Droid Productions

Card rendering

Added 2020-08-29 01:03:49 +0000 UTC

I'm actually a programmer, though it's easy to forgot on a project like Love of Magic, where 90% of the tasks are writing/art. I implemented a card rendering system for another project I worked on, and decided with my new experience, to revisit how cards are rendered and moved in Love of Magic.

The first step was writing a normal map shader; this basically stores final geometric details 'bumps' as pixels on an image; for cards in Love of Magic the end result is subtle but quite pretty.

Once that system was built, I got the bright idea to make some new card backgrounds, and while I was at it, make them collectible.

All the cards unlock from story / side-quests; Katie's card back, for example, unlocks when you give her the True Flawless Firegem. Once collected you can then use the cards in combat, and in Elsewhere.

The final step was introducing a bit of physics movement into the cards; it's subtle, but hopefully noticeable (especially when dragging it around).

Act V+ is almost ready; I've got some bugs to squash, and Mrs Robinson to finish writing, after which it's time to hit Act VI.