Magic: The Gathering Online

Magic: The Gathering Online
Magic: the Gathering Online Logo
Developer(s)	Leaping Lizard Software (initial) Wizards of the Coast (v2.0 and on)
Publisher(s)	Wizards of the Coast
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows
Release	June 2002
Genre(s)	Online collectible card game
Mode(s)	Multiplayer

Magic: The Gathering Online is a video game adaptation of Magic: The Gathering, utilizing the concept of a virtual economy in order to preserve the collectible aspect of the card game. It is played through an Internet service operated by Wizards of the Coast, which went live on 24 June 2002. Users can play the game or trade cards with other users. It is only officially available for the Microsoft Windows operating system.

As of February 2007, Magic Online has over 300,000 registered accounts; this does not represent the true number of players, since people are allowed to register multiple accounts. According to Worth Wollpert in 2007, Magic Online is "somewhere between 30% to 50% of the total Magic business."

Magic Online is played as an electronic analogue to the physical card game. Digital artwork reproduces the look of the paper card game, and users interact with their cards to play with them on a virtual tabletop. Each game is hosted by the Magic Online servers, which apply a rules engine to enforce proper play. The logic for handling card interactions is provided by Perl scripts. Though the rules set as a whole is largely accurate and works well, it occasionally suffers from bugs.

Players can set up or join casual games of their choice for free in several rooms within the Constructed Open Play area. Currently the casual game rooms are as follows: Just Starting Out, a room for players who are new to the game and are not looking for a tough duel. Games in this room are limited to the Standard format to restrict the power of the cards being used. Just For Fun, a room designed for players to play fun, casual decks against one another. This is the most populated room and has no restrictions on what format a player can host a game in. Getting Serious, this room is provided as a step up from the Just For Fun room, but it is usually unoccupied. Tournament Practice is the most competitive room in the Constructed Open Play area, it is where the most serious players go to test their best decks before entering them into a Constructed event.

In addition to free casual play, official competitive tournaments take place around the clock. Tournament play includes 8-man constructed events(in a variety of formats), limited sealed deck and drafts (generally using the most recently released expansions), as well as larger tournaments that take place according to a regular schedule. Entering events requires an investment of sealed packs and/or event tickets, with winners being rewarded with additional product.