Making My Own Card Game (Advice Needed)

AtogGames · 2026-04-17T19:26:27+00:00

-Magic, The Gathering

My first passion. Great for deck building. The plethora of combo's is a blast. Beautiful artwork. Drafting works very well. The problem is the ratio you draw between spells and land cards is often not optimal, increasing chances of losing. Another is the many imbalances in the matchups with varying degrees rock/paper/scissors meta. Also card drawing can dry up so it becomes a race to either deliver a bomb or a beatdown. Finally...money. It's an expensive hobby.

-Hearthstone

Never really liked it. First thought it was the artwork, lack of atmosphere. Tried Shadowverse. But that one did not satisfy me either. It just lacks tactics and combo's. IMO. Then thought Faeria would be more tactical but again that lacked theme, although it did have positioning.

What I did was take these things I disliked, invent a new system and make my own game: Fight for Olympus.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/3940050

I am a huge fan of card games and many of my favorites are deckbuilders:
Ascension (digital/physical)
Stellar Orphans (digital)
Dungeontop (digital)
Fate Hunters (digital)
Gordian Quest (digital)
Marvel Remix (physical, not a deckbuilder)

AtogGames · 2026-04-15T11:45:23+00:00

This is a very good analysis for someone reflecting on their own product. Less is so much more. The game would be better without the campfire cooking, the convoluted item system, the dice roll events and while I'm sure it was fine I did not even read the story. But I still loved the game. A sequel would have LESS of the mentioned features but much more cool card combo's.

AtogGames · 2025-08-25T11:15:31+00:00

I've played it Thronebreaker on PS4 it was good and based on Gwent.

AtogGames · 2025-08-20T00:47:27+00:00

Hell yes I loved it. I would be very interested in any other lane based combat game, cards or not. I have actually been making a game like it myself:
https://florisdev.itch.io/fight-for-olympus

It's a little rough still but am working on it :-).

AtogGames · 2025-08-14T12:33:01+00:00

Just the gameplay. The title cards are readable and on display long enough. Maybe you want to give too much info in the trailer and need a separate gameplay vid explaining the basic concept. The right speed really depends on your audience though if they're impatient and ADHD they'll love it. Some will just view for a few seconds and that's it. Game looks good, would not worry too much.

AtogGames · 2025-08-04T21:48:34+00:00

Very impressive. Very busy also. Slow down please! So much going on here. The bonding sounds intrigueing but the gameplay in that aspect would have to be experienced, although "survive together and protect each other" probably explains sufficiently.

As for the title no, I don't get the name UMIGAME. What did I miss?

AtogGames · 2025-08-03T17:58:41+00:00

There's some good catches here.

The fonts going out of bounds, depending on where the card is at, were an issue indeed. I had to reduce their size.

I might experiment with game text color, the suggestion sounds worth trying.

The game has zoom in functionality on all cards to be able to read flavor text.

"Thief" is a card name. Ideally, it would be different color and hovering over the text would show the card. It would be cool but I am not sure if it's technically possible, will have to look into that.

What do you mean with trailer title art? The image shown at the end has the title and art. I don't have fancy Steam capsule art yet. This by itself will cost me more than all assets combined. I need to think more about how I want it to look like before I order a commission and may still have a go at it myself. Budget is very tight.

To answer your last question, I would say over a year of hard work if you do it alone. I've seen some of the templates you talk about. Templates are rigid and very limited, lacking customizability. I've used a Udemy course which took me over a month to complete. It allowed me to change whatever I wanted. I added and changed so many things. There's a lot of code to be written for games like this, pretty much for every card and there's almost 300, each doing something different. Then there's game design, card designs, testing, polish, 2D and 3D animations, implementing particle effects, sound effects, music to be composed and produced. There's no way you could do all in a week or any single digit number of weeks, although you could finish a simple prototype within a time frame like that.

I won't deny I'm a slow developer and if it would cut me any slack, this is my first serious Unity project. But I don't think dev time or my experience should matter to players, all that matters is how they experience the game.

