PAX: Magic The Gathering XBLA Demoed

[Dr.Finger]

We've known for about six months (http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/09/magic-the-gathe.html) now that Wizards of the Coast would be releasing a version of their popular CCG, Magic the Gathering, for Xbox Live Arcade. In that intervening time we really haven't seen much more on the title. However, this past weekend at PAX, Wizards was on hand to give gamers a little hands on time with Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers. From Wired (http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/09/magic-the-gathe.html). The playable demo gave attendees a chance to try out the game, which brings the exact same gameplay found in the original card game to consoles.
Unlike the PC-only Magic Online, Duels of the Planeswalkers limits the number of cards players will get to play with by only offering pre-constructed decks. The PC game lets you purchase boosters of random cards to then build decks with, so perhaps the Xbox version will let you buy new virtual decks.
One thing Duels does seem to do much better than Magic Online is presentation. Its slick interface really shows off the cards and art, offering a more faithful recreation of a real-life tabletop game.
The game - tentatively scheduled for a spring 2009 release - will also include co-op play.

I've said for years now that a platform like XBLA or PSN was perfect for a game like Magic. Lets hope it plays as well as it looks, and while we're at it, lets hope (in vain!) that they keep the prices of the inevitable DLC booster packs/decks to a reasonable level.

[NoName]

The original MtG PC game (made for Win95) was awesome. It has a fun single player mode and outside of that you could build decks with whatever cards you wanted. No needing to "own" virtual cards.

[Sandman]

Screw Talisman; this is my new Castle Crashers.....


where the hell is Magic The Gathering?

[Darcydian]

I'm concerned about the price structure for this.
MtGO is priced out almost exactly the same as the actual card boosters.
They justify this by allowing you to trade in a full set for actual cards, i'm hoping they don't continue this practise and just say "XBOX ONLY"
If they made it something like 1$ per booster, and like 4$ for a starter box i'd be all over there. i'd be spending some serious cash.

[Darcydian]

Dbl post: sorry
There also better be a damn good way to play offline.

[NationalKato]

A comment on the Wired article seems to discredit the 'purchasing extra packs/cards on Live' theory:

When I chatted with the gentleman at the WOTC booth about the game, he had mentioned that it comes with the premade decks, but you'll get new cards via unlocking them through play and you'll be able to customize your deck from there. No buying them from the store, which might be a good thing, as it rewards the people who play regularily as opposed to the people willing to spend the most money.

Posted by: Monion | Sep 3, 2008 10:54:48 AM

That's a better method, I think.

[Dr.Finger]

A comment on the Wired article seems to discredit the 'purchasing extra packs/cards on Live' theory:When I chatted with the gentleman at the WOTC booth about the game, he had mentioned that it comes with the premade decks, but you'll get new cards via unlocking them through play and you'll be able to customize your deck from there. No buying them from the store, which might be a good thing, as it rewards the people who play regularily as opposed to the people willing to spend the most money.

That's a better method, I think.While I'm sure you'll be able to unlock cards through achievements, milestones, etc, lets be honest here: there will be for-pay DLC for this game eventually. There's too much cash to be earned that way. You may not be able to buy the unlockable cards, but I'd bet a ton that you'll see paid booster pack of some sort eventually.

[Sandman]

While I'm sure you'll be able to unlock cards through achievements, milestones, etc, lets be honest here: there will be for-pay DLC for this game eventually. There's too much cash to be earned that way. You may not be able to buy the unlockable cards, but I'd bet a ton that you'll see paid booster pack of some sort eventually.

Acceptable DLC for this game for me would be if a new expansion of cards is released and buying them unlocks unlimited use of them in the game.

[NationalKato]

I never got into any CCGs...I just don't need the extra stuff. But card games on XBLA? Yes, please!

[modeps]

I like their idea, but I agree with Dr. Finger... eventually, there will be paid DLC for it in terms of cards. Lets just hope I dont have to spend 1200 points to get a Time Walk or Mox.

[Rommel]

Now if the cards you bought on XBLA were mailed to your home...you ould have virtual representations of your REAL DECK!

[asimonk]

Just port the goddamn Windows 95 version to XBLA, update the cards and be done with it.

[Sandman]

Just port the goddamn Windows 95 version to XBLA, update the cards and be done with it.

It's got to be in HD, work with a controller and know what achievements are...I hear kids are into that stuff these days.

[NuK]

i hope they have emperor, two headed giant, 3 headed giant, etc.

Woo hoo!

[Karmakin]

From the article, there's no collection or deck building element, it's strictly running on pre-created decks.

Kinda disappointing, however I'll still probably pick it up for the online play, depending on the number and variety of decks in the final game.

The real question is...are we talking about the basic precon decks that come out with each expansion, or are we talking about tournament level precon decks. THAT'S the question that I want answered :)

[asimonk]

It's got to be in HD, work with a controller and know what achievements are...I hear kids are into that stuff these days.

Hence the word "port."

I'm going to be infinitely less interested in this game if there is no deck management and customization as the article is alluding to. Though, I wonder if its just a bit of misunderstanding. The Win95 game started you out with premade deck and you went from there. Hopefully, that is the case.

[BlackPete]

I like their idea, but I agree with Dr. Finger... eventually, there will be paid DLC for it in terms of cards. Lets just hope I dont have to spend 120000 points to get a Time Walk or Mox.

Fixed that for ya. :(

[wyeast]

I know a couple of guys over there, so if y'all have hopes/dreams/feedback, bring it and I'll pass them over. :) They ain't on the project, but I'll go pester them to get it to the right ears.

[Heretic Machine]

Acceptable DLC for this game for me would be if a new expansion of cards is released and buying them unlocks unlimited use of them in the game.

I'd rather they combine the two ideas. Have it to where you start with some pre-made decks, and then unlock more cards to do deck building with. For DLC, each time they bring out a new expansion of the game, they bring that expansion to XBLA. You buy the expansion, for a reasonable price ($8-$10), and then you get access to more pre-made decks as well as the ability to unlock cards from that expansion.

[Wyrm]

If it's true that you unlock new cards by playing the game, this is a must buy.

Magic: The Gathering is the only card game I ever loved.

[net7runner]

Please let the precons be better than their real life counterparts.

If I have to play one more game with a Squire I'm going to stab something.

[Rommel]

i hope they have emperor, two headed giant, 3 headed giant, etc.

Woo hoo!

They will not have Emperor. Five people in one game shop in Brooklyn, and where ever the fuck you played it, played Emperor.

[Rommel]

They will not have Emperor. Five people in one game shop in Brooklyn, and where ever the fuck you played it, played Emperor.

More importantly... BUYING REAL CARDS VIRTUALLY PEOPLE! That's the shit and WOTC needs to get with it.

[Digital Outlaw]

Day one purchase for me, lets hope this game comes sooner than later....

[JimmyDanger]

For DLC, each time they bring out a new expansion of the game, they bring that expansion to XBLA. You buy the expansion, for a reasonable price ($8-$10), and then you get access to more pre-made decks as well as the ability to unlock cards from that expansion.

Bam! Yep. 1000 points for a base set - 800 for an expansion - 4 copies of each card in each set - and you've basically offered a quarterly renewal subscription service to a potential 12 million person audience.

And possibly kill the future of the physical CCG.

Will they do it? It's a tough call - I've spent a lifetime's worth of XBLA games in total on the MTGO PC service (and as stated - they ARE redeemable for physical cards - if you have the full set and the set is <3 years old) and while I don't regret it , I'd be reluctant to buy 40 odd boosters at $3.99 US of the next set when I know I could download it on XBL for 1000 points.

But on the counterpoint - I know the MTGO crowd (those who so desire to play MTG online - in the best environment possible - for whatever cost) comprises a little more of the hardcore MTG audience - while the XBL audience surely includes many who have played the game - dropped out - and see a quarterly update at a reasonable cost a feasible way to get back into the "main" game.

The "main" game being the intricacies of whatever the current type 2.0 environment are - for those not deeply versed in the MTG scene.

Personally - I've been a little inactive in the "buying packs" scene of MTGO inthe last 18 months or so - and there'd be 4000 points WOTC would be getting out of me annually they didn't get last year (once I weighed up the cost of the previous years MTGO costs, and the fact I still hadn't actually completed any of the various sets I was collecting) - and the odd social game sorta sucks when you see people playing with newer cards and feel the urge to buy a dozen or so new boosters, usually after a couple of beers, which is usually when I close the application - and MTGO 3.0 being slightly alien to me as an interface - despite its prettiness.

So another counterpoint - back to the benefits for WOTC of offering sets for sale at a reasonable price on a basis consistent with the physical/MTGO card releases (or hell - maybe even 1 expansion set behind)

So WOTC get US$40-50 a year out of a potential 12 million audience - who may - if given a chance to experience the type 2.0 metagame - choose to purchase physical cards to enter the "cash money" qualifiers, hoping to get on the World Tour -and live the dream.

And like online poker - which I believe there are $1 tournaments available online - that hasn't curbed the popularity of the "big money" physical game - and in fact there seems to be more poker, in more clubs, and on more screens than ever before.

I know - deep down - that any kind of concurrence with the physical/MTGO environment in an XBLA game is pure fantasy - there's too much at stake. But an exclusive card set, slightly reflecting the current environment - at a price point attractive to the casual (200 cards *4 for 800 points say) - is much more than i could have hoped for when they made the "MTG IP appearing on Xbox Live" announcement" months ago - and I am fucking deliriously happy.

Want Now. Gimped or not. The itch that Catan, Ticket To Ride, Carcassone, Lost Cities (and to a certain extent) UNO and Texas Hold Em - almost scratched - will be tickled.

[Disgustipated]

Win 95 MTG game was awesome. I loved the hell out of it. Fuck this new stuff though, I bet it's balls.

[MosBen]

Never got into Magic. Did play some Hero Clix though. Actually, this whole discussion just made me really want a turn based, strategic game with the heroes of the Marvel Universe. Something like Freedom Force but turn based and with Marvel characters.

[Deunnero]

We're getting close to release ... still any interest? This will very likely be a must buy for me ... as we are limited in the options .... I really enjoyed Culdcept Saga ... and look forward to giving this one a whirl.

[Mysterio]

Have they set a release date, yet?

[Deunnero]

Have they set a release date, yet?


Review copies are floating around, I think it's on for a March release.

Here's an article from January 14, 2009 (http://ca.askmen.com/entertainment/gaming/pc/Magic-The-Gathering-Duels-of-the-Planeswalkers-Pc/preview-1-1.html)

[Mysterio]

Review copies are floating around, I think it's on for a March release.

Here's an article from January 14, 2009 (http://ca.askmen.com/entertainment/gaming/pc/Magic-The-Gathering-Duels-of-the-Planeswalkers-Pc/preview-1-1.html)

This will be a Day 1 purchase for me. Come on, March!

[Virtuoso]

Pre-made decks? Half the fun of MTG is designing a deck and a strategy to go with it, and by removing this ability they have prevented about 50% of the fun in the game.

[ElektroDragon]

I saw this demoed at PAX. It looked AWESOME... I talked to the dev.... nothing but AWESOME. I can't wait for this. My physical cards take up too much space, and my social ineptitude means I never played anyone else besides my wife. Now it will all change!