Cryptic Studios is working on a new Magic: The Gathering action MMORPG. It is not supposed to revolve around cards, but rather to transfer the essence of the franchise into an MMORPG. Positive examples are Star Trek Online and Neverwinter, both MMORPGs by the company.
In an interview with Gamesindustry, the head of Cryptic Studios, Stephen D’Angelo, explains how the new Magic MMORPG is supposed to work, which they are currently developing.
Cryptic are experts at turning existing universes into MMORPGs
The interview focuses on how to create an MMORPG from “well-known brands and universes”. This is not an easy task. There are two major groups that need to be satisfied:
- These are the fans of the brand. They see their favorite universe from their personal perspective. One fan enjoys the quirky humor from “Do You Know Tribbles?” in Star Trek, while another appreciates the grand story arcs filled with drama. The MMORPG based on the brand must encompass everything that makes the universe great for everyone.
- And it must also please the rights holder that suddenly someone comes along and creates hundreds of characters that were never intended, and develops the universe in a new direction. For them, it’s often difficult to see someone take their baby and remodel it.
The studio head repeatedly cites the television network CBS and Star Trek as a positive example where collaboration has worked exceptionally well. Here, Star Trek Online now sees itself as part of the universe; the MMORPG is as much a part of the Star Trek cosmos as any television series.
You are a planeswalker
It is clear: D’Angelo wants to achieve this relationship with Magic as well.
The MMORPG will move away from cards and focus on the world and story of Magic: The Gathering. When developing Neverwinter, they did not simply take the rules from the table-top role-playing game “Dungeons and Dragons”; instead, they considered: What does the strength value actually do? Then they translated that into their role-playing game.
For Magic: The Gathering as well, they will examine what defines the brand at its core and implement that: They want to make the player a planeswalker, giving them the feeling of what is stated on every booster pack: “You are a planeswalker.”
More information about the new MMORPG:
