raventhon

raventhon

Senior Technical Producer and QA Lead

Stories

<p>Patch Notes: 1.9.4.1</p>

Patch Notes: 1.9.4.1

Patch Notes
<p>Patch Notes: 1.9.4</p>

Patch Notes: 1.9.4

Dev Diaries Game Design Patch Notes

We have a big patch today, with a LOT of exciting changes. Let’s dive right into what’s new!

<p>Patch Notes: 1.9.3.10 Speed Matters</p>

Patch Notes: 1.9.3.10 Speed Matters

Dev Diaries Game Design Patch Notes

In what is a momentous occasion for <b>Chaos Agents</b>, we have a small but mighty patch for our players. We’ve implemented what we internally call <b>“Speed Matters.”</b>

<p>Patch 1.9.3.9 is LIVE!</p>

Patch 1.9.3.9 is LIVE!

Dev Diaries Game Design Patch Notes

The Third World Championship season is officially underway! This means that the Second World Championship campaign pack is retiring and a new one has replaced it. All future World Championship Trials will give credit for these new missions. As always, congratulations to our World Champions.

<p>Accord Wars #4 Recap</p>

Accord Wars #4 Recap

Accord Wars

We're back at it again in this thrilling season of the Accord Trophy Championships, better known across the Firmament as the Accord Wars. The arena lit up once more, and if you thought this saga was cooling off, think again.

<p>Patch Notes: 1.9.3.8</p>

Patch Notes: 1.9.3.8

Dev Diaries Game Design Patch Notes

We're incredibly happy to be able to deliver Chaos Agents 1.9.3.8 to production, available to play in advance of the Season 2 Finals.

<p>Patch Notes: 1.9.3.7</p>

Patch Notes: 1.9.3.7

Dev Diaries Game Design Patch Notes

We are excited to announce that Chaos Agents 1.9.3.7 is live on our production servers right now, available to play on immediately!

<p>Patch Notes: 1.9.3.5</p>

Patch Notes: 1.9.3.5

Patch Notes

We've heard from the community time and time again that they'd like better communication from the game around both their accomplishments and upcoming events. To facilitate this we've built out a robust notification system so the game can more easily celebrate your victories and keep you informed around important events. We're excited to get this in your hands!

<p>Richard Garfield Q&A - Chaos Agents Alpha Launch!</p>

Richard Garfield Q&A - Chaos Agents Alpha Launch!

Game Design

Full audio recording of Richard Garfield's Q&A with the Chaos Agents community on the occasion of the launch of Chaos Agents' private alpha. Enjoy!

<p>Why should fans of Magic: the Gathering be excited about Chaos Agents?</p>

Why should fans of Magic: the Gathering be excited about Chaos Agents?

Presentation Game Design

A Q&A session with Richard Garfield covering the reasons he believes that Magic: The Gathering fans should be excited about Chaos Agents.

<p>Popularium launches alpha for Chaos Agents from Magic creator Richard Garfield</p>

Popularium launches alpha for Chaos Agents from Magic creator Richard Garfield

Richard Garfield Articles Game Design

“We have been overwhelmed by the response to the Alpha announcement,” said Arka Ray, president and CTO at Popularium, in a statement. “The number of players who want to join the alpha and experience Richard’s vision has been over 20 times more than we anticipated.

<p>Release Notes: 1.9.3.1</p>

Release Notes: 1.9.3.1

Release Notes Dev Diaries Patch Notes

We are finally here! After months of intense development, testing, playtesting, eager anticipation, the moment has finally arrived — the first official Chaos Agents Alpha version 1.9.3.1 is LIVE and ready for action!

<p>Patch Notes: 1.9.3</p>

Patch Notes: 1.9.3

Patch Notes

**December 20, 2024** - Full patch notes for *Chaos Agents* build 1.9.3, including automated Trials, quickmatches, and many other improvements.

