Online Trading Card Games, Are They Just Games?

TCGs (Trading Card Games) aren’t a new concept – and you’ve probably heard of a few, like Magic the Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, or Pokémon – but the rise in online TCGs is a more recent fad. The TCG genre has made a name for itself in the gaming, and competitive community. What has made the online TCG stand out from the original is its ability to allow friends, or strangers, to play on a global scale rather than at a table, and the digital component has also allowed for animations, and sounds when cards are played, adding a little more aesthetic pleasure. I have had a lot of experience in the TCG field, including a limited amount of competitive, but before I go into my two favourite TCGs I’d like to give a brief definition of what a TCG is.   

A Brief Definition

 A TCG is usually defined as, a game where players build a collection of cards from in-game rewards for battle. The player constructs a deck from the cards in his/her collection based on the restrictions of the game or format. After construction, the player uses his/her deck to play against other players or AI’s in a turn based format. A player wins when he has met the conditions of the game/format, but generally involves reducing the other players health to zero using your cards. There are also a number of TCG sub-genres that add new elements to the standard TCG format, or combine TCGs with another game genres. TCGs involve a lot of strategy when constructing decks, or battling other players; your deck has to effectively use cards that work well together, and battling opponents requires you to plan out the whole match, rather than turn by turn.

Now for my two favourite TCGs, not to mention they’re also free to play.

Hearthstone

Hearthstone is the current leader when it comes to Online TCG games, some may say they even started the recent craze. In addition to the standard TCG experience, I particularly enjoy hearthstone for its quirkiness and fun style. They have a weekly brawl that adds a whole new rule set to the mix when you play, from randomly generated cards to bosses battling it out, it’s sure to keep things interesting. The game also features Arena, where they give you a random selection of cards, three at a time, to choose from in order to build a deck and challenge others; if you secure wins, you receive rewards. Overall, Hearthstone is for the both serious, and casual players.

Gwent 

 Gwent is a more recent addition to the TCG family, but has also made a name for itself. The game was originally a mini-game in the fantasy RPG, The Wither 3: Wild Hunt, but due to its popularity was made into a stand-alone game. The game differs from standard TCGs because it is played in short rounds, and doesn’t involve the gradual play of other games. Unlike other TCGs, Gwent lets you play any card from your hand, at any stage of the game. Victory is achieved by having the most power/strength on the board as a round ends, to win the match you must win two out of three rounds, so choose use your cards in each round carefully.      

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Shawn Bosnjak is a student in the Professional Writing program at Algonquin College. He is an avid writer, reader, gamer, and drummer, with a passion for anything fantasy or rock.

A Jump Start to Competitive Gaming

Are you a serious player who has dreamed of standing in the spotlight? Or maybe, you’re just a beginner who really likes playing a specific game. The competitive gaming field is available to anyone. Whether you’re aiming for world champion or casual goer, you all have to start somewhere.

Choosing a Game

Though there are many games to choose from, it is best to single one out. I would recommend choosing the one you enjoy the most, as you will have to play a lot of it. Other considerations could include, the popularity of the game, if the game has any competitive directions, and how far you’d like to go competitively with the game. Most games have the potential to be played competitively, such as speed running, but lack an established community or team; this makes it much harder to get into the competitive field.

In my experience, games like Hearthstone, League of Legends, and Smash Bros. are great places to start when looking for competitivley succesful games. 

Putting in the Time

Most professional players spend a minimum of 6 hours a day practicing their game. If you fail to practice continually your skill will suffer, and you may lose your competitive edge. Think of the game as a full-time job, in order to get payed or be successful, you need to contribute your hours. The process could take months, even years, but it’s important to stay vigilant.

The Importance of a Community

The next step is finding, or developing, your game’s community. Follow teams, Facebook groups, websites, and friends that share an interest in your game. These groups can be a great resource for information: The groups often share, tips and tricks to preforming better, discussion on changes and updates, information on local events, and upcoming tournaments, which brings us to the next step.

