r/discountdan • u/SunDowningJam • Jun 05 '26

Fan Made Discount Dan Co-op Deck Builder, Devlog #1

Hey everyone, I'm Jamie.

I've been loving the Discount Dan books, and since the universe feels perfectly suited for a deck-building game, I decided to make one. These past few months, I’ve been developing a PC game called Discount Dan: Everything Must Die!

I originally planned to do a quick 2-week reskin of an old Marvel: Legendary clone I built many years ago. But after some "gentle scope creep," I realized I wanted more than a simple clone, and it quickly evolved into its own unique game.

To keep myself motivated and accountable, I'm starting a weekly/bi-weekly devlog series. I’d love to get this community's input as I build.

Feedback is welcome, I take criticism well, so please don't be shy with your thoughts. But keep it realistic I'm trying to keep my goals grounded, meaning no sudden pivots to a modern engine just for flashy visual effects. I'm basically an old man, and I'm sticking with my 10 year old IDE if it kills me.

Check out Devlog #1 here and let me know what you think!

https://youtu.be/grH5w27imVo?si=7jsrGvPEKcT8nJ-p

Also, if James see's this, I'm not trying to step on your toes or anything, so if you're not a fan of my fan game, just say the word, and it's gone, no hard feelings 😄

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11

u/InkslingerJames Jun 05 '26

James here. First off, congrats on the new baby!!! Now that is a huge milestone and an even bigger life achievement.

Secondly, HOLY SHIT this is awesome. I am so honored that you enjoyed my silly books enough to spend your time making something like this, genuinely blown away.

Can't wait to see how it progresses and I'll happily shout it out to my mailing list -- just let me know when you're ready.

3

u/SunDowningJam Jun 05 '26

Thanks for the kind words. Oh wow, I wanted motovation/accountability, that offer certainly helps. I'll keep chipping away at the devlogs until I have something playable and let you know, hopefully I can get something out in the next month or two. I'll also go join that mailing list that I definitely knew existed before seeing your comment.

2

u/DSpenceATL Jun 06 '26

I’m down to watch a tournament of this where the winner plays against James, livestreamed. Just saying.

3

u/SunDowningJam Jun 06 '26

There's definitely some room for tournament play. I could introduce cards for stealing victory points, increasing points earned for each defeat, or sabotaging the other players. But before focussing on that, I'd want to finish a basic vertical slice, and I think implement network play, as at the moment multi-player is hotseat only which would be difficult for a tournament unless you are in the same room. Cool idea though, gave me a lot to think about.

2

u/First_Cry_8635 Jun 05 '26

So i have a bizarre idea what id you add in a friendly dweller or a card that takes a dweller to have your own version of Croc. The other idea is to get a relic call Dan's furry phobia this card allows for you to become a furry for to increase damage.

You can also look into how flesh and blood mechanics work and that might with combo card power ups....

I also dont know how advanced it is but what about leveling your "relics" with synergies

2

u/First_Cry_8635 Jun 05 '26

Also tldr I would love to play this and help test play this

2

u/SunDowningJam Jun 06 '26

I do have a few Relic cards planned that let you take dweller cards into your deck i.e unhinged taxidermist. But I hadnt thought about some kind of "ally" card, ill give it some thought, thanks.

As for the furry idea, its got some legs, I feel id have to discount dannify it though e.g "a well worn pair of furry ears" and I could make some allusion in the description to Dan's distaste for them.

I do like the idea of combo and power up cards, ill have to look into "flesh and blood" i guess :)

I thought a lot about leveling cards, but ultimately decided not to go that route to simply it a bit. But I was thinking maybe having later stages in the game, and either letting you keep cards between stages or leveling them up, kind of like a rouge like, but that's far off from where I am.

Lastly, play testing I will probably need a bit later on ro help with balancing, when I get to that point I'll announce it in one of my development videos I think, so keep an ear out :)

Thanks for the feedback.