I do think the show had a large part in killing the novels. His work, albeit with his initial consent, was basically hijacked for TV ratings and then summarily disposed when HBO had eaten its fill. I know I'd be salty and unmotivated if a corporation took my IP and dirtied me like season 8 dirtied the GoT fandom. Even I, the casual viewer, was pissed and I don't even have a horse in that race. Frankly, the world may just be better off with the wolves than whatever ending he actually intended anyway.
I do think the show had a large part in killing the novels. His work, albeit with his initial consent, was basically hijacked for TV ratings and then summarily disposed when HBO had eaten its fill. I know I'd be salty and unmotivated if a corporation took my IP and dirtied me like season 8 dirtied the GoT fandom. Even I, the casual viewer, was pissed and I don't even have a horse in that race. Frankly, the world may just be better off with the wolves than whatever ending he actually intended anyway.
Its probably all a rich tapestry. The show probably had a part to play, but I do still remember reading AFFC and thinking 'damn, whos actually going to be there at the end of the series?'
But yeah that is the nature of television, and with this being the biggest breakthrough fantasy since LotR I bet the producers were frothing st the mouth for the series to push on regardless of the source material. And as with any show once it jumps the shark Hollywood is pretty discompassionate.
I actually never really got into the show. Its always irked me that the series has no closure so I didn't like the idea of them just forging ahead. It felt wrong. I also got stupidly protective of fantasy literature about that time too. You pretty much couldn't walk into a room without someone dropping GoT into conversation and I got really sick of people gushing over it like it was the pinnacle of its genre. Some of the books are good, but its not the pinnacle by any stretch, its just the most popular.
Re: [Off-Topic] Community Chat Thread
Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2021 5:26 am
by Dunharrow
The worst of it is that he spent years working on the show instead of the books. Like, if he had just let the people do the show without his involvement he would have finished the novels in time for the final seasons.
At this point nobody cares anymore. He will eventually pass on and someone will edit his unpublished writing posthumously and it will be bad and that will be it.
Some of this reminds me of Fullmetal Alchemist. The manga was super popular so they made an anime, and halfway through the story they ran out of manga to base the show on so they just started making stuff up. The ending makes absolutely no sense.
So years later when the manga was finished they redid the show as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and it was great.
I look at this and part of me just wishes he could finish the books, we would see they were great, and someone would redo the TV show.
But that is a fantasy that will never happen. Even if he could finish the work, there is no evidence that it would end well.
WHAT IN THE HECK IS GOING ON, HERE?
We're super stoked to introduce Secret Lair's very first Commander Deck. That's right, for a limited time you can grab a unique, 100-card deck filled with tons of foils, 10 pieces of killer new art (across five cards, we will explain), and a bunch of other goodies like a unique flippin' coin and life wheel.
REVERSIBLE CARDS? WHAT IN TARNATION ARE THOSE?
Reversible cards are a cool new piece of Magic tech we're excited to debut here. It's a relatively straightforward concept, but it results in some awesome looking cards. These are double-sided cards, but they have the same functional card on each side. However, each side has different art. You can swap which side you want to show off when casting the spell, or just stick with your favorite. You can even flip a coin to pick! It's just another way you can express yourself when playing the game.
NEAT! WHAT'S THE DECK DO?
This deck is from Gavin Verhey's secret vault, and it's a blast to play. Here's some words from the man himself:
"I've loved Zndrsplt and Okaun ever since I made them in Battlebond—and this Commander deck out of my personal collection puts them center stage! It looks so lovable and innocent... and then by the time you've started attacking people for lethal, it's too late to stop your coin-flipping reign of terror.
"You'll want to spend the early turns building up your mana rocks and equipment, and playing some silly coin flip cards. Then, start deploying your Commanders! Usually, I suggest starting with Zndrsplt so you can start flipping coins and drawing cards. Your opponents will think it's so cute and laugh. 'Look at the funny coin-flip deck! Haha.'
"And that's when you know you've got them. Deploy Okaun—the way this deck normally kills. If you have some equipment, suit him up! You just need to win three coin flips to kill with Okaun using Commander damage—and maybe less with the right equipment. I've attacked for over 10,000 damage with a single Okaun before! They'll try to remove it, but that's what your counterspells are for. If there are creatures in the way, you can sneak it through with cards that grant unblockability. Or if you really want the table to flip out, use Chandra's Ignition so your 10,000 power (or similar) Okaun kills the table at once!
