Origins TCG Playtest Access Guide and Build Features

Origins Trading Card Game (Origins TCG), developed and published by Koin Games, offers playtest access through Steam for players testing new features ahead of broader demo releases [web:0]. While a standard demo provides a basic preview, the playtest build includes active ranked ladder matches, custom deckbuilding with expanded card pools, and community tournament formats [youtube:5, web:4].

Testing requires opting into the private beta branch on Steam through specific update properties, followed by progressing through in-game matches to unlock cards [youtube:0, youtube:5].

How to Access the Origins TCG Playtest on Steam

Getting into the closed playtest build involves using the demo installation on Steam and configuring the private beta tab [youtube:5]:

1. Open the Steam client, search for Origins TCG, and install the free store demo [youtube:5].
2. Right-click the game demo title in your Steam Library and select Properties [youtube:5].
3. Select the Betas (or game versions) tab located on the left side of the properties window [youtube:5].
4. Enter the community beta password into the private beta box and click Check Code [youtube:5]. Official passwords and distribution instructions are posted by developers in the official Discord community (discord.gg/originstcg) [web:4, web:7].
5. Select the newly revealed community playtest branch from the drop-down menu, close the settings window, and let Steam download the update [youtube:5].

A regular public demo exists alongside the playtest [youtube:5]. The public demo features seven fixed pre-built decks without deck construction, whereas the playtest branch unlocks experimental sets, deck customisation, and ranked queues [youtube:5].

Playtest vs Standard Demo Features

The playtest branch functions as a testing ground for larger demo rollouts, such as Demo 2.0 [web:8]. The table below highlights the differences recorded between the standard public demo and the playtest build:

Unlocking Cards and Decks in the Playtest

Building custom decks requires expanding your initial card collection [youtube:0]. Across test iterations, card unlocking relies on completing progression matches [youtube:0, web:2]:

• Progressive Unlocks: Players unlock cards by clearing 40 matches across 10 boss encounters in the playtest progression path [youtube:0].
• Deck Structure: Custom decks in the current interface consist of 1 Legendary card and 12 non-Legendary cards [web:2]. Each of the 12 non-Legendary picks automatically adds 2 copies, resulting in a 25-card match deck [web:2].
• Missions and Carryover: Playtest tasks provide cosmetic rewards [web:9]. While core card collections are tied to playtest progression cycles, certain mission collectibles carry over into subsequent builds [web:9].

Mechanics and Playtest Balance Notes

Matches in Origins TCG feature simultaneous turns played across three dynamic locations, running approximately 7 minutes per game [web:0]. Several specific mechanics and card interactions have undergone direct testing and balance adjustments during recent updates:

• Simultaneous Combat and Draw Engines: Cards like Spellbook (3 mana) grant a random spell at round start and discard it before combat, creating continuous discard triggers for cards like Dracula and Brides of Dracula [youtube:0]. Player feedback noted balance concerns regarding the high value and randomness of Spellbook, leading to active redesign debates on Steam forums [web:1].
• Balance Adjustments: Patch 0.6.1 updated Huntsman from a 4-mana 4/4 to a 6-mana 6/6 [web:4]. Count Orlok was temporarily removed from play to resolve ability bugs, replaced in the Evil pre-built deck by Bandersnatch [web:4]. In the Discard archetype, Genie was swapped for Mind Palace to make discarding Koschei more reliable [web:4].
• Ranked System: Matches on the ranked ladder lead up to the Grandmaster division, which features a world leaderboard [web:4]. Developers documented visual bugs with Victory Point (VP) counters in early Grandmaster builds that are slated for follow-up patches [web:4].
• Quality-of-Life Toggles: Recent client builds introduce options to skip tutorials, preview opponent Legendary cards during mulligans, and mute opponent emote actions [web:4].

System Requirements

Origins TCG runs on Windows and Mac platforms [web:0]. Official Steam hardware specifications for Windows include:

• Minimum OS: Windows 10 (64-bit) [web:0]
• Processor: Intel Core i3-6100 / AMD FX-6300 [web:0]
• Memory: 8 GB RAM [web:0]
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti / AMD Radeon R9 270X [web:0]
• DirectX: Version 11 [web:0]
• Storage: 2 GB available space [web:0]
• Recommended Setup: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600, 16 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580 on DirectX 12 [web:0].

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find the Steam beta code for the Origins TCG playtest?

Access codes are distributed through the official Origins TCG Discord server (discord.gg/originstcg) in dedicated playtest channels [web:4, web:7].

Do cards unlocked in the playtest carry over to the final release?

Card unlocks in the playtest build are used to test balance, deckbuilding, and matchmaking systems [youtube:0, web:9]. Certain promotional cosmetics and mission collectibles carry over, while testing card collections remain tied to playtest environments [web:9].

Why does a deck with 13 selected cards contain 25 cards in a match?

The deckbuilder interface prompts players to select 1 Legendary card and 12 unique non-Legendary cards [web:2]. The game engine automatically adds two copies of each non-Legendary card, producing a standard 25-card match deck [web:2].

Can I play the Origins TCG playtest on Mac?

Steam lists macOS alongside Windows under supported platforms for Origins TCG, though beta build branch availability can vary depending on specific patch updates [web:0].