LackeyCCG is a computer program used to play virtually any collectible card game (CCG) against online opponents or for building and testing of CCG decks offline in a solitaire mode[1]. It also allows for the searching of cards within each CCG. LackeyCCG currently has Mac and Windows versions but it has been reported to be stable on Linux as well via Wine [2]. The program was created by Trevor Agnitti and is currently in its beta testing stage.
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Using LackeyCCG a person may play games such as Call of Cthulhu LCG, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering[3]. Players may create a plugin for use with LackeyCCG representing any CCG. Unlike programs such as Apprentice, LackeyCCG stores the card art for each card in the plugin. This is done so players may easily and quickly recognize cards being played [4]. In addition LackeyCCG saves disc space and increases download speeds by using only one card image for each card, instead of four or more as programs such as CCG Workshop do. After installing or creating a desired plugin, players may also add additional plugins and may switch between the plugins to play different CCG's.
For copyright reasons, LackeyCCG does not come with any plugins aside from a basic plugin which shows users a template for making their own plugin, but users have shared the plugins they have made[5].
The LackeyCCG software is also being used to develop a number of independent games, including Duality[6] and Realms at War[7]. Other plugins, while not on LackeyCCG, are being developed and are pending release, at various stages of completion.[8]
Players may connect with one another using an IP address or by using a server associated with LackeyCCG. Since LackeyCCG will accommodate multiple CCG's, it does not come with a rules engine. As such, players are responsible for keeping track of any point totals and moving all cards to the appropriate playing zones. Lackey has included many tools for tracking health, turns, and phases within each turn.
Through the use of forums players can organize everything from one time sit down games all the way up to tournaments. The use of the Lackey Forums can aid in tracking games as well as finding new people to play with.
Recently, Card Arena, a league site supporting Lackey, was released allowing for organized play in ladders and tournaments using the LackeyCCG program.
Currently all LackeyCCG versions are free programs, but the designer has plans to make a premium version in addition to the free version[9].
Following is a list of all the plugins for LackeyCCG shared by users[10].