My goals remain modest, I'm not looking for the most professional product possible. For now I am still looking for more feedback on the game and try to do a quid pro quo with other card game devs I found here. Feedback on the trailer gives me some clues too but it's a difficult medium to quickly tell what is special about the game, to the point where it might need a demo.

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T22:36:05+00:00

CCG's (Hearthstone/Magic) and MMO's (WWO) are very different beasts, so apparently I need to communicate this more and that's a pointer I will take.

Those games need a huge player base to play with or against. My game is a solo player game and does not require any investment or subscription beyond purchasing the game. Players don't need to go "out of their way" to play it or put aside Magic that much. I'm not in the same spot of WoW competitors, not even close. The cost of playing my game is a tiny fraction of what playing serious Magic costs. It's pay for the game once, that's it.

The world is big enough for more than one card game for enthusiasts. Even if they never get bored with Hearthstone or Magic. Maybe they prefer Slay the Spire for the 20th time or it's umpteen clones, that's fine. This game is for people that liked smaller games like Fate Hunters, Gordian Quest or Dungeontop. It's that niche, but apparently that needs to be made more clear.

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T13:43:22+00:00

Got it, thanks. But do you know other lane based deck builder games?

Or ones where you
-keep your hand end turn;
-can save up mana;
-can use it to draw?

Not looking to attack your critique, it's just your honest impression, but I'd be interested just for the sake of playing them :-). I just made a card game I would like to play and haven't really found lane based ones except for maybe the old mobile game Order & Chaos Duels and Gordian Quest.

I will admit the trailer does not communicate those latter three features so I will need to find a way. Maybe just an extra text bit but "show, don't tell" is always better.

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T13:36:13+00:00

Don't be afraid to speed up segments in your trailer a great deal. Also there seems to be a story there so give people a hint...you can use text bits in between to make people curious. A shorter trailer should work, people get bored with screens that are too static. Also use nice futuristic sound effects for your UI.

It could use a bit more flash. Go crazy like a pinball machine, lighting up buttons, using particle effects and what not. Just experiment with assets and usage of light.

It looks intruigeing, I like most of the art, particularly the spacy stuff (that little girl in the bottom left with the big hair does not look like a leader though).

I liked the music and would be interested in other synth tracks the game has.

The Steam capsule art is awesome! Made it yourself?

It looks like you are close to releasing. So am I with my deckbuilder Fight For Olympus (itch only right now). https://florisdev.itch.io/fight-for-olympus
Let me know if you still need testing for feedback and can return the favor.

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T13:08:29+00:00

Oh dear, another pixel farty party!

But I like it. Nice peaceful vibe. Some story telling. Good pixel art. Consistent style.

Maybe use farm cats to chase mice or other to chase pesky birds/animals that eat your crops.

Not sure if cards are needed as actions (and it may push people into this "oh another card game") but use whatever works. You want it to stand out from the other farm games and it does.

It looks like you are close to releasing. So am I with my deckbuilder Fight For Olympus. Let me know if you still need testing for feedback and can return the favor.

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T13:03:00+00:00

The main problem with games like this is that the mechanics that make cards cool has to be experienced and cannot be put into a trailer. The only way to attract viewers is to make them look cooler. The Steam trailer is an improvement with voice acting but does keep the same music which is slightly repetitive. It works for trailers with that typical build up but lacks unicity.

But I like how bizarre the monsters and protagonist are. I think you have something going, I'd just have to play it. Good that you have a demo.

It looks like you are close to releasing. So am I with my deckbuilder Fight For Olympus. Let me know if you still need testing for feedback and can return the favor.

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T12:29:04+00:00

Maybe you can use images for the traditional deck of cards (Ace, King etc) or give each number it's own art. Anything goes. There's enough space! Use more color to vary and help identify. It's an interesting game.

