{"id":410,"date":"2026-10-23T00:14:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T00:14:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/?page_id=410"},"modified":"2026-10-23T01:19:05","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T01:19:05","slug":"explore-by-topic","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/","title":{"rendered":"Explore by Topic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e20930da wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Too many posts? Select one or more topics to explore our development process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator alignwide has-text-color has-custom-text-on-light-background-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-custom-text-on-light-background-background-color has-background is-style-default\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"\/>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"spellchem-filter\">\n      <form method=\"get\"\n            action=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/\"\n            class=\"spellchem-filter-form\">\n\n                  <label class=\"spellchem-filter-pill\">\n            <input type=\"checkbox\"\n                   name=\"sc_tags[]\"\n                   value=\"art\"\n                   onchange=\"this.form.requestSubmit()\"\n                    \/>\n            <span>Art<\/span>\n          <\/label>\n                  <label class=\"spellchem-filter-pill\">\n            <input type=\"checkbox\"\n                   name=\"sc_tags[]\"\n                   value=\"game-design\"\n                   onchange=\"this.form.requestSubmit()\"\n                    \/>\n            <span>Game Design<\/span>\n          <\/label>\n                  <label class=\"spellchem-filter-pill\">\n            <input type=\"checkbox\"\n                   name=\"sc_tags[]\"\n                   value=\"hardware\"\n                   onchange=\"this.form.requestSubmit()\"\n                    \/>\n            <span>Hardware<\/span>\n          <\/label>\n                  <label class=\"spellchem-filter-pill\">\n            <input type=\"checkbox\"\n                   name=\"sc_tags[]\"\n                   value=\"playtest\"\n                   onchange=\"this.form.requestSubmit()\"\n                    \/>\n            <span>Playtest<\/span>\n          <\/label>\n                  <label class=\"spellchem-filter-pill\">\n            <input type=\"checkbox\"\n                   name=\"sc_tags[]\"\n                   value=\"presentation\"\n                   onchange=\"this.form.requestSubmit()\"\n                    \/>\n            <span>Presentation<\/span>\n          <\/label>\n                  <label class=\"spellchem-filter-pill\">\n            <input type=\"checkbox\"\n                   name=\"sc_tags[]\"\n                   value=\"production\"\n                   onchange=\"this.form.requestSubmit()\"\n                    \/>\n            <span>Production<\/span>\n          <\/label>\n                  <label class=\"spellchem-filter-pill\">\n            <input type=\"checkbox\"\n                   name=\"sc_tags[]\"\n                   value=\"program\"\n                   onchange=\"this.form.requestSubmit()\"\n                    \/>\n            <span>Program<\/span>\n          <\/label>\n                  <label class=\"spellchem-filter-pill\">\n            <input type=\"checkbox\"\n                   name=\"sc_tags[]\"\n                   value=\"uiux\"\n                   onchange=\"this.form.requestSubmit()\"\n                    \/>\n            <span>UIUX<\/span>\n          <\/label>\n        \n        <a class=\"spellchem-filter-clear\"\n          href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/\"> Clear\n        <\/a>\n      <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"spellchem-filter-results\">\n      <h2>Matching Posts\n        (7)\n      <\/h2>\n\n                        <article class=\"spellchem-filter-card\">\n\n            <a class=\"spellchem-filter-image\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-7-spellchemists-at-halves\/\">\n              <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/halves-playtest-1-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/halves-playtest-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/halves-playtest-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/halves-playtest-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/halves-playtest-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/halves-playtest-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>            <\/a>\n\n            <div class=\"spellchem-filter-info\">\n              <div class=\"spellchem-filter-tags\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=presentation\" rel=\"tag\">Presentation<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=production\" rel=\"tag\">Production<\/a>              <\/div>\n\n              <h3>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-7-spellchemists-at-halves\/\">\n                  Week 7: SpellChemists at Halves                <\/a>\n              <\/h3>\n\n              <p>Halves week is here! After six weeks of development, we brought SpellChemists to the stage and into the hands of first-time players. See how handmade elemental clay pucks added personality to spell-casting, catch highlights from our Wednesday presentation, and step inside Friday\u2019s playthrough as players tested preset builds and helped shape what comes next.<\/p>\n\n              <time datetime=\"2026-10-12T18:53:33+00:00\">\n                October 12, 2026              <\/time>\n\n              <a class=\"spellchem-filter-readmore\"\n                 href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-7-spellchemists-at-halves\/\">\n                Read More \u2192\n              <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/article>\n                  <article class=\"spellchem-filter-card\">\n\n            <a class=\"spellchem-filter-image\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-6-progress-in-foundry-and-arena\/\">\n              <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Frame-2-1024x576.