agic: The Gathering, first released in 1993, is the most widely played trading card game in the world. The game takes time to learn, but as more than 7 million players can verify, it's addictive. Players create decks of cards that draw from a fantasy setting of spells, creatures and magical artifacts. They use the decks to duel opponents head to head, trying to reduce their opponent's score from 20 to 0.
One of the game's drawbacks is that it can't be played solo. Magic Online addresses this need for a companion. The Internet game features rooms full of players ready to battle with virtual cards. Players are matched automatically or they can challenge one another. The rooms include casual play,
league play or tournament play for gamers from beginner to expert. New players can run through a tutorial before jumping into the prize-laden world of tournament play.
The Magic Online store sells virtual cards in ready-made decks or in booster packs. The virtual cards, close to 1,500 of them, match the physical cards and cost just as much. The game focuses on Magic's recent card sets. Registering the game costs $10 but is repaid by $10 worth of free cards, enough to get started. After registering, those who are unaccustomed to the wallet suction that is Magic can play for free with ready-made decks in the practice rooms. The store also provides event tickets, which are required to join leagues and tournaments, for a buck a pop.
During a game, the program keeps track of the rules, so play moves along at a brisk tempo. The deck-building and deck analysis tools are a joy to use. The designers kept traders and collectors in mind, too, with rooms for trading the virtual cards. Players can even use the program to keep track of a physical card collection.
Buy more, play more, win more
A previous attempt at a Magic computer game in 1996 had mixed results. It was pretty. And it was pretty buggy, too. With Magic Online, bugs could mean big, big problems, because the virtual cards have real-world value. So hats off to the developers for taking their time and testing, testing,
testing—the game runs smoothly and seems glitch-free.
That doesn't mean the players are glitch-free. Even people who are familiar with the rules are likely to make bushels of errors as they learn how to click cards instead of slapping them onto a table. Magic is famous as an arithmetic game—lots of counting—and while Magic Online takes over most of the scorekeeping, players must still keep their wits sharp.
Users can customize their display; for example, choosing from four card sizes—microscopic to middling size. An array of sounds provides helpful feedback, but expect some eyestrain with smaller monitors.
The game facilitates friendly interaction, with in-game chatting, buddy lists and lots of overseers to make sure no one goes berserk and starts spewing foul language, an occasional problem in other multi-user environments.
On the down side, owning more cards usually leads to more wins, so the temptation to spend more money permeates the game. But with the well-organized league and tournament play, and plenty of casual opponents as well, Magic Online is sure to fan Magic fever all over again.
I might as well just put my Visa card in an envelope and mail it directly to Wizards of the Coast.
— J.B. Peck
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