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In this case the main message - “nothing changes if nothing changes” - a call to actively engage in your own life - is something I needed to hear. It is an excellent shorthand phrase for a theme I’ve seen before but often forget.
“People have to save themselves. One person saving another is impossible.”
-Meme Oshino, Bakemonogatari
While the “nothing changes” version of the message is excellent branding and shorthand for the concept, It undersells the problem.
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This year sucked.
However some things worked.
Tops Video game of the year Magic the Gathering Arena
Arena reignited my interest in Magic for the first time since the Scars of Mirrodin block (2010-2011). Right after New Phyrexia was released I ended up putting my time into fighting games, especially Vampire Savior and I didn’t have any time for Magic anymore.
After playing this game a lot off and on since about a month before the open beta I’ve also bought a decent amount of cards and attended a prerelease.
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First, for the video itself, the style and visual choices are excellent. Patrik Wallner has created something really special here. The minimal narratives that are mixed in add a layer of depth that give the video a punch not normally seen in these kinds of pieces. We get to see the skaters waking up, setting up tricks. There’s an extra focus on framing and shots of background are interspersed in a way that reminds me of something from Kyoto Animation.