Marvel Snap - What We Know So Far

"Hearthstone" paved the way for digital collectible card games, and ever since it exploded in popularity in 2015, games companies everywhere have tried to emulate its success. None have garnered even a fraction of the popularity "Hearthstone" had. For example, digital card games like Valve's "Artifact" died shortly after release. Now, another IP wants to take a stab at the card game genre. Marvel announced that it's taking a go at the digital collectible card game market with "Marvel Snap." The game looks to be in good hands, as former "Hearthstone" game director Ben Brode is spearheading the project.

"Marvel Snap" vows to be unlike any digital collectible card game on the market. The game brings together the Marvel universe like never before, featuring characters like Iron Man, Venom, and Galactus. In addition, it promises to be completely free-to-play, while remaining easy to play and hard to master. The gameplay looks fun and unique enough to get almost anyone excited. Here's everything we know so far about "Marvel Snap."

Unfortunately, there is no release date for "Marvel Snap" currently. That being said, gamers don't have to wait to get their hands on the game. Players can sign up for the Android "Marvel Snap" closed beta starting today. Unfortunately, for iOS users there is no word on a beta. In a "Marvel Snap" blogpost, the development team explained why they decided on a beta, writing,  "We'll need all your insights, notes, thoughts, and bug-catching brilliance to really get the most out of this crucial development phase."

Players must complete a short survey posted on the "Marvel Snap" website to sign up. It's a good idea to get started with "Marvel Snap" now, as player progression will be saved even after the beta ends, making it an excellent way to get a head start on the competition. Not everyone is eligible, though. Canada, the United States, the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand are currently the only eligible countries. Also, not everyone who signs up will be invited to participate, as it all depends if the user meets the development team's specific criteria.

The recent "Marvel Snap" announcement trailer included an animated teaser featuring multiple iconic Marvel characters in addition to giving fans a sneak peek at gameplay. After the animated cutscene, game director Ben Brode took center stage to express the team's passion and excitement for the game. Additionally, Yong Woo, Chief Production Officer, explained that the development team "stripped out all the stuff that gets in the way of fun and gets everybody straight into the strategic action."

The trailer showcased the game's artwork—specifically the stunning card designs. The development team explained that there are multiple variations of every card, giving players many different ways to express themselves. For example, the trailer showcased a 3D effect card that makes the game stand out from its competitors. The trailer highlighted that each card has unique voice effects. Competitive gamers will also be pleased with the trailer as it announced a ranked mode where players can climb the MMR ladder.

"Marvel Snap" promises to be a fast-paced card game where players never have to wait for their turn. Players compete with a deck of 12 unique cards, and each match lasts only around three minutes, making it an easy game to play on the go. Every match is split up into three rounds in three different locations spread across the Marvel Universe. At the end of the game, whichever player had the most points in two of the three rounds wins, similar to the "Gwent" card game.

However, what makes "Marvel Snap" completely unique is its "Snap" function. During any round, players have an option to "Snap" to raise the stakes and double their rewards. In response, opponents can either retreat from the match or call the player's bluff and continue fighting. This will undoubtedly make for some interesting mind games. For more information on the gameplay rules, fans can check out the gameplay walkthrough by Ben Brode on the "Marvel Snap" YouTube channel.