Altered, the new TCG from the creator of Dixit, has delighted us in four different ways
Alteredthe new trading card game from Dixit And Mysterium creator Régis Bonnessée launched his Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign on Tuesday, fully funding within 120 seconds. It’s only been live for a few hours and already has backers to the tune of almost $800,000. That’s nothing to scoff at, especially for a new and unproven intellectual property like this.
While we’re still a little wary of a game that runs its own online marketplace, as well as its chances of pulling the most sought-after physical collectibles, there are at least four features that are unique to Altered that make us cautiously optimistic, if not downright excited.
All proxies, all the time
The most annoying part of any TCG is the part where you have to collect all the cards. It’s often the most expensive part of anyone’s gaming budget, and Altered probably won’t be any different. Each 36-pack booster box sold through the campaign will set you back the equivalent of $140. Even if the odds on those draws have been tightened as part of the crowdfunding campaign’s newly unlocked stretch goals, it’ll still cost you at least a few boxes to find them all.
The best thing about this game is that you don’t have to worry about finding dupes. Because every card in the game contains a QR code that locks a particular card to your online account, once a card is opened it is yours forever (unless you want to sell it). Then using the Altered app, you can simply order additional copies of the desired card. The campaign notes that these orders can be made by individuals, groups of players or the communities of entire stores. Want a triplicate launch set for your gaming group? Pool your resources and build the cube of your dreams.
New mechanics that are fun to play with
During our demo at last year’s Gen Con, we were struck by how new this is Altered‘s mechanics actually are too. You don’t necessarily bash your head into your opponent, trying to reduce their hit points or stack of magic beans or whatever until you kill them to death. Instead, players travel as heroes through a fantastical landscape in an attempt to meet their companion. At its core, this is a game about bringing people together, and the bright, dazzling art, rich with inclusive themes and characters, makes that clear from the start.
Spoilers on Foilers
Everyone loves foil cards, but not everyone is lucky enough to find the cards they want with that nice foil treatment. Altered does not actually come with foil cards in the packages. Instead, the “Foilers” are placed in each pack as add-ons, treatments that you can apply afterwards to a particular card in your digital collection. Once applied to a card, you can print it on foil as many times as you like.
The game is now ready to play on multiple platforms
Not every tabletop game that goes the crowdfunding route will allow players to get their hands on the ball before delivery. That is not the case here Altered. Not just the rules now available for downloadso also six complete starter decks – probably the same ones shared with influencers and the press at Gen Con. Just grab some penny sleeves and a pair of scissors and you’re off to the races.
However, that’s not all. Altered is also available to play on Board game arena, the online destination for Asmodee and other top quality online board games. Publisher Equinox also directs fans of Table simulator to not one, not two, but three fan-made versions. There’s even a standalone digital version that you can download and play offline via Linux, Mac, or PC. That’s about the most demo support you can get if you don’t have the cards delivered to your home.
Speaking of which, delivery isn’t far around the corner. Your minimum pledge of $26 will get you two starter decks in July. All six starter sets cost approximately $162.
The campaign for Altered runs now through February 29.