Magic: The Gathering is testing out digital codes in physical packs of cards

Magic: The Gathering, the original collectible card game, is testing a new digital code system. It grants players who purchase physical booster packs access to random in-game items in the new digital version of the game, called Magic: The Gathering Arena. The trial is only running in New Zealand, but could potentially be rolled out worldwide.

Magic: The Gathering Arena is being developed internally at Wizards of the Coast, the developer and publisher of the physical card game. I’ve had access to the client for a few months now and not only is it easy on the eyes, it’s also a faithful recreation of the tabletop experience. I was able to easily build a digital version of the physical deck that I use at my local game shop, and then quickly put it to work against live opponents online.

Access to Arena, which is in closed beta, is granted on an invite-only basis — unless you live in New Zealand. When the newest physical set of cards, called Dominaria, is released worldwide on April 27, the booster packs sold in New Zealand will include an additional card with digital codes on it. Those codes will allow players to enter the Arena beta. It will also give them a random in-game item — either a digital booster pack, a single digital card to add to their collection, or some in-game currency.

Note that this is not an effort to key individual, physical Magic cards that a player might own to their digital version in Arena. Codes found in packs will only grant random cards, in the form of a digital booster pack or a specific card from a fairly short list.

Players in other markets shouldn’t get too bent out of shape at the players in New Zealand, however. This is a true test, and before Arena goes live there will be a final account wipe, meaning that everything — including digital cards from the Dominaria set — will vanish from players’ accounts.

Nevertheless, this is a step in the right direction for fans of Magic. If it succeeds and ends up being rolled out world wide, fans who spend money on the physical game will receive extra benefits for the digital game.