Update 31/07/2024
There’s been a few updates since we last reported on Altered - Beyond The Gates that reveal the play formats, how they develop unique cards, how organized play will run and roughly when the next expansion will be released!
Altered Play Formats
Altered is revolutionizing organized play in gaming, providing a seamless platform for hosting tournaments and events. Their new system supports various game formats, ensuring an inclusive experience for all players. They have announced 4 ways to play Altered:
Standard - Standard is the most accessible and popular way to experience Altered. Choose a Hero, build a deck within your favorite faction, and start playing! In this constructed format, each player brings a deck consisting of at least 39 cards and 1 Hero from a single faction.
Multiplayer - Multiplayer mode features two teams of two players each, with each player bringing their own deck from any hero and faction, aiming to sync with their teammate's choices. Victory is achieved when the first player meets their Hero and Companion markers. The rules for Multiplayer are still being finalized, so check back on launch date (September 13th) for complete details.
Booster Draft - This is a format where each player receives four sealed Altered booster packs. Players open their packs, select a card, and pass the remaining cards to the next player, repeating this process until all cards are drafted. Then, players build a deck of at least 30 cards from their selected pool, with the flexibility to include cards from up to three different factions.
Sealed Deck - Similar to Booster Draft but with a few differences, Sealed Deck is a limited format. Each player receives seven sealed Altered packs and builds a deck of at least 30 cards from the cards they opened. Like Booster Draft, cards in your deck can be from up to three different factions.
Unique Cards
Jacques Ernoult, one of the game designers for Altered, recently let us in on how they have managed to develop completely unique cards for this TCG.
Their initial concept was to create as many different versions or “unique” cards as possible, with the help of automation and modern printing technology to customize millions of cards each with a unique QR code. No one card is exactly the same which would make everyone's Altered deck individual.
The Generator starts by spitting out millions upon millions of cards semi-randomly derived from each Character’s base characteristics (statistics, costs, and abilities) with little boundaries. A filter algorithm is then used to rate them. This algorithm is key to the system, it mostly filters out “bad” card designs and not “good/great” designs.
This is where the “craft” happens as the system is set with a lot of parameters. Ultimately, this means the artwork and card stats for each version is different and reinforces the concept of unique cards. This is a more dumbed down version of the process but read more on Altered’s website about it as they really go into detail. As the game is played, we will see how each variation affects gameplay and how Altered monitor this.
Organized Play and Season 1
Altered have also revealed their organized play program and how long the first season will last for, which gives us a rough idea of when the second expansion will be released as well.
All official retailers that hold physical stock of Altered products will be able to run an organized play program, Altered have aptly named the play program as “Expeditions” to further relate to the concept of the TCG. Season One of Altered will begin on launch day, September 13th 2024, and will run until the day before the next expansion releases (early Q1 2025, final date TBC). This could be January or early February so we’re keen to see how the game’s played and when we can see any reveals for the second expansion.
Expeditions will be the primary way for players to play in official Altered events, where they can earn promo boosters just for playing the TCG. These boosters are set to contain exclusive promo cards and tokens which will encourage players to keep entering the Expeditions.
They will also introduce an Adventure Pass which will be another way to encourage players to consistently play, and you don’t even have to win to be rewarded! You’ll select a faction and start earning rewards as soon as your first event, including some exclusive rewards that only your faction can gain! You will earn badges as you move through the levels, collect Foiler and alt art cards so there’s definitely an incentive to keep your adventure pass up to date!
A championship has already been announced but we won’t see that until season two, the current name is the “Tumult Championship”. Read more about the organized play for Altered here.
As we get closer and closer to the release date, we should see more and more reveals for Altered - Beyond The Gates. We’re very keen to see the reaction to the release and how people like the physical gameplay, keep yourself updated on the Total Cards blog!
Original 15/06/2024
In case you haven't heard about it, an exciting new trading card game is arriving in September called Altered with its first expansion, Beyond The Gates. The Altered TCG was originally a Kickstarter but became famous overnight as it was funded in two minutes!
Their goal was €50,000 and, overall, they were pledged a whopping €6,213,305! Not only was it the most funded Kickstarter TCG ever, it was also one of the most funded Kickstarter campaigns ever! Whether you're a seasoned TCG player or new to the world of trading card games, this guide will provide you with all the essential information you need to for the Altered TCG.
