In today’s market, when developers are under increasing pressure to create unique new games and gameplay experiences, it is no surprise that two of the biggest gaming markets might become one.
On November 6th 2007, Nexon and Wizards of the Coast made their first big push to connect the tabletop and internet gaming worlds with the release of the first set in the Maplestory iTrading Card Game (iTCG).
The trading cards turned out to be a perfect fit for the world of Maplestory, a massively popular (and might I add, free) MMORPG with over 50 million users, by offering players a chance to experience the worlds and characters they loved online in a handy portable package. Not only that, but each pack contained at least one code that players could redeem online for exclusive items.
Following hot on the heels of the first set’s success comes Set 2: OMG Bosses!, which is set to release on February 12th of this year.
Keeping in the theme of the original line of cards, OMG Bosses! will allow players to collect and trade cards and redeemable codes, that is, if they can stop themselves from redeeming the codes themselves first. These completely new items will come in a variety of types, ranging from pets and quests to boss-related items, hence the set’s name.
While the codes in each set may work the same way, OMG Bosses! is not simply a rehashing of the same ole stuff. As the name suggests, for the first time ever, players will be allowed to control boss cards that come equipped with unique abilities and tons of hit points (HP). Another new addition is the Leader ability, which encourages players to create creature-themed decks.
There are 60 cards in the new set, containing not only bosses, but also higher-level regular monsters and even holographic foil versions of some of the rare code-containing cards. With the card codes being so rare, there will definitely be an added incentive for players who want to have those exclusive in game items, which only heightens the excitement already building around Set 2.
Another exciting feature about the entire Maplestory iTCG experience is the animation used. Like the online portion of the game, the trading cards may contain monsters, but they are drawn in an almost whimsical style, with even the meanest and toughest monsters having a bit of cuteness in them.
The beautiful art stylings on each card is great for serious collectors, who would rather look at their cards than play with them, and also helps keep the cards from being too mature and serious, so that kids as young as 10 can have fun with them as well.
Like packs from the original set, OMG Bosses! booster packs will contain nine cards a piece, and have a price of $3.99. Each pack is guaranteed to have at least one code that’s redeemable online. The key phrase in that sentence is “at least”, which leaves a few lucky souls with the possibility of getting more than one in a pack.