Arcomage
| Arcomage | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | New World Computing |
| Publisher(s) | The 3DO Company |
| Series | Might and Magic |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release date(s) |
1999 (M&M VII) 2000 (M&M VIII) 2000 (stand-alone) |
| Genre(s) | Card game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
Arcomage is a computerized card game produced by The 3DO Company. It originated as a minigame in Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor and Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer, in which it was used to gamble for in-game money or to complete a quest to win games in every tavern. 3DO later released it as a stand-alone game in 2000. In the stand-alone version a single player can play against a computer opponent or two players can play via a LAN or TCP/IP connection. Arcomage uses the fantasy themes of the game in which it is set.
Arcomage was developed by Stickman Games. The game was sold to 3DO.
Gameplay
Arcomage takes the form of a tabletop game, in which there are two players, each with a deck of cards, a "tower" and a "wall", as well as several other variables that determine whether they win or lose, and what cards they can play. As Might and Magic is a single-player game, one would always play against an AI opponent - making the game relatively easy to win.
Players take it in turns to:
- Draw the appropriate number of cards to complete their 6-part deck (one or more cards would have been played or discarded during their previous turn)
- Either play or discard a card, depending on their options - in some cases discard will be the only option available, as the player might not have the appropriate amount of "gems", "bricks" or "recruits".
- If their chosen card allows it, play again and/or choose a card to discard.
Every tavern has its different victory conditions, so players must adapt their styles for different situations. A game could end in one of the following ways:
- A player's tower has been reduced to 0
- A player's tower has achieved a "height" of X (value depends on Tavern)
- A player accumulates X amount of resources (value depends on Tavern)
As well as having a "Tower", "Wall" and Deck of Cards, each player also has:
- "Quarry" - controls how many "bricks" are gained each turn
- "Bricks" - spent on brick cards
- "Magic" - controls how many "gems" are gained each turn
- "Gems" - spent on gem cards
- "Dungeon" - controls how many "recruits" are gained each turn
- "Recruits" - spent on recruit cards
Arcomage employs a wide range of cards, each with their own name, effects and picture. Several cards were added to the original deck in Might and Magic VIII. Examples include:
- Faerie (recruit card): 2 damage (to enemy tower/wall); play Again. Cost: 1 recruit.
- Portcullis (brick card): +5 wall; +1 dungeon. Cost: 9 bricks.
- Sanctuary (gem card): + 10 tower; +5 wall; gain 5 recruits. Cost: 15 gems.
Other versions
Various open-source Arcomage projects have sought to keep Arcomage alive on the internet in player-versus-player battle. Some, like MArcomage, have expanded Arcomage and added new cards, effects, and factions.
Similarly, countless Arcomage-style games are available for iOS and Android, among other formats.
One of the most successful versions of Arcomage on Android, called "Archmage", has expanded the game with many more cards including Fire, Nature, and Soul cards as well as Tower enhancements. Players from around the world compete, are ranked, and contribute to expanding the game on its official website: http://www.archmage.us
Furthermore there are two flash adaptations of Arcomage under the name of CastleWars and CastleWars 2. CastleWars on Armorgames
External links
- MArcomage - Multiplayer Arcomage open source project - multi-platform web based game
- Arcomage Tribute open source project
- original Arcomage cards
- Archmage - Popular multiplayer Android version