{{Short description|Sega arcade game}} {{Infobox video game | title = The Key of Avalon | image = Avalon no Kagi.jpg | developer = [[Sega AM3|Hitmaker]] | publisher = Sega | genre = [[Board game]], [[digital collectible card game]] | released = '''Arcade'''<br/>{{vgrelease|JP|2003}}'''''Avalon no Kagi: Eutaxy Commandment'''''{{vgrelease|JP|2005}}'''Microsoft Windows'''{{vgrelease|JP|2010}} | arcade system = [[Triforce (arcade system board)|Triforce]] <br/> [[Microsoft Windows]] | modes = [[Multiplayer]] | composer = Chiho Kobayashi<br/>Taihei Sato }}
'''''{{Nihongo foot|Avalon no Kagi|アヴァロンの鍵|Avu~aron'nokagi}}''''', alternatively known as '''''The Key of Avalon''''' is an [[arcade game]] developed by [[Sega AM3|Hitmaker]] and published by [[Sega]] on the Triforce arcade board. It is the third card arcade game by Sega, following ''[[World Club Champion Football]]'' and ''[[Mushiking: The King of Beetles]]''.<ref>{{Citation |title=「セガい共通テスト」公式対策オンライン講座「セガゼミ」 第３回 アーケード 西村先生 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2bQDnD5D5E |language=en |access-date=2022-10-16 |archive-date=2022-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925073451/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2bQDnD5D5E&feature=youtu.be |url-status=live }}</ref> It is a combination of [[sugoroku]] style board game and combat trading card game. It was followed by a sequel called ''The Key of Avalon 2: Eutaxy Commandment'' which was updated as ''The Key of Avalon 2.5: War of the Key''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=セガ、AC「アヴァロンの鍵 弐 -鍵聖戦-」稼動開始。ボードゲーム「アヴァロンの鍵 -円卓の召還符-」も発売|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20050803/avalon.htm|access-date=2021-07-04|website=game.watch.impress.co.jp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=アヴァロンの鍵 – 株式会社セガ|url=https://sega.jp/history/arcade/product/8849/|access-date=2021-07-04|website=セガ・アーケードゲームヒストリー｜株式会社セガ|language=ja|archive-date=2021-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182909/https://sega.jp/history/arcade/product/8849/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=2004-09-04 |title=Key of Avalon 2 Clips |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/04/key-of-avalon-2-clips |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929021059/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/04/key-of-avalon-2-clips |url-status=live }}</ref>
It was often compared to ''[[Culdcept]]'',<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=アヴァロンの鍵とは (アヴァロンノカギとは) [単語記事]|url=https://dic.nicovideo.jp/id/780433|access-date=2021-07-04|website=ニコニコ大百科|date=18 December 2008 |language=ja}}</ref> and is able to be played by multiple players at once, using a free in and free out method where other players can drop in and drop out of a match at any time. The cabinet reads a deck of up to 30 cards.<ref>{{Citation|title=「セガい共通テスト」公式対策オンライン講座「セガゼミ」 第３回 アーケード 西村先生|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2bQDnD5D5E|language=en|access-date=2021-07-04|archive-date=2021-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185643/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2bQDnD5D5E|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Gameplay == The game is a board game with 4 players, and two roles, divided into one key holder and three chasers. Inserting the deck and the card that saves the players progress, start the game. The key holder has to besiege the towers and open the main castle with his key to win the game. The chasers have to bump into the key holder, and after a battle, transfer the key and reverse the roles. The three chasers and the key holder take turns, with all the three chasers moving at once. Using monster cards makes the character move on the board. From the deck of 30 cards, six cards are allowed to be used in each turn. The cards have attack, defense and movement values and are also categorized in four colors and rarity values. In addition to monster cards, there also support cards for either the monsters or the character. The attack value of the monster card needs to be greater than the defense value to win the battle. Passing certain checkpoints and winning battles increases life points. The life points decrease after each turn.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sega to begin beta test on card-based arcade game|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-to-begin-beta-test-on-card-based-arcade-game/1100-6026144/|access-date=2021-07-04|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183406/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-to-begin-beta-test-on-card-based-arcade-game/1100-6026144/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ore no Buloggu|url=http://radio-weblogs.com/0118995/categories/gaming/2003/08/16.html#a125|access-date=2021-07-04|website=radio-weblogs.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=アヴァロンの鍵 |url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20030807/about.htm |access-date=2022-09-30 |website=game.watch.impress.co.jp |archive-date=2023-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007201613/https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20030807/about.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
In total, after all the updates, the game had 295 different cards.<ref name=":0" />