<p>Play @ Popularium</p>

Play @ Popularium

<p>Transform @ Popularium</p>

Transform @ Popularium

<p>Read @ Popularium</p>

Read @ Popularium

<p>Altareth, Homeworld of the Brillouin</p>

Altareth, Homeworld of the Brillouin

<p>Grovaws, Homeworld of the Madhi</p>

Grovaws, Homeworld of the Madhi

<p>Prevaris, Homeworld of the Massieu</p>

Prevaris, Homeworld of the Massieu

<p>Jorsham, Homeworld of the Tsallis</p>

Jorsham, Homeworld of the Tsallis

<p>Sorith, ‘The Eyes’ of the Brillouin</p>

Sorith, ‘The Eyes’ of the Brillouin

<p>Wolfram, ‘The Hammer’ of the Tsallis</p>

Wolfram, ‘The Hammer’ of the Tsallis

<p>Titus, First Scion of the Madhi</p>

Titus, First Scion of the Madhi

<p>Valon, ‘The Dashing’ of the Massieu</p>

Valon, ‘The Dashing’ of the Massieu

<p>Dusana, High Counselor of the Clausius</p>

Dusana, High Counselor of the Clausius

<p>Chaos Agents Commits to Being a “Forever Multiplayer Game” Through the Magic of Dedicated Servers</p>

Chaos Agents Commits to Being a “Forever Multiplayer Game” Through the Magic of Dedicated Servers

Game Design Richard Garfield Articles

“You own a copy of the game to the extent that you used to own a disc that you could go and buy,” Ray says. “The goal from day one was to build Chaos Agents in a way where we could essentially promise our players that regardless of whether we are around, we are supporting the official servers or not, you will be able to play the game.”

<p>Richard Garfield Works His Magic</p>

Richard Garfield Works His Magic

Richard Garfield Articles

Three decades later, can Garfield repeat this success? With Popularium, a new gaming studio founded by Garfield and three other industry veterans (Jon Bankard, Skaff Elias, and Arka Ray) he is about to find out as he launches the game *Chaos Agents*. Instead of being set in a fantasy world, this one exists in a space-opera-esque science fiction world, a kind of mish-mash of some of the more celestial Marvel comics but also at home with the texture of Larry Niven’s “Known Space” shared stories and novels.

<p>World Invitational Finals: Highlights</p>

World Invitational Finals: Highlights

Twitch Recordings Gameplay Chaos Agents Tournaments

The first *Chaos Agents* World Championship took place at Gen Con in August 2024 - see the highlights here!

Chaos Art Diary - Madhi Character Design

<p>Release Notes: 1.9.22</p>

Release Notes: 1.9.22

Release Notes
<p>Patch Notes: 1.9.1</p>

Patch Notes: 1.9.1

Patch Notes

**June 23, 2024** - *Chaos Agents* patch notes: Automated rewards, improved Attack algorithm, end-match improvements.

<p>Patch Notes: 1.9</p>

Patch Notes: 1.9

Patch Notes

• Initial implementation of ring shrinking • Additional PlayerAI variants • Additional Agents and armor variants And more

<p>Patch Notes: 1.9.2</p>

Patch Notes: 1.9.2

Patch Notes

• Agents can no longer path through terrain obstacles in Multiplayer matches • First implementation of server-per-match architecture to allow more simultaneous matches • Complete Tournament overhaul for Gen Con - you can now see Tournaments and statistics And more

<p>Patch Notes: 1.9.22</p>

Patch Notes: 1.9.22

Patch Notes

**September 18, 2024** - Full patch notes for *Chaos Agents* build 1.9.22, including updated leaderboards, Agent details view, and many other improvements.

<p>Character and Visual Design for Globally Unique Heroes</p>

Character and Visual Design for Globally Unique Heroes

An exciting clip that showcases the process for developing unique heroes. Viewers take a journey through the creative process of developing unique and globally recognizable heroes. From the initial concept and character design to the development of their backstories, abilities, and special powers, viewers will gain a deep understanding of the dedication and skill required to create compelling game characters.

<p>The Universe and Species of Chaos Agents</p>

The Universe and Species of Chaos Agents

This clip takes viewers on a journey through the vast and mysterious universe inhabited by the *Chaos Agents*. Through stunning visuals and imaginative storytelling, the clip explores some of the different races of the Firmament that make up this diverse and complex universe.

