Chapter 151: The Current State of Card Mobile Games 1/17
"Domestic card games" are a unique concept, completely different from card games like Hearthstone or Magic: The Gathering. They represent a distinct genre of game.
Games like "Dota Legends" and "Onmyoji," although their combat systems and presentation styles have nothing to do with cards, share a similar core. The so-called "domestic card games," represented by "I Am MT," are mobile games centered on card acquisition, cultivation, and combat. Their presentation formats have been continuously evolving.
From the card-based battles of "I Am MT," to the 2D character dynamic battles of "Dota Legends," and then to the full 3D turn-based combat of "Onmyoji," the forms of combat differ, but the core remains the same. That's why they are all considered "domestic card games."
Before finalizing a new game, Chen Mo decided to first research player feedback on popular card games in the forums, and then decide which game to develop.
...
Official forum of "I Am MT."
"Another new game just launched. It seems to use a Japanese anime IP. Anyone want to play together?"
"No thanks. Too many similar games have come out. Aren't you tired of them yet?"
"Honestly, after playing so many, they're all like 'I Am MT'—the same old tricks recycled over and over. I tried a few other games before, but I ended up coming back. Just log in daily, finish the routine quests, do a ten-pull, and call it a day."
"Yeah, actually, 'I Am MT' was more fun when it first came out. It felt fresh back then. Now too many game companies are jumping on the bandwagon to make card mobile games. I'm really getting sick of it."
"This game model has been copied for over a year, and it's still making money. That's already a miracle."
"Sigh, too bad these designers only learned Chen Mo's money-grubbing tactics. They didn't learn a single bit of his innovation."
"True. Even though 'I Am MT' is a cash grab, it's still a trendsetting good game. Chen Mo has a lot of clever ideas. You have to respect that."
"Too bad Chen Mo isn't making these kinds of mobile games anymore. Even the updates for 'I Am MT' are half-hearted."
"Can't blame him. Chen Mo is now playing with VR games. He's probably looking down on these mobile games."
...
Official forum of "Dota Legends."
"Another new game just came out. It's called 'Blade and Magic.' It's basically a carbon copy of 'Dota Legends.'"
"Another one? How many times has this been copied? I'm numb to it."
"To be honest, 'Dota Legends' is still the most fun to play. The others are just cheap knockoffs."
"Yeah, the new games are all the same. They just change the art style and call it a new game. The core is exactly the same."
"Actually, 'Dota Legends' is a bit boring now too. I've been playing for over a year, and I'm getting tired of it."
"Same here. I've been playing for over a year, and I'm almost out of content. I'm waiting for Chen Mo's new game."
"Chen Mo's new game? Is he making a mobile game again?"
"I heard he's developing a new mobile game. I don't know the details."
"Really? I hope it's something fresh. I'm tired of these card games."
...
Official forum of "Onmyoji."
"Does anyone know when the new SSR will be released?"
"I don't know. I'm still waiting for the new story chapter."
"Same here. I'm just farming souls every day. It's getting boring."
"Yeah, the game is fun, but the drop rates are too low. I've been playing for three months and still haven't gotten a single SSR."
"Same here. I'm thinking about quitting."
"Don't quit. The game is still good. It's just that the drop rates are a bit low."
"Yeah, the game is still fun. I'm just waiting for the new content."
...
After reading through the forums, Chen Mo had a general understanding of the current state of the card mobile game market.
"I Am MT" and "Dota Legends" are similar. Their art quality isn't top-tier, and their main appeal lies in gameplay innovation.
However, the gameplay innovation of card games is easily "borrowed" by other designers. For this reason, both games have been repeatedly "borrowed" from, and some games that "borrowed" from them have even surpassed them in revenue.
"Onmyoji" doesn't have this problem. In terms of visuals, music, story, and character design, it's a top-tier mobile game. Even two years after its release, no game that copied it has reached its level. Chen Mo isn't worried about it being copied.
As for "Fate/Grand Order," Chen Mo currently can't bring the entire Fate series IP to life, so he has to put it on hold for now.
Chen Mo opened a document and began writing the design concept draft for "Onmyoji."
"You copied 'I Am MT' for a whole year and helped expand the card game user base. We're even now. From here on out, it's every man for himself." Chen Mo smiled.
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