Magic: the Gathering might finally be doing something right here: Release what looks to be a very similar model to Hearthstone.
Magic: The Gathering Arena is currently in closed beta under development by a new studio created specifically for the game: Magic Digital Studio.
Check out some gameplay:
I think it looks pretty good. Their goal is to create a game that mirrors closely the experience actually playing tabletop MTG.
I'm not a hardcore tabletop player anymore, but I did play from the time I was 10 through high school. My friends and I could organize tournaments at our school, play in classrooms during lunch hour, and host MTG slumber parties.
What got me out of MTG was actually video games. I simply enjoy my entertainment in this medium more.
If MTG -- which I consider superior to Hearthstone in every way -- can pull off an engine and gameplay experience that matches the polish and presentation of Hearthstone, I'll happily play.
Talking point highlights:
- F2P (think Hearthstone here)
- Accurate to the Magic rule set
- Every card in standard format
- Card sets release alongside tabletop Magic
- Around 1,000 new cards added each year
- Ranked matches and casual constructed
- PC only "to start"
- Made for the future of MTG
Here's hoping they can pull it off!
To be fair, Magic Duels (not to be confused with the prior Duels of the Planeswalker titles) was already a MTG version of Hearthstone. But then they decided to pull the plug on it and have developed this game instead. It appears that it will have a better backbone to support future expansions (and perhaps add in older sets). They don’t want to pull the plug on MTGO though, so I doubt it will ever be as full featured with all cards and game modes available. I signed up for the beta and look forward to trying it, but I still play paper magic so I wouldn’t want to have to pay twice for the same cards if that makes sense.
Fingers crossed it’s still fun. Duels had its moments but felt convoluted at times. I’d like a get into the action quick style game (like hearthstone) that is based on Magic. Would also be nice to get an Android version (Duels was only on PC/iOS).
Have you tried Elder scrolls Legends the card game? I find it a very nice hybrid between HS and MTG.