GALVANIC | Benjamin Bradway Por

ROLE

Solo Developer

DESCRIPTION

Galvanic is a TCG that takes inspiration from turn-based tactical RPGs. The game uses a resource system that is based around different types of energy, such as Electricity and Nuclear power

The game features hexagonal cards that are played onto a hex grid where players can maneuver them tactically in an effort to destroy their opponent's base.

YEAR

2025

GENRE

Trading Card Game

PLATFORM

Steam Workshop(Tabletop Simulator)

Rulebook

DESIGN PROCESS

Energy in Galvanic:

What separates Galvanic's resource systems from most TCGs is that each element is not created equal
Electricity is the most common type of energy and there are many cards that take advantage of it; however many of these are very expensive
Other energy types such as Nuclear and Science are significantly more difficult to gain, maintain, and utilize

Card Design:

Cards are hexagonal in order to be more tactile on the board
Equipment cards can provide a buff to a unit's stats, and are designed to be placed underneath their equipped unit to easily convey their buff.
Publishing a physical version of Galvanic would prove challenging due to its non-standard card shape so the game will stay digital on Tabletop Simulator for the foreseeable future

GALVANIC'S FUTURE

Galvanic primarily exists as a design space and a creative outlet for myself. A goal of mine in the near future is to learn pixel art and use this new knowledge to make art for the cards.
Additionally, the game was intentionally designed to allow me to add more energy types and experiment with more complex card designs.
I will likely be adding my friend, who has helped me with play-testing, to the project in the future.

Takeaways

From designing and testing this project, I have learned many principles that have defined how I view TCGs and TCG design:

Card concepts are frequent but they rarely work as originally intending during playtesting
You shouldn't necessarily ban or change a card if it's broken; you should ban/change it if it is unfun
Destroying cards on the board is too powerful of an effect for this game
Searching/drawing effects make the player experience more consistent, for better or for worse

PREVIOUS GAME

NEXT GAME

DESIGN PROCESS

Energy in Galvanic:

What separates Galvanic's resource systems from most TCGs is that each element is not created equal

Electricity is the most common type of energy and there are many cards that take advantage of it; however many of these are very expensive

Other energy types such as Nuclear and Science are significantly more difficult to gain, maintain, and utilize

Card Design:

Cards are hexagonal in order to be more tactile on the board

Equipment cards can provide a buff to a unit's stats, and are designed to be placed underneath their equipped unit to easily convey their buff.

Publishing a physical version of Galvanic would prove challenging due to its non-standard card shape so the game will stay digital on Tabletop Simulator for the foreseeable future

GALVANIC'S FUTURE

Takeaways

From designing and testing this project, I have learned many principles that have defined how I view TCGs and TCG design:

Card concepts are frequent but they rarely work as originally intending during playtesting

You shouldn't necessarily ban or change a card if it's broken; you should ban/change it if it is unfun

Destroying cards on the board is too powerful of an effect for this game

Searching/drawing effects make the player experience more consistent, for better or for worse