Silverlode Interactive is beta-testing Saga, the world's first Collectible MMORTS (Massively Multi-player Online Real Time Strategy Game).  Typically in MMORPGs players build a character and then embark on a series of quests and adventures, whereas in Saga players collect virtual armies, weapons and spells to use in massive online combats with other players.  In effect Saga is the online version of a tabletop collectible fantasy miniatures game.

Like Maplestory and RuneScape (and unlike World of Warcraft), Saga is free to play, but what makes this game unique (at least so far) is the sale in brick and mortar hobby shops of foil Saga Booster Packs, which will retail for $3 and each of which will contain a single phone card-like piece of plastic.  Players can scratch the card to reveal a code, which when entered on the playsaga Website provides up to ten online creatures, weapons or spells that can be used in the Saga game.

The leaders of the design team for Saga include Dallan Christensen, the lead programmer on Blizzard Entertainment's Starcraft: Brood War; veteran CCG publisher Andrew Grierson, and film producer Jason Faller.  The Saga fantasy world contains five continents, each dominated by a warrior race (Orcs, Dwarves, Giants, Elves, etc.) with its own unique units and powerful spells.

Beta testing of the Saga game is likely to continue until the end of January.  Booster packs should become available to retailers via hobby distributors at some point in Q1.