Magic Workstation

[articpenguin]

I found Magic Workstation a good way to test decks without having to leave your own home. You download a database of cards, (pictures are optional, but nice to have) make a deck, and play with a person on the servers. Overall I think it's a cool program.

PROGRAM TOOLS:
Download Program
Server Program
Masterbase Up to M11
MWS Picture Assistance 2.5
Full Pictures
Cropped Pictures

DOCUMENTATION:
MWS FAQ
MWS Install Guide (Video Form)
MWS Install Guide (Text Form)
Strovil's MWSPlay Guide
MWSPlay Shuffler


April 21, 2010 - Rise of the Eldrazi database is now avaliable. Only Full Picture scans are avaliable. Cropped pictures are a not go because of the Leveling cards.

If you need any help, PM me or post here.

[StratGuy74]

Yeah, I use this alot it's really awesome. It's basically a free MTGO.

In fact, I don't know whether we can have an extra page for this, but we could all put down our nicknames on Magic Workstation on that page, and then run like a Deckconstruct league on Magic workstation, with a different format say every fortnight. Results on another Deckconstruct page.

Maybe this is wishful thinking, but we could do a paypal thing where everyone contributes say £1.00 to the site, and someone (I'll do it if everyone wants to do this) provides prize support.

Anway, now that my random creative hype is over, what do people think?

StratGuy74

[articpenguin]

That would be really cool actually. I usually play with who ever is online. And some of the people on their helped me out big time, either noticing mistakes or just helping improve my deck. And I can add people's usernames to the OP.

[Disturbedone0777]

I play MTGO but I'm more then willing to figure out a program if it means playing with some people from DC, hopefully alex included. I don't know about having actual prize support as playing for fun is good for me. So long as everyone keeps the competitive attitude.

[Ferridge]

What sets does this go upto?

[browncoat]

(2010-04-19 13:46 PM)Ferridge Wrote:  What sets does this go upto?

Workstation currently has every set up to Worldwake but will probably get ROE soonish.

I will admit that I don't really like workstation. If a deckconstruct league was set up I would probably play though. Prize support seems unnecessary and difficult to set up. I would personally prefer to just play for fun and bragging rights.

[Disturbedone0777]

Fun and bragging rights are good enough. I'm going to get this set up during tomorrow's holiday. (I'm sure at least one of you knows what I'm talking about). If nothing is done about getting something together I'll set something up once I understand the program. Browncoat I'm totally ready to fight you.

(Edit) After re-reading that, I realize that I worded it very poorly to convey what I meant. I'm going to work on setting the program up on my computer when I get the chance tomorrow. If no one else would like to organize an event, I would be willing to. I'll just go ahead and set it up if there is enough interest in the DC forums.

[articpenguin]

I will note that there are some bugs to this. And they haven't updated this in ages. So talking to your opponent will be necessary.
The video link in the OP is tutorial videos to set it all up.

And the full scans are avaliable for ROE. No crops or a database entry yet though.

[Disturbedone0777]

I wouldn't want to take on such a daunting task as trying to update the program since MTGO is hard enough to understand and my guess is the underlying engines are similar. How buggy exactly is this? Is Ventrilo or some type of communication really going to be necessary to have this game go on? What are some known bugs that you are aware of Penguin?

[Ferridge]

Im up for taking part in some matches on it.

I'll have a look when at setting it up on my pc and let you know when its up and running.

[articpenguin]

(2010-04-19 16:31 PM)Disturbedone0777 Wrote:  I wouldn't want to take on such a daunting task as trying to update the program since MTGO is hard enough to understand and my guess is the underlying engines are similar. How buggy exactly is this? Is Ventrilo or some type of communication really going to be necessary to have this game go on? What are some known bugs that you are aware of Penguin?

Ventrilo isn't necessary because the game has a instant messenger built in between you and your opponent with shortcuts such as "end turn" or "ok?".
And the only bug I am aware of is the declaring attackers. When you do so (right click > drag to what you are attacking) will leave a red line pointing to whatever. It stays there and it annoys me. The only solution I found was just dragging that card back into my hand then back out.

[Disturbedone0777]

So there are some visual glitches but does the engine work to make duels legitimate? Is the engine open source to your knowledge? Is there any glitches in the cards that makes some unplayable? I know that they report lot's of bugs to MTGO any time a new set comes out and I can't imagine this engine being any different.

I was asking about speaking programs because I prefer to talk during games versus type. Typing takes a lot more time and not everyone is as fast. It wouldn't be much to set up a ventrillo with the exclusive purpose of using it to talk about and play magic. I mean I can get a vent server up for like $3 a month that supports 20 people. That should be plenty if this happens.

[articpenguin]

(2010-04-19 18:08 PM)Disturbedone0777 Wrote:  So there are some visual glitches but does the engine work to make duels legitimate? Is the engine open source to your knowledge? Is there any glitches in the cards that makes some unplayable? I know that they report lot's of bugs to MTGO any time a new set comes out and I can't imagine this engine being any different.

I was asking about speaking programs because I prefer to talk during games versus type. Typing takes a lot more time and not everyone is as fast. It wouldn't be much to set up a ventrillo with the exclusive purpose of using it to talk about and play magic. I mean I can get a vent server up for like $3 a month that supports 20 people. That should be plenty if this happens.

Last time I checked, there was a tool to check if there you were playing with a cheater. Will have too look into that. Most of the players on there know not to cheat and I get frequent questions if my deck contains a Black Lotus.
If you want to look more into this, check out this thread on MTGSalvation that I found helpful when starting off.
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=161874

[StratGuy74]

I think if there is enough all round interest then this is something we should all set up. We've got nothing to lose except time, and a simple page with everyone's username on MWshould really be enough, with maybe a results table.

This program actually allows for more control really than MTGO, as things can be taken backwards much more easily. Another great thing is that we can play any format!

All cards that are in the software can be used free, and there is no cost anywhere! So if some people want to play legacy and some standard etc. then people can.

[articpenguin]

(2010-04-19 18:45 PM)StratGuy74 Wrote:  I think if there is enough all round interest then this is something we should all set up. We've got nothing to lose except time, and a simple page with everyone's username on MWshould really be enough, with maybe a results table.

This program actually allows for more control really than MTGO, as things can be taken backwards much more easily. Another great thing is that we can play any format!

All cards that are in the software can be used free, and there is no cost anywhere! So if some people want to play legacy and some standard etc. then people can.

I can have a section in the OP for usernames, and I shall do so right now.
So how would we exactly organize this? Play at certain times? Have someone host a room and who ever is online join?