Caller's Bane

Caller's Bane takes place in a world where the essence of conflict is stored on a parchment. You use the power of creatures, spells, and ancient machines to gain the edge in battle.

Also known as: Scrolls
Released: 3 June 2013
Platforms: Android macOS Windows
Genres: Card game Role-playing Strategy Turn-based strategy
Developers: Mojang Studios
Publishers: Mojang Studios
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Bird view / Isometric Side view
Themes: Educational
Composers: Josh Whelchel

About

Caller's Bane (originally named Scrolls) is a strategy-based digital collectible card game developed by Mojang, which aims to combine elements from trading card games and traditional board games. Scrolls was originally conceived and developed by Jakob Porsér, who along with Mojang founder Markus Persson, intended to create a type of game that was currently missing from the market. The game is developed using the Unity game engine, allowing it to run on multiple gaming platforms. Scrolls was announced on 2 March 2011, as Mojang Studios' second game.

While Mojang had claimed that they stopped development of the game in June 2015, the company revealed that they had still been working on the project, and in June 2018, released the game under its new title Caller's Bane for free. The last update was released in 2019.

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The game revolves around the use of cards, or "scrolls", to work toward destroying three of the opposing player's five idols, which are static objects on either end of the battlefield. There are four different types of scrolls in Caller's Bane: creatures, structures, spells and enchantments. Creatures are played on the board and can attack to destroy enemy creatures and idols. Structures are also played on the board and, unlike creatures, are immobile.

Spells have a wide range of effects, but are often played against creatures or structures. Enchantments are played on creatures and usually provide a lasting effect to that creature.

Development

Markus "Notch" Persson, the creator of Minecraft and Jakob Porsér were inspired to make a new type of game missing from the market, envisioning a game which would include elements from collectible card games and traditional board games. The result "would be a strategic game with a strong foundation in tactical game play".

In July 2012, Scrolls moved into a closed alpha phase, with a small portion of those who signed up given full access to the game. Additional invites were given out as the testing period expanded into an open beta phase. In June 2013, the game entered an open beta stage which allowed public purchase of the title.

Reception

Upon the release, the game received mixed to positive reviews, scoring 73 out of 100 on the review aggregator site Metacritic, and 7.3 User Score based on 46 reviews.