Recross the Paths

In this episode, Sam gives us an overview of both Too Long, Didn't Read, a cube where cards can't have more than five lines of text, and The Circle of Life, a cube where all of your creatures have emerge! We discuss Sam's experience at CubeCon, what he learned from feedback and what's next for his projects. We discuss considering feedback, balancing accessibility and complexity, leaning into what makes a cube unique, and much more.TL;DR on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/TLDRThe Circle of Life on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/EMRGSam is finmint on DiscordIf you'd like to be part of CUBE GRATITUDE this year, follow the link below to upload a recording. You can also email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com. Submissions close soon!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsZ78VJIDazkuY8AZ4AKgsTVOKpwU_Ks3o4YpkkB0tui2cJw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111921507938458899914

This week, John (CrimsonYoshi) guides us through the curated chaos of Hackett Cube, a low-powered environment that celebrates a mad scientist approach to repurposing cards from yesterday and today. We also explore his insightful blog detailing a year away from the project and the changes that came from the reflection. We unpack not designing at the peaks of power, putting complexity budget where it belongs, keeping sight of your pet cards, and much more.Hackett Cube on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/sd4Make sure to check out the Blog for the write-up! - https://cubecobra.com/cube/blog/blogpost/4a9f3e75-9b4d-4913-82fe-6bdfb762f8bfJohn on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/5fca9a3abada5f7f150c8b6cJohn is .crimsonyoshi on DiscordCube Gratitude 2025 - Follow the link below to share what you're thankful for in a special episode during the week of Thanksgiving: https://forms.gle/dFo3q1QoLxTRjm8j9Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Tom guides us through this deeply color-imbalanced, punishing environment where Black and Red rule and Bant offers power at a dangerous cost. This cube challenges players and design conventions in unexpected and delightful ways. We discuss building the best version of the experience you want, embracing what stands out about your project, not putting grapes in your ice cream, and much more.Volcano Manor on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/VolcanomanorUntap T.O.: https://untap.ca/Tom is ctide on DiscordCube Gratitude 2025 - Follow the link below to share what you're thankful for in a special episode during the week of Thanksgiving: https://forms.gle/dFo3q1QoLxTRjm8j9Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Now we reach the grand finale,Animale, carnivale.Noises new to sea and landIssue from the skillful band. (Ogden Nash)In this conversation, Celaena guides us through The Menagerie: Critters and Creepers - a collection of fantastic beasts that defy cube conventions. This is also Celaena's first cube project! We discuss embracing the support of your community, not playing the idea of a cube, being gracious with yourself, and much more.The Menagerie on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/themenagerieCelaena on Moxfield: https://moxfield.com/users/CelaenaSwordCelaena on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/celaena.bsky.socialEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, An helps answer the question "what's in a name?" Or perhaps, "what's a name in?" All 360 cards in the A(n) Cube feature An's name. We also explore her personal website where she documents different parts of her cube journey through writing. Join us as we explore thinking about thinking about cube, celebrating the joy of surprise, separating gameplay and analysis, and much more.An's Website: ⁠https://anoddandanend.com/⁠An is @recursiveacronym on DiscordA(n) Cube on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/anEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Welcome to the Jam! On this episode, Dan shows off Hoopin, a basketball-flavored cube that has you fighting over the ball. Make sure you check out the Visual Spoiler on CubeCobra - it's a work of art! We explore going deep on a theme, balancing accessibility with aesthetics, what brings players back for a second draft, and much more.Hoopin on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/hoopinDan on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/dant.bsky.socialDan is @brinkleysound on DiscordEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

