Magic Workstation

[Ferridge]

(2010-05-06 22:39 PM)articpenguin Wrote:  No. It's all free. You don't really need the server program though.

Cheers.

I'm going to attempt to finish instaling this tonight, can anyone post the below link for the most up to date card data base with pics?

[Ferridge]

im being a total newbie wheres the best link to get the card data base and images including RoE?

[Disturbedone0777]

He listed the site on the original post where you can find the data bases. I also did it myself using a simple google search for the data.

[Ferridge]

Ok got the cards, found an exe. if i download the images is the an exe link instead a rar file types?

[Disturbedone0777]

No it's just a rar, you just have to drop the files into the correct folder where you have MWS saved at. It's pretty simple.

[articpenguin]

Download the .exe for now and download the .rar's the exe dosen't include. So everything from Eventide up (If I'm right).

[Disturbedone0777]

My thoughts on Workstation
Now that I say I've used workstation for the three things that I thought I might use it for, I think it's time to talk a little bit about it.

What do you like about it and what do you not like about it. What do you think is something they could add as a feature? And what do you think would improve the engine or game significantly?

Now as a whole I definitely like the program. It works great as a tool to put together decks that you want to to test out before actually assembling them. I'm going to guess this is what the actual purpose of the station is. Because if the main purpose would be to play magic over the internet I would be surprised if there isn't some type of infringement out there it could be pursued on since wizards makes money from MTGO and not this. Either way as a tool to assemble some theoretical decks it's a great helper. I've already tested out a few different things I would never have wanted to buy without knowing their potential. Not to mention the constructed deck that would cost around $600 to build because of it's 12 planeswalkers.

Using the system as a competitive way to play magic I give it a "meh" grade . It's great for non-formal, no prize, just enjoyable games. However because of the looseness of the system it's pretty hard to do some things without thinking about unconventional ways of doing them or not doing them correctly. For instance I've seen a few ways that people have gone about cascading. It's totally possible to do the cascade right but for someone that doesn't understand all the features or commands of the engine it's very difficult to figure out how to do something like cascade.

One feature that I think that system could benefit from is having a voice feature. They would need a codec to use and a server so I can understand that since it's free that is a lot of work to put something like that in. However, after testing last night with Penguin and Browncoat I can say that having a mic makes the games significantly faster and easier play. Definate improvement on my overall satisfaction of the game as a whole.

When I said that I've done the three things I intended to do with the system, those three things would be that I've played online against complete and total strangers, I've played online with individuals that I needed to seek out in order to play with, and I've played offline with the workstation on two machines that were locally networked. All three games worked out the way I figured them to. The in person game was the smoothest, easiest game to play. Even though the player that was against me was only using the system the first time it took little tiem for him to understand it. The unlimited nature of having every card at your disposal allowed me and him to fight with decks that we would never have built otherwise, since it's such a pain in the ass to make proxies. Playing against Browncoat and Penguin showed me what it was like to have to find an opponent I was specifically looking for on the free server, which was very simple and quick. Trying to find a random opponent I found a little difficult. It has been okay finding people that are tolerant to new players, but most players are insistent on no-newbie games. All the game types are listed as numbers which I really didn't know what meant what. Type 2 is apparently standard, and type 1 is apparently block constructed?

Overall I think that the system is acceptable to play on regularly. I wouldn't want to put any prizes on games though. While I see there are ways that you can catch someone cheating, it's very hard to see them doing so if you aren't paying absolute attention to your progress log.

I definitely look forward to seeing some of you online in game. Don't forget to sign up to participate in the DC League. Any assistance needed understanding workstation or Ventrilo, send me a Pm.

[articpenguin]

I think they need to update it. Big time.

[Ferridge]

I've managed to sort mine out (although not got enough memory spare on my pc for the pics, damit!!!) and I've played a few games with a friend on it. I think its great for testing home brews with, or even trying to learn to play a net deck before having to trade your folder away, or selling your house for the new rares. But I do think it relies heaverly on communicating with your opponent. With Planeswalkers abilities and what not, although this might be due to my lack of knowing how to do things.

It has made me want to try out MTGO, not sure if thats a good thing or bad thing. As its great being able to log on for a game or two, cos I dont know about you look but if the misses let me i'd be playing magic all the time im not at work (and when i am, im on the forums that work hasnt blocked)

[articpenguin]

I really like Workstation because you don't need to pay for MTG: Online booster packs. If real life Magic cards came with a serial numbers (like one card game that came out a while ago) and we could just enter the serial number into MTG: Online, it would add them into our collection. That would be awesome and I'd be interested in playing that.

But I'm sticking with Workstation.

[articpenguin]

Ok kids. I'm going to get around to making a guide to Workstation, you know, getting it all set up. Will most likley be in a Microsoft Word format, so if you don't have it, get OpenOffice or something that can read .doc files.
Penguin out.

[lasraik]

Pretty cool idea, I'll check it out.

[articpenguin]

M11 databse and card pics are now avaliable!!! OP has been updated so the links lead you to the updated items.

[Disturbedone0777]

The pictures for M11 on that site are in German. They don't have english fulls.

[articpenguin]

They are there now