Join the Party!

Dark Ascension Launch Parties are a great way to celebrate the release of the latest Magic: The Gathering set! Play, trade, spend time with friends, and win cool prizes! All participants receive a exclusive Launch Party promo card (while supplies last).

The Game Academy
5721 East Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33617

Call us @ 813.914.7000 for any questions

Click Here For A Map To Our Store

February 2nd, 2012 (Friday)

05:30 PM             Registration for Friday Night Magic begins
07:00 PM             Friday Night Magic begins

Booster Draft

We will be holding registration for drafts all day Saturday and Sunday, and each draft will begin as soon as we have 8 players.

Format: Booster Draft (1 Dark Ascension Pack/2 Innistrad Packs) – Single Elimination
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes:
1st Place – 7 packs of Dark Ascension
2nd Place – 3 Packs of Dark Ascension
3rd Place – 1 pack of Dark Ascension
4th Place – 1 pack of Dark Ascension

February 3rd, 2012 (Saturday)

Launch Party TOURNAMENT
Time: Registration opens at 12 PM, with the tournament starting at 1 PM.
Entry Fee: $24.00 per player.
Format: Dark Ascension  Sealed. Players will receive three packs of Innistrad and three packs of Dark Ascension to build a forty-card deck.
Structure: Four rounds of Swiss.
Prizes:
4-0: 10 packs of Dark Ascension
3-0-1: 7 packs of Dark Ascension
3-1: 5 packs of Dark Ascension
2-2: 1 pack of Dark Ascension

February 4th, 2012 (Sunday)

Launch Party SEALED TOURNAMENT
Time: Registration opens at 12 PM, with the tournament starting at 1 PM.
Entry Fee: $24.00 per player.
Format: Dark Ascension  Sealed. Players will receive three packs of Innistrad and three packs of Dark Ascension to build a forty-card deck.
Structure: Four rounds of Swiss.
Prizes:
4-0: 10 packs of Dark Ascension
3-0-1: 7 packs of Dark Ascension
3-1: 5 packs of Dark Ascension
2-2: 1 pack of Dark Ascension

Elder Dragon Highlander, now known as Commander, is a singleton casual format for Magic the Gathering Card game.  In this format, deck construction consists of you picking a Commander for your deck. This Commander must be a Legendary Creature.  The choice of Commander will determine the rest of the deck restrictions.

• Each deck can only contain 99 cards plus the Commander for a total of 100 cards
• Each deck can only contain a single copy of any card that is not a basic land.

Deck construction and card choices are based on the mana color of your Commander.  For example if you choose Thraximundar, you may only include cards in your deck that have mana symbols s that appear in your Commander’s mana cost. In this case it would be red, black and blue.  This restriction applies to any mana symbol printed on the card according to the current Magic the Gathering Oracle text.

We run a weekly EDH League on Sunday, starting at 2:00pm.  We have choosen to use a point system to determine placement and win conditions.  Below you will find a list of bonus points used to determine the winner of each pod and the overall winner for the night.  These are unconventional means for determine winners, this is done to foster and grow the format instead of rewarding players for making unfun non-interactive decks into multiplayer formats.

Tournament Details:
Time: Every Sunday beginning @ 2:00 PM

Format: EDH/Commander (2 rounds; players will split into 4 man pods (or similar if odd number of players) and then re-paired for second round. players with highest number of points for round one will be at the same table)

Entry Fee: $3. Each player will receive a free booster pack for entering!

Prizes:
1. The player with the most points at each table will receive a booster pack.
2. Points will be awarded based on completed achievements. The achievement list will be provided before the tournament starts. Also, the list of achievements will be earned on a per-game basis and will rotate every month.
3. If everyone at the table gets at least 5 points, instead all players get a booster pack.

Tournament Rules & Banned List: Rule will follow as posted on http://mtgcommander.net/rules.php. Banned list can be found under the “social” heading.

If you have any questions, please call us at 813-914-7000

Saturday Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament Info:

Location:
The Game Academy
5721 E Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33617

Time:
Registration starts @ 12:00 PM
Tournament Starts @ 1:00 PM

Format:
Advanced

Prize Payout:

1st- 16 packs
2nd- 12 packs
3rd/4th- 6 packs
5th-8th- 2 packs

Questions:
E-Mail: info@thegameacademyonline.com
Phone: 813-914-7000

For more information about all our events, use our event schedule.

