Devlog #1: Introducing Deck Dungeon Die

Welcome to the first devlog post for Deck Dungeon Die! I’m excited to share an overview of the project, its core mechanics, and the progress made so far.

Game Overview

Deck Dungeon Die is a dark fantasy dungeon crawler that blends deck-building, roguelite mechanics, souls-like combat, and turn-based tactics into one immersive experience. In this game, you’ll descend into a cursed, procedurally generated labyrinth where every decision matters:

• Deck-Building: Collect, upgrade, and manage a personalized deck of potent ability cards.
• Roguelite: Embrace permadeath, but every failure unlocks permanent meta-progression to strengthen your future runs.
• Souls-like: Master enemy patterns and learn from each defeat, much like in classic souls games.
• Turn-Based Tactics: Engage in grid-based battles where positioning and anticipating enemy moves is crucial.

Target Audience & Platforms

• Target Audience:
  • Core: PC gamers aged 16–35 who thrive on strategic, high-risk gameplay.
  • Secondary: Fans of games like Slay the Spire, Darkest Dungeon, and Into the Breach.
• Platforms:
  • Initially launching on PC (via Steam and itch.io) with potential console ports following a successful launch.

Game Description

Deck Dungeon Die plunges you into a cursed realm where survival hinges on tactical card play and adaptive strategies. Build a deck of abilities, outmaneuver telegraphed enemy attacks, and conquer dungeons that become increasingly unforgiving. Every run is a brutal test: death is permanent, but each attempt contributes to long-term growth.

Key Features

• Card-Driven Tactics: Deploy cards like Strike, Dash, or Fireball to control grid-based battlefields and execute decisive maneuvers.
• Souls-Inspired Challenge: Learn and exploit enemy patterns—for instance, a skeletal mage’s three-turn fireball charge—while adapting to each defeat.
• Roguelite Dungeon Crawling: Explore uniquely generated 10-floor dungeons filled with randomized rooms, diverse loot, and epic boss encounters.
• Equipment Synergy: Combine your deck with gear like the Vampiric Dagger, which heals on a kill, to refine your combat style.
• Retro-Gothic Aesthetic: Experience moody pixel art, visceral combat scenes, and a haunting chiptune soundtrack that immerse you in a dark fantasy world.

Example Gameplay Loop

• Enter a Dungeon: Begin your journey in a new, procedurally generated 10-floor labyrinth.
• Clear Rooms: Strategically engage in turn-based combat across various room types.
• Loot & Adapt: Collect gold and cards to upgrade your deck and equipment between encounters.
• Boss Fights: Challenge unique dungeon guardians, like the menacing Hollow King.
• Die or Triumph: A run ends with death, yet each failure contributes to unlocking new permanent upgrades.

Current Development Progress

• Dungeon Generation: The core dungeon generation system is up and running! The next goal is to enhance the uniqueness of each dungeon.
• Enemy AI:
  • Basic enemy movement is in place.
  • A move pool system has been implemented, allowing enemies to choose actions based on various factors.
  • Next up: refining enemy AI with smart positioning so that foes react to their environment.
• Room Design: The dungeon currently consists of four room types:
  • Combat Rooms: Where turn-based battles occur.
  • Treasure Rooms: Planned to incorporate a key/lock system for added challenge.
  • Rest Rooms: Inspired by souls games, these allow players to rest at a campfire; however, resting resets the dungeon while maintaining enemy health states.
  • Entrance: The starting point for each dungeon run.
• Art Assets: A significant portion of the card art is already completed, lending a distinct visual style to the game.

I’m thrilled about the direction of Deck Dungeon Die and look forward to refining these systems further. Stay tuned for more updates as I continue to expand on dungeon uniqueness, enemy AI behavior, and more!

Feel free to leave your thoughts or questions in the comments—your feedback is invaluable.