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Frame-2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Frame-2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Frame-2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Frame-2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Frame-2-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>            <\/a>\n\n            <div class=\"spellchem-filter-info\">\n              <div class=\"spellchem-filter-tags\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=art\" rel=\"tag\">Art<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=program\" rel=\"tag\">Program<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=uiux\" rel=\"tag\">UIUX<\/a>              <\/div>\n\n              <h3>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-6-progress-in-foundry-and-arena\/\">\n                  Week 6: Progress in Foundry and Arena                <\/a>\n              <\/h3>\n\n              <p>Build your homunculus, unlock powerful spells, and prepare for battle. This week, we brought all 25 spells into the Arena and introduced new UI designs that bring our characters to life!<\/p>\n\n              <time datetime=\"2026-10-05T18:49:50+00:00\">\n                October 5, 2026              <\/time>\n\n              <a class=\"spellchem-filter-readmore\"\n                 href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-6-progress-in-foundry-and-arena\/\">\n                Read More \u2192\n              <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/article>\n                  <article class=\"spellchem-filter-card\">\n\n            <a class=\"spellchem-filter-image\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-5-visualizing-spells-and-strengthening-our-world\/\">\n              <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/SpellChemists_Halfsheet_front.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>            <\/a>\n\n            <div class=\"spellchem-filter-info\">\n              <div class=\"spellchem-filter-tags\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=art\" rel=\"tag\">Art<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=game-design\" rel=\"tag\">Game Design<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=production\" rel=\"tag\">Production<\/a>              <\/div>\n\n              <h3>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-5-visualizing-spells-and-strengthening-our-world\/\">\n                  Week 5: Visualizing Spells and Strengthening Our World                <\/a>\n              <\/h3>\n\n              <p>This week, our spells get more personalities. We visualized how Attack, Defense, Force, and Mobility spells create different tactical choices, planned a tutorial for first-time players, and continued bringing Tank into 3D. We also wrapped up our logo, poster, half sheet, and team photo!<\/p>\n\n              <time datetime=\"2026-09-28T20:05:43+00:00\">\n                September 28, 2026              <\/time>\n\n              <a class=\"spellchem-filter-readmore\"\n                 href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-5-visualizing-spells-and-strengthening-our-world\/\">\n                Read More \u2192\n              <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/article>\n                  <article class=\"spellchem-filter-card\">\n\n            <a class=\"spellchem-filter-image\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-4-shaping-the-arena-and-visual-identity\/\">\n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/w4-puck-1024x511.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/w4-puck-1024x511.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/w4-puck-768x383.jpg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/w4-puck-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/w4-puck.jpg 1399w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>            <\/a>\n\n            <div class=\"spellchem-filter-info\">\n              <div class=\"spellchem-filter-tags\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=art\" rel=\"tag\">Art<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=game-design\" rel=\"tag\">Game Design<\/a>              <\/div>\n\n              <h3>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-4-shaping-the-arena-and-visual-identity\/\">\n                  Week 4: Shaping the Arena and Visual Identity                <\/a>\n              <\/h3>\n\n              <p>Elemental terrain arrived in the Arena this week! We explored maps built around crossfire, islands, and corridors, then tested how their layouts could keep players moving. Meanwhile, our visual world began taking shape through stylized rune pucks, a clearer art direction, and the first steps toward bringing Swift from a 2D concept into 3D.