Magic: The Gathering Card Scanner
Idea and app implementation by Stefan Moser and Bernhard Vergeiner, 2024
Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a strategic collectible card game where players build decks from a vast array of cards, aiming to reduce their opponent’s life total to zero or achieve alternative victory conditions. Set in a rich fantasy multiverse, the game offers various formats and boasts a strong community, both physically and digitally. By 2024, MTG features over 27,000 unique cards, each with its own specific rulings which can sometimes be unclear to players. To minimize disputes and ensure smooth gameplay, we developed "MTG Card Scanner," an app that identifies cards using their unique artwork. The app utilizes a digital fingerprinting technique Perceptional Hashing. Once a card is recognized, the app displays its extended ruling text, current market price, and a link to its complete description. Users can also add cards to a local collection within the app, allowing them to track the market value of their cards. MTG Card Scanner streamlines the gaming experience by providing quick access to essential card information, enhancing both gameplay and card management for Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts.