Magic: The Gathering-based games coming to PC, Mac, Xbox Live

If a hit computer game can turn into a hit collectible card game, then why can't a hit CCG become a hit computer game? That seems to be the thinking behind today's announcement that Wizards of the Coast has licensed video game use of its Magic: The Gathering IP to Stainless Games (which will make Xbox Live and PC versions) and Mind Control Software (which will make a Mac edition).

Today's bare-bones announcement includes absolutely no information about how the license will be used or what form the games will take, but it's probably safe to say they won't be direct conversions of the popular card game (WotC's Magic: The Gathering Online already fills that role quite well). More likely, the games will probably follow Acclaim and Atari's leads in using characters and locations from the card game for a new type of experience. We can only pray that these newest efforts will improve on those somewhat disastrous past efforts, because the Magic Universe definitely contains a lot of potential for a good video game.

[Thanks Ross]

Reader Comments (35)

Awesome!!! I lo0o0o0ove Magic THE Gathering!!

Good news and bad news here.

Playing Culdcept Saga has really left me yearning for MTG again, bigtime sense of nostalgia. Seems I can never be happy with Culdcept because at ever step I end up thinking "I like how they did this in MTG better".

So it's great to hear that some MTG stuff is coming. However, I'm a bit disappointed it's not going to be the tried and true original card game. I know this is already out there on the PC, but I'm dying for a 360 or XBLA version that I can play with a controller.

Just in time. I just got re-obsessed with Magic last weekend. I just hope it isn't a terrible as the xbox game they released. Yark.

This was already a PC game like 10 years ago. I still have the CD-ROM, although it doesn't run on XP (even under the compatibility modes)

I second that. I also have the CD to prove it.

Mind control software and stainless are making seperate games. It lists Stainless Games will develop a game using the Magic: The Gathering IP for both Xbox LIVE Arcade and the PC, while Mind Control will develop a game for the PC and Mac.

WHAT ABOUT THE BLOODY DS?!

Yeah, the DS would be bad ass.

Wasn't this already a game on the PC at some point?

Yes there are several Mtg PC games and most of them suck.MGO is pretty good but the interface is pretty much disgusting,I mean hell even YGO interface is better and the new GX version at least adds something.

Too bad yu-gi-oh online is crap since you don't pay for the cards,you are paying to play.What the s* is that?

...if this had come out years ago it'd've been one thing--but now? besides, the card games were partly fun for the purpose of COLLECTING. oh yeah....and DRM XBLA games FTL.

Wow am I the only one that didn't know there was a WOW trading card game?

Thats one of those things that I'm glad I didn't know.

Awesome indeed....

let's hope that everyone doesn't end up with the power 9 due to cheats/hacking if its online.

While all the rest of the kids on my block would talk about their mana and stuff, I was too stupid to figure this game out. Here's my second chance.

Maybe you weren't too stupid. In my experience, it seemed like half the time people just made up rules to benefit them.

"Oh, you can't play that card now because... of the... orientation of the... planets. Yeah."

Mountain, Black Lotus, Channel, Fireball, GG

Counterspell

Lol...I was thinking the same thing Punchy.

@PunchyMcJunk
Feb 18th 2008

"Counterspell."

Don't you mean, "Force of Will"? Because, you know, you haven't even played a land yet.

I guess I was thinking that I might have gone first and already had a land out or my lotus in bloom. A Blue Elemental Blast was the best way out, if you had the first turn, IIRC. Now we are just arguing "what ifs", but your point is well taken.

Chaos Emperor Dragon,Monster Reborn,Witch of the black forest + Yata Garasu in deck = Game.

Oh wait wrong card game lol.

Anyway Force of Will.

Mountain? where's your beta mox ruby? no style~!

unless of course it was that rare mountain that came in the arena league - should have 10 of those in the deck or the deep dark unlimited inked ones.. or are you one of those ironic types that play with teh bleached out 3rd edition?

NOOOOOOO!

I was holding out for an iteration using the PS EYE. :/

Is WOTC still trying to sell its digital cards?!? LOLZ

I really like the picture in the post. "Do not touch," as though those cards had been meticulously arranged into that jumble.

The best MTG game ever was/is the MTG themed custom maps for Starcraft. You can not challenge this, it is fact.

you guys all know there is now and has been for a very long time Magic on line right? 1000s of people playing online every day. tournaments, leagues the whole bit.

thats mentioned above in the article. Also you have to pay for boosters right? why not just one block with boosters unlocked after games and online trade options?

What Wicker Man said.

I'd much rather the game be subscription-based, where you get new cards every week or so, and you can do trades and win cards through tournaments and whatever.

It seems silly that some guy with a lot of money to blow can instantly gain the advantage over me.

you can trade and win cards in the game already available. there are sanctioned tournaments and leagues. yeah you have to buy boosters but if this game is card based I'm sure they are gonna milk you for cards as well. that is the spirit of the game. collecting and having a different card set then your opponent. if you don't want to spend like crazy there are plenty of "magic on a budget" players on MTGO now. playing gametypes like pauper.

I'll trade my Counterspell for your mint Black Lotus. That sounds like a fair trade, right? ;)

I'd be interested in a MTG XBOX Arcade game, especially if it could play like Puzzle Quest.

Well the xbox live community is already agressive because they have sand shoved up their **** but at least I don't have to sit next to them.

So sure,bring it on.

I still have my White weenie deck.

I would like a yu-gi-oh game for the xbox live,just saying.

I used to play Magic but Jebus Tournaments and booster drafts lasted ages,I was once in a tournament that lasted 10 hours.

just 10 hours? ya never been on the pro tour 4 day conventions??!?

I think a DS or PSP version of a magic card game would be great. The Magic RTS's and action games have been horrid. Magic is a card game, then need to make the video game versions at least mostly based on the card game.

The Magic MMO is bad, there card costs are way too high. I'd love a real magic PC or DS game in the mould of the yu-gi-oh games, but not another half assed RTS please. And the fact they think making a card game video game will hurt there physical product sales is just idiocy.

Magic: The Gathering-based games coming to PC, Mac, Xbox Live

Reader Comments (35)

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