19-08-2026 - Yu-Gi-Oh! Card Rebuild
My partner and I were recently invited to play Yu-Gi-Oh! with some friends, which was probably the first TCG I had truly played rather than just collected. After several decades away from the game, and my partner having never played before, we opted to play some games from back in the era before things like Synchros, Pendulums, Links, XYZ, and FTK combo horrors beyond our comprehension.
Unfortunately, we both found the cards far more difficult to read than they realistically should have been. "Why does every Crystal Beast put that same rule at the start when I want the unique one? Why aren't they across different lines so I have to read the whole thing?" For want of a better term, they're terribly laid out and incredibly difficult to read, which was true of new cards too. It's like they hadn't assessed their design language for 25 years.
So I decided to make proxies that are a little more accessible to us and our sensibilities, without simply resorting to turning them into 1:1 Magic the Gathering cards (although you'll be able to see their design language throughout, they really did nail it). Using the standard TCG card as a base (so I could back them with bulk), I set to work.
Spreading separate rules across multiple lines was honestly the biggest change. Having three or four effects be bundled in a continuous paragraph is almost aggressive to the reader when referencing a specific rule (and something the designers are only semi aware of in instances like Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon, but forgotten in Ancient City - Rainbow Ruins).
The result is cards that are, in my estimation, far more legible and accessible whilst still retaining the aesthetics that help keep Yu-Gi-Oh! feeling like Yu-Gi-Oh!.
Direct 1:1 comparisons of the original cards and the proxies. The majority of the work went into legibility and clear separation of effect texts. This is most apparent on Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem, with 4 effects in one continuous paragraph.
Examples of the proxies I've developed to fit the standard card dimensions across card types. I'm happy with the subtle transition on the Gemini card showing it move from Normal to Effect using the design language of the border and flavour text style.
The same as applied to the Crystal Beasts.
Monster Attribute assets. Multiple passes were taken at how best to render these; using just the kanji and trusting player learning, doing straightforward recreation, etc. before landing on a bold word and neon symbol, marrying space as best as I could.
Card Type and Level/Rank assets.
Spell/Trap Type assets (centre to be used in instances where there is no type without requiring a completely different card layout).
WIPs to identify layout, colours, effects.
Sketches to identify some directions to take the layout. Not included; the reverse page giving a full breakdown of pros and cons of the original Yu-Gi-Oh! design.