<\/p>\n\n              <time datetime=\"2026-09-21T18:07:49+00:00\">\n                September 21, 2026              <\/time>\n\n              <a class=\"spellchem-filter-readmore\"\n                 href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-4-shaping-the-arena-and-visual-identity\/\">\n                Read More \u2192\n              <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/article>\n                  <article class=\"spellchem-filter-card\">\n\n            <a class=\"spellchem-filter-image\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-3-quarter\/\">\n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/w3_intro-875x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/w3_intro-875x1024.jpg 875w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/w3_intro-256x300.jpg 256w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/w3_intro-768x898.jpg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/w3_intro-1313x1536.jpg 1313w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/w3_intro-1751x2048.jpg 1751w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 875px) 100vw, 875px\" \/>            <\/a>\n\n            <div class=\"spellchem-filter-info\">\n              <div class=\"spellchem-filter-tags\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=game-design\" rel=\"tag\">Game Design<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=presentation\" rel=\"tag\">Presentation<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=program\" rel=\"tag\">Program<\/a>              <\/div>\n\n              <h3>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-3-quarter\/\">\n                  Week 3 Quarter                <\/a>\n              <\/h3>\n\n              <p>Quarter gave *SpellChemists* its first big moment in front of faculty. We introduced the Foundry, Arena, RFID connection, and tournament plan, then came away with new questions about information, physical interaction, and why the game belongs on the Board. Those conversations also inspired our next experiment: 3D-printed characters with interchangeable parts.<\/p>\n\n              <time datetime=\"2026-09-14T03:52:24+00:00\">\n                September 14, 2026              <\/time>\n\n              <a class=\"spellchem-filter-readmore\"\n                 href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-3-quarter\/\">\n                Read More \u2192\n              <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/article>\n                  <article class=\"spellchem-filter-card\">\n\n            <a class=\"spellchem-filter-image\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-2-shaping-the-core-game\/\">\n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3631-2-1024x768.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3631-2-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3631-2-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3631-2-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3631-2-2048x1536.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>            <\/a>\n\n            <div class=\"spellchem-filter-info\">\n              <div class=\"spellchem-filter-tags\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=game-design\" rel=\"tag\">Game Design<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=playtest\" rel=\"tag\">Playtest<\/a>              <\/div>\n\n              <h3>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-2-shaping-the-core-game\/\">\n                  Week 2: Shaping the Core Game                <\/a>\n              <\/h3>\n\n              <p>With the Board foundation in place, it was time to build the game. This week, we mapped the journey from Foundry to Arena, defined our rigs, spells, and elemental reactions, and put the first combat loop through three paper prototypes. See which ideas survived playtesting<\/p>\n\n              <time datetime=\"2026-09-07T02:26:11+00:00\">\n                September 7, 2026              <\/time>\n\n              <a class=\"spellchem-filter-readmore\"\n                 href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-2-shaping-the-core-game\/\">\n                Read More \u2192\n              <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/article>\n                  <article class=\"spellchem-filter-card\">\n\n            <a class=\"spellchem-filter-image\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-1-a-new-start\/\">\n              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"857\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3021-edited-1024x857.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3021-edited-1024x857.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3021-edited-300x251.jpg 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3021-edited-768x643.jpg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3021-edited-1536x1286.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3021-edited-2048x1715.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>            <\/a>\n\n            <div class=\"spellchem-filter-info\">\n              <div class=\"spellchem-filter-tags\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=hardware\" rel=\"tag\">Hardware<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/explore-by-topic\/?sc_tags=program\" rel=\"tag\">Program<\/a>              <\/div>\n\n              <h3>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-1-a-new-start\/\">\n                  Week 1: A New Start                <\/a>\n              <\/h3>\n\n              <p>How do you keep a physical game piece from changing identities while it sits still? In our first development update, we dig into the noisy Board glyph readings behind *SpellChemists* and introduce the stabilizer built to tame them. Follow our first technical challenge as unreliable signals become a steadier foundation for future physical interactions.<\/p>\n\n              <time datetime=\"2026-08-31T13:20:01+00:00\">\n                August 31, 2026              <\/time>\n\n              <a class=\"spellchem-filter-readmore\"\n                 href=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/week-1-a-new-start\/\">\n                Read More \u2192\n              <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/article>\n              \n    <\/div>\n\n    \n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Too many posts? Select one or more topics to explore our development process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-410","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=410"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":421,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/410\/revisions\/421"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/spellchemists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}