Magic: The Gathering Jumpstart Cube Constructor
An intelligent deck construction system that automatically builds themed Magic: The Gathering Jumpstart cubes with perfect theme coherence and balanced gameplay from any card pool. This project features automated theme extraction, balanced color distribution, and comprehensive performance analysis.
Key bits of fun:
- Theme Extraction: Automatically discovers themes from card pools using advanced keyword analysis
- Specialized Scoring Integration: Purpose-built scorers for different strategies (Equipment, Tribal, Control, Aggro) that understand specific gameplay patterns
- Auto-Download System: Zero-setup experience with automatic MTG data management and caching
Technical Implementation:
- Technologies: Python, Pandas, Jupyter, Machine Learning, Data Analysis
- Architecture: Modular 5-phase construction algorithm with constraint management
- Output: Comprehensive analysis including performance metrics, improvement suggestions, and exportable data
This was an experiment in “vibe coding” that solved a real problem I had at the time - the end result came out better than expected. The system can build themed cubes from any card pool without manually defining themes, while maintaining high theme coherence and balanced gameplay.
Repository: github.com/vanonselenp/magic-jumpstart
Live Example: Pauper Jumpstart Cube
Table Mountain HEMA Website
Created an affordable website for a HEMA club using Jekyll and GitHub Pages, focusing on cost-effective hosting and maintenance. I have now handed this over to the club and they have been running with it ever since.
Technologies: Jekyll, GitHub, Ruby
URL: Table Mountain HEMA
Technical Skills Showcase
Based on my 14+ years of experience as a Staff Engineer and technical leader, I’ve developed deep expertise across the full technology stack:
Programming Languages & Frameworks
- Primary Languages: TypeScript, Python, Java, C#
- Backend Development: Node.js, serverless architectures, microservices
- Frontend Technologies: React, modern web development, responsive design
- Data Processing: Python (Pandas, NumPy), data analysis and visualization
Cloud Infrastructure & DevOps
- AWS Ecosystem: Lambda, CloudFormation, serverless framework, cloud architecture
- Infrastructure as Code: Infrastructure automation and deployment
- Development Practices: CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, deployment strategies
- Performance Optimization: System performance tuning, scalability planning
Engineering Practices & Leadership
- Testing Methodologies: Test-Driven Development (TDD), Behavior-Driven Development (BDD)
- Software Architecture: Scalable system design, API architecture, microservices patterns
- Team Leadership: Technical mentoring, code review practices, engineering culture
- Quality Assurance: “Shift Left” approach, early quality integration
Databases & Data Management
- Database Design: Relational and NoSQL database architecture
- Data Analysis: Business intelligence, performance metrics, data-driven decisions
- API Development: RESTful services, GraphQL, integration patterns
Specialized Expertise
- Developer Experience: Tooling optimization, development workflow improvement
- Business Integration: Technical strategy alignment with business objectives
- Problem Solving: Complex system debugging, root cause analysis
- Communication: Technical documentation, stakeholder management
Interested in collaborating on a project or learning more about my work? Get in touch!