Frequently Asked Questions

#The platform

#What is Through the Ages?

Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization is a famous civilization-building board game created by Vlaada Chvátil and published by CGE. The game ranks highly on BGG and has won multiple awards for its unique design and gameplay.

#How can I play Through the Ages?

Other than playing in real life, the game can be found online on the follow platforms: Steam, Google Play Store, Apple App Store. For more information on where and how to find the app, visit the official web page.

#What is Through the Ages (TTA) Pulse?

TTA Pulse is an unofficial community-oriented project for a 1v1 competitive matchmaking and Super Blitz league. To learn more about how and why it was created, visit our blog

#The TTA Pulse Team

#Who created this and why?

The app and the website were initially built by 3 players: WHIZ, Cmacu and pajada. The TTA Pulse App was created to enable real-time competitive gaming. The goal was to match similar-skilled opponents, and to rank the players on a season-based leaderboard. Check this blog article to learn more about the inspiration that started this project.

#How much does it cost?

It's completely free to play in the TTA Pulse league. No strings attached. There is a small cost to purchase the official Through The Ages app on one of the available platforms.

#How can I help?

The best thing you can do to support us and enable more competition is to share TTA Pulse with your friends (and opponents). Thank you!

#Where can I send questions and feedback?

Feel free to contact us.

#The profile

#How can I access the TTA Pulse app?

TTA Pulse doesn't require a separate password. Access to the platform is granted through your CGE online account. Open the Pulse App to get started. If you have any trouble with access, please contact us.

#What are the requirements to play on the platform?

To play on TTA Pulse, you must:

  1. Install the official app. Get it from here
  2. Have access to your CGE account. To verify, sign in here
  3. Grant TTA Pulse permission to access your player profile and to create matches on your behalf
  4. Activate the Through the Ages Expansion on your account. Learn more about the expansion

#Does TTA Pulse have access to my credentials?

No. Your authorization is strictly handled through by CGE, and they provide limited access to the information listed on the permissions page.

#How can I get the expansion?

You can purchase the expansion from within the official app on the corresponding platform: Steam, Google Play Store, Apple App Store. For more information, visit the official web page

#The Matchmaker

#What is a Matchmaker?

The Pulse Matchmaker is the algorithm that matches players who press the 'Find Match' button. It's made of a pool of players and their details, such as rating, and recent opponents.

#How does it work?

When a player clicks on 'Find Match', he is added to the pool of other players looking for a match. Shortly afterward, an algorithm compares the skill and wait time of all players in the pool. Based on the results, players are group together and each group is given a score. If the score is under a specific threshold, the players are matched and notified, and the matchmaker creates a Through the Ages game in the official app.

#How do I use it?

After login, click on 'Find Match' to run the Matchmaker.

#What happens after a match is found?

After a match is found, the Matchmaker calls an API service to create a game in the official Through the Ages app.

#What are the match settings?

Currently, TTA Pulse supports only matches with the following settings: Speed - SuperBlitz. Player count - 2 (1v1). Expansion - RandomMix. Rules - Digital. To learn more, click on each of these settings in the Pulse app.

#How do I play?

After the match is created, open the official Through the Ages app and join the already-created online game with your opponent.

#What happens if no match is found?

Every time a player clicks 'Find Match', a timer is started while looking for an opponent. If the timer runs out, the player needs to click on 'Find Match' again to rejoin the queue.

#What to do after the match is complete?

After the game in the official app is complete, open the TTA Pulse app again, and click on the Complete Match button. This evaluates the match results, and rewards you for your victory (or defeat).

#Special rules

#What happens if I timeout or abandon the game?

Timeout and abandon result in an automatic match loss for the player who timed out. Timeouts are also recorded in your player profile. A high amount of abandon/timeout may result in a temporary account suspension or ban. The goal is to ensure great experience for all players.

#What if my opponent times out or abandons the game?

If the opponent abandons the game, or runs out of time, you don't need to complete the game. Just be sure to press "Complete Match" in the Pulse app before you act further. TTA Pulse will declare you the winner, and then you can resign or continue the game against the AI, whichever your prefer.

#How long after the match is complete do I have to report it?

You (or your opponent) should request the match completion within 1 week after the game is completed. After that, we can't guarantee that the results will still be available.

#What happens if I resign?

Resignation is automatically counted as loss for the resigning player.

#Ranking and Leaderboard

#What is my division?

TTA Pulse offers four divisions: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Master. Winning matches in each division helps to advance to the higher divisions.

#What is my level?

Each TTA Pulse division (except Master) has four levels: Age A, 1, 2, and 3. When you advance past the highest level, you instead promote to the next division.

#How do I advance?

Each division has different advancement rules:

#What is the leaderboard?

TTA Pulse tracks each player's internal rating inside the matchmaker. The leaderboard ranks all Master Division players by their rating, and others by their division and level.

#Why do you have seasons?

Dividing the league into seasons allows us to celebrate the season winner. Also, at the start of each season, divisions and ratings are reset, so everyone has a fresh shot at the top position on the leaderboard.

#Is there an all-time leaderboard?

Stay tuned!

#Do games I play on the app without matchmaker count?

Only games created through the TTA Pulse matchmaker are counted toward the league results.

#Can I play ranked matches with my friends?

If you get matched against your friend, your game will be ranked, but you cannot control the selection of your opponent.

#Past Matches

#Where can I see my past matches?

Hit "Profile" inside the TTA Pulse app to view your match history.

#Where can I see games I played vs another player?

Your matches against another player are shown when you visit their profile.

#About the settings

#Where are the settings?

Settings allow you to customize your experience within the TTA Pulse app.

#What is the matchmaker timeout, and how does it work?

When you seek for a Through the Ages match, a timer starts counting down. If this reaches zero, your seek will automatically stop. Simply hit "Find Match" again to restart the seek.