Minecraft developer's next project is card game Scrolls
Mojang, the company founded by Minecraft creator Notch, has unveiled its next title: a digital, board-based, collectible fantasy card game called Scrolls.
Gamasutra reports players will face off over a grid-like board, trading blows via the titular scrolls.
Jakob Porser is the project lead, with art courtesy of Markus "jnkboy" Toivonen and a back story by Penny Arcade's Jerry Holkins.
Other Mojang members will be involved at a later date. The game will be a PC and Mac project at first, but apparently nebulous plans are in place for it to spread to other platforms at a later date.
Mojang plans to keep players in a constant state of uncertainty by frequently releasing new cards, avoiding locked-down power decks and predictable play.
According to the game's official site, "Scrolls is Mojang's next game and offers a new and unique game play where you fight to outmaneuver your opponent on the battlefield using the destructive powers in your collection of magical scrolls.
"Tear your opponent limb from limb with the might of your summoned armies, lay waste to the defenses with the obliterating power of your siege weapons or open up the very skies and let bolts of lightning shower his minions until only ash remains.
"The road to victory is yours to choose. Obtain the powerful scrolls and decide which ones you will take to battle as you fight to become the mightiest Magician of all."
A single-player game will give you a chance to learn the rules before jumping into competition; Mojang hopes to host a world championships, and is seeking a sponsor.
As well competitive multiplayer, players can interact in an online auction house, trading and purchasing cards from one another. There's no word on whether real money is involved. We suspect there might be.
Other multiplayer features include exhaustive stat tracking.
No release date yet, but a free, closed alpha is planned for this year. RPS has been to chat to the team in Sweden, and said the game is apparently in the playable state but didn't get to see it.
There's a couple of early, example cards through there as well; check them out below, along with some concept art.
Thanks, Indie Weblog.