FRONTLINE 2.0 update

Article written by Nikkolas Baker

Hello everyone,

Earlier in March this year, I explained that Frontline’s game design was initially made in such a way that while we wanted to try a new approach to creating card games, we left a lot of room on the table for changes to be introduced in new and exciting ways. While we’re not aiming to reinvent the wheel, we still wanted to keep things fresh and updated, in order to rejuvenate some of the more fundamental aspects of the game.

With that, I am excited to introduce you all to Frontline 2.0: the definite version of Frontline TCG!

So, what changes are made to the game?

First off, you’ll notice a redesign of how the cards look. In the original iteration, the card borders on the outside were a very thin black line.

The reason why was because the cards frames were essentially traced over from Titanfall 1’s Burn cards, and so the thin borders were kept.

While the game was being worked on, we didn’t pay much attention to how much the looks of those borders mattered, just so long as it looked serviceable. It wasn’t until we received outside consultation were we made aware of the positives of making it so that the card’s borders were more pronounced. Because of this, we also took the opportunity to also thicken the dividing lines surrounding the artwork of each card.

The other redesign choices made on the card’s layout were done in regard to the fundamental change in Frontline’s Energy system.

Personally, I was not satisfied with the game’s first version of the top-third of how each card looks. While it’s essentially just a clean-up of a Burn Card, with mirroring the elements of the top-left of each card, I found the number and “E” on the right side of each card to be garish and too minimal.

So, we decided to cut off the bottom chunk of the right block, and kept it so that energy can still be easily read on the top-right of each card. An additional benefit to this change was that it created more space for a card’s name to displayed on, without needing to be broken into two lines.

We also made some adjustments in the top-third of every card, by bringing in a stronger drop shadow for the border elements and the card’s title. This makes the card design pop out significantly more than before, and it gives each card a more 3D look to it.

Finally, the most important change of all, is the Energy revision system. Instead of there being a unified resource that’s able to utilize every card in the game, Frontline 2.0 now has three different colors that reimagines the game in a whole new light. The reason for this change is to breathe new life into the game, and to re-explore some of our favorite designs in new ways!

What are these three colors?

Red: This color, symbolized with an Apex Legends logo, represents aggressive strategies. Efficient creatures that pack bigger punches is the name of the game with Legend Energy.

Blue: This color, symbolized with a Pilot visor logo, represents controlling strategies. This color wants to slow things down, and prevent your opponent from closing out the game, while you climb back to the top and win with domineering force.

Purple: This color, symbolized with a Titan core logo, represents attrition strategies. This color wants to grind your opponents to a fine dust, as it utilizes effects that outlast the competition.

Please note that while Frontline is introducing a color restriction system to address homogeny of gameplay, it doesn’t mean that different colors can’t be paired together. On release, there’s a Leader for each color pairing, and one for each individual color.

Choose wisely: while the multicolor Leaders have flexibility, the single-color Leaders are a bit more juiced up, in order in incentivize playing with them!

PLEASE NOTE: Support for the original Frontline TCG will not stop. It will see through its planned life cycle, and will not be prematurely abandoned. Frontline 2.0 acts as a companion product that lives alongside its sister game in the same family.

So with that all addressed, we look forward to deck brewing in the offices, and seeing what kind of cool decks the community comes up with! We thank you for your continued interest in the game, and I’ll see you all out on the frontline!