Ghost Watch

TCG and Trading Card Game refer to the game genre that users fight with each other by using their own cards called deck. In the process of creating their own deck, users purchase their cards directly, exchange or deal cards with other users, and thereby the ‘Trading' occurs among users, it was named as TCG. As for TCG, card game itself is interesting, but furthermore, to collect cards is more interesting to users. On-line TCG 'Ghost Watch', which is being developed by NCore, faithfully follows basic rules to collect cards, create users’ own deck, and fight with other users. This is the game which has gone through a host of trial and consideration in order to show users in-depth features.

TCG Meeting with RPG

In fact, the card game itself is very familiar genre we have normally experienced from younger ages. Though the types and rules of games may different, the structure that users fight with each other by using cards remains unchanged with TCG. To know how to utilize a card and to deploy a psychological warfare can bring victory from card games.

The issue lies in that this interesting fight is very static in visual point of view. With various effects, this can give a feeling as a game, but graphic effect of card game has limits. Such static game method is not sufficient enough to stimulate interests of gamers who are accustomed to games with splendid graphics.

‘Ghost Watch’, in order to supplement this weakness, adopted RPG system to TCG. There is a village and a moving character of user, and various NPCs help users. There is a dungeon through which moving is possible, and users can obtain cards and items at the dungeon by fighting with strong monsters. The basic structure of this game follows the flow of RPG, and TCG is combined with core combat system, and thereby Ghost Watch finally completes more interesting system than any other TCG.

When a combat begins, a character directly calls creature by using a card, and the called creature becomes a real character by using graphic, and then this character attacks enemy. When using a magic card, a magic with fancy effects can be used. It is the characteristic of ‘Ghost Watch’ that can be firstly noticed to realize all the things that TCG can show through combination with MORPG splendidly by using graphic. 

Unique System, MORPG

The flow of game play of the ‘Ghost Watch’ follows the method of MORPG where village and dungeon are divided. At a village, equipment is tooled up, a quest is performed, and exchange with other users is possible, in a way similar to other general on-line games. The dungeon that can be entered through a certain place of a village has a structure that play with a unit of a sole user or a party of users is possible.

The most different characteristic of ‘Ghost Watch’ with other MORPG can be identified after entrance to the dungeon. Users can enter the dungeon after composing a deck with cards up to 50. When meeting with a monster at the dungeon, the monster is recognized as a figure that should be called, and then combat begins based on the TCG rule. In the case of a boss monster, which is different from general monsters, TCG combat begins by using card deck like as users. There are the cases where the number of cards or HP of boss monster is more than others’, but this boss monster doesn’t take action to violate basic rules of a game.

The point requiring caution is that cards which are used during a combat will not be recovered unless users go outside of the dungeon. In other words, if 5 cards are used during the first combat, users should combat with a monster with the deck with 5 less cards. As the deck of users is fixed to 50 cards, if the combat is not efficient, all the cards will be removed, and consequently there can be a situation to give up the dungeon. But, there exists recovery point within the dungeon fortunately, to use of this in a strategic manner is deemed required.

Also, as the ‘Ghost Watch’ uses the MORPG system, there are peculiar factors of characters. Users can choose one race out of four races that appear in the ‘Ghost Watch,’ and create a character. Each race is specialized in two attributes out of four attributes – fire, water, wind, and land – and choice of the race in consideration of users’ propensity and strategy is required.  

Combat System by Using Cards

In the ‘Ghost Watch,’ a core combat system is progressed with a card. That is, victory or defeat depends on what cards users have and what strategies the users use. The flow of a game is  MORPG, but there is TCG in the center of the game. Various quests and dungeons can be another interesting factor to users who live PVE, but in terms of TCG, this can be used as means to acquire better cards and to practice a game.

There are five attributes in the ‘Ghost Watch.’ Any user can use the “no attribute” and each user can use two attributes per race out of attributes such as fire, water, wind, and land. Regardless of the types of attributes, all the calling and using of magic are done with the Mana, which is a kind of a number or game money, which can be obtained as time goes by after beginning of the combat.

There are several types of cards: Power-up card with which Mana can be collected in a faster way, creature card which is used to combat instead of users, equipment card of a creature, artifact card, magic card, and global enchant card, which is a rare card having strong power.

The fact requiring the biggest attention in ‘Ghost Watch’ is that a combat is not progressed on a turn base. The combat of ‘Ghost Watch’ is progressed on a time basis in a real-time manner. Even though I don’t take action, the counterpart takes actions, and thereby rapid judgment and prompt action are required to gain victory. Through this, ‘Ghost Watch’ adds quickness and tension to TCG in addition to strategies and tactics.

TCG Wearing a Mask of MORPG

‘Ghost Watch’ is TCG at any distance, and thereby PVP, which is a combat between users, becomes a core point of a game rather than PVE. Users can challenge to other users at a village, or they can engage in random combat through separately-prepared channels. Users can enjoy TCG any time anywhere.

However, combat in a free manner among users is informal. In order to be recognized as a true powerhouse, to win a formal competition supported by the game system is required. There is the formal competition on a daily basis; the users having good performance in the daily combat participate in a weekly competition, and then in a monthly competition, and then the final winner is chosen through these competitions continuously. 

Based on the performance at the formal competition, ranking system is provided, and the strategies of rankers and information on deck are open for beginners. Also, general users can open their own deck, and lending of deck is also possible, and thereby analysis on strategies and tactics among users is available.

Much consideration has been taken to a balance, which is the most important factor of PVP. First of all, there will be limitations in the formal competition i.e., only three episode cards can be used, etc., in order to control basic balance. Along with this, there will be additional rules such as banning on use of the strong card that can violate balance at the formal competition in order to control balance. At the informal competition, of course, there is no limitation, and users can enjoy games freely.

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Business & Marketing Manager: Aaron Choi ( aaron@mgameusa.com)

Marketing & PR Manager: Michelle Lee ( michelle@mgameusa.com)