Hey hey everyone, I've got some exciting news! While I was working on the bar update I realized that Joker's Trip was lacking in a few areas. Yes, you have to understand blackjack to make the right calls. Yes, you have to play mind games with the AI of the characters you're up against. Yes, there are fleshed out characters who will soon have conversation scenes at the bar. But it just doesn't feel like a card game, you know?
Recently, I played a game called Slay the Spire, and realized that's what was missing. Since nobody else is making games like it, I figured why not take heavy inspiration and do it myself? Nobody else is making this type of game, I'm the only one who's thought of this.
Without further ado...the new take on Joker's trip!
As you can see, a few changes. Rather than focus on dialog, we've scrapped all those words and replaced it with AC (Action Cards) that you can use to gain advantage. The dialog kinda…got in the way? Of the gameplay? So we're disabling it for now. I don't want to throw away all that work we put into writing, so I'll try and find somewhere we can use it. (Maybe an AC that makes them say a random line of dialog?)
Glint is the energy resource you use, which starts at 10. You can increase your glint by successfully taunting the gamblers. In the final build there'll be equipables that can also alter your glint. I say alter, because a low glint playstyle is something I'm currently testing.
You might've also noticed there's no deck. I think we can innovate on Slay the Spire's gameplay by procedurally generating every AC you draw, each turn. You can alter the Archetype of AC (support, infatuation, and business dealings) by equipping different clothing to Joker. This means I'll also need to add a shop, but one step at a time lmao
We're hoping to get this update out soon after the bar is done. Currently, we've written all 35 convos, dozens of dialog 'barks', and started to work on the new CGs! Programming wise, things are getting there, and 3D modelling wise I'll get on that in a minute.
Also, I hope you're enjoying the first day of April
-LG <3