Join us on Friday and Saturday for the Dark Ascension Prerelease! We’ll be running two sealed tournaments, one on Friday at Midnight, and one on Saturday. Each participant will receive a Ravenous Demon promo card (while supplies last).

Held one week before each new Magic card set goes on sale, Prereleases  provide a way to play in a large-scale event in a low-stress  environment. You get to play with the cards before you can buy them,  special promotional cards are given out to attendees and the top players  can win even more cards. So have fun!

Prereleases are sanctioned by the DCI, which is the governing body for  all Magic tournaments – from the smallest local events up to the  multi-million dollar Pro Tour. Playing in a sanctioned event means your  results are recorded and begin to give you a player rating among the  thousands of Magic players worldwide. If you don’t have a DCI number  yet, the event staff on site can provide you with one. For many players,  Prereleases are a fun and easy way to play in their first sanctioned  events.

At Prerelease events, the emphasis is on casual play with a high degree  of sportsmanship. You don’t need to know the rules well, but you should  always be polite and respectful to your opponents. If there is a  disagreement, or a question about a ruling, please call a judge.

Go to the Dark Ascension Prerelease and experience the newest Magic: the Gathering set a week before it goes on sale!

The Game Academy
5721 East Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33617

Call us @ 813.914.7000 for any questions

Click Here For A Map To Our Store

January 27th, 2012 (Friday)

05:30 PM             Registration for Friday Night Magic begins
07:00 PM             Friday Night Magic begins

MIDNIGHT SEALED TOURNAMENT
Time: Registration opens at 11 PM on January 27th, with the tournament starting at 12 AM.
Entry Fee: $24.00 per player.
Format: Dark Ascension  Sealed. Players will receive three packs of Innistrad and three packs of Dark Ascension to build a forty-card deck.
Structure: Four rounds of Swiss.
Prizes:
4-0: 10 packs of Dark Ascension
3-0-1: 7 packs of Dark Ascension
3-1: 5 packs of Dark Ascension
2-2: 1 pack of Dark Ascension

September 24th, 2010 (Saturday)

PRERELEASE SEALED TOURNAMENT
Time: Registration opens at 1 PM, with the tournament starting at 2 PM.
Entry Fee: $24.00 per player.
Format: Dark Ascension Sealed. Players will receive three packs of Innistrad and three packs of Dark Ascension to build a forty-card deck.
Structure: Four rounds of Swiss.
Prizes:
4-0: 10 packs of Dark Ascension
3-0-1: 7 packs of Dark Ascension
3-1: 5 packs of Dark Ascension
2-2: 1 pack of Dark Ascension

Pokémon Trading Card Game players everywhere, get prepared for the return of Pokémon-EX cards in the fourth expansion of the Black & White series: Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Next Destinies! Using advanced powers and new strategies, Trainers will battle like never before with awesomely powerful Pokémon, including two versions of six different Pokémon-EX!

Pokémon-EX are more powerful versions of Pokémon, giving Trainers great rewards when used effectively. But beware: Trainers also suffer heavier losses when those Pokémon are defeated! In Black & White—Next Destinies, players will find more than 100 Pokémon, including some—like Mewtwo-EX—from beyond the Unova region for the first time in this expansion! Discover elusive Pokémon like Reshiram-EX and Zekrom-EX. Black & White—Next Destinies delivers your destiny: Pokémon with exceptional HP, Special Energy and Trainer cards with expanded powers, and new strategies to extend your victory streaks!

Key features of the new Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Next Destinies expansion include:

• Two versions of six amazing Pokémon-EX, including the amazing Mewtwo-EX
• Six Pokémon-EX cards with character art covering the entire card and a special etching treatment never done before in the TCG cards industry
• Theme decks built around Legendary Pokémon Reshiram and Zekrom
• Over 100 cards in all

Event Info:

Where:
The Game Academy
5721 E. Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33617
813.914.7000 (please call with any questions)

When:
Saturday, January 28th; Registration begins at 10:00 AM; Release begins at 10:30 AM

Price:
$25 per person

Event is open to all players, no prequalification is necessary.

