TDL, ah, something for me to read more in detail later. Already started and so far I like it.
If you finish that, try reading Sirlin's
Playing to Win if you have the time. IMO it's a great read that helped me look at different perspectives and set my goals.
The reason I didn't post in the topic is because, like you said, you are the generic competitive spokesman, and since I know how much I disagree with standard views, I didn't post there.
I suppose I'm not quite as serious as other people might be, but I think the most important thing is for a person to enjoy one's self. For myself, I find that in the variety of options available. Sure there are a few core cards that every deck should have, but after that I liked the ability to branch out into whatever you want (within reason).
Common complaint is "when does this game lose its fun", and the answer to that is completely subjective to the way one views the game. Nobody can argue this point as there's no way to prove one's point. I'm going to leave it as that as even my view of fun is bias.
I mean nowadays there aren't a lot of autoloss situations, but I think even you can agree that the game is centralized around big basics, although whether or not that's an overcentralization is up for debate. (I personally think it is, and that isn't just me rebelling against the system. I just don't like the direction the game is currently headed, or at least the game in the present.)
Overcentralized is a bad word to use in this scenario, not to mention that the entire definition is based on one's views. What exactly is over-centralization? How do you spot it? Anyways, I think a better word is
power creep. The idea of basics dominating most of the metagame is nothing new; just look at MD-on. The thing is that we have a sudden jump in the development of this game where Pokemon can be played with 170+ HP right off the bat. If anything, the game is more centralized around Electric-types than basics. The fact that a deck made of all Terrakion is silly when you think about it. That last part was my views, so ignore it if you disagree. : P
And yes, the direction of the TCG is terrible. The TCG wants to appeal to the mostly child players who make up most of the buyers (or rather their parents, tehehe). they then pump out high HP, badgrass looking cards that kids would kill for. If the TCG focused more on the competitive aspect, then we'd have a good game to play. Hell, I'd probably start playing TCG irl if that day comes.
I'm not saying your points aren't valid - far from it; I think they're excellent. I don't think I'm the only person who thinks differently to most (and even if I was I would still roll with it), but I don't like to be blind in my opposition to something.
There's no such thing as a wrong opinion, only facts are allowed that benefit. ;0