Getting Your Foot in the Door

Local events and tournaments are an increasing occurrence in cities and towns. The tournaments provide prizes and experience for both new and established players. If you are hoping to become a professional player, this is the place to start. Local tournaments give players a chance to experience a competitive field on a smaller scale, providing you with some confidence when you hit the big stage. Some events require you to obtain competitive points before you are eligible to enter, local tournaments and events are a great resource for accumulating status, and points towards the larger scenes.

Establishing a Reputation

Once you’ve achieved the necessary experience or points to enter larger scale events, it’s important for you to preform well. Not only do these events provide some publicity for fans, but could qualify you for championship events. Enter tournaments prepared and often. Put in the time to research your opponents and develop strategies to counter them, if possible watch other professional players to see how they play, these are all important steps in preparing for a tournament in order to get results.

Achievement Unlocked

Once you’ve achieved a reputation, sponsorships will become easier to obtain, and your career as a professional player will start. The best option at this point is to continue entering championship tournaments, and to start streaming. Streaming not only provides you with another source of income, but makes tournament invites and event opportunities more likely, while also boosting sponsorship interest.

Best of luck in your journey to becoming a professional gamer.   

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Shawn Bosnjak is a student in the Professional Writing program at Algonquin College. He is an avid writer, reader, gamer, and drummer, with a passion for anything fantasy or rock.

What is an RPG?

Imagine an unfamiliar world that is open for you to explore, but you don’t know where to start? Maybe you find the closest town and have them guide you through tasks, maybe you find a cavern and delve into its depths seeking treasures, or maybe you just want to wander the world marking new locations on your map. Choice is what defines an RPG (Role Playing Game), but choices are not limited by exploration. RPGs also include questlines that involve choosing between options that flip stories in multiple directions as you progress. You could choose to show mercy and have the favour returned later. It could even involve dialogue options that change whether or not you get the information you need. Overall, the choices are what determine your outcome in the game.

 An RPG is broken down into multiple parts, Story, Setting, Exploration, Quests, Experience, and Combat.

The story acts as the main progression point, guiding the character to an ending. The story is almost always character driven, leading to multiple endings based on the choices the player made throughout the game. In my experience, it feels as though you’ve stumbled into a story book and have become the lead character.

 The setting is usually fantasy or sci-fi. This allows for creativity and surrealism in both the world and the character. It could take shape as a cat-person, or a magic world, the possibilities are endless. With a surreal setting, it also allows for exploration, made more enjoyable by the unfamiliarity.

 Exploration is a key element that makes RPGs unlike other genres. It could involve exploring buildings for loot, or caves for monsters. The ability to explore gives the player freedom in the game, not tying them down in a point A to B progression.

 Quests act as a guideline for players to follow, though it doesn’t always lead to main story progression. I like to think of it as an anchor for the player when they’re unsure of where to go next. Quests usually involve the completion of a task assigned by one of the NPC’s (Non-player character). It could be as simple as retrieving a spoon, to as complicated as removing a king from reign.

 The combat in RPGs varies from game to game, but generally involves slaying beast, or foes.  In combat, the player is usually gifted with special abilities that let them excel. Maybe you can cast fireballs, or have inhuman reflexes. The abilities assigned to character are unique and can often be developed as you progress.

 Experience is basically a reward system for completing quests, or slaying monsters. You often get experience for each quest completed, or monster slain, that tallies into levels once you collected enough. Levels act as a development system for your character such as, hitting level 5 rewards you with a new ability, or item. It lets your character develop and become stronger, often in a way you choose.

 Overall, in an RPG you make the choices that change your game experience and development. Without a doubt, it is my favourite genre.  

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Shawn Bosnjak is a student in the Professional Writing program at Algonquin College. He is an avid writer, reader, gamer, and drummer, with a passion for anything fantasy or rock.