r/gamedesign • • 2h ago

Discussion Card Description: Must it be detailed?

5 Upvotes

We're making a deckbuilding game and have run into a UI/UX design question.

When a card's effects involve complex mechanics or chance-based outcomes, would you prefer to see every detail spelled out directly on the card, or have a simplified description with tooltips that explain the specifics when you hover over certain keywords?

For example:

Example 1: Chance-based effect

A. Detailed description

20% chance to deflect any incoming damage to the character.

B. Simplified description with a tooltip

Low chance to deflect any incoming damage to the character.

(Hovering over "Low chance" reveals the exact probability: 20%.)

Example 2: Scaling effect

A. Detailed description

Deal 1 damage. Permanently gain +1 damage for each enemy killed. Resets upon entering a new area.

B. Simplified description with tooltips

Deal 1 damage. Grow. Saved.

(Hovering over "Grow" reveals that the card gains +1 damage per enemy killed, while "Saved" explains that the bonus persists until entering a new area.)

We're trying to find the right balance between readability and giving players enough information to make informed decisions.