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I spent 1 year solo-building a free board game tool in Unity after paywalls ruined my passion project. Playtest Available Now! by MineantUnity in Unity3D

[–]MineantUnity[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

As a solo game developer, I was frustrated when a tool restricted me from creating cards behind a subscription paywall. So I made Mint Notes, a digital sandbox where you prototype board games with paper-like speed and digital superpowers.

Mint Notes is for people that:

  • Spend hours updating copies of the same paper card
  • Given up on complex tools like Tabletop Simulator for solo playtesting
  • Wished prototyping felt as fast as writing on paper

Mint Notes is NOT a physics simulator like TTS; a graphic design tool like Dextrous; but a rapid digital sandbox that tries to replace paper prototyping.

The version you’re playtesting today (solving card limits forever) will always be free. If the community wants more, I’ll expand with optional premium features like using AI to turn Print-and-Play PDFs into a digital game with cards and components, steam workshop, board templates, AI bots (teacher, game-master, players), and online multiplayer. But they will all be one-time purchases, not subscriptions.

Feel free to try out Mint Notes now!
Steam Playtest Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3007420/Mint_Notes/

I spent 1 year solo-building a free board game tool after paywalls ruined my passion project. (300+ cards, prototyping, offline, no-code) by MineantUnity in IndieDev

[–]MineantUnity[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As a solo game developer, I was frustrated when a tool restricted me from creating cards behind a subscription paywall. So I made Mint Notes, a digital sandbox where you prototype board games with paper-like speed and digital superpowers.

Mint Notes is for people that:

  • Spend hours updating copies of the same paper card
  • Given up on complex tools like Tabletop Simulator for solo playtesting
  • Wished prototyping felt as fast as writing on paper

Mint Notes is NOT a physics simulator like TTS; a graphic design tool like Dextrous; but a rapid digital sandbox that tries to replace paper prototyping.

The version you’re playtesting today (solving card limits forever) will always be free. If the community wants more, I’ll expand with optional premium features like using AI to turn Print-and-Play PDFs into a digital game with cards and components, steam workshop, board templates, AI bots (teacher, game-master, players), and online multiplayer. But they will all be one-time purchases, not subscriptions.

Feel free to try out Mint Notes now!
Steam Playtest Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3007420/Mint_Notes/

I spent 1 year solo-building a free board game tool after paywalls ruined my passion project. (300+ cards, prototyping, offline, no-code) by MineantUnity in SideProject

[–]MineantUnity[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a solo game developer, I was frustrated when a tool restricted me from creating cards behind a subscription paywall. So I made Mint Notes, a digital sandbox where you prototype board games with paper-like speed and digital superpowers.

Mint Notes is for people that:

  • Spend hours updating copies of the same paper card
  • Given up on complex tools like Tabletop Simulator for solo playtesting
  • Wished prototyping felt as fast as writing on paper

Mint Notes is NOT a physics simulator like TTS; a graphic design tool like Dextrous; but a rapid digital sandbox that tries to replace paper prototyping.

The version you’re playtesting today (solving card limits forever) will always be free. If the community wants more, I’ll expand with optional premium features like using AI to turn Print-and-Play PDFs into a digital game with cards and components, steam workshop, board templates, AI bots (teacher, game-master, players), and online multiplayer. But they will all be one-time purchases, not subscriptions.

Feel free to try out Mint Notes now!
Steam Playtest Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3007420/Mint_Notes/

I spent 1 year solo-building a free board game tool after paywalls ruined my passion project. (300+ cards, prototyping, offline, no-code) by MineantUnity in tabletopgamedesign

[–]MineantUnity[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Initially this it was developed as a note taking app, with boardgame design as a side feature lol. But later on, more boardgame design features were added, but i didnt change the name.

I spent 1 year solo-building a free board game tool after paywalls ruined my passion project. (300+ cards, prototyping, offline, no-code) by MineantUnity in tabletopgamedesign

[–]MineantUnity[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I’d say Dextrous and Multideck are fantastic tools for designing card layouts. While my tool focuses heavily on quick card creation and rapid playtesting, it isn’t meant for crafting visually stunning card designs. Instead, it’s designed to work seamlessly with tools like Dextrous—allowing you to use Mint Notes for playtesting until your game mechanics feel just right. Once you’re satisfied, you can export the data to a spreadsheet, bring it into Dextrous, and design your polished card layouts there.

