The Scorpion and The Cube with Ollie Beeks episode artwork

EPISODE · May 25, 2026 · 1H 3M

The Scorpion and The Cube with Ollie Beeks

from Lucky Paper Radio · host Andy Mangold and Anthony Mattox

View all cards mentioned in this episodeAndy and Anthony are joined by Cube Person of the Year 2024, Ollie, to talk about whether it’s irresponsible to present a cube for drafting without any playtesting. What is the difference between ‘playing’ and ‘playtesting’? Can you design a cube iteratively without playtesting? Just how bad can a cube really be?Discussed in this episode:Upkeep NY/C4ACBodlean CubeCreatureless CubeEpisode 302 — Theory Drafting the Best Decks in Regular CubeThe Ball PitEpisode 206 — The Joy of Gaming with Richard Garfield100 OrnithoptersMarina Abramovic - The Artist is Present (2010)Boston Cube PartyIf you’d like to show your support for the show, please consider backing Lucky Paper on Patreon or leaving us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:Andy’s “Bun Magic” CubeAnthony’s “Regular” CubeYou can find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. Send in questions to the show at [email protected] or our p.o. box:Lucky PaperPO Box 4855Baltimore, MD 21211Musical production by DJ James Nasty.Timestamps0:00 - Intro3:41 - Secret Project: Obscura9:13 - Playtesting16:46 - The Case Against Playtesting21:03 - Non-Playtest Data23:09 - The Process29:45 - Playing Vs Playtesting35:17 - Cube First Impressions43:33 - Expectations47:28 - Designing for an Experience52:10 - Marina Abramovic and Artistic Intent58:26 - Logistics

View all cards mentioned in this episodeAndy and Anthony are joined by Cube Person of the Year 2024, Ollie, to talk about whether it’s irresponsible to present a cube for drafting without any playtesting. What is the difference between ‘playing’ and ‘playtesting’? Can you design a cube iteratively without playtesting? Just how bad can a cube really be?Discussed in this episode:Upkeep NY/C4ACBodlean CubeCreatureless CubeEpisode 302 — Theory Drafting the Best Decks in Regular CubeThe Ball PitEpisode 206 — The Joy of Gaming with Richard Garfield100 OrnithoptersMarina Abramovic - The Artist is Present (2010)Boston Cube PartyIf you’d like to show your support for the show, please consider backing Lucky Paper on Patreon or leaving us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:Andy’s “Bun Magic” CubeAnthony’s “Regular” CubeYou can find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. Send in questions to the show at [email protected] or our p.o. box:Lucky PaperPO Box 4855Baltimore, MD 21211Musical production by DJ James Nasty.Timestamps0:00 - Intro3:41 - Secret Project: Obscura9:13 - Playtesting16:46 - The Case Against Playtesting21:03 - Non-Playtest Data23:09 - The Process29:45 - Playing Vs Playtesting35:17 - Cube First Impressions43:33 - Expectations47:28 - Designing for an Experience52:10 - Marina Abramovic and Artistic Intent58:26 - Logistics

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The Scorpion and The Cube with Ollie Beeks

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This episode is 1 hour and 3 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 25, 2026.

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View all cards mentioned in this episodeAndy and Anthony are joined by Cube Person of the Year 2024, Ollie, to talk about whether it’s irresponsible to present a cube for drafting without any playtesting. What is the difference between ‘playing’ and...

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