On this episode, Leland welcomes us into The An-Havva Inn, a medium-high-powered, graveyard-focused, bar cube. We explore the value of number crunching, how fixing impacts archetypes, and cherishing the Dermotaxis in your life.Leland is the host of a monthly conversational Magic-focused podcast. Be sure to check out Wild Dogs on Spotify and YouTube!The An-Havva Inn on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/anhavvainnWild Dogs on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4VYrLLsN9eSm0uPzwWva2A?si=525d3957255045cfWild Dogs on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildDogsPodLeland is on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilddogspod... and on most socials @WildDogsPodEmail this show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Ben guides us through his gargantuan art project - a fully hand-drawn cube! Each card in bbsheps vintage cube was individually illustrated, painted, and cut out with a scalpel to prepare for the table. We discuss wrestling with perfectionism as an artist, evaluating legitimacy of proxies, putting part of yourself into things you care about, and much more.bbsheps vintage on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/bbsheps?view=spoilerBen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbshepsmtg/Ben on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/bbsheps.bsky.socialBen is @bbsheps on DiscordEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Dirk talks about turning trash into treasure with the Trash Bag Cube, a collaborative project built from the local bargain bin. We also unpack his journey from a tournament grinder to a cube designer and what he's learned along the way. We explore creating positive discomfort, playing Magic for the love of the game, and remembering that no cuber is an island... not even the Blue players.Trash Bag Cube: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/ThisistrashDirk on CubeCobra: https://www.cubecobra.com/user/view/62450f237dd4c3409e7c9fc9Dirk on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/dirkjay.bsky.socialEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Andy graciously shares his passion this week by introducing us to Lucky Paper's Cube Fellowship, an opportunity to support the community by equipping dedicated players to participate in grassroots cube events. We explore attempting to define the cube community, the necessity of intentionality in community- and relationship-building, the value and growth of small cube events, and much more.Participate in the Fellowship: https://luckypaper.co/cube-fellowship/Learn more about all of Andy's projects: https://luckypaper.co/Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Heather guides us through a tour of fascinating projects, starting with Urza's Saga Cube where players begin with the namesake card in their pool. From an Ancient Tomb-centric Dan-Dan variant, to a land-rich and threat-light desert, to a Rochester Planechase draft, there's plenty to be inspired and encouraged by. We discuss constructed influence on cube design, hosting proxy Vintage events, building mean cubes, and much more.Urza's Saga Cube: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/urzas-sagaWurm-Wurm: https://moxfield.com/decks/smvNdMfWzUChpzYZ6dERTgland-ho: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/land-hoPilotwings: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/pilotwingsdatcard: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/datcardHeather is _frostyyy on DiscordEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Get a Clue! This week, Jake guides us through his mystery-inspired, blue-focused environment that centers around a Clue-creating emblem. He also talks about some of his work writing creative text for Wizards of the Coast. We discuss balancing flavor and mechanics, using every part of a design element, the value of Tamiyo in Magic fiction, and much more.Jake on bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/maelstrompulse.bsky.socialThe Casebook of Tamiyo Planewalker on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/TamiyosCasebookEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Chris shares some experiences from his local cube community that shape how he engages with the game. We unpack lessons he's learned on how you can support those around you wherever you fit in the group. We explore interrogating decisions, knowing when to ask for help, seeking inspiration outside the game, and much more.Chris is iwasacashew on DiscordThough we don't talk about it much, The Dandy Cube is on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/thedandycubeIf you're here in the show notes looking for info on the "Chipped Teacup" problem, I searched and couldn't find any evidence of this existing. If you have info I'd love to hear it - or if you're confident I made this up I'm happy to hear that too.Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Recross the Paths crosses the ocean for this week's chat! In this colorful conversation, J.Mul guides us through the Prismatic Desert, an all-gold desert cube. Together we explore embracing challenging experiences, learning valuable lessons in spite of outcomes, meeting your heroes, and much more.Prismatic Desert on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/Prismatic%20DesertJ.Mul on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/ebcd59a1-7be5-48b8-bd7b-81567ae602dbJ.Mul is J.Mul on DiscordEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Three heads are better than one! This week, the team behind the Chicago Cube shares their philosophy for the project and the value of working as a team. We explore the use of lighthouses in cube design, trusting your friends, a reasonable amount of trash talk, and much more.The Chicago Cube on CubeCobra⁠https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/TheChicagoCube⁠The Chicago Cube Discord (thanks Kyle!)https://discord.gg/jQDhXtJsXFThe Chicago Cube on Bskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/thechicagocube.bsky.social The Chicago Cube YouTube Channelhttps://youtube.com/@thechicagocube?si=Y9jNq90q9Perh7nuEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

There's no school like the Oldest School! Alex guides us through The Oldest School, a nostalgic retro-frame environment where Shivan Dragon and Serra Angel rule. We discuss recreating the feel of playground Magic, the power of Thawing Glaciers, creating the cube only you can create, and more.The Oldest School on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/oldestschoolAlex on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/f667b1a3-6a8a-4dfe-9f3e-6967152aedbdThis American Life story that Alex references about comedian Gad Elmaleh: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/596/becoming-a-badger/act-one-5Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Saddle up for a wild ride through the Okk Corral! Jesse guides us through this bespoke (bespokke?) environment that celebrates everyone's favorite lumbering goblin. We discuss the importance of goals, giving players space to explore, depth behind the gimmicks, and more.Showdown at the Okk Corral on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/OkkCorralJesse on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/6080f4704382111055b83c76Jesse is no_bark on DiscordEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Brendan guides us through The Kuleshov Cube, a non-Red, enchantment- and graveyard-focused cube. We meander through discussing the Jace test, Crash Bandicoot, legibility, tentpole cards, package-based design, and more.Brendan on bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/griselbrand.comBrendan is haganbmj on DiscordThe Kuleshov Cube on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/meaningThe Kuleshov Cube will be at Captiol Cube Championship 2025: https://capitolcube.org/Further watching and listeningOriginal Kuleshov Effect Demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gGl3LJ7vHc,Andy Gavin; Crash Bandicoot development blog:https://all-things-andy-gavin.com/2011/02/02/making-crash-bandicoot-part-1/,Andy Gavin; Ars Technica Interview:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSHj5UKSylkEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Pink Sleeves was all my joy,Pink Sleeves was my delight.This week, Stephen guides us through Pink Sleeves, the blog and the eponymous cube. We discuss atomic effects, a library of agency, how accessibility and simplicity aren't the same, and much more.Pink Sleeves (the Blog): https://zoydraft.tumblr.com/Pink Sleeves (the Cube) on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/pinkStephen on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/5dc1705c8540e621ac8255e0Stephen on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/zoydraft.bsky.socialUntap T.O. (Toronto Cube Event): https://untap.ca/Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, my good friend Bones gives us a tour through the Sticker Cube, a wild project about building community through collaborative game design. We unpack the particulars of his version as well as the resources he's made available for you to create your own. We discuss managing mental load in complex projects, breaking singleton, lots of artists, and much more.Sticker Cube ResourcesKeyword Handout: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1c7o9DJpegaEAfoUkdm1dpQXkcRU56sXl/editSticker Printout: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1keRZdGyc8qmkxyGwodHfkPmoNH5z5fnl/viewReddit Post (with more details and resources): https://old.reddit.com/r/mtgcube/comments/1gqfhoq/draft_report_sticker_cube_draft_15_featuring_a/ Bones on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/5ea095db12bf071086e7c065Bones on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/goblingathering.bsky.socialEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com