Each player will receive 6 booster packs of Black and White Next Destinies Tournament will be run using the limited format and age modified swiss. (use your 6 packs to construct a 40 card deck and use that to play in an open play environment; the cards you open are yours to keep; energy will be provided by The Game Academy)

At the end of the event, each participant will receive an additional 2 booster packs, sleeves, and 1 Promo card while supplies last.

For more information about Pokemon Prerelease Tournaments click HERE

NOTE: Each new theme deck and booster pack includes an in-pack code card that unlocks virtual cards for play in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Expand your personal deck and battle against others from anywhere in the world at any time from your own computer! Battles are taking place now at www.pokemon.com/tcgo!

It’s time for the Order of Chaos Sneak Peek, your first chance to get your hands on the brand newOrder of Chaos booster packs – before they’re available in most stores!

Order & Chaos – Polar opposites, slugging it out in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME for years. Now, the feud that never seems to end hits a new zenith in 2012, with Order of Chaos.

As chaos and order collide, Order of Chaos contains all the tools YOU need to forge a Deck and achieve whatever destiny awaits. There are plenty of other cards in this 100-card set, for Decks of all kinds.

At the Sneak Peek, you can also try to get an exclusive Order of Chaos Game Mat. You don’t have to be a skilled Duelist because we’ve asked the stores to give them out randomly, so everyone has a chance! Plus everybody gets a limited edition, Ultra Rare Inzektor Axe – Zektahawk Spell (while supplies last), and a mini-poster with an Order of Chaos checklist on the back! Be sure to show up early because supplies of all items are limited and late-comers could get left in the dust.

As with every set, Order of Chaos includes 10 Bonus Cards (previously available only in Japan), plus 10 World Premiere cards never before seen anywhere on Earth! You won’t want to miss out!

Event Info:

Where:
The Game Academy
5721 E. Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33617
813.914.7000 (please call with any questions)

When:
January 14th & 15th (while supplies last); Doors open at 12 PM

Tournament Info:
Price: $20 per person

Event is open to all players, no prequalification is necessary.

Each player will receive 5 booster packs of Order of Chaos + 1 Ultra Rare Promo Card while supplies last

Open Dueling (use your 5 packs to construct a 20 card deck and use that to play in an open play environment; the cards you open are yours to keep)

4 Promo T-Shirts and 4 Promo play mats will be raffled off on each day of the pre-release to participants

WE WILL STILL BE HOLDING OUR REGULAR WEEKEND YUGIOH! TOURNAMENTS.
SEE OUR EVENT SCHEDULE FOR MORE DETAILS.

Sneak Peek: What is it?

A Sneak Peek is your first look inside the latest booster set. New Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME booster sets are released every three months, featuring 100 brand new cards! Add these new cards to your collection, or create a new Deck based on the featured new themes, or add the new cards to your current Decks to make them more powerful than ever.

At a Sneak Peek, you’ll get 5 booster packs of the latest set, and use just those cards to build a new Deck. The minimum Deck size at a Sneak Peek is lowered to 20 cards. Since only these new cards are used, everyone has a chance to win their Duels!

While you’re having fun with your new cards, you might win a special Order of Chaos Game Mat. Additional booster packs will not be awarded, but you can buy more packs of Order of Chaos on January 24, in stores everywhere!

For Parents

If your child is younger, shy, or just getting into Yu-Gi-Oh!, a Sneak Peek is a good first stop. Some tournaments can be intimidating, with highly competitive players, but these Sneak Peek events are more casual and fun. These are some of the best events for new Duelists since everybody has access to the same cards. If your child is nervous about asking a stranger to Duel against, ask the store personnel to help. Sneak Peeks are all about everyone having a good time with their new cards.

Sneak Peek Locations

Order of Chaos Sneak Peeks will be held at Official Tournament Stores all across the US, Canada, and Latin America. You may also want to contact your local Official Tournament Store directly to find out if they will be hosting a Sneak Peek.

A list of Official Tournament Stores that are hosting a Sneak Peek will be posted a few weeks before the event, so be sure to keep checking in!

In preparation for Grand Prix Orlando on January 14-15, The Game Academy will be
hosting a Grand Prix Trial on December 17th.

Registration starts at 1 PM and the tournament begins at 2 PM. This will be a Standard constructed tournament.

