Magic: The Gathering (MTG) has been a part of my life since childhood. I still remember the thrill of opening booster packs, marveling at the artwork, and trading with friends. Recently, I rediscovered this beloved game, and it has since become more than just a pastime; it’s evolved into a personal data project that allows me to freely evaluate new technologies.
As a kid, MTG was more than just a game. It was an immersive experience that was integral to my enjoyment of strategic and creative games. The artwork would draw me in and I'd of course be drawn to the most powerful creatures. Although now I wish I had realized which cards were really the best for the game and kept onto some of those, although I don't think I ever got lucky enough to pull something like a dual land. It was also a social activity that brought me closer to family members, particularly my dad, who encouraged and suported my interests from an early age. He was the introduction because he read an article in the LA Times and thought it would be interesting to explore. But it expanded into him often taking me to the local card store after school or activities sometimes just to look or trade, as it would be rare that I'd have enough saved up to get a booster pack.
Starting around the end of 2023, I had a health scare that thankfully ended as only a scare. However, there was quite a lengthy period of uncertaintly thanks to our great healthcare system in America. That's for a separate post, but thankfully after a few months it was confirmed everything was benign. During this time though, I began reflecting on what things brought me joy, which led me to dig up the shoebox that had been tucked away in a closet for years. Going through it I discovered many of the cards I remember loving as a kid, although mostly to find that I was missing a lot that I thought I had. There is probably some valuable shoebox or card binder sitting in my parent's basement somewhere with the best ones. But this all led me into seeing where the game was today and happily discovering that Commander was a format and by far the most popular format. A more casual playstyle that would allow me to use all the old cards was ideal. And it would focus on arguably my favorite part of the game, deckbuilding. Nearly infinite possibilities, different play styles, and expanded capabilities with the 100 unique card format.
One of the most intriguing aspects of my rekindled interest in MTG has been turning it into a personal data project. As a data enthusiast, I’m always looking for new ways to apply my skills and explore new technologies. MTG provided a perfect opportunity. The game’s vast and ever-expanding collection of cards, each with unique attributes and interactions, presented a rich dataset ripe for analysis. And I needed another personal justification if I wanted to purchase new cards.
In any data project, one of the most daunting tasks is data labeling. MTG, with its intricate details and vast card pool, made for an interesting challenge. The data set is in the tens of thousands, which isn't large by data standards, but is complex enough to make a good data example and one I can run fully locally. The most important part though is that manual data labeling and validation would not be viewed as a chore. Looking a card, reading the text, and determining how it could fit into the puzzle of a deck was enjoyable in itself. Categorizing cards, annotating their attributes, and exploring the relationships between different sets and mechanics was an enjoyable part of this equation. This hands-on approach not only deepened my understanding of MTG and the vast number of new mechanics that have been added over time but also allowed me to explore new technologies, such as natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML).
Through my personal data project, I've gained valuable insights into the game mechanics and trends. However, one of the most significant takeaways is the importance of designing intuitive interfaces and workflows that cater the end user, which is me in this scenario. Although I don't think I'd have done most of this if existing tools met all of my needs. More recent technologies like Streamlit have made creating quick data apps easier than ever, which has been extremely helpful in prototyping and getting the right requirements down before building to scale.
As a developer, it's essential to consider the user experience when building applications that involve complex data sets. An area that's generally been challenging for data as the feedback loops are normally slow or are handed off to separate teams. But with Streamlit, I can build a prototype and get immediate feedback on how it works and what needs to be improved. This approach has allowed me to iterate quickly and make informed decisions about the user interface design. It also helps in understanding the end-user's needs and preferences, which is crucial for building applications that are easy to use and intuitive.
Reconnecting with Magic: The Gathering has been a rewarding journey, blending childhood nostalgia with my passion for data. This project has reminded me of the importance of pursuing what you love, both for personal enjoyment and professional growth. Whether you’re a longtime MTG fan or new to the game, I encourage you to explore its depths and perhaps even embark on your own data-driven adventure.