e's aithar

[greatermane]

Is Evan a /b/rother?

[Slug99]

Evan isnt but the guy who made this video probably is.

Also great fun, more videos makes my happy :D

[greatermane]

Well didnt he make it?

[Vash358]

Thank You, and personally i am one of thoe nerds that wanna read how to play better, wether a sudden death on a withered wretch or a call of the herd is the right play on turn 3 jus things like that intrest me, but there video coverage is poor at best. great job.

[HRRNighthawk]

very good article Ferret. The only thing i'd add is that there's so much discussion about the PT coverage because of WotC's seeming insistance that the PT be taken more seriously (evidenced by the Hall of Fame and going out of their way to get CBS to do a spot on Worlds, etc). They want it to be 'professional', but then there's always a bunch of 'unprofessional' things that people pick out.

Great article :)

[Oppp2]

who is the dude in the picture at 2:27? I seem to recognise him.

[Oppp2]

good stuff

[maxiewawa]

I always imagined the Ferret as a deep baritone...

[iamferrettsannoyance]

So has the Ferrett. Sadly, his actual voice disagrees.

[or4ngejuice]

lol! motivational posters FTW!

[mestiarcanus]

Great job Ferret, I think you hit the nail squarely on the head. But even knowing I'm in the minority in enjoying watching the video coverage (rather than just grabbing tech), I still can't help but wish that Wizards would do a better job of it, because frankly I can't see it increasing their costs by very much (if at all) while still generating a vast improvement in quality.

[Seiku]

that goes to all media.

[mercenarybdu]

ya also have to consider that BDM and Randy gives too much credit to East Coast players. A habit both have to break.

[readheadtomm]

This is great work! It's smart, funny, and shed light on an issue I never fully understood. Ferret don't stop the magic! It was like an investigative report combined with a sit com.

[akyo777]

good deal.. a lot of what was said in this video I agreed with .. Instead of bitching about these subjects about WOTC I believe if you started some kind of organized email of Professional and Amateur Magic Players - maybe Wizards will try a new organized plan involving a payroll for Evan Erwin and the Video Coverage .. I don't know maybe you can figure something out.. Podcast doesn't really do it for me either :P

[mercenarybdu]

but then ya have to consider all the people who catch full match coverage like me and all of the other users who try to bring it here and other video sites.

[MichaelSomething]

One hour of work for one minute of video time? Thats sounds about right.

[mercenarybdu]

RTS skills do pay off and nice job Ferret I agree on most of what you are saying!

[dumbelton]

I really like Evan because he's not the greatest player -neither am I. Top tournament players don't care what I'm doing not because I suck, but because I can't leave my job to go trotting off to Spain after spending nine months to get my Player rating up high enough to have the privilage to buy tickets to another tournament somewhere!

I love this game: I play with my friends in my spare time, and I enjoy playing for fun & beer.

[RAIKIRIUSER27]

awsome vid entertaining and poor poor evan TT 80 hours in his basement for us..thx you ferret thx you eevin!!

[GirObsessedEvil]

ALL HAIL GLEEMAX!

no, for realz, obey him.

no, seriously.

Go to his website and create a file and RP on his side, as you should as a minion under him.

[cjbaloo]

Good work Ferrett. Nice addendum to The Magic Show. Do I smell a spinoff....

I think you are onto something with the "people over-estimating their playskill" idea. Studies have shown that well more than 50% of the population think they are more funny than 50% of the population...

[gtisawesome]

LMAO

[mrjesse999]

great stuff!

BTW, 5 stars for using the chicken's stage from parappa the rapper @ the beginning!

[magraion]

wow... damn its so "friggin"(cool word, i like that) hard to do a good magic video...

omg wizards why arent you watching this... right now!!!!

make a teachingfilm of this...

make a cult movement abot this vid ...

and please someone can feed evan's family....

lame... i know :P

[AlphaInsidious]

Ice Cauldron

[CFDragon]

Good show! However, I am what you described as a "freak." I kinda like watching magic games being played. Granted, I don't like sitting around for four minutes one person can pass the turn, and bluff that he is trying to make a legitimate decision.

[reubs11]

this was a very good showing from the ferret. moar!

[cardproffessor]

the actual content of this was pretty amazing he just needs to fix a couple of things:

1. attitude

2. slides

3. audio

4. lack of variety

I mean this constructively

[iamferrettsannoyance]

Oh, I need to fix a lot. But alas, you take those four away, and what's left?

[proffessors]

3.The audio was something that I'm sure wasn't really your fault and you couldn't help, but it too needs to be good otherwise people won't watch the video, and I've found, painfully, the hard way, that you can't be "stingy" when you buy a microphone, mine was $200 but it records like a dream, anyone who doesn't do that is showing a lack of profesionalism and people will stop watching as a result.->

[iamferrettsannoyance]

Oh, I agree I have tons of work to do on my video style. But take those four things away, and what does this video have left?

Criticize away! But moar depth pls thx.

[proffessors]

well, great content, comedy as well as some great writing schemes, personally I'm missing those things in my videos

[proffessors]

ahh, yes more specific comments.

1.attitude-music creates a great attitude, because it's so upbeat, constant motion also creates great attitude, as well as the host talking, over the microphone clearly. see the next comment for part2!

[proffessors]

2.Slides, they get a bit boring after a while, no offense, and even if they can include a wide variety, titles can come in handy quite well. Also the fact that the image size for the video was so small was an inconvenience for the viewer, something that needs to be avoided at ALL costs, otherwise many people will understand a lack of profesionalism and will usually stop watching.->