"If you have any questions about how the deck plays, you can hit me up on Twitter @gavinverhey. Enjoy!"
At this point nobody cares anymore. He will eventually pass on and someone will edit his unpublished writing posthumously and it will be bad and that will be it.
Towards the end, it was said that Christopher Tolkien was publishing what he father had tossed into the trash can
I actually want this. I've been thinking about making a secret-lair-cards-only-commander-deck and this looks like it might be a good - if not the perfect - base for it.
Re: [Off-Topic] Community Chat Thread
Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2021 2:29 pm
by TheAmericanSpirit
You know when the designers are out of ideas when they're literally selling a WOTC employee's edh deck. Gavin is alright and all, but I'd rather have a copy of one of Sheldon's decks given his rank as forefather of the format.
Re: [Off-Topic] Community Chat Thread
Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2021 2:42 pm
by RxPhantom
They want $100 for that thing. No thanks.
Also, I may pick up the one with the reskinned Rhystic Study. Ya know, for Rhystic Study.
Re: [Off-Topic] Community Chat Thread
Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2021 2:47 pm
by Lifeless
It's an interesting idea for a product, although I'm too lazy to do the math to see if it's worth the money. My group already has a Z&O deck that's well liked, so this is a bit redundant outside of the cool looking reversible commanders.
Re: [Off-Topic] Community Chat Thread
Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2021 2:52 pm
by BeneTleilax
I hope Sheldon never sells one of his decks as a lair.
I hope Sheldon never sells one of his decks as a lair.
What kind of statement would that be? I shudder to think. Besides, all of his decklists are public, right? Perhaps I could get onboard with an SL of his favorite commanders, but an entire deck? With only five pieces of new art? For a c-note? Nah.
I hope Sheldon never sells one of his decks as a lair.
What kind of statement would that be? I shudder to think. Besides, all of his decklists are public, right? Perhaps I could get onboard with an SL of his favorite commanders, but an entire deck? With only five pieces of new art? For a c-note? Nah.
Could you imagine the "how to play" insert or write up for one of his decks and the reactions of everyone? ("SEE! Sheldon has no idea how to play" etc ) lol
Re: [Off-Topic] Community Chat Thread
Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2021 9:28 pm
by Dunharrow
I think it's a neat idea. Value is definitely there - half the deck is foil. I just hate those commanders and the number of coinflips in that deck feel like an eternity to play.
Re: [Off-Topic] Community Chat Thread
Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2021 12:04 am
by toctheyounger
Yeah in my experience as neat as those commanders are conceptually they are an absolute gravity well for time spent waiting for someone else to finish durdling. In theory they're fun, in practice my experience is that they're not very fun to play against.
Re: [Off-Topic] Community Chat Thread
Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2021 3:39 am
by DirkGently
Had both of my scooters stolen out of my garage yesterday.
So that %$#% sucks.
Re: [Off-Topic] Community Chat Thread
Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2021 2:03 pm
by TheGildedGoose
Got tickets to see my favorite band. I haven't been to a show in over two years, and I am excite.
Had both of my scooters stolen out of my garage yesterday.
So that %$#% sucks.
That sucks mightily man. We've had a couple thefts over the years and it's always like...just enough to not be able to get insurance to cover it, and the experience is so frustrating and violating.
We literally had someone steal a single patio chair from a set of four off our porch last year.
Had both of my scooters stolen out of my garage yesterday.
So that %$#% sucks.
That sucks mightily man. We've had a couple thefts over the years and it's always like...just enough to not be able to get insurance to cover it, and the experience is so frustrating and violating.
We literally had someone steal a single patio chair from a set of four off our porch last year.
I assume insurance would have covered it (total value was around 3K) but we don't have any.
Ok ok ok. Is it Placebo? They're awesome and just announced a UK/Europe tour. I also don't know where you're from. Alkaline Trio? Bright Eyes? Interpol? The Chats? Foo Fighters? Lamb of God? Slipknot? Tell me! I MUST KNOOOOOOOOWWW!
