1999 · New World Computing · Card game · Strategy

Arcomage

A card-based mini-game from Might and Magic VII and VIII, the popularity of which convinced New World Computing to turn it into a standalone game. It's a simplified version of Magic the Gathering, where the goal is to destroy the opponent's tower before they can reciprocate.

Released: 1999
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Card game Strategy Turn-based strategy
Developers: New World Computing
Publishers: The 3DO Company
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Themes: Fantasy
Country: United States
Age ratings: ESRB E

About

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.

›Story

Trial of Towers

During a time long past, a traveler settled among the people of Shrikar. The traveler’s knowledge, skills

and power led them to believe that he was the chosen Emissary of the god Ceth. As time passed, the

traveler taught the people of Shrikar how to Weave, or shape the natural energy flows of their planet. The

Emissary also taught the basic skills of architecture and of controlling creatures of the land, improving the

way life for the people of Shrikar. An age of prosperity and enlightenment began and the people lived

better than ever before.

As the people of Shrikar continued to advance in their skill and knowledge of Weaving, the Emissary left to

continue his journey once more. To honor him and his teachings, the people created the Arcomage Guild; a

school dedicated to the knowledge that the Emissary brought to Shrikar. Graduation from this Guild

bestowed the title of Arcomage upon the worthy student, one who understood and excelled in the ways of

Weaving, of Control and of Building. The Golden Age of Shrikar had reached its pinnacle.

One hundred years after the departure of the Emissary, the first Arcomage War struck the people of

Shrikar. The Arcomage Crowhain assaulted the citadel of the Arcomage Ralbeard. The surrounding

countryside was laid to waste. Years after the war started, Ralbeard completely destroyed the citadel of his

enemy. The scars upon the world of Shrikar were slow to heal. Over the next five hundred years the people

of Shrikar would experience the wars of Arcomages hundreds of times, as mages strove to increase their

power and reputations.

You have been challenged, Arcomage! The enemy is at the gates and it is now time to put your skills and

tactics to the test. Gather your resources, summon your armies and join the battle!

Keywords

minigames
turn-based
card based combat
resource gathering

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

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:

Reception

Arcomage received mixed reviews upon release. Jeff Green of Computer Gaming World found the game to be "less fun" than its concept due to the "utter randomness of play", also noting the game had little differences from its appearance in Might and Magic VII. Absolute Games described the game as "boring" and an unfinished product, noting the lack of additional features such as exchanging cards or leaderboards for online play.