<p>Richard Garfield on the bringing back the joy of card games</p>

Richard Garfield on the bringing back the joy of card games

Richard Garfield remembers the magic of the early days of *Magic: The Gathering*. The creator of the iconic card game recalled how there was a period of time when people didn’t have access to perfect information about which Magic cards and decks were the best.

<p>Jonathan Bankard - Back in the Game</p>

Jonathan Bankard - Back in the Game

“The nice thing about our industry is that it’s a very kind industry,” Bankard said. “All of our friends are out there helping us connect to people, friends of friends, and all of that is very collaborative and wonderful. It’s a big change from the big companies I’ve worked at in the past in just how much all of these indie studios are trying to help each other out.”

<p>Popularium’s <em>Chaos Agents</em> game gets pre-alpha playtest</p>

Popularium’s Chaos Agents game gets pre-alpha playtest

“We’re ready to expand to pre-alpha playtest through our new Chaos Broker Trainees – as they are better known,” said Garfield. “These playtesters have been selected from thousands of applicants eager to get their first taste of the *Chaos Agents* universe. We’re embarking on quite an adventure and Skaff and I are excited by where we’re headed.”

<p>Popularium secures $2m seed funding for next game by Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield</p>

Popularium secures $2m seed funding for next game by Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield

"The funding will help us develop, market and launch the *Chaos Agents* public alpha in the summer," Ray told GamesIndustry.biz. "So far, we have been building with a core team of game developers, this funding will help us expand the team to bring in more support for managing our growing community. "It will also help support development efforts for the key remaining features that the community is asking for before the Alpha launch, and help launch the first pre-release competitive tournaments for *Chaos Agents*."

<p>Richard Garfield’s new strategy game will generate a unique character for every single player</p>

Richard Garfield’s new strategy game will generate a unique character for every single player

As names go, *Chaos Agents* might seem a little vague. However, there’s nothing vague about Popularium Games’ ambitious plans for this distinctive upcoming free-to-play strategy game. This bold hybrid of auto battler and battle royale aims to offer a novel experience, where players master their own uniquely generated characters. Battle royale titles are known for their mass combats, where only one player can walk away victorious, while auto battlers have players select strategies that their units will then carry out without their direct input. Both genres are titanic features of the video game landscape, but never before have the two met quite like this.

<p>Magic the Gathering’s Creator Wants to Create an Even Better Game</p>

Magic the Gathering’s Creator Wants to Create an Even Better Game

Since bursting onto the scene in the mid-1990s, Magic the Gathering has become one of the most popular games of all time, with millions of players collecting cards to battle each other in an imaginary fantasy realm. But Magic's early success came with a problem: the price of the game's most powerful and rare cards surged along with its popularity. Eventually, Magic's creators worried that the game would become too expensive and was at risk of becoming a short-lived fad. So, how do you pop a bubble in collectibles without completely alienating collectors? In this episode, we speak with Richard Garfield, the creator of Magic the Gathering, and Arka Ray, a long-time game developer at Microsoft who's now CEO of Richard's new gaming studio, Popularium. They talk about the surprising parallels between MTG and central banking, what they've learned from Magic, and how they're applying those lessons to Chaos Agents, Popularium's first new gaming launch.

<p>Chaos Agents gets Private Alpha and 1st Championship Tournament at Gen Con</p>

Chaos Agents gets Private Alpha and 1st Championship Tournament at Gen Con

*Chaos Agents* the latest title from Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield, is entering its public alpha phase. Players can test their skills in the new title that blends tabletop games with auto-battlers and battle royales this weekend at GenCon. In *Chaos Agents*, players will coach and power up their globally unique superhero to victory against other foes. The game should feel familiar to tabletop enthusiasts as well as gamers. It takes concepts Garfield developed through his career — particularly *Magic: The Gathering* and *Keyforge* — and blends them with a free-for-all auto-battler format.

<p>Chaos Dev Diaries Episode 2:</p>

Chaos Dev Diaries Episode 2:

Dev Diaries Game Design

**February 12, 2024** — What kind of logic do Chaos Agents use to carry out your directives during a Chaos Battle? Or is it all simply chaos and madness? Learn how order leads to Chaos as we deep-dive into the AI-powered mind of a Chaos Agent.

