Gameplay

The Cross The Ages TCG is built around 4 main elements:

  • Cards

  • Heptagram

  • Card Deck

  • 4x4 Game Board

Upon creating an account, the player is immersed in Adventure mode where they will discover the basics of a game, including:

Cards

  • Type

  • Power

  • Element

  • Faction

  • and other secondary characteristics such as Rarity, Advancement, Rank, etc., which can alter power.

Heptagram

  • Priorities (advantages/disadvantages)

  • Affinities

  • Trinities

  • Alliances

Deck

  • 30 cards

  • maximum power of 15,000

  • General

  • Special Ability

  • Game Board :

    • 16 slots arranged in a 4x4 grid

    • Shared by 2 players

  • Game Flow :

    • 16-turn game or until the first player reaches the score.

    • 1 card placed on the board per turn.

    • Capturing cards.

    • Chaining captures.

    • Scoring points/Inflicting damage.

Throughout the Adventure mode, the player discovers key characters of the story and gradually acquires cards to enhance their deck and progress in the game, unlocking new options along the way.

The gameplay of the game aims to be accessible, situated midway between board games and conventional TCGs.

There are two game modes: Adventure mode, as presented above, allows players to discover and play against a computer to understand the basics, while Arena mode offers a more competitive spirit by challenging other CTA players. Are you ready to challenge the best players of Artellium?

In Arena mode, players can choose to play ranked matches to compete against opponents of similar skill levels and climb the leaderboard to earn exclusive rewards.

Throughout the duels, players accumulate a certain number of cards and resources that allow them to improve their cards through crafting.

Although the gameplay designed between 2021 and 2022, with adjustments in 2023, has clear advantages, it also has some drawbacks.

Indeed, certain mechanics were added to diversify the games, but while they brought depth, they also introduced complexity.

Starting from 2024, we decided to adopt an approach aimed at simplifying the game without compromising its depth, and even deepening it further.

In 2023, we had envisioned a complex system involving a heptagram with 21 attributes interacting differently according to factions, but we decided not to pursue this path. Instead, we opted for an approach where we retain only 7 elements and overlay the 3 factions. This allows players to assimilate 3 new concepts, for a total of 10 notions, instead of the previously planned 21 or more.

This decision perfectly illustrates the philosophy we have adopted for the future development of the game.

Therefore, we prefer to proceed cautiously, taking the time for thoughtful iterations, even if it means questioning some fundamental aspects already in place.

Here are the different steps for this renewal:

Step 1

  • Simplify the heptagram from 21 traits to 7 elements + 3 factions

  • Add interaction between factions (Alliance)

  • Add Special Abilities specific to each Collection (2 for Mantris, 1 for Watch Dogs)

Step 2

  • Remove the Leader system

  • Allow Special Abilities to be played on any card in player's hand

  • Remove the Trinity system

  • Adjust the chain capture effect

  • Change the scoring system to a health points system

  • Revise the damage system for a more direct and impactful approach

Step 3

  • Remove the power limit of a deck

  • Use a dynamic cost system during the game

Step 4

  • Iterate on a different approach to the game, which will coexist with or replace the existing one

Additional details regarding the timelines are included in the roadmap.

Although we are confident in these changes, please note that they are neither exhaustive nor definitive to maintain some flexibility.

We want to emphasize that we are open to all possibilities to successfully carry out this overhaul, including exploring concepts such as:

  • The possibility of not playing a card during a turn to save resources

  • The ability to play multiple cards per turn if resources allow

  • And even the elimination of the concept of turns, allowing both players to play in real-time

It is important to note that, as part of these iterations, we expressly refrain from modifying existing cards. Therefore, the power of the cards will remain unchanged.

If in the future an adjustment is necessary, we will always make sure to respect the hierarchy of the cards among themselves.

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