Arcomage

Arcomage
Game information
Developer	Stickman Games
Publisher	The 3DO Company
Designed by	New World Computing
Release	1999 (as mini-game in Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor) 2000 (as mini-game in Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer) 2000 (stand-alone)
Genre	Card game
Universe	Original universe
Setting	Shrikar
Technical data
Platforms	Microsoft Windows
Mode	Single-player, Multiplayer

Arcomage is a minigame included in two installments of the Might and Magic series. 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. 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:

• 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 discard 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
• "Zoo/Dungeon" - controls how many "recruits" are gained each turn
• "Beasts/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.

Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor

Beast cards

External links

• A gallery of the Arcomage game cards