With Magic: The Gathering Arena, Wizards of the Coast is working on an adaptation of the popular card game that aims to stay as true as possible to the original. The open beta is starting soon. But is the game only suitable for hardcore fans?
Fans of the card game Magic: The Gathering are already excited, as the open beta of the digital version “Arena” will start shortly. This version is expected to be closer to the original than ever before.
The perfect Magic adaptation?
What is Magic: The Gathering? The collectible card game was launched in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast and is the pioneer of this genre of card games. Magic established a genre that is now extremely popular even in digital form: e.g., through Blizzard’s Hearthstone or Gwent from CD Project Red.
All these games are derived from Magic but offer their own rules, modifications, and game modes.
Beta starts on September 27 – Here’s how you can participate
When does it start? With Magic: The Gathering Arena, a new variant for PC is in the works, which will enter open beta on September 27.
On the official website, you can register for the beta. The online game uses the free-to-play model, where you can purchase new card decks or earn them by using rare wildcards.
Why are fans excited about “Arena”? While there were earlier digital versions of Magic, they always had some variations of the rules. However, Magic fans want an online game that sticks as closely as possible to the original. And that is exactly what “Arena” aims to provide.
Therefore, it is not an external team developing the game but rather its publisher Wizards of the Coast. Fans have high hopes for the title, which could finally be exactly the game they have long wished for.
A game for hardcore fans
Closed Beta was well received: So far, selected fans have been able to participate in a Closed Beta of Magic: The Gathering Arena. Interestingly, it even attracted players who typically have no interest in online games at all. For instance, in the Reddit group, people are asking what a wipe is. Generally, there is a lot of discussion about individual cards, their strengths, and which game variants should be introduced.
The fans are already very pleased with the beta. While there are still areas that need work – such as the deck-building tool, social features, and the UI – the game is generally well-received.
Can Magic also attract players beyond core fans? The question will be whether Magic: The Gathering Arena is perhaps too geared towards hardcore fans. Because it was precisely these fans who tested the title in the closed beta.
With the open beta on September 27, it will be seen how the card game is received when a broader audience gets to try it. This includes players who love Hearthstone, for example. Because Magic: The Gathering Arena certainly does not want to appeal only to Magic fans, but aims to establish itself in the online card game market in general.
