[2020] Magic Arena saved my marriage.

Wife and I had been going through a tough spot lately. Her job hasn't been fulfilling for some time, and after the long hours I put into my job, both of us are just too exhausted/irritated/grumpy. We both needed some alone time every night, and so that lead to her becoming engulfed in books, and me in computer games. Some nights we barely said three words to each other. "You hungry?" "Sure." I started sleeping on the couch, as my mere presence seemed to annoy her, or make her sad.

After playing shooter games, MMOs, Crusader Kings, etc, I decided it was time for something different. I stumbled upon Magic Arena one night and was happy to find that Magic finally had a legitimate PC game. I bought the welcome bundle, I unlocked all the decks, I even bought some gems and played some Sealed. I loved humming along to the deck-building music as I mashed out silly and nonviable decks.

A few weeks ago, something changed in Magic. I stared at the screen for what was maybe a half hour afterward, and I sat, resigned, depressed at my situation. I stood up, stretched my back, and wandered to the living room. My wife and I made eye contact for the first time in ages, she closed her book, and we talked. We talked for hours. We went out to eat. We reconnected. We found that spark again.

And none of this would have been possible if it wasn't for my opponent, happily playing solitaire with himself and his Nexus of Fate deck. Thank you, WotC, for allowing us to watch other players Nexus themselves off as much as they like. You forced me to walk away, and have saved my marriage, and possibly my life.