Play In The "Ultimate Battle Of Wits" With The Magic: The Gathering--Starter Game June 30, 1999 (Renton, Wash.)--The world's bestselling trading card game, the Magic: The Gathering® TCG, is opening its world of strategy and high-powered creature combat to a generation of new game players with the Magic: The Gathering--Starter line. The newest release from adventure games leader Wizards of the Coast Inc., Magic: The Gathering--Starter is scheduled to debut July 12, 1999. One of the most popular games of the decade, the Magic® game was developed by award-winning game designer and mathematician Richard Garfield. Magic players command powerful creatures and spells as they attempt to outwit and defeat their opponents. With more than 4,500 cards available, players create their own decks and are challenged to adapt to an evolving game by inventing new strategies. The ideal introduction to the Magic world, the Starter game coaches players on the basic rules while acquainting them with the strategic depth that has made Magic a worldwide phenomenon. Highlighted by remarkable card art that depicts fantastic creatures and wildly imaginative lands, the Starter line opens the door to a game that is different every time it is played. New players begin with either the Starter game for two players or the Starter gift box. Each Starter game provides easy-to-understand, step-by-step instructions that will guide players through a typical Magic game. It comes with two 40-card decks, a play guide, basic Magic rules, playmats, scorekeeping beads and a poster, at a suggested retail price of $8.99. The Starter gift box adds an instructional video and an oversized card, at a suggested retail price of $14.99. Also available are 40-card theme decks ($6.99 suggested retail price), designed to teach new rules to the advancing beginner. Booster packs of 15 randomized cards ($2.99 suggested retail price) help players add more creatures and spells to their game. The Starter line is published in English and will be distributed in selected areas worldwide through hobby, game, book, music and toy stores. Wizards of the Coast Inc. is a leading developer and publisher of entertainment products, including the popular Pokémon™* and world's bestselling Magic: The Gathering trading card games. Wizards of the Coast subsidiaries include TSR Inc., Five Rings Publishing Group Inc. and The Game Keeper Inc. Headquartered just outside Seattle, Wizards of the Coast has international offices in Antwerp, Paris, London, Milan and Beijing. For more information about Wizards of the Coast, visit the company's website at .