What is Altered?
Altered is a trading card game (TCG) set in a richly designed universe, influenced by the art styles of Miyazaki and Dixit. Players explore a reshaped Earth following a mysterious event known as the Confluence. The game offers a unique blend of competitive and casual play, deep lore, and innovative mechanics. Created by game designer Régis Bonnessée and developed by the French studio Equinox, it promises a fresh and immersive experience for players.
Is Altered available as a video game?
Yes, Altered will be available on BoardGameArena (BGA) due to popular demand from their Kickstarter campaign. Players can currently try out all six official Starter decks for free on BGA. Upon the game's official release, players will be able to link their Altered.gg and BGA accounts to play using their own card collections.
When is the game's release date?
The official retail release of the Altered TCG is scheduled for September 13, 2024. Leading up to this date, there will be Preview Events in various countries from May through July 2024, and a live presentation at Gencon 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Where will the game be available?
Altered Beyond The Gates will be available in the USA, Canada, the EU, and Chile at launch, with potential expansion to other regions. The game can be purchased at local game stores and through other channels determined by their distributor.
Which languages will be supported?
The game will initially be available in English and French for Kickstarter backers. Retail versions will include English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish, with Portuguese available via print-on-demand. Additional languages may be added based on demand.
How often will new expansions be released?
The first expansion is expected in January 2025, with subsequent expansions planned every four months (January, May, and September).
What are Foiler cards?
Instead of traditional foil cards, the Altered Trading Card Game uses "Foiler" cards, which are cards with QR codes that players can scan to register in their collections. These Foiler cards can be applied to any card of the corresponding rarity and can be traded just like other cards. However, the foil status remains with the original owner even if the card is traded away.
What kind of exclusive cards can we expect?
Players can look forward to a variety of exclusive cards, including Full Art promos of all 18 Heroes, Alternate Art cards available through Kickstarter, and more special releases planned for the future.
Is AI used in creating the game's art?
No, Altered's artwork is created by over 25 human artists from around the world, ensuring a unique and handcrafted visual experience.
Where can I find the rules of the game?
While the final rule book hasn't been published yet, you can find the Quick Rules on the resources page for a comprehensive summary.
What is the size of the core set?
The core set includes:
- 18 Hero cards (3 per faction)
- 162 Common cards (including 109 characters)
- 324 Rare cards
- Various Unique cards (based on 109 different characters)
What types of cards are in Altered?
The game features several types of cards:
- Heroes: Representing your hero and its companion
- Characters: Allies you summon
- Spells: Cards that assist you on your adventure
- Permanents: Cards that remain in play
- Tokens: Created by some cards
What game modes are available at launch?
Altered TCG offers three official game modes:
- 1v1 Constructed
- 2v2 Teams
- Booster Draft
How do you build a Constructed deck?
To build a deck:
- Include at least 39 cards plus 1 Hero card.
- All cards must belong to the same faction as the Hero.
- No more than 3 copies of the same card.
- A maximum of 15 rare cards and 3 unique cards are allowed.
What are the 6 factions in Altered?
- Axiom: Engineers with powerful permanents and resource synergies.
- Bravos: Adventurers focusing on quick, impressive card plays.
- Lyra: Masters of chaos with dice mechanics and rule-twisting cards.
- Muna: Nature protectors with plant growth and defensive synergies.
- Ordis: Token-focused with bureaucratic characters disrupting opponents.
- Yzmir: Disruption specialists with strong removal and sacrifice synergies.
How does the rarity system work?
- Common: Basic cards of a family.
- Rare: Enhanced versions of commons, including out-of-faction versions.
- Unique: Algorithmically generated, ultimate versions of character cards.
Why unique cards?
Unique cards bring back the excitement and unpredictability of early TCGs. Each unique card is different, ensuring no two decks are the same and adding surprise elements to gameplay.
How does the game handle balancing and "pay to win"?
To ensure balance:
- A deck can include a maximum of 3 unique cards.
- Hidden limitations are being added to the Altered algorithm, to prevent overpowered cards from being generated
As we get closer to the release date, we are sure that more questions will arise. But if you have any questions that aren't covered here or if you are as excited as we are, feel free to reach out in the comments below!