Minecraft Developer Announces Scrolls, A Card Game

Mojang had some huge news to share at GDC this week: the indie studio is working on another, much different title alongside their building game Minecraft. This new joint is called Scrolls, and it’s a collectible card game in the vein of Magic: The Gathering crossed with a dab of Chess.

Here’s how it works: in the game, you’ll collect and purchase bundles of cards in order to build the most devastating decks possible. With that deck, you can erect defenses and call on monsters to attack your lone opponent and his cards on a Chess-like board. When you or your opponent’s health hits the zero mark, it’s game over.

“At the core it’s a collectable card game, but it’s also a board game,” project lead Jacob Porser told Rock, Paper, Shotgun in an exclusive preview. “It’s combining the two. As you place your units or your buildings, or your siege weapons, you place it on the game board to play against your opponent,” he said.

“It’s not only about designing a proper collection of scrolls [the cards], and the tactical aspect of that deck, but it’s also about the tactical sense of how to place your units on the game board,” he added.

Mojang has big plans for the title. Gamasutra mentions that Markus Persson wants to see worldwide online tournaments, and of course, Mojang will be selling supplemental packs of cards, much like other digital and physical collectible card games. 

Scrolls will see a private beta release at some point later this year on the PC and Macintosh. Apparently, Minecraft Alpha owners will get a shot at this beta. 

If you're looking for a bit more on Scrolls, go check out those links to Gamasutra and RPS for your in-depth coverage needs. Both outlets hit the road and saw a build of the game over at Mojang.