Guide Note

Magic: The Gathering is collectible card game. It was introduced in 1993 by creator Richard Garfield. Magic is considered the first instance in modern card collecting games.

Fast Facts

1. Created: 1993
2. Creator: Richard Garfield
3. Original producer: Wizards of the Coast
4. Won Mensa Award in 1994
5. Six million players worldwide
6. Players: 2 or more
7. Ages: 13 and up
8. Requires skills in card playing, math, and reading

When Wizards of the Coast CEO Peter Adkison met with Richard Garfield, it was to discuss Garfield's new game called RoboRally. Adkison was not interested in the idea, wanting something that gamers could play during downtime at gaming conventions. Garfield came back with a new prototype which Adkison liked. The game was renamed Magic: The Gathering and was released on August 5, 1993.

Magic was a success among strategy gamers and inspired a plethora of collectible card games in the mid 1990s. The game became so popular that a professional tour of tournaments was established in 1996. An online version of the game was released in 2002. This also became successful and an updated version was released in 2008.