Arcomage

Last updated
Arcomage
Arcomage cover.jpg
Developer(s) New World Computing
Publisher(s) The 3DO Company
Series Might and Magic
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Release1999 ( 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.

Contents

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:

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:

As well as having a "Tower", "Wall" and Deck of Cards, each player also has:

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:

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. [1] 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. [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 Green, Jeff (June 2000). "Arcomage". Computer Gaming World. No. 191. p. 122.
  2. 1 2 "Arcomage". Absolute Games.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 30 April 2001. Retrieved 30 January 2024.