Goat format, Edison, HAT, whatever other formats. They all come from the same place : Konami's designers (and commercials) changed the newest cardpool players could compete with. And in retrospective, the player community cherry picked the timing where they though the game was the most fun. The criterias usually beeing nostalgia, fun of gameplay and deck variety.
And we as the player freeze frame it to make it PERMANENT
When Konami extends the cardpool (cards releases) or cleans it up (ban list), the reasoning behind it is the bottom line. So selling more boosters. That means make the players excited to the newest release or at minimum keep them hooked to keep playing.
Konami's design is consistently designed to be FLEETING. With the player continously changing to the next fleeting "up to date" format.
(Wotc as well or any TCG publishers tbf)
That means :
A Konami never aimed at a perfect balance. As long as the game is balanced enough to not degenerate within the months it lasts then that is fine.
B Even worst, that means unpleasantness are totally acceptable in Konami's eyes. Players dislike Trap dustshoot ? If K bans it directly, then nothing will happen. If K keeps it a bit longer until people can't stand it, then we will ban it. The community will feel releaved.
No yugioh format are Chess, Go, not even Starcraft. No format is designed for the perfect balance to be played forever.
I think any retro yugioh players should keep this in mind. Because I see excited players that praise their favourite format like it is the greatest one ever. Or I see disapointed players that acts like God betrayed them.
Conclusion : Keep your expectations in check.
