With R&D no longer liking-1/-1 counters, does that mean Infect is likely a no go anytime soon?

Infect’s return was always an uphill battle. I never say never though.

I do understand and agree that exploring unexplored space does not inherently mean fun and certainly doesn't always yield fun, but could/would you console me/other Muragandan advocates by saying you might pioneer the initiative IF ever the opportunity to make a fun set using a "vanilla" (sub)theme arises?

I’m not against the idea if the right circumstance comes along, but as my whole podcast dedicated to the issue explained in depth, the theme has a mighty uphill battle, plagued with difficult problems to solve.

Hi Mark, I see that very frequently people ask you about return to kamigawa or Lorwyn-Shadowmoor etc , and you reply its a hard pitch for various reasons such as it didn't do well do well in market research or sales weren't great or another important factor. So my question is what Would it take to make the pitch easier to make or is it just something the powers that be decided that the information they have is just too convincing to be swayed?

The hard truth is it’s an uphill battle. It’s very easy to prove with data that an old set failed and very hard to prove with data that a new one occurring in the same world would succeed. The novelty of proving a failed concept is redeemable is popular among fans, but from a business perspective, it’s seen as an unnecessary gamble. Why devote extensive resources to an idea that’s already proven difficult when there are so many other opportunities that are less risky yet equally enticing to the audience? The best chance is for us to take smaller swings in supplemental sets or things like Magic Origins that give worlds (like Lorwyn) a chance for smaller exposure to try and build up new equity.

"Kamigawa also needs a Council of Marks (aka an internal group or individual) pulling for it. Without a champion, it’s tough to win an uphill battle." If only we could find some Champions of Kamigawa.

: )

Was the ever a point in design or development where you (as a team) considered ways to deplete opposing players energy counters? Like through damage or just a side effect of a card. Just curious is all.

No. Usually when you play around with a new resource system, you’re extra carefully about hosing it because it already has such an uphill battle to be relevant.

What do you think was the boldest design decision in Tarkir block? I mean, the thing that got the most pushback, or that had the highest chance of breaking the game, or that made the most fundamental change to the game?

Doing manifest was probably the biggest uphill battle of the block.

I think you could reboot unpopular planes to do them well. Ex. I think if you announced the next set was Ulgotha a lit of players world have no idea what was up. (not saying you should on that one is to close to Innistrad, but in 5yrs maybe Kamigawa)

Our plan is to do a mix of new and returning planes. That means that there is a limited amount of space for returning planes. Why not focus on the ones that were popular and that a large number of players would be excited to return to versus ones that have an uphill battle because we have to overcome negative association? I’m not saying we’ll never try to reboot something that was less successful but it is fighting for a precious resource.

You said that the last artbook printed was during Tempest, which was around almost ten years ago ; don't you think it could be something to try again ? The public has expanded, as did the general art quality (and flavor) of the game.

Once bit, twice shy. Part of getting anything approved is trying to prove it will be profitable. That’s extra hard to do when last time you did it, it wasn’t (and not even close). That’s not to say it can’t happen, but it’s an uphill battle.