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Magic: The Gathering Online
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Magic: The Gathering Online
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==Gameplay== {{main|Magic: The Gathering}} ''Magic Online'' is played as an electronic [[analogy|analogue]] to the physical card game. Digitized artwork reproduces the look of a card game, while users click on cards to play them on a virtual tabletop. Each game is hosted by the server, which applies 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 enough for production, it occasionally suffers from bugs.<ref>[http://www.starcitygames.com/php/news/article/12045.html possible password vulnerability]</ref> Similarly, built-in engine limitations frequently impose clumsy [[user interface]] characteristics such as having to click away a large number of pop-up windows that can be generated by certain cards. This is one of the issues being addressed by the revamped version 3 software. Players are free to setup or join games of their choice. In addition, official events such as 8-man constructed, limited sealed deck and drafts, as well as larger tournaments take place according to a regular schedule. Entering events requires an investment of sealed packs and/or event tickets, but winners are also rewarded with additional product. Leagues were another method of sanctioned play which are tentatively scheduled to return in 2011. ===Card sets available=== Most, but not all, of the physical ''Magic'' cards ever printed are available for use in ''Magic Online''. The earliest set available upon release was ''[[Invasion (Magic: The Gathering)|Invasion]]'', which had been released in printed form in the fall of 2000; all sets moving forward were made available online as well, with the exception of the ''[[Unhinged (Magic: The Gathering)|Unhinged]]'' self-parody expansion. Wizards of the Coast has since attempted to release more pre-Invasion cards online. In the fall of 2005, ''[[Mirage (Magic: The Gathering)|Mirage]]'' was released online, nine years after its 1996 print release.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/daily/bs15 | title = Really Really Big News! No, Bigger Than That | accessdate = 2006-08-25 | author = Bennie Smith | authorlink = | date = 2005-06-30}}</ref> This set was chosen as the earliest set usable on ''Magic Online'' because it was the first to be designed with both Limited and Constructed play in mind and the first to be intended as part of a three-set block. Additionally, Wizards unambiguously owns the rights to the artwork in ''Mirage'' block, and ''Mirage'' block contains no [[Magic: The Gathering#Gambling|ante]] cards (unlike ''Ice Age'' and ''Homelands''). It has been confirmed that the eventual goal of the developers is to have every expansion set from ''Mirage'' onward available online.<ref name="PAX">[http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=691721 Chat with Justin Ziran]</ref> In April 2006, ''[[Visions (Magic: The Gathering)|Visions]]'', the second set of the ''Mirage'' Block, was released online. The third set, ''[[Weatherlight]]'', was released Wednesday, December 12, 2007.<ref name="PAX"/> For cards released before ''Mirage'', special MTGO-exclusive compilation sets called [[Masters Edition]]s were created. They feature approximately 200 selected cards from earlier sets. The first was released on September 10, 2007, with Masters Edition II following in 2008, Masters Edition III in 2009, and Masters Edition IV scheduled for a Dec. 2010 release. As of Sep. 2010, Magic Online is missing about 1,000 cards from the pre-Mirage sets and the Portal sets.<ref name="puremtgo">[http://puremtgo.com/articles/1020-2010-part-0-introduction PureMtgo article on unreleased cards]</ref> Most of the missing cards do not impact normal game play, as many older cards have become outclassed, or functional reprints have come out. However, some notable missing cards are the very powerful cards from the early days of Magic such as {{mtgcard|Mishra's Workshop}}, {{mtgcard|Library of Alexandria}}, {{mtgcard|Sinkhole}} and the entirety of the ''[[Power Nine]]''. Lacking these cards affects tournament play on Magic Online. The sets between Mirage and Invasion are in the process of being released every few months. The Tempest Block has been released in its entirety. Stronghold went on sale on April 13, 2009, and the Exodus set was released on December 7, 2009. Two-thirds of the Urza's block has been released. Urza's Saga went on sale on March 29, 2010 and Urza's Legacy followed in June. Urza's Destiny will be released in 2011. The Mercadian Masques block will then follow. When that block is complete, all of the cards from Mirage forward will be online, except for some unreleased Portal cards. New sets come out on ''Magic Online'' about three or four weeks after their printed counterparts. The delay is a policy measure to appease "brick & mortar" retailers.<ref name="gamespyinterview" />
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