Arcomage
| Arcomage | |
|---|---|
| 350px | |
| Basic Information | |
Type(s) |
Video Game |
| New World Computing | |
| The 3DO Company | |
| Card | |
| Microsoft Windows | |
| Retail Features | |
 
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| Ratings | |
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| Technical Information | |
   North American Release Date(s)
| |
| 2000 | |
| Awards | Changelog | Cheats | Codes Codex | Compatibility | Covers | Credits | DLC | Help Localization | Manifest | Modding | Patches | Ratings Reviews | Screenshots | Soundtrack Videos | Walkthrough | |
| Achievements GOG | In-Game | Origin | PlayStation Trophies | Retro Steam | Xbox Live | |
Arcomage is a minigame included in two installments of the Might and Magic series of fantasy role-playing games. It is included in both Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor and Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer. 3DO also released it as a stand-alone game in 2000. In the stand-alone version a single player could play against a computer opponent or two players could play via a LAN or TCP/IP connection. Arcomage is a computer based card game which takes on many of the themes of the game in which it is set. Arcomage is an actual part of the story of the game - in that characters may enter a tavern and play for money. In both games, there is a quest to win a game of arcomage in every tavern in the land.
Arcomage was developed by Stickman Games and is the brainchild of Jon Van Caneghem. The game was sold to 3DO.
Gameplay[edit | edit source]
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:
- Draw the appropriate number of cards to complete their 6-part deck (one or more cards would have been played or discarded during their previous turn)
- Either play or discard a card, depending on their options - in some cases dicard will be the only option available, as the player might not have the appropriate amount of "gems", "bricks" or "recruits".
- If their chosen card allows it, play again and/or choose a card to discard.
Every tavern has its different victory conditions, so players must adapt their styles for different situations.
As well as having a "Tower", "Wall" and Deck of Cards, each player also has:
- "Quarry" - controls how many "bricks" are gained each turn
- "Bricks" - spent on brick cards
- "Magic" - controls how many "gems" are gained each turn
- "Gems" - spent on gem cards
- "Dungeon" - controls how many "recruits" are gained each turn
- "Recruits" - spent on recruit cards
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:
- Faerie (recruit card): 2 damage (to enemy tower/wall); play Again. Cost: 1 recruit.
- Portcullis (brick card): +5 wall; +1 dungeon. Cost: 9 bricks.
- Sanctuary (gem card): + 10 tower; +5 wall; gain 5 recruits. Cost: 15 gems.
Other versions[edit | edit source]
Some people have made their own online versions of Arcomage, although even MArcomage only has a handful of players. This version is much almost exactly like the original in set-up (tower, wall, resources, productions) but has a numerous and expanding stock of cards to choose from, with increasily more complicated effects such as "last card played" and token based effects.
External links[edit | edit source]
