by John Boguhn

Created on: October 23, 2009

Two mystical figures step toward each other; passion and intensity clearly visible on both faces. They are Planswalkers; powerful wizards preparing to duel. Both come equipped with spells to cast and creatures to summon. A battle is about to take place and only one will walk away victorious. The other will be defeated; drained of life and powerless. So is the myth of Magic the Gathering; a strategic card game designed to test your logic and tempt your nerve. But be careful! Should you choose to walk in this world of wizardry you may not be able to leave it behind. It can be very addictive; and a whole lot of fun.

I speak from experience, having been a player for some twelve years or so. I have found the game to be both fun and challenging. It offers more than a single facet of participation. First and foremost it is a fantasy card game. Based somewhat on the role playing game of Dungeons & Dragons, it pits two players head to head in what is called a "Duel." They battle each other using separate decks of cards that each has individually constructed. And that is the second facet of the game; designing a deck that can defeat your opponent. It is considered by many players, myself included, as one of the best parts of the game. And of course the third facet is collecting the cards used to build those decks. Wizards of the Coast, the company that produces "Magic" offers literally thousands of cards to choose from. They have over a dozen core sets, better than 50 expansion & special sets, plus a variety of pre-made deck. There is even an Internet version.

The game itself was launched back in 1993; the brain child of Peter Adkison and Dr. Richard Garfield. Adkison was a high school student who developed roll playing games in his basement, and Dr. Garfield was a professor of combinational math who was looking for someone to help him develop a fantasy roll playing game he had created. They met in Portland Oregon over pizza to discuss Garfield's game. Adkison reviewed the Dr's concept but had another idea in mind. He saw a need for a quick playing game that needed minimal equipment and suggested the concept of a fantasy card game. And from that meeting came Magic the Gathering. As of 1999 there were 6 million players world wide; inspiring Hasbro Toy Company to purchase the Wizards of the Coast brand for 325 million dollars. The sale included the rights to the companies other successful card game; "Pokemon." Magic the Gathering has been growing ever since; including

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