<p>Chaos Dev Diaries Episode 1:</p>

Chaos Dev Diaries Episode 1:

Dev Diaries Game Design

**January 27, 2024** — The *Chaos Agents* dev team wanted to give you an inside look into the many trials and tribulations along the exciting journey to shipping v1.8.6, while also providing you with a classic example of how software development, despite best intentions and efforts, can sometimes devolve into a domino of causes and effects that, while being painful for us devs, can provide wonderful entertainment for the rest of the community. So grab your popcorn and get ready for a ride!

High Regent Dusana Announces the Altareth Convocation to Set Rules for Chaos Shard Battles

<p>Leaked Communication from the Padoccia Trade Union to MrThrifty Reveals Incentives Behind “Xandrian Win Donations”</p>

Leaked Communication from the Padoccia Trade Union to MrThrifty Reveals Incentives Behind “Xandrian Win Donations”

Official Lore Xandrian Campaign

The Red Sun News Brokerage can exclusively reveal from trusted sources that the Padoccia Trade Union offered several incentives to Chaos Brokers participating in the Xandrian Challenge that led to the offer of “donating” Win Conditions to the Xandrians.

<p>Chaos Agents Pre-Alpha Launch Event</p>

Chaos Agents Pre-Alpha Launch Event

On a cozy fall night in 2023, Wizards of the Coast founder Peter Adkison gets summoned by his old friend...

<p>World Invitational Special Qualifiers #5</p>

World Invitational Special Qualifiers #5

Follow the exciting action from the Special Qualifiers for the World Invitational where top *Chaos Agents* playtesters battle it out for a shortcut to the GOLD Finals.

<p>Chaos Agents Game Design: Fireside Chat</p>

Chaos Agents Game Design: Fireside Chat

Go deep on the design and motivation behind Chaos Agents with Richard Garfield and the Chaos Agents design team.

Feedback

<p>Silver Tournament #4 for <em>Chaos Agents</em></p>

Silver Tournament #4 for Chaos Agents

The public Alpha of Richard Garfield’s newest video game - Chaos Agents - is launching at GenCon. Play in a tournament and qualify for the Gold World Invitational on Sunday. Chaos Agents takes concepts perfected by Richard over decades of designing superhit tabletop games, and blends them with the video game genres of autobattlers and battle royales. Each Entrant will receive a unique Agent as part of their entry fee. This tournament has 3 qualifying 30-minute rounds followed by a Finals and Runners up match. Winners of the tournament will earn an additional Agent for free along with qualifications for the Gold World Invitational Tournament. ICC : Hall C : White : 36

<p>Silver Tournament #3 for <em>Chaos Agents</em></p>

Silver Tournament #3 for Chaos Agents

In our wildest Qualifier yet, the new people in the room at Gen Con really put the screws to some of our longest-term playtesters, with MasterTyler winning Shardmaster and Dlion99 winning a crushing Brawlmaster victory. Pmm5000 managed to strike back for the pre-alpha playtesters with a last-minute Survivalist victory!

<p>Silver Tournament #2 for <em>Chaos Agents</em></p>

Silver Tournament #2 for Chaos Agents

Takkuso continued a strong showing at Gen Con, winning Shardmaster, while MrThrifty was able to barely squeeze out the Brawlmaster victory in our second Silver Qualifier.

<p>Silver Tournament #1 for <em>Chaos Agents</em></p>

Silver Tournament #1 for Chaos Agents

A rousing match ended with a double victory for Takkuso, who took Brawlmaster and Survivalist, while Catalyst99 ran away with the Shardmaster.

Chaos Agents Global Premiere: Playtest Launch with Richard Garfield

<p>Game Industry Veterans Team Up to Co-Found Popularium</p>

Game Industry Veterans Team Up to Co-Found Popularium

<p>The World is a Playground</p>

The World is a Playground

<p>All for One and One for All</p>

All for One and One for All

<p>Games as Storytelling Engines</p>

Games as Storytelling Engines

<p>Valon</p>

Valon

Valon is one of the most decorated Massieu Shard Captains. If he can out-position his enemies on Verspersa, not only could it give his people leverage to take the Trade bank, but he’d be in line to become emperor.

