The Idea Factory wanted to create something like this, and I think they pushed Zanz a bit too hard about it. He said there'd never be another set of elements, but it's still fun to make ideas for this. They (the Idea Factory) moved on to pseudoelements.
Inaccurate.
Short summary of the history:
[Smithy] Long time ago a few suggestions for a 13th element were posted.
[Kael Hate] Kael Hate created the Quantum Mechanics thread
[Zanz] Pendulums were introduced in-game (Mark quanta see below)
[Zanz] The Alchemy theme was added to the game
[Design Theory] Dual quanta (Example: Cost
) was discovered to be impossible without major changes to the quanta system.
[Design Theory] Interest in Pseudoquanta ideas (mechanics that manipulate the quanta from the existing 12 pools. Ex "Quanta matching your mark")
[Design Theory] Ideas for series with elemental themes emerged that did not have a 13th quanta pool. (aka Pseudo Elements)
[OldTrees] Terms (Alternate Cost Mechanic, Pseudoquanta, Pseudoelement and 13th element) were defined to be able to distinguish between the various ideas.
[Idea Factory] Idea Factory Formed
[Idea Factory] Idea Factory tried a project to see what it would take to design a quality 13th element and to give the best possible case for a 13th element.
[Idea Factory] Zanz was passively questioned about the possibility of a 13th element. (Zanz vetoed the idea)
[Idea Factory] Idea Factory finished the Mind Element exercise.
[Design Theory] Pseudoquanta and Pseudoelement ideas continued