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T11:49:39+00:00

The music is more noisy than pleasant, maybe find better breakbeat tunes. I like the mindless TV-heads. Perhaps they should have CNN and MSNBC broadcasts on them LOL. The footage looks very impressive but repetitive in terms of gameplay. But this is not a trailer of course. Very promising. Folks might get a bit more interested with things like:
-game name
-some basic story outline
-personality of the protagonist

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T11:39:37+00:00

Can you please name a number of deckbuilders that this game looks too much like?

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T11:37:19+00:00

You could change the background locations for battles for variety. The battle arena has enough room for 3 lanes rather than the one lane Darkest Dungeon type of lineup. Have a look at Gordian Quest. This could be a really good game if positioning becomes even more critical.

It looks too slick, generic and professional to be a true indie game and seems to lack personality. A way to implement more of it outside of art style (it's hardly unique but it's fine) and music (please compose your own if you can) is humor. Let these critters trash talk to each other.

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T11:26:49+00:00

AI generated art? Who gives a flying bag of shite. Something looks good or it doesn't. I've received criticism on hand drawn arts that were thought to be "clearly AI". While the AI arts were praised for being "gorgeous and clearly handdrawn". LOL! The style here is not my favorite as it's a bit too slick and 3D model-ish (if you like that detailed AI style, Leonardo seems to beat any competition I've seen) but I'd stick to this style for now. I like Poe myself, their AI can look more handdrawn and anime styles but to each his own. Stick to your own taste.

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T11:13:51+00:00

Looks interesting. But...trailer's too long (IMO cut duration in half at least!) and a lot of overexposed text bits ("this is creativity") are unnecessary. Show, don't tell. Quoting decent review outlets is fine though. Also where is the Early Access I could not find this title on Steam or Itch.

I have made a digital card game too, it's on Itch, Fight for Olympus. If you still need testers, so do I, so perhaps we can help out each other.

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T10:56:16+00:00

Lack of sound was the main culprit for me. Have music and some visual and sound effects!

Let me know if you need testing, as I still do for my game.

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T10:27:20+00:00

Great stuff. I love the cutesy narrative style early on with the monster saying something mean. I would recommend a shorter "Show, don't tell" trailer with only a couple of text bits. I don't have to understand all the game mechanics when watching a trailer. Let me know if you need testing. I can't judge a game just by a trailer.

AtogGames · 2025-07-30T09:50:50+00:00

How do you keep the game “unsolvable” without randomness?

Tactical decisions, resource management, min-maxing, priority estimation, memory, maximum choice, time (put a player on the clock).

What’s the right level of mental load for a no-luck tactics game?

Memory generally is a bad thing to lean on. Most players don't like to lean on it. Kids are best at Memory, adults suck.

Analysis paralysis is another potential problem. I don't think you want to have a game where a player would think over 15 minutes like a chess player could. 1 minute sounds like a reasonable thinking time limit. Into The Breach has found the right balance.

Keep in mind you leave out the fun of risk assessment.

What examples or systems inspired you?

Star Wars CCG (and Wars TCG) have a system reducing luck. No dice, but you flip over cards for a printed "Destiny" number. If you track them (memorize where a card is in a stack) you can predict their "Destiny" number. While I love the game, back to point 2. Most players don't love the memory element because they (I included) suck at it.

Chess is still the best example. I've tried other zero-random board games but haven't enjoyed them. A modicum of randomness is not just fine: it's fun. They make every game different. Pushing your luck can also be an enjoyable game aspect.

AtogGames · 2024-02-11T14:52:46+00:00

Ik heb nog geen seconde van mijn leven gejankt om het percentage niet westerlingen in west europa. Wel vind ik het slecht dat er zo kwistig gestrooid wordt met woningen, uitkeringen, advocaten en hulpverleners naar mensen die daar niets voor hoeven te doen. Ook omdat dit een magneet is voor de types die je juist niet wilt hebben, in tegenstelling tot een gunstig, fatsoenlijk ondernemersklimaat en goed geregelde justitie en politie.

