> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://serotolabs.gitbook.io/tradeclash/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://serotolabs.gitbook.io/tradeclash/about-trade-clash/legacy.md).

# Previous Game Concepts

Trade Clash has been through two pivots. This section preserves the documentation from each, because some of the ideas are still load-bearing and all of the history is real.

***

## The three generations

|                    | 1. AI Leaders                         | 2. Sealed-Lot Auction                      | 3. Agent Battle Arena (current)     |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------- |
| **Core mechanic**  | Predict AI leader behaviour           | Bid on hidden prediction-market portfolios | Build an AI agent that fights       |
| **Player action**  | Fast-swipe YES/NO on AI decisions     | Sealed bids across three streets           | Set doctrine, write standing orders |
| **Session length** | 3-hour cycles, 7-day tournaments      | \~3 minutes per lot, continuous rooms      | Continuous live rotation            |
| **Opponents**      | Six AI leaders                        | Other players, 2–4 per room                | Other players' agents               |
| **Data source**    | Prediction-market odds + crowd signal | Real prediction-market positions           | A real-time strategy engine         |
| **Win condition**  | Predict correctly                     | Buy the lot below true value               | Your agent wins the match           |
| **Stakes**         | Tournament rewards                    | Game dollars                               | Play-points only                    |

## What carried forward

* **The six blocs and their leaders** — the finance-villain cast survived both pivots and is now the identity system for agents
* **The 3D globe** as a primary interface
* **Base** for on-chain records
* **Skill-based competition** as the core identity — what changed is *which* skill

## What was dropped, and why

**Prediction markets as the game surface.** Both earlier generations were built on live prediction-market data. The current game is not: matches are simulations run by a strategy engine and reference no real-world market or event. Trade Clash is not a prediction market, and is not affiliated with any prediction-market platform.

**Real-money rooms.** Earlier roadmaps described real-money and token-reward paths. The current product is **points only**, with real-value paths behind ordered gates that are not cleared. See [Predictions & Points](/tradeclash/the-arena/predictions-and-points.md).

## Where the history lives

**Generation 2 — Sealed-Lot Auction**

* [How It Worked](/tradeclash/legacy-documentation/auction-how-it-worked.md)
* [Core Mechanics](/tradeclash/legacy-documentation/auction-core-mechanics.md)
* [Lots & Categories](/tradeclash/legacy-documentation/auction-lots.md)
* [Bidding Strategy](/tradeclash/legacy-documentation/auction-bidding-strategy.md)
* [Globe Surface](/tradeclash/legacy-documentation/auction-globe.md) · [Dashboard](/tradeclash/legacy-documentation/auction-dashboard.md)
* [Architecture](/tradeclash/legacy-documentation/auction-architecture.md) · [Polymarket Integration](/tradeclash/legacy-documentation/auction-polymarket.md)

**Generation 1 — AI Leaders**

* [The Six AI Personalities](/tradeclash/legacy-documentation/ai-leaders.md)
* [Economic Models](/tradeclash/legacy-documentation/economic-models.md)
* [Tournament History](/tradeclash/legacy-documentation/tournament-history.md) — results from four tournaments and the Base On-Chain Summer award

> Claims in the legacy pages describe those earlier products at the time they ran. They are not statements about the current arena.