Latest News
New Historic MTG Format Promises to Be Big
Wizards of the Coast Create a Historic Format
Wizards of the Coast have long been at the very front of developing products in the digital collectible card game segment. With their changes to the MTG Arena Open format, the company is yet again consolidating its status as a leader. WotC has offered all sorts of no deposit bonus options for new players in the MTG Arena game, allowing you to boost your standing in the game by acquiring new packs for free and exploring new strategies with the cards you have.
But now the company wants you to be able to feel a little more competitive when you play against the top crop of players. Letâs take a look at the changes that the Wizards so handily have introduced for the sake of your and our entertainment.
Changing the MTG Arena Open Format
The MTGA Open kicks off on August 1 at 10 am CT allowing players to participate in one of the most competitive gems the card game community has seen to date. The players can choose the entry fee: to pay 20,000 gold or if they prefer, 4,000 gems, whichever is handy. MTG wants you to have the best chance of securing some prizes while you are part of the competition.
There have been quite a few changes, many of which you should definitely look forward to, as they would have an impact on the upcoming MTG Arena open event. For example, Magic is issuing a specific ban on July 13 and adding over 500 Jumpstart cards to their Historic format as early as July 16, offering you a chance to try something different.
How Is the New Format Different?
The Wizards of the Coast love to keep things under tight wraps, but that shouldnât really worry you, as the format will be familiar. Looking at the previous event, it was held over the course of two days and featured gem payouts as the rewards in the first leg of the competition. However, for the second day, players can look forward to cash prizes.
The format of the previous one was a bit anticlimactic, too, with just a simple best-of-one Standard mode, but the Historic format may change things up quite a bit. The Historic format will run in a Bo5 and boil down to seven wins and three losses overall.
How to Participate in the Upcoming MTGA Open?
Participation in the event is already stirring some buzz on social media. Thankfully, Wizards of the Costs have held out on no details. Anyone who is at least `18 years of age or older will be able to sign up with their Wizards of the Coast account and take part in the action. You can use your Wizards i-Payout account or DCI number to register.
Now, while not all the details about the event have been released just yet, this is expected soon enough. The details about the MTGA Open are expected with the Julyâs State of the Game. Whatâs known so far is that there will be an update before July 16, or so sources suggest, that will bring over 500 Jumpstart cards which will also be featured in the Historic format.
MTG Shaping as a Competitive Video Game
MTG has long been one of the most competitive card games out there. With the arrival of the digital version, though, Wizards of the Coast have proven that they can create a competitive product that will be played both digitally and in person, something that has happened.
WotC, though, is continuing to push their footprint and whip up excitement for competitive Magic Arena: The Gathering. The company has teamed up with ELEGUE and has announced several high-profile competitions.
MTG is one of the most skilled-based games there is and as such, there is certainly a huge element of knowledge to it. Accumulating all that knowledge is of course a matter of always being in the known of new and upcoming cards and patches. The meta will change rapidly, but with some consistency, you will be able to master it.
Latest News
ECA and AGEM applaud creation of Association Assembly at ICE Barcelona
The news that Januaryâs ICE Barcelona will include a major new feature dedicated to global gamingâs most influential trade associations has been welcomed by organisations in Europe and abroad.
Making full use of the additional space at the Gran Via Fira de Barcelona, the first ICE Association Assembly has been created to enable trade bodies to promote their values and create new opportunities for the gaming community across every sector and geography, including both the Brussels-based European Casino Association (ECA) and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), the global trade association for gaming equipment suppliers with its primary headquarters in Las Vegas.
Erwin Van Lambaart, Chair of the ECA confirmed: âOur members are already planning their week in Barcelona and they will be at this historic edition of ICE in great numbers. ICE is a pivotal event for the global gaming community and having a show floor feature which will enable us to engage directly with all sectors is a unique opportunity.
“Traditionally, our association’s involvement at ICE and its Conference program has primarily centred around networking and product development orientationâconnecting with our members, regulators, suppliers, and fellow trade bodies. However, ICE 2025 marks a significant milestone. For the first time, the ECA will have the chance to fully interface with the global industry supply chain in its entirety. We are looking forward to this unique opportunity to articulate our vision for the future to a diverse and comprehensive audience, where innovation, responsibility and significant partnerships for guest and customer centricity will have centre stage.”
Daron Dorsey, CEO of AGEM added: âWe represent the interests of our gaming suppliers whose well-known brands are global in reach, so to be given the opportunity to explain our agenda and engage with what is a truly international audience of association colleagues on the ICE show floor is invaluable.â
Januaryâs editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate will occupy 120,000sqm of space compared to the 100,00sqm at ICE 2024. In a major endorsement of the opportunities offered by the relocation to Barcelona 72% of the 25 biggest exhibitors will have an increased stand presence at ICE 2025.
Industry Awards
Blask Wins Prestigious “Startup of the Year” at 2024 Starlet Awards
Blask, the pioneering AI-powered analytics ecosystem for iGaming, has been named “Startup of the Year” at the prestigious 2024 Starlet Awards. The company earned this recognition for developing a groundbreaking market intelligence platform that has redefined how gaming operators leverage data and market insights.
Award Recognition
The award confirms Blask’s revolutionary approach to market analytics and its significant impact on how iGaming companies access and utilise market intelligence. Powered by AI models including Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing, Blask analyses billions of data points across 2000+ active brands to provide unprecedented market insights.
The Starlet Awards recognition follows Blask’s recent SiGMA Asia Startup Pitch 2024 Award victory. “Winning these awards affirms our belief that innovation and bold ideas can reshape the iGaming landscape. The recognition underscores the impact of our cutting-edge AI technology and our relentless pursuit to transform data into actionable insights”, reflects Max Tesla, CEO and Co-founder of Blask
Blask provides operators with a strategic edge across multiple critical areas. Its real-time market analysis capabilities deliver instant access to crucial market metrics, while the high-granularity data available at one-hour intervals enables swift, informed decision-making. The sophisticated AI modelling system estimates GGR and FTD by analysing a comprehensive range of inputs, including historical data, third-party OSINT data, market performance, competitor metrics, historical brand performance, market reports, and public company disclosures.
Beyond analytics, Blask offers robust brand monitoring and competitor analysis tools, alongside strategic and tactical planning capabilities particularly valuable for market entry decisions and maximising performance during major events. The recently introduced customer profile feature harnesses AI to generate detailed, country-specific user profiles, adding another layer of strategic insight for operators.
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The CONCEPT cabinet line has been designed to maximize space in casinos, adapting to any configuration. Its efficient design allows for different bank arrangements, making the most of the available area. This gives operators greater flexibility in organizing their gaming floor.
Additionally, the integrated LED strips in CONCEPT eliminate the need for extra signs or wedges, creating a sleek and attractive visual at all times.
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