Attention: We have a new version of this FAQ here. Check it out 🙂
Hello, and thanks for checking out Prismata! Below are answers to a number of common questions about Prismata, the community, and the current state of the game.
Q: How do I get into the Prismata alpha?
Prismata is currently in a closed alpha, which means that players need account keys to access the game. You can become a supporter to obtain account keys. Account keys are frequently given away during streams or giveaways on the Prismata subreddit, so keep your eyes peeled.
Q: How do I access the game?
Once you have an account key, there are multiple ways to play:
- Online, at play.prismata.net (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Using the Prismata Desktop Client for Windows, available here (200 MB).
- Using the Prismata Desktop Client for Mac, available here (200 MB).
Q: How do I update to the latest version?
The web version updates automatically, and the Windows version updates automatically for most users. We’re still working out a few kinks with the Windows auto-updater, so if you’re having difficulty, you can manually update by downloading the latest version here (195 MB).
Q: Who created Prismata, and how did the game originate?
Prismata was the result of an experiment by a group of former MIT PhD students, who were attempting to create a new genre of strategy game by combining ideas from card games and RTS. The first prototype was created in August of 2010 and had incredibly simple rules, but its creators were blown away by its staggering, unexpected level of strategic depth. They grew addicted to Prismata’s fascinating gameplay and spent years developing the game as a hobby project. In 2013, several of Prismata’s creators dropped out of MIT to form Lunarch Studios and work full-time on the game.
A full account of the origins of Prismata by Lunarch Studios co-founder Elyot Grant can be found here.
Q: Is there a tutorial video?
There are several. These are highly recommended by the Prismata community:
- 1-minute primer by Argeiphontes
- 6-minute introduction by Lunarch Studios
- 30-minute guide by Resonance22
A few others:
Q: Are there any good guides for beginners? Are the rules written down anywhere?
There are lots of great resources for new players, though some are a little out-of-date and may feature older graphics!
- Prismata Rules In Half A Page
- Complete Beginner’s Guide
- Intermediate Tips: Guide to Base Set, Hotkeys, Avoiding Common Mistakes
- The old guide at bit.ly/prismata has links to these and other resources
Q: Is Prismata pay-to-win? How does the game make money?
At Lunarch Studios, we take a strong stance against the exploitative business models of other card games, where players are often forced to pay hundreds of dollars or grind for thousands of hours to build a sufficiently powerful collection of cards to compete with other players.
Instead, Prismata is a genuinely free game. To fund its continued expansion, we offer ethical microtransactions to help unlock cosmetic items—like equippable skins and emotes—that provide no competitive advantages. We promise to keep Prismata free from the annoyances that plague many so-called “free to play” games. Our motto is simple: No pay-to-win, no grinding, and no bullshit.
Q: Is Prismata in alpha or in beta? How far along is Prismata’s development? When will it be finished?
The terms alpha and beta originated in an era where software had to be finalized, stamped to disc, put in boxes, and shipped. A beta traditionally referred to a pre-release build that was feature-complete, but at present, publishers tend to slap the name beta on just about anything, and games are frequently released with features still missing. Accordingly, the distinction between alpha and beta has grown pretty meaningless in the year 2016. Our long-term plan for Prismata involves many post-release content updates, so it’s hard to even define when the game is done! (Is League of Legends done? Is Diablo 3 done?)
At the present time (March 2016), we feel that Prismata needs a touch more work in a few places (graphics, sound, and tutorials) before we’d truly feel comfortable calling it beta. But it’s close!
Subsequently, once we’re comfortable that Prismata’s new user experience is polished and our servers are ready, we’ll remove the account key requirements and enter open beta.
As for when Prismata will be done… it will probably be a case of us quietly taking the beta sign down when we’ve grown sick of it.
Q: Will Prismata be released on Steam?
Yes! We’ve already cleared Steam Greenlight and are approaching our initial Steam release, which will include significant campaign content. Additional Prismata units and campaign content will be released episodically, following the initial release.
Q: Is there a list of all the units?
You can see a list here, or you can check out the massive table of units on the wiki.
Q: Can I stream Prismata?
Yes! Instructions on how to do so are here. You’re free to monetize your streams and other video content (see our ToS for more information on that).
Q: Are there images available for use by fans/press?
Yep! Here are a few places to get Prismata images:
Q: Is there a Prismata forum?
Prismata blew up on reddit before we had a chance to make a forum, and the Prismata subreddit now serves as the de facto Prismata online community.
Q: Are there tourneys?
Yes. Lunarch Studios has run the Prismata Alpha World Championship in the past (and rumour has it that a Beta World Championship is due to happen soon!) Additionally, there are a number of community-organized tournaments, the biggest of which is the Prismata Master’s League. Other tourneys like Lord of the Swarms, the Scorchilla Cup, and the Q Cup are typically organized through the Prismata subreddit.
You can also host your own tourney (email us if you would like Lunarch Studios to donate prizes, which we’re happy to do!)
Q: Help, I’m having a technical problem!
See our troubleshooting FAQ here.
Q: Where do I find more information?
The Prismata Wiki is an incredible resource, filled with tons of information on just about anything Prismata-related. If you can’t find what you’re looking for there, try posting a question on the Prismata subreddit. The developers frequently respond to player questions on just about anything.