Huayue Zhang
Wild Wealth
Duration: May 2023（48h）
Type: 2D Card Game, Puzzle
Role: Programmer, Game System Designer
Group size: 4
Developed in a 48h-Game-Jam in (15th) Xiamen International Cartoon and Animation Festival with the theme of “started from the bottom”. We've designed a card game that incorporates elements of synthesis and deception, telling the story of a humble raccoon from the lower echelons, venturing into the beastly city to seek investments and start a business.
Video
Background
This project originated from a 48-hour game jam event with the theme "started from the bottom." To align with the theme, we came up with a unique idea: the concept of progressively upgrading cards from the bottom and created a character named Mr. Raccoon, who hails from the societal bottom.
In this game, we simulate Mr. Raccoon's attempt to ascend to the upper echelons of society through a card crafting mechanism. Each card played represents the only chip Mr. Raccoon can showcase in the fiercely competitive investment environment—his own abilities and traits.
The interview process is abstracted into a card game, where players need to cleverly combine cards to showcase Mr. Raccoon's potential and gain the favor of investors. Each card is an opportunity, a step for Mr. Raccoon to progress towards success. This innovative design emphasizes not only gameplay and strategy but also reflects the challenges of professional competition and social ascent in a fun way.
Theme
The aim of this game is to satirize, in a humorous manner, China's recent unfavorable job market conditions. During this period, job seekers have faced immense pressure, not only dealing with highly competitive recruitment scenarios but also frequently encountering issues of disrespect and stringent demands. The workplace is rife with bureaucracy, vague standards, and favoritism, all commonly observed phenomena.
This creation employs a lighthearted approach, using humorous gaming elements and plot design to mock and expose these issues. By allowing players to embody a character from humble origins navigating a fiercely competitive investment environment through card synthesis mimicking an interview process, the game attempts to transform the ambiguous hiring standards of the real world into engaging gaming elements.
The game's design aims to provide players with a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere while experiencing the absurdities and challenges behind employment pressures. Through this light-hearted approach, the game seeks to ease the burden on young individuals under high stress, offering them a way to alleviate pressure and find enjoyment within the game. Simultaneously, it humorously reflects and prompts contemplation of real-life workplace issues.
Gameplay
Main Scene && UI Design && Rules
Investor's Skills
<Trust>
<Action Points>
The core objective for players is to fill up the trust points.
Satire: <Reputation> -15
Strengthen: Next turn will use Satire and cause <Reputation> -35
Break Defense: <Confidence> -5/
1*Confidence=3*Reputation
Consume AP to use your skills
Combine lower-level cards to create higher-level cards.
When you lack a specific card, you can still play it by deceit,
but if the deception is uncovered, you'll lose reputation.
Use the cards you possess directly.
When the reputation is at 0, the negotiation fails.
More confidence can bring you buff to avoid some damages.
Your Skills
<Synthetic> <Fraud> <Confession>
<Persona Card>
<Label Card>
<Condition Card>
<Reputation>
<Confidence>
Card Crafting System
I have to declare that the humor elements we employ have a strong background in Chinese language and culture, making it challenging for non-native Chinese speakers to understand.
(The target players are Chinese graduates who are heavily affected by job search issues.)
In summary, the core idea can be summarized as two cards with negative meanings combining to form a positive meaning (and vice versa). This contrast is not only humorous but also ironic.
<Persona Card>
精英
<Label Card>
It has different effects on different investors
This type of card comes with a skill effect
<Condition Card>
