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 the game?
You can check out Prismata on Steam or grab the game at our web page, Prismata.net.
Q: What’s the current state of development?
As of March 2018, Prismata has entered Steam Early Access, which is the final step in our long period of feedback-driven development. Steam Early Access will feature frequent additions of new units, interface tweaks, and a new campaign episode roughly once per month. You can read more about our Early Access mindset and the latest updates on our Steam page.
Q: I already have a Prismata account. How do I sign in and play?
Just download one of the following versions of the game:
- Windows version (500 MB)
- Mac version (500 MB)
There is also the old web client at play.prismata.net which is still supported, but we highly recommend the PC/Mac versions as they don’t require any asset downloading and are much less prone to browser-specific problems.
Q: Is there Linux support?
Linux users can use the web version at play.prismata.net using Chromium and the Pepper player.
As for a Linux desktop version, unfortunately Adobe has abandoned support for Stage3D in Adobe AIR in Linux. Without this, we can’t use any GPU-accelerated graphics, which makes it impossible for us to create a Linux desktop version of any reasonable quality. Accordingly, the web version represents the best experience that is currently possible on Linux.
Q: I have a beta key. How do I use it?
If you have a 15-digit Steam code, redeem it on Steam.
If you have a 20-digit Prismata beta key, download one of the PC/Mac versions listed above or use the web version. You can redeem the key when the game launches.
Q: Help, I’m having a technical problem!
See our troubleshooting FAQ here.
Q: How do I update to the latest version?
The software is designed to auto-update whenever we put out a patch.
Note that Windows users will have to run Prismata in administrator mode for updates to work if Prismata was installed in a directory that requires administrator permissions. The game will warn you if this is the case!
Q: I’m a Kickstarter Supporter, how do I access my rewards? Can I play on Steam?
We sent Steam keys out to all of our supporters. Enter your Kickstarter email into the Humble Resender and you should see it there alongside the other rewards. If not, email support and we’ll take a look.
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?
The first chapter of the campaign is intended to provide an overview of the game’s rules and systems. From there, the combat training challenges contain introductions to all of the unique mechanics that Prismata has to offer.
If you’d rather watch a video, here are a couple that we recommend:
- 1-minute primer by Argeiphontes
- 30-minute guide by Resonance22
- 30-minute video by Kripparrian (quite old, but good!)
Q: Are there any good guides for beginners?
We’re working on a comprehensive player’s guide at http://prismata.net/guide/. If you would like to contribute, let us know! There are a bunch of old guides linked at bit.ly/prismata and a number of beginner-friendly resources on our wiki. See also the community resources linked in the “Learn” tab in Prismata (there’s some great content over at The Prismata Library).
Q: How much does the game cost?
During Early Access, we’re offering a $25 Founder’s edition that includes the base game, plus the entire 5-chapter single player story campaign and a few bonuses (supporter badge, skin, etc.)
Q: Will there be a free version?
Toward the end of Early Access, we plan to introduce a more affordable entry point for new players (a ‘lite’ edition with substantially less single-player content). The exact pricing, features, and timing are still to be decided, but we’re very committed to making Prismata accessible to as many people as possible.
Q: Is Prismata pay-to-win?
Absolutely not. 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.
Q: Are there in-game purchases?
To fund Prismata’s 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: When will Prismata be finished?
When we’re tired of working on it? We don’t know… we love developing this game! 😛
Q: Are you working on translating Prismata to other languages?
If Prismata is successful, we’ll certainly be looking at localization opportunities. However, we need to wait until all the campaign chapters are complete before we can send all the dialogue off to be translated. We may try crowdsourcing some small bits of translation before then (game menu text or unit infopanels), but no promises! We’ve seen other games go the crowdsourcing route with varied levels of success.
Q: What about an Android version?
We compiled one! It worked. But it was kinda slow, and there were a number of UI annoyances that we’d likely want to iron out before releasing one publicly. Adapting a game like Prismata for 100% touch-only input is a really non-trivial task. That said, if Prismata does well, we’ll certainly be considering other platform options!
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:
We love getting fan art!
Q: Is there a Prismata forum or discussion group?
The Prismata subreddit now serves as the de facto Prismata online community, but we also have a Steam forum and an official Discord server.
Q: Are there tournaments?
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 have been the Golden Cup and 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: 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 or Prismata Discord server. The developers frequently respond to player questions on just about anything.