By Matt Brown, Multimedia Director.
For over twenty years, in a small table in the corner of the commons, great spells are cast; heroes achieve glory, and die just as quickly.
Tabletop role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: the Gathering are a part of Delta College’s history. The Delta Collegiate first reported role-playing games being played in the basement Commons near Red Brix as early as Feb. of 1980.
The current crowd favorite Magic: the Gathering (Magic) is considered to be the first trading card game produced, beginning in 1993. According to the Guinness Book of World Records 2012, some twelve million players continue to duel with their decks.
However, when cards clash there isn’t always bad blood.
“This isn’t Game of Thrones, there is no king,” said Chase Reardon, drawing a card from the top of his deck. “I was surprised at how inviting everyone was.”
According to Wizards of the Coast, the company behind Magic, “Each game represents a battle between wizards known as “planeswalkers”, who employ spells, artifacts, and creatures depicted on individual Magic cards to defeat their opponents.”
Magic can be played by two or more players, each using a deck of 60+ printed cards. Players lose life when they are dealt “damage” by being attacked with summoned creatures or when spells or other cards cause them to lose life directly. In addition, a player can also lose if he or she must draw from an empty deck (called the “library” during the game).
The environment at the table was tense, with players checking and double checking rules, but exceedingly friendly. Planeswalker Josh Anaman said he “just showed up today” with fellow wizard Max Gould adding that he too “just walked by” when he first began playing.
When asked about competitive play, Reardon said that there are “tournaments every Friday night, at Coy’s Comics (in Saginaw) or The Stadium (in Bay City).”
For those interested in playing or learning Magic: the Gathering, you can find the roleplaying table in Commons Food Court (N005) near the hallway to Printing Services. Detailed rules and information about Magic: the Gathering can also be found at: magic.wizards.com
