Cube Engineers

We are back on the rails again for another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this episode, TrainmasterGT reviews the new By God Alone expansion for Crusader Kings III from a game-design standpoint, through the lens of two full campaigns he completed. By God Alone reworks the religion system in CK3, allowing faiths to evolve dynamically over time. Characters can also cultivate a personal relat...

We are back on the rails again for another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this episode, TrainmasterGT once again invites the legendary Usman Jamil to review the Reality Fracture Set for Cube! Together, the pair traverse the planar chaos brought about by the creation of Jace’s echoverse. Find out what mirror-universe cards are hot, and which are not! Will this new reality empower Jace and f...

We are back on the rails again with the season 2 finale of Cube Engineers! What if we could combine science and game design theory to build a scientifically proven ultimate Cube? It’s more achievable than you might think! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites the creator of the Data Generated Vintage Cube, Daniel Smith (also known as l0gr1thm1k), to attempt to build the ultimate Cube using data s...

We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Nico Heini, Publishing Manager for Urban Games, to discuss the upcoming title Transport Fever 3 . This game promises to offer more player agency than practically any other game in the genre and can serve as a tool for teaching game designers how to build higher-agency games. Learn...

We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In the episode, TrainmasterGT invites Lincoln (aka Kapernaumov), the creator of the world-famous Penrose Cube, to discuss the intricacies of designing Cubes without Counters or Tokens. Together, they explore the design constraints, power balancing, and mechanical workarounds necessary to build a compelling Cube without...

We are back on the rails again for another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Dr. Nick Longrich, Visiting Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Bath and founder of the Deep Time Foundation to discuss the philosophy of scientific discourse and evolutionary biology. Dr. Longrich has made many cool discoveries...

We are back on the rails again for another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In the episode, TrainmasterGT once again invites the legendary Usman Jamil to review the new Hobbit Magic: The Gathering Set for Cube! Together, the pair go there and back again to discuss all of the coolest cards in The Hobbit. Are there any new cards that we can call our precious, or will this set be relegated to the...

We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites the legendary Dr. Karl Self from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry to discuss his contributions to the field of dentistry and dental education in the state of Minnesota. As the former Director of the Division of Dental Therapy and Interim Associate Dean for Academic...

We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! Grab a seat at the bar and order another round of your favorite deck; we’re in for a real treat! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Derek Gallen to discuss the origins and evolution of Bar Cube! Discover how one man’s quest to design a Cube that could fit in his pocket sparked a community movement that popularized...

Priiiiiiide and Glor-ay! We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this edition, TrainmasterGT invites Trevor Lombardi, Railroad Operations Manager at the Colorado Railroad Museum and co-author of Pride and Glory: The Cimarron and Northwestern Railway Company, to discuss railway preservation and historiography. We discuss how Trevor’s origins as a camp dire...

In this episode, TrainmasterGT is once again joined by Usman Jamil to uncover the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. In this case, it is the Bourbon Cube by Noah (Islandponder)! Learn about this wonderful Cube, and why TrainmasterGT and Usman decided to pick it for the main event of Cubecon 2026! Along the way, learn about the history of the Magic community in M...

We are back on the rails again with Season 2 of Cube Engineers! Most conversations around custom cards tout the benefits of the medium, but fail to adequately address the drawbacks of their implementation. In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Chris Taylor back again to examine the potential pitfalls of utilizing custom cards in a Cube, and whether or not these issues can be minimized. Along the...

In this episode, TrainmasterGT and Usman Assemble to discuss Earth’s Mightiest Magic Cards. Together, they discuss the set’s biggest standouts, misses, and build-around cards for Cube designers. Is Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes a triumph of game design, or did the design team Go Nuts when they pitched this one? Stay tuned to find out! Show Notes Usman’s New Website: Usmantherad.com! Usm...

We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! What happens when a long-time Magic: The Gathering player becomes the lead designer for a Grand Strategy game? Awesome things! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Lino Claudius, Lead Designer for Victoria 3, to discuss how he and his team set and implement their design goals. Learn how professional game designers co...

We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! Back for another shift? In this episode, TrainmasterGT and Usman return to help you navigate your third draft as a proud Cube designer at Oko Fazfae’s Pizza with a piping hot Secrets of Strixhaven review! We will prepare you to deal with an influx of students visiting our establishment from Strixhaven University. Learn...

We are back on the rails again with another episode of Cube Engineers! TrainmasterGT and Usman return to help you navigate your second draft as a proud Cube designer at Oko Fazfae’s Pizza. This time, we venture deep into the back rooms of the establishment to determine what is to be done with the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cards in the bulk bins. Can this set be salvaged to the benefit of Cub...

We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! Usman and I wanted to record a podcast for you, to help you get settled in on your first Lorwyn Eclipsed Cube night! We actually Cubed with the set before you, we’re finishing up our last draft now as a matter of fact! So, we know it can be a bit overwhelming, but we’re here to tell you there’s nothing to worry about,...

IT’S ALL JOEVER NOW. For the final episode of the Cube Engineers Winter Arc, TrainmasterGT invites one of the most prolific Cube players of all time, Joe Anderson, to share his expertise regarding Vintage Cubes. Together, they trace the history and evolution of Vintage Cube, unpack how “powermaxxing” has shaped players' perceptions of these designs, and explore practical ways to maximize fun witho...

In this episode, TrainmasterGT and Usman Jamil reflect on the year 2025! They discuss the design and mechanics of the new sets, cover the coolest cards, and share what developments influenced their thoughts and feelings the most. Did any sets prove themselves to be a cut above the rest? Which sets are destined for the dustbins of history? Was 2025 even a good year for Magic? Stay tuned to find out...

We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this episode, TrainmasterGT is once again joined by Usman Jamil to discuss their favorite cards in the Avatar: The Last Airbender Magic Set. Find out what cards are destined to save the world, and which cards have a lot to learn before they can save anyone… All Aboard! Show Notes The Pack One Slick Ones on Usman’s R...

We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites back the always wonderful Usman Jamil to discuss the mechanics of the Avatar: The Last Airbender Magic: The Gathering set! Find out which mechanics translate best from screen to card, and how to implement Avatar themes into your Cube! Will this set quench our thirst for cool new m...

In this episode, Chris Taylor takes the Engineer’s seat for a new extended Sensei’s Divining Talks Segment! Chris is joined by TrainmasterGT, a first-year dental student, to deliver an important message about Focal Enamel Hypoplasia. What is this dental disorder, how does it impact patients, and how can it be treated? Stay tuned to find out more! Show Notes Turner’s Tooth: A Rare Case with Review...

We’re back on the rails again! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Greg Cortazzo (A.K.A. Dinrovahorror) to share his experiences hosting Cube events and discuss the differences between organizing small and large events. Greg is the founder of the Vertex Cube Event Series and a founding member of the new Shoebox Magic event. Learn valuable lessons about how to host Cube events, challenges for ev...

We’re back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In the season finale, TrainmasterGT invites back Usman Jamil and Chris Taylor to give a master class on Cube design! The trio discuss different Cube projects they have completed, and different lessons that can be applied from their designs. Learn about: * Making and using custom cards * Sizing and balancing your Cube *...

In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Andy Mangold to discuss a topic every Cube podcaster must grapple with at some point in their career: Minecraft! Arguably, the most elegant sandbox game of all time, Minecraft contains many great lessons for any designer. The question is: what can we learn and how can it be applied to Cube? Stay tuned to find out! All Aboard! Show Notes Luck Paper Radio Cube...