Entry Fee

$10

Format

• Standard
• Deck lists are required

Tournament Length

• Swiss rounds – 50 minutes per round
• Top 8 matches will have no time limit
• Number of Swiss rounds based on attendance according to the following chart:

Advancement

• All players may participate in all Swiss rounds.
• The Top 8 players after the final Swiss round will advance to the Top 8 single-elimination finals.

Top 8

• Top 8 matches will be best 2 of 3
• Top 8 matches will have no time limit.
• Where necessary, the standings after the Swiss rounds will still be used to determine final order in the standings.

Notes

• Planeswalker Points multiplier 3x
• REL Competitive
• All the Magic: The Gathering Tournament Rules and the Magic: The Gathering Infraction Procedure Guide are in effect for this event unless specifically overruled by information in this Format Document. Rules documents can be found in theMagic Document Center.
• Players must bring pen, paper, card sleeves and appropriate counters.
• This is a premier Magic tournament. Organizers and judges of a Grand Prix Trial are not permitted to play in the tournament.

Prizes

• Winner receives a three-round bye at Grand Prix Orlando.
• Booster packs will be awarded based on attendance.

It’s time for the Photon ShockwaveSneak Peek, your first chance to get your hands on the brand newPhoton Shockwave booster packs – before they’re available in most stores!

Packed with 100 new cards for your Deck, Photon Shockwave will unleash incredible energies that have been building up since the dawn of creation. Don’t let this incredible power come as a shock to you!

At the Sneak Peek, you can also try to get an exclusive Photon Shockwave Game Mat. You don’t have to be a skilled Duelist because we’ve asked the stores to give them out randomly, so everyone has a chance! Plus everybody gets a limited edition, Ultra Rare Alexandrite Dragon Monster (while supplies last), and a mini-poster with a Photon Shockwave checklist on the back! Be sure to show up early because supplies of all items are limited and late-comers could get left in the dust.

As with every set, Photon Shockwave includes 10 Bonus Cards (previously available only in Japan), plus 10 World Premiere cards never before seen anywhere on Earth! You won’t want to miss out!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Customers are limited to 1 entry in the Sneak Peek PER DAY.  Due to this restriction, the quantity of Generation Force Sneak Peek kits are limited so be sure to get to the store early and get yours before we run out!

Event Info:

Where:
The Game Academy
5721 E. Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33617
813.914.7000 (please call with any questions)

When:
November 5th and 6th (while supplies last); Doors open at 10 AM

Tournament Info:
Price: $20 per person

Event is open to all players, no prequalification is necessary.

Each player will receive 5 booster packs of Photon Shockwave + 1 Ultra Rare Promo Card while supplies last

Open Dueling (use your 5 packs to construct a 20 card deck and use that to play in an open play environment; the cards you open are yours to keep)

4 Promo T-Shirts and 4 Promo play mats will be raffled off on each day of the pre-release to participants

WE WILL STILL BE HOLDING OUR REGULAR WEEKEND YUGIOH! TOURNAMENTS. SEE OUR EVENT SCHEDULE FOR MORE DETAILS.

Sneak Peek: What is it?

A Sneak Peek is your first look inside the latest booster set. New Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s TRADING CARD GAME booster sets are released every three months, featuring 100 brand new cards! Add these new cards to your collection, or create a new Deck based on the featured new themes, or add the new cards to your current Decks to make them more powerful than ever.

At a Sneak Peek, you’ll get 5 booster packs of the latest set, and use just those cards to build a new Deck. The minimum Deck size at a Sneak Peek is lowered to 20 cards. Since only these new cards are used, everyone has a chance to win their Duels!

While you’re having fun with your new cards, you might win a special Generation Force Game Mat. Additional booster packs will not be awarded, but you can buy more packs of Generation Force on August 16 at stores everywhere!

For Parents

If your child is younger, shy, or just getting into Yu-Gi-Oh!, a Sneak Peek is a good first stop. Some tournaments can be intimidating, with highly competitive players, but these Sneak Peek events are more casual and fun. These are some of the best events for new Duelists since everybody has access to the same cards. If your child is nervous about asking a stranger to Duel against, ask the store personnel to help. Sneak Peeks are all about everyone having a good time with their new cards.