== Development == Initially the development team had a hard time conveying the game to arcade owners, as in initial showing at trade shows focused on purely on the cards. Focusing on the board game aspect made it more appealing to arcade owners. The game's customer base was different than many arcade games, as the art on the cards appealed to women and [[doujinshi]] artists.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2004-10-15|title=THE KEY OF AVALON|url=http://www.a-key.jp/talk/talk_top.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041015122107/http://www.a-key.jp/talk/talk_top.html |archive-date=2004-10-15 |access-date=2021-07-04}}</ref>
== Reception == ''Avalon no Kagi'' was one of Sega's most successful arcade games in 2003, mentioned alongside ''[[Dragon Treasure]]'' as a "new product" securing high sales in their financial report.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sega Corporation Annual Report 2003 |url=https://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/media/file/ir/library/archive/printing_archive/e_sega_annual_tuuki_2003.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183532/https://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/media/file/ir/library/archive/printing_archive/e_sega_annual_tuuki_2003.pdf |archive-date=2021-07-09}}</ref> The [[game balance]] was initially poor although improved in later versions. Its popularity decreased after ''[[Quest of D]]'' and ''[[Sangokushi Taisen]]'' appeared, which had online features that ''Avalon no Kagi'' lacked.<ref>{{Cite web |title=アヴァロンの鍵 - ゲームカタログ@Wiki ～名作からクソゲーまで～ |url=https://w.atwiki.jp/gcmatome/pages/5601.html |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=アヴァロンの鍵 - ゲームカタログ@Wiki ～名作からクソゲーまで～ |language=ja}}</ref> Instead of adding online support, it was ported to PC through a licensing agreement with [[Gamepot]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=電撃オンライン |title=あの『アヴァロンの鍵』がオンラインゲームに！ ゲームポットフェスタで発表 |url=https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/127/127813/ |access-date=2021-07-04 |website=電撃オンライン |language=ja}}</ref> but was negatively received<ref>{{Cite web |last=OnlineGamer |title=アヴァロンの鍵オンライン、AC版元廃人からみた不満点だらけのオンラインの現状 OnlineGamer |url=https://www.onlinegamer.jp/review/5415/ |access-date=2021-07-04 |website=www.onlinegamer.jp |language=ja |archive-date=2021-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185137/https://www.onlinegamer.jp/review/5415/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and shut down two years after its 2010 launch.<ref name=":0" />
== Merchandise == '''Books'''
* ''Avalon no Kagi Madou Academy Nyuumonsho & Card Complete Guide''<ref>{{Cite book|title=アヴァロンの鍵魔導アカデミー入門書&カードコンプリートガイド|date=2003-10-01|id={{ASIN|4757716524|country=jp}}}}</ref> * ''Avalon no Kagi 弐: Madou Academy Nyuumonsho''<ref>{{Cite book|title=アヴァロンの鍵 弐 -魔導アカデミー入門書-|date=2004-12-24|id={{ASIN|4757721633|country=jp}}}}</ref> * ''Avalon no Kagi Madou Academy Settei Shiryou Visual Fan Book''<ref>{{Cite book|title=アヴァロンの鍵 魔導アカデミー 設定資料ビジュアルファンブック|date=2005-03-01|id={{ASIN|4775303708|country=jp}}}}</ref> * ''Avalon no Kagi 弐 Kagi Seisen Madou no Yoake''<ref>{{Cite book|title=アヴァロンの鍵 弐 鍵聖戦 魔導の夜明け|date=2005-08-26|id={{ASIN|4757724209|country=jp}}}}</ref> * ''Shousetsu Avalon no Kagi Kusarisa Reta Rakuen''<ref>{{Cite book|last=青木|first=摩周|title=小説 アヴァロンの鍵 鎖された楽園|date=2006-06-30|id={{ASIN|4894254395|country=jp}}}}</ref>
'''Board game'''
* ''Avalon no Kagi Entaku no Shōkan Fu''<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=ja:アヴァロンの鍵 - 円卓の召喚符 - / The Key of Avalon|url=https://bodoge.hoobby.net/games/key-avalon|access-date=2021-07-04|script-website=ja:ボドゲーマ|language=ja}}</ref>
'''Soundtrack'''
* ''Avalon no Kagi Original Soundtrack: Madou no Symphony''<ref>{{Citation|last=ゲーム・ミュージック|title=アヴァロンの鍵 オリジナル・サウンドトラック|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%BB%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF/dp/B0006TPHFI/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_2/356-3635500-8249861?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0006TPHFI&pd_rd_r=a7dafe3e-334d-4830-9ae2-356afee8d441&pd_rd_w=sOwK4&pd_rd_wg=kv9XM&pf_rd_p=1e5964cd-37b6-4634-bd3a-6665993323eb&pf_rd_r=XACWFSK5SZTS7GNQN0BV&psc=1&refRID=XACWFSK5SZTS7GNQN0BV|access-date=2021-07-04|archive-date=2024-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213221354/https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%BB%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF/dp/B0006TPHFI/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_2/356-3635500-8249861?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0006TPHFI&pd_rd_r=a7dafe3e-334d-4830-9ae2-356afee8d441&pd_rd_w=sOwK4&pd_rd_wg=kv9XM&pf_rd_p=1e5964cd-37b6-4634-bd3a-6665993323eb&pf_rd_r=XACWFSK5SZTS7GNQN0BV&psc=1&refRID=XACWFSK5SZTS7GNQN0BV|url-status=live}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130909172255/http://www.a-key.jp/top.html Official website (archive)]
[[Category:Sega arcade games]] [[Category:2003 video games]] [[Category:2005 video games]] [[Category:Trading cards]] [[Category:Board games]] [[Category:Sega-AM3 games]] [[Category:Fantasy video games]] [[Category:Sega video game franchises]] [[Category:Collectible card games]] [[Category:Turn-based strategy video games]] [[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]