Hubworld: Aidalon – First Take

A Brief History of Netrunner

I was, unfortunately, not into tabletop gaming when Netrunner was in its stride in the late ’90s (or during the reboot years). For those unfamiliar, Netrunner was a collectible card game (CCG) designed by Magic: The Gathering’s Richard Garfield. Set in a cyberpunk-themed world, this 2-player game pits a “runner” against a mega-corporation in a high-stakes hack. It was a highly asymmetrical system that revolved around attack and defense mechanics. There was even a web-based RPG spinoff called Webrunner: The Hidden Agenda that tied into a product release—at one point, it even made the front page of the New York Times Technology section.

In 2012, Fantasy Flight Games released a refreshed version titled Android: Netrunner, licensing the name from Wizards of the Coast. Over its lifespan, Android: Netrunner saw the release of booster packs, starter decks, and prefixed expansion boxes, including monthly “Data Packs.” It built on the original concept, introducing new factions and runner types. Each deck featured an “identity” card acting as a leader, which enabled deep customization and deckbuilding. Official support for the game ended in 2018.

In 2019, Null Signal Games picked up where Android: Netrunner left off. Originally named NISEI, this next-generation revival reprinted older sets…

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