Imperial Decree – July 2022

Step 1

A first design of the tabletop game with figures. They start in their house and collect resources (colored balls) by fighting creatures that appear.

The board isn’t the original anymore (has been thrown out by accident … oops). Goal of the game was to fight other wizards and sorceress and to be last one standing. The dragon (see above) is a mutual enemy moving on the board as in every turn the player also roles a dice for the dragon and can move it. The board is separated into different sections. A river runs across that can only be crossed with bridges. Below you see the city in which wands and spells can be bought.

Besides the dragon as «event” other event cards exist that have different consequences. In every turn you also draw resources and further cards with unfinished spells. With the right resources and a good dice role you define the power of the spell. But you only can use 2-4 spells at a time, depending on the wand you have. Magical objects are already part of the game.

The cat is also already part of the game, just as different creatures that must be fought. They also give resources or steal them from you. Besides spells curses exist that have a negative effect on other players.

Step 2

As on the boardgame players were mainly running around and it took a long time until duels were fought, it was full of tension but at the same time very boring, another very simple prototype was designed to test if having spell duels is interesting at all.

Here you see a first version with normal playing cards. All cards with numbers are spells with the according power. Two spells of the same color can be combined and you can attack at any time. The cards from the deck are drawn simultaneously by both players. Picture cards, ace and joker either improve or minimize attacks or are curses.

Step 3

As the fun in the duel prototype was very high, a new card set with many magical objects, spells and creatures was designed. Goal was that some spells work better or worse when using them against certain other spells or critters.

Basic insight: Far too much information on every card and even in the wrong place as well as too many cards

Besides the cat the trap is also part of the game now. 5 different magical elements are defined, and the character cards are also part of the game for the first time. Critical hits and critical fails are possible as well as a vast number of critters with different strengths offer new challenges.

Unfortunately, I can’t remember the exact rules to play 😉

Step 4

As the cards in the previous version hat too much unnecessary information on them, they were simplified. The effect of the Orn (improving or worsening the spell) is now integrated into cards (purple). Per color there are critters and spells. Critters join your entourage on the table, spells remain in the hand. Spells of the same color can be combined to a more powerful spell, but you only can have 3 spells in your hand (e.g., 6 spell cards in total). Players draw cards from their deck at the same time and can attack whenever they want. With every attack and defense players have to draw an Orn card from the middle of the table that effects the attack / defense.

Now characters must collect specific Magical objects to win.

This version was tested intensively and thanks to important feedbacks the last improvements became possible.

Step 5

The legendary Paw-Patrol Luchbox Version of Imperial Twing. Coins are added that players win after duelling. The Orn cards are replaced by D12 dice. Only 4 characters remain. 9 magical objects in different color and different effect can be bought, robbed or conjured. The amount of creatures, spells, cats and traps are balanced to allow a good gameplay. The fifth magical colour is discarded as it became too complicated. Event cards have been added bringing more fun.

With this version we tested a 2P, 3P, 4P version intensively with players starting at the age of 7.

At the same time, we simplyfied the rules and made them more precise.

Additionally creatures can be used in a ritual to conjure a magical object.

Step 6

The first finished prototype of the card designed by The Imperial Illustrator – Marius Dihr. The information was reduced further to give the illustrations enough space.

A consistent design is in place