Magic: The Gathering is a collectible card game created by mathematician Richard Garfield and published by Wizards of the Coast. It was first released in 1993 and has since become one of the most popular trading card games in the world. Players use decks of cards representing magical spells, artifacts, creatures, and lands to defeat their opponents. The game is set in a fantasy world where players take on the role of powerful wizards known as Planeswalkers, using their skills and strategies to outmaneuver their opponents. Magic: The Gathering has a complex set of rules and an extensive lore that continues to expand with new card sets and expansions released regularly.