Nanoframe cards are a line of collectible toys, aimed primarily at children in the eight to fourteen-year-old age range, although adult collectors are common. They were initially released by GlimGlam LLC under the 'Hidden Monsters' line. They've expanded into six additional lines, and the idea has been copied by several competing companies.
The standard NanoFrame card is the size and weight of a common credit card, but usually in a fanciful shape suggestive of the card's purpose. They are composed of a weak carbon lattice containing a swarm of embedded nanobots. The outer edge of the card contains leafing of a precious metal (normally gold, although platinum and silver collections are also common). The face of the card has a flat video which describes a particular artifact, hero, monster or character. The obverse normally includes some limited art.
When a card is placed within a weak electrical field (.2 to 1.5 watts) and set upon an A1 brick of fabber stock, the embedded nanobots release and convert the stock into the item described on the card. Most figurines are combat-related and may interact with other figurines directly or through the mesh. The first time the card is used, the outer ring of precious metals is incorporated into the figurine to create a decorative metal inlay and limited electronics. All copies after the first are only formed from the fabber stock, have more limited statistics, and are not mesh-accessible. Newer cards tend to feature abilities which invalidate the abilities of older cards.
Much of the market is driven by consumers purchasing new cards and the most recent blueprints, while used cards are easily available and are considered appropriate for 'teaser' or practice decks. After three to five uses (depending on the series) the card wipes itself, making it unusable. The figurines work for one 'battle' before becoming inert. Figurines and old cards may be recycled into new cards with blueprints and a standard fabber.
The cards (and their resulting figurines) are normally used to model battles between two to eight players. Players may play in person or across the mesh. Tournaments are common, although normally the outer and inner system players are split, owing to the outer system habitats having access to the newest blueprints and cards before they are available in-system.
GlimGlam acquires most of its rep through the distribution of blueprints for cards, with new cards being released every one to three weeks. Blueprints may be used any number of times. GlimGlam has released instructions for fan-designed cards, although these are rarely accepted at tournaments. The blueprints for cards and the nanomachine software are heavily encrypted to prevent cheating (-30 penalty to hacking tests), and the cards delete their data after a set number of uses. In habitats where nanofabrication is restricted, the cards can oftentimes be purchased pre-fabricated. Because of the self-destruct features built into GlimGlam cards, they have a minority market share within the Consortium compared to other companies such as WeBro and LSH.
GlimGlam LLC is the best-known designer of NanoFrame cards. GlimGlam does not post their business information, however they are listed as one of the top fifty hypercorporations in regards to market visibility. They maintain advertising contracts with a number of other hypercorps and oftentimes makes substantial donations to habitats in exchange for market exclusivity agreements.
Plot Hooks:
GlimGlam is wholly owned and operated by Firewall assets. It was created as a cover to produce and distribute restricted equipment past security checkpoints. Firewall agents may be provided with special NanoFrame cards, called ‘infiltrator cards’. These cards appear in every way to be identical as standard cards, however when provided a code and the appropriate feedstock, they create a single piece and type of specialized equipment. Infiltrator cards are still extremely limited, and may only be used to create items of a limited complexity and size.
