Blast from the past! Its Magic: The Gathering and they’re turning it into a video game for PC and PS3. With online play, too. Which is awesome, ’cause I was just wondering how they could completely destroy the last vestige of human contact that the modern nerd can get. And here Sony Online Entertainment has already got me covered.

Magic: The Gathering – Tactics will feature the original storyline, 3D graphics, a tournament mode, and an achievement and rankings program. Players will be able to embark solo or go PvP with opponents worldwide. Users can also count on regular content expansions to keep you spending playing for many months to come. Expect an early 2010 release.

Online, 3D Turn-Based Strategy Game Scheduled for Launch in Early 2010

DENVER, Colo. – November 2, 2009 – Today, Sony Online Entertainment LLC, and Wizards of the Coast LLC announced they are developing Magic: The Gathering – Tactics™, an online, 3D turn-based strategy game played within the rich Magic: The Gathering Multiverse.

“By collaborating with Wizards of the Coast, we’re able to combine the strengths of both companies to develop an innovative, online, 3D game based on an extremely popular IP,” said John Smedley, president, Sony Online Entertainment. “We’re going to be taking the Magic: The Gathering Multiverse places players have never seen.”

“The growing Magic: The Gathering community has an insatiable desire for great strategic game experiences. Sony Online Entertainment is the perfect partner to transform the best of Magic’s story, strategy and competitive play into a fantastic ‘Tactics’ game experience for current and new Magic fans,” said Greg Leeds, president, Wizards of the Coast.

Magic: The Gathering – Tactics will allow players to command forces of dramatic 3D figures and powerful spell cards pulled from the Magic: The Gathering Multiverse. Players can participate in single player scenarios or jump right into PVP action against other players worldwide, 24 hours per day. Magic: The Gathering – Tactics is expected to feature regular content expansions, a robust tournament environment, an achievement and rankings program, and original stories of the Planeswalkers of Magic: The Gathering. Magic: The Gathering – Tactics is being developed by SOE’s Denver studio and scheduled to be available for the PC in early 2010, with a version for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system to follow. For more information on Magic: The Gathering – Tactics, visit www.magicthegatheringtactics.com.