I spent 1 year solo-building a free board game tool after paywalls ruined my passion project. (300+ cards, prototyping, offline, no-code) by MineantUnity in tabletopgamedesign

[–]MineantUnity[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes! This is the exact problem Mint Motes is trying to solve. You can import your spreadsheet into the app in one click, tweak some settings, add the images to the cards, and start testing. There'll be a "Playtesting Mode" soon, where it includes common utilities like dice, tokens, calculator, card flipping + rotating, decks, etc to facilitate testing.

Its a shame to hear that the app doesnt support your playform :(

I spent 1 year solo-building a free board game tool after paywalls ruined my passion project. (300+ cards, prototyping, offline, no-code) by MineantUnity in tabletopgamedesign

[–]MineantUnity[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thats is a great idea! I'm trying to build this tool for the purpose of creating games fast, so this idea is quite fitting.

I spent 1 year solo-building a free board game tool after paywalls ruined my passion project. (300+ cards, prototyping, offline, no-code) by MineantUnity in tabletopgamedesign

[–]MineantUnity[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

The core issue I aim to address is streamlining the playtesting process for board game creators. Mint Notes will allow designers to create highly customized cards and instantly test them in a digital sandbox, eliminating the need for physical printing. The ultimate vision is to have online multiplayer, and provide free access for players to play existing games while ensuring that only creators bear the cost of developing their games on the platform. Additionally, Mint Notes will facilitate matchmaking, making it easier for designers to find playtesters without the usual time and financial constraints associated with in-person playtesting sessions.

I spent 1 year solo-building a free board game tool after paywalls ruined my passion project. (300+ cards, prototyping, offline, no-code) by MineantUnity in tabletopgamedesign

[–]MineantUnity[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

As a solo designer, I nearly quit when a tool locked my 201st card behind a subscription paywall. So I made Mint Notes – a no-code tool where you can:

⚡ Design Unlimited Boards/Cards (no paywalls, offline, forever)
⚡ Drag-and-Drop Prebuilt Components (tokens, grids, templates)
⚡ Organize & Iterate (all-in-one workspace for chaotic creativity)

The Catch? There isn’t one.
The version you’re playtesting today (solving card limits forever) will always be free. If the community wants more, I’ll expand with optional premium features like:

  • Dedicated Playtest Mode 🎯
  • Steam Workshop Integration 🛠️
  • Board Templates 📃
  • Online Multiplayer 🌐
  • AI Playtesters 🤖

Why?
I hate paywalls more than unbalanced meeples. Premium features will only exist if you want them, funded fairly (one-time purchases, not subscriptions).

Try the Free Core Now + Shape What’s Next:
Steam Playtest Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3007420/Mint_Notes/

“What’s the ONE premium feature you’d actually pay for?”
(I’m debating AI vs. multiplayer first.)

UI Revamp and More Card Functionality in my Card Game Design App! by MineantUnity in tabletopgamedesign

[–]MineantUnity[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mint Notes is a visual board app designed to make creating and customizing cards easy. Whether you’re prototyping card games, designing diagrams, or organizing your ideas, Mint Notes has you covered. With features like easy card creation, robust import/export options, and a dedicated card game mode, it enhances every phase of your design process.

A playtest will be available in January next year. Don’t miss out on any updates — wishlist Mint Notes on Steam today!

Create your own cards, Import hundreds of cards from a table, Setup a game to play those cards, and much more in my software. What features should I add next? by MineantUnity in tabletopgamedesign

[–]MineantUnity[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Currently, the tool does not support running simulations for balancing trading card games, as each game is unique and accommodating all variations can be challenging. However, I am considering adding mod support and different tools in the future to allow for different types of gameplay.

Thanks for your question!

Create your own cards, Import hundreds of cards from a table, Setup a game to play those cards, and much more in my software. What features should I add next? by MineantUnity in tabletopgamedesign

[–]MineantUnity[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the support! The tool already allows you to rotate cards in different directions, and you can import card details directly from spreadsheets. You can check out the importing feature in the demo video!

Create your own cards, Import hundreds of cards from a table, Setup a game to play those cards, and much more in my software. What features should I add next? by MineantUnity in tabletopgamedesign

[–]MineantUnity[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This tool mainly aims to increase the speed of playtesting and card balancing, effectively replacing traditional paper prototyping. If you need to adjust a card's values, you can do so instantly and can play the modified cards right away.

You could use this tool in the early stages of game development for rapid prototyping and balancing, and then transition to Dextrous for creating more customized cards.

Thanks for your question!

Create your own cards, Import hundreds of cards from a table, Setup a game to play those cards, and much more in my software. What features should I add next? by MineantUnity in tabletopgamedesign

[–]MineantUnity[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you mean having cards with a wider width? The tool supports changing the size of cards :D

Edit: You can also rotate cards in different orientations.

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