In the past year, many Magic: The Gathering fans haven't engaged in the "gathering" part of Wizards of the Coast's popular card game due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to in-store regulations and suspension of official Magic events in Wizards Play Network (WPN) stores, it has been difficult to many and impossible to some players who want to play the card game in person with friends. However, Magic: The Gathering Arena provides an online alternative for fans who want to play MTG but don't want to be vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic.
PC Specifications
Thankfully, MTG Arena doesn't require a lot when it comes to system specifications. The game is available for both PC and MacOS, and you can download it for free on the official MTG Arena website or the Epic Games store. If you're not sure if your system can run MTG Arena because you haven't upgraded your PC in a while, you can check out the minimum requirement specifications:
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5600+ or Equivalent
Graphics card: GeForce GTX 8800 or Equivalent
RAM: 2GB
Operating system: Windows 7
Those specs will let you play MTG Arena, but Wizards recommends slightly better specs for a more optimal gaming experience:
Processor: Intel Core2 Quad Q9300 @ 2.50GHz
Graphics card: GeForce GTX 560
RAM: 4GB
Operating system: Windows 10
MacOS Specifications
Here are the specs for Mac:
OS: macOS X/10 (64-bit Intel)
Processor: Intel Core i5
Memory: 4GB
Graphics: 1024MB
VRAM resolution: 1280 x 720 minimum display resolution
MTG Arena Gameplay & Trailers
Here's the official launch trailer that premiered in 2019:
If you want to see more gameplay, here's one of my MTG Arena videos from the MTG Rocks YouTube channel:
MTG Arena on Mobile & Tablet Devices
Magic: The Gathering Arena will also be available for cross-play on Android, iOS, and tablet devices.
In January 2021, Wizards confirmed that support for Android, iOS, and tablet are currently in development and will be released sometime in 2021.
Early access for Android version of MTG Arena will start on Jan. 28, and iOS users will have to wait later this year.
Here are the recommended specs to participate in the MTG Arena Android early access:
Android Version: 6.0 (Marshmallow)
RAM: 4GB
Graphics API: OpenGL ES 3.0
Texture Compression: ETC2
Required Chipsets
Kirin 970 -or-
Snapdragon 845 -or-
Exynos 9810
For more information and to take a closer look at the gameplay of MTG Arena on mobile devices, click here.
MTG Arena Reviews
Here are what the critics are saying about the game:
Destructoid (read full review):
"Magic: The Gathering Arena is an absolutely brilliant recreation of Magic only held back by Wizards of the Coast's monetization strategy and some unfinished business. With more of an open mind toward new modes of play (plus ways to keep your old cards relevant) and a better client, this could be the definitive way to play the best card game in the world for the foreseeable future."
Game Rant (read full review)
"Magic Arena is easily the most accessible and user-friendly version of the classic strategy card game. As the platform grows, makes improvements, and adds additional sets over time, it is sure to continue to be one of the main ways that gamers experience Magic: The Gathering at both the casual and competitive levels."
3DJuegos (read full review):
"The easy way to play and know about one of the greatest card games in history. Magic Arena takes the best from Magic: The Gathering and put in a nice and exemplar F2P experience."
PCGamesN (read full review)
"You can't beat the feeling of playing Magic with cardboard in your hands. Still, Arena presents a slick realisation in digital form, and one that should suit both old hands and newcomers."
Get Started Playing MTG Arena!
If you're a new MTG or MTG Arena player, you can check out Tolarian Community College's tutorial video here:
Related: Magic: Legends - New Trailer Reveals How You Can Craft The Ultimate Spell Deck
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