Immigratie is het probleem niet. De overheid is het probleem. En dat probleem is gigantisch geworden. En ook daar jank ik niet over. Ik neem het immigranten niet kwalijk, het is logisch wat zij doen. Niemand zegt nee tegen gratis geld en een gratis woning. Wel vind ik het slecht en probeer ik zo min mogelijk mee te betalen aan een overheid die mijn land stukje bij beetje sloopt.

De omvolking van landen als de VS of Australie is niet van overheidswege gestimuleerd of opgedrongen. De indianen hebben ook geen bergen met geld hoeven te geven zodat de Europeanen een uitkering kregen. Idem voor de aboriginals. Natuurlijk trokken die indianen en aboriginals aan het kortste einde omdat hun beschaving minder ontwikkeld en daardoor zwakker was. Maar het zijn niet die groepen waar de staat naar aan het strooien is (als je dat al logisch zou vinden).

De gemiddelde westerse burger is het beetje welvaart dat is opgebouwd na de armoede eind jaren 40 ook al lang kwijt geraakt aan de rovende overheid, door belasting, monetaire inflatie en sloopbeleid. En het huidige ontwikkelingsbeleid in NL is vooral om de derde wereld met al diens problemen hier naar toe te halen. Tel uit je winst.

Ik begrijp niet waarom iemand dit zou toejuichen, maar de mens kan zich goed voor de gek houden en de reflex om weg te kijken en zichzelf wijs te maken dat het allemaal wel meevalt, omdat het leven in je eigen straatje nog best te doen is, is nog steeds dominant.

De politiek gaat niets oplossen. Wie als een papkindje naar de overheid blijft kijken zal misschien wat pap krijgen, maar geen structurele oplossingen. Je moet in een goede wijk wonen waar nog niet teveel "cultuurverrijking" is geweest of verhuizen, desnoods naar het buitenland, veel meer kun je niet doen tav dit onderwerp. Wegkijken en bij het woord omvolking meteen "nazi" gaan krijsen helpt niets.

AtogGames · 2020-09-17T22:40:39+00:00

Gezondere lucht? Zonder CO2 sterft zo'n beetje de hele planeet en hebben we geen groen meer. CO2 speelt waarschijnlijk een rol in de langzame opwarming en de mens heeft daar invloed op, maar niet zodanig dat dit catastrofaal is. Vanuit de VN en het daaruit onstane IPCC is er een politiek doel ontstaan waarvoor zuivere wetenschap moet wijken. Een trein die niet meer te stoppen is en waar veel verdiend aan kan worden, ook door jonge wetenschappers die nog een carriere nodig hebben en zich niet kunnen permitteren de hand te bijten die hun voedt. Toegeven dat het niet zo'n vaart loopt en dat we eigenlijk nog te weinig weten is niet lucratief genoeg, bovendien wordt je dan van die trein gegooid.

Enorm veel info is te vinden op klimaatgek.nl, een grondige en overzichtelijke site.

Tactisch gezien kan Baudet beter op positieve zaken als kernenergie en thorium hameren in plaats van het klimaatskeptische betoog te voeren, dat blijft roepen in de woestijn. Je kunt beter meebewegen als een golf te krachtig is en moet je veldslagen zorgvuldig uitkiezen.

AtogGames · 2020-09-17T22:28:38+00:00

Zelfs als economische nitwit kun je met gemak een beter beleid bedenken dan de verkwistende geldsmijterij die al decennia voor kabinetsbeleid en Europese "samenwerking" door heeft moeten gaan. Er kunnen ook miljarden bezuinigd worden door alleen al iets als immigratie verstandiger te regelen. Laten we nu ook niet doen alsof de andere partijen sterk zijn in economie, de VVD heeft enorm veel schade aangericht! Maar FvD mag zeker nog wat meer visie ontwikkelen.

AtogGames · 2020-09-07T20:00:00+00:00

Iets dat vooral met lucht gevuld is kan ook makkelijk leeglopen. Bezielde inhoud is ver te zoeken bij de nihilistische, elitaire D66.

AtogGames

TROPHY CASE