<p>Wolfram</p>

Wolfram

Wolfram is a veteran of eight battle-planet campaigns. He’s addicted to war, and compulsively reenlists for every off-world conflict. He’s aware of his addiction, and fights as much for fun as he does for Shards.

<p>Sorith</p>

Sorith

Sorith is a ranking member of the Brillouin Trade Bank, which does business across the Firmament. The bank is over-leveraged due to some bad trades. She needs to win on Vespersa to avoid scandal.

<p>Dusana</p>

Dusana

Dusana is a physicist. She believes Vespersa—a planet recently accessible for Shard harvesting—could collapse if pillaged, setting off a chain reaction that would destroy the Mahdi planetary system.

<p>Titus</p>

Titus

Titus’s mother was killed fighting to protect his world’s Shard stores. For him, preserving Shards not only protects his spiritual path back to the creator, but his reunion with his mother, if he’s valiant.

<p>The Brillouin</p>

The Brillouin

- The Brillouin stand nearly six feet high - Consummate traders, always looking for leverage to be used when convenient. - Their skin carries the slightest hint of blue, wear broad-brimmed hats to shade their eyes. - They carry a pair of shard hand bows—expel intense gravity or time dilation - Culture fosters deceit, duplicity, and craftiness as core skills - Harvest Shards for **trade**

<p>The Tsallis</p>

The Tsallis

- Standing just under five feet tall - Thickness in the head, neck, torso, and limbs, with a leathery tan skin - Unique quality is their war cry—the foe loses useful thought for those few moments - Intelligent but a loud, brash culture with no filter - Largely subterranean—shard harvesting is **territorial** as people of the ground

<p>The Massieu</p>

The Massieu

- The Massieu stand a little over six feet tall - Enamored with gallantry and loyal to friends - Infuriate the opponent with cunning - Standard weapons, as well as antique slings to hurl shard stones - The Massieu are empire builders - The Massieu compete for shards for one reason: **Status**

<p>The Mahdi</p>

The Mahdi

- Stand eight feet tall and have a hulking musculature and immense strength. - Wield immense arm cannons - Intelligent race with a deeply spiritual connection to the Shard of Chaos - Regard Shards as gifts from the great creator, to be used judiciously - **Collect Shards to prevent their exploitation for gain, war, or other unseemly uses**, and for their own spiritual observance.

<p>The Clausius</p>

The Clausius

- Between five and six feet high - Fair and fragile-skinned people - Wear protective armor powered by telepathy - Carry a long staff able to channel battle thought into energy - Level, even cool regard for other races—culture of rationality and logic - **Harvest Shards to maintain balance** of universal mechanics that control light, gravity and other forms of energy

<p>Life is Strange</p>

Life is Strange

I’m a 31-year-old man on my third glass of whiskey, and a game where you play as a high-school girl is bringing me to tears.

<p>Geeking Out</p>

Geeking Out

I’ve been hiding for my entire life, but that’s about to end.

<p>Love & Smash Brothers</p>

Love & Smash Brothers

There is just something about Super Smash Bros. that takes even the sweetest and quietest among us and morphs them into a shit-talker of the highest order.

<p>The Data Economics Company and Syzygy Publishing’s Chris Ryall announce content partnership</p>

The Data Economics Company and Syzygy Publishing’s Chris Ryall announce content partnership

<p>Chaos is Coming</p>

Chaos is Coming

<p>The Data Economics Company announces partnership with Incradia to release the ReVerse franchise on Lydion-based Game Development Platform</p>

The Data Economics Company announces partnership with Incradia to release the ReVerse franchise on Lydion-based Game Development Platform

<p>The Data Economics Company and Three Donkeys announce partnership to build games on Lydion Engine-based Game Development Platform</p>

The Data Economics Company and Three Donkeys announce partnership to build games on Lydion Engine-based Game Development Platform