More details emerge on Magic the Gathering Arena

Since the reveal of Magic: the Gathering at HasCon earlier this month, I have been keeping a lazy eye on any other details to emerge. I’ve made a list below.

For me this game looks great, and is essentially what I would like an online Magic experience to look like.  Looks aren’t everything though and it’s important to understand what this game will play like, once it’s finally released.

Here are some facts I’ve gathered, mainly from reading over Aaron Forsyth’s Twitter, and the recent episode of Limited Resources.

Here’s my list:

The game will launch in English language on the PC. Other languages and platforms are possible but there is not timetable for rollout or the order in which other languages or platforms might be added.

After the in-game tutorial, players will be given “solid” decks to start out with.

Drafts and sealed play will be featured at launch.

You will earn cards and packs by playing games of magic.

Cards will not be tradeable within the game

The game as displayed is in the Alpha stage. A closed beta is planned, to be followed by and open beta before launch. They didn’t say this, but I would expect the launch to happen a year after HasCon.

When the first standard rotation happens post launch, another format will be created to make those cards playable

The focus will be on fewer formats, so for example a draft button would start you off in the only playable draft format

Rankings in the game will be used to decide your match ups in draft sealed, and standard play

There will be ladder seasons of competitive play

The window with which you will auto-lose for inaction will be considerably shorter than MtGO’s 10 minutes.

Older sets and formats are not a set goal, but may happen. May.

Vanity items will be in the game to allow for personalisation. Get ready for hats!