A superhero high school card game

My Role

  • Original / final game design concept

  • Kickstarter campaign deliverables / organization

  • Convention organization / presence

  • Negotiations with publishers / manufacturers

Statistics

  • Integrated brand / world from client into game

  • Raised $25,000+ through Kickstarter

  • Featured in various game news outlets, including Geek & Sundry

What is Emergents: Genesis?

Emergents: Genesis is a PvP multiplayer deckbuilding game where players take on the role of powerful superheroes—known in this world as Emergents—and battle against the other players in the game to be the last person standing. Players customize their decks based on four classes of superpowers in a fast-paced game that can be played by two to four players. Featuring four unique classes that allow for different styles of gameplay, Emergents: Genesis introduces innovative, interactive mechanics to the deckbuilding genre that appeals to fans of both superheroes and interactive card games.

How was it created?

I worked out an agreement with Top8Magic to make a game for their Emergents Universe, a comic book influenced world created by Brian David Marshall. I was responsible for the game design, production schedule, logistics, crowdfunding campaign, and fulfillment. Leading a small game design team, we set out to create a game that would encapsulate the feel, art style, and brand of the Emergents Universe.

The Emergents Universe is all about individuals that have special powers, like the ability to run quickly, fly, control fire, or lift heavy objects. These beings, called Emergents, are at the center of the brand, so we knew that they would be at the center of the game as well. To achieve this, we made multiple unique heroes the players could choose to be.

Since the Emergents Universe also revolves around heroes with special abilities, we wanted to create different factions that highlight these abilities. By combining the wide pool of different abilities into four different factions, we were able to provide players with latching points for them to understand and connect with the story. Additionally, we were able to give each of these factions a mechanical heart, which allowed players to onboard more easily with the gameplay and develop favorite play styles.

Knowing what we wanted to create, we set out to make the first pass at the set file. Working from a card game engine we had developed as a part of the pitch to Top8Magic, we brainstormed mechanics that would fit into the four factions, knowing that the mechanical heart was a key component of the set. We also explored ways to highlight the flavor of each faction, as tying the mechanics to the flavor would result in the richest, most engaging gameplay.

The entire card file, laid out for us to evaluate, rank, and balance.

It required countless hours of playtesting internally and externally to determine balanced costs and effects across different factions and card types. We tracked our progress through card set files to make sure we were working towards a well refined product.

A sample of the production file used to track each card.

When we were confident the game was ready, we went to Kickstarter to ask for help from the community to produce the product. Managing all aspects of the campaign, I led our team creating the rewards structure, PR, and communication between the project and the public. At the end of the campaign, we raised $25,000, more than 135% of what we were asking for.

Partnering with a printer, we worked out the logistics behind manufacturing the game and making sure we got it into backers' hands.

Manufacturing proofs from the printer that eventually produced the game.

After working out the logistics of printing the game, we manufactured the game and sent it off to backers.

Overall, we think we did a super job.