Checking Out "Magic: The Gathering Online"

I already mentioned in a previous post that Magic: The Gathering is widely regarded as a well designed game. I've tried it before, but an average Philippine student's allowance just can't properly keep up with the game's costs. Now, however, I can afford to get myself into it a bit. Tournament level... I don't have that kind of money, but casual play... perhaps.

I decided that I would try Magic: The Gathering Online (MtGO) based on the following points:

• Being online, I won't have a shortage of people to play with. I can play 24/7, and there will always be people of varying skill around.
• The software allows you to easily create, review and analyze several decks using what cards you have. You can have several different decks pre-made, and you can switch to any of them in an instant.
• Higher trading possibilities.
• You don't physically have to go anywhere.
• You don't have to worry much about conversations. Sure, your opponent may try to chat with you, but chatting is easier to ignore than having someone in your face.
• Game rules are strictly enforced. Possibility of cheating is practically NIL.
• No need to worry about cards getting damaged.

There are some drawbacks:

• Reliance on a PC and a 'net connection. I think this is a given.
• No physical cards. You can't show off your cards physically to people. Can't lug them around and play/trade anywhere either.
• Hard to find someone local to fight with. Pinoys probably prefer physically meeting for a fight (I could be wrong, this is just an initial assessment).
• If the online game shuts down... well... your investment is perhaps screwed.
  
• Cost. For some reason, physical Magic cards are cheaper here in the Philippines. Maybe this is because of the change in the exchange rates. Regardless, I'm not sure why the economics turned out that way.

The main negative thing for me is the cost issue, which is strange. You'd think that given the negligibility of manufacturing and distribution costs, it might be cheaper. There is a plus side to consider regarding the cost: it's cheaper than most MMOs.

Consider World of Warcraft, the most popular MMO currently around, how much will you spend with the game AND the monthly subscription? Quite a sum compared to the cost of a few theme decks and some boosters. Even if you purchase one theme deck AND one booster pack per month, it's still cheaper. The costs are perhaps comparable to Guild Wars for Warcraft III, given that you only pay for the game once. With hardcore card purchases, you may go over the cost of MMOs, but if you're only there for casual play, you'd probably just make some relatively (very relatively) small purchases and you can stop. Given this point of view, MtGO is actually executing the micro-payment concept as its source of revenue.

Magic itself is not a game for everyone. The online version is not for everyone either, even for Magic players. If you want to get yourself into collectible card games and are intending to be a casual player, MtGO is perhaps a reasonable option to consider. Strictly as an online card game, it has few advantages over the physical card game, perhaps not enough to win you over. However, IMHO, compared to other MMOs and games with online support, this could be a good deal. It really depends on what type of gamer you are.

Magic is a well established game. The this online version is just another means to play the game. It may not be as well established as poker, but it has been around for more than a decade. The game itself will probably survive longer than most MMOs, or even video games in general. Be careful, though. If you get hooked, you might be surprised that you've spent much much more than you were originally willing to spend.

PS:

Regardless of how well the game is designed, I still think that the way they make money from BOTH the physical and the online version is threading near the line of highway robbery (particularly the online version). I tend to root for games where the design favors skill and rewards are based mainly on skill. This game does require skill (a hell lot of it, honestly), but it's also heavily influenced by a fat wallet, too heavily influenced for my tastes.

It may seem ironic that I appear to be praising the game earlier in the post, and now I'm knocking it. I give credit where credit is due. In my opinion, it IS well designed, but it IS
also somewhat a rip-off.