I got bored and decided to think up a Ace Attorney card game. I guess I'll go ahead and post up a rules outline and my first mock up of a Main Personality Card.


Rules:

The Ace Attorney Card Game is unlike any other card game! Instead of trading punches, players trade objections! To find contradictions in another's case, one must destroy their witness' credibility. Once an opponent's witness' credibility reaches zero, you may choose 1 of your 5 cases to flip over. Once you've flipped over all 5 of your cases, you win the game!

There are several card types:
Main Personality- This is the character you play as; you can either be a defense attorney or a prosecutor. Your Main Personality starts the game in play and cannot be removed from play or discarded. For the sake of gameplay, the prosecutors can face off against prosecutors, and defense attorneys can face off against defense attorneys. These characters have a number printed on them. This number indicates how many cards you may use in your deck.


Event (I need another name for this, this one has been used a million times)- These cards can do many things. They can be played instantly in their specified phases, and represent everything from mere Objections, to monumental events from the Ace Attorney Series. They have specific effects that impact the game in different ways! Events are played during the Cross Examination Phase unless stated otherwise on the card.


Witnesses- Some of these characters have a constant effect on the game, while others need to Testify to use their effects! Witnesses are played during the Main Phase unless stated otherwise on the card.


Evidence- These cards have a constant effect. They're always impacting the case. Evidence is played during the Main Phase unless stated otherwise on the card.


Cases - These cards are the way you win the game. Once you successfully reduce an opponent's witness' credibility to zero, you may flip a case. After you've flipped 5 cases, you win the game! Cases start the game in play, turned face down, at the beginning of the game.


Spirits -
1) Spirits may only be played by channeling them.
2) You channel spirits by expending a Spirit Medium you control during the Main Phase. You attach the channeled spirit to the Spirit Medium that channeled it.
3) At the start of the next main phase, all channeled spirits are put into a pile. Once there are 8 Spirits in that pile, you win the game.

Paying Costs:
Costs are paid for by discarding cards off of the top of your deck. If a character has a cost of 2 for instance, you would discard 2 cards off of the top of your deck to pay for the card. You may only play witnesses who's total cost when added together equals 5 or less in any given turn.

Gameplay:

At the start of the game, both players begin with their Main Personalities in play. YOU MUST HAVE A MAIN PERSONALITY!

The players use a random method to choose who goes first (flipping a coin, rock paper scissors, role a die etc.)

Both Players draw 5 cards

The player who goes first starts the game

Phase 1: The Draw Phase- Both Players Draw 2 cards.

Phase 2: Main Phase- Ready all of your Witnesses that have testified to testify again (turn them vertically again). The Active player may play Witnesses, evidence, or play events that may be played during the main phase. You may only play witnesses who's total cost when added together equals 5 or less in any given turn. After the Active player has performed all of his actions, the defender goes through all of the steps of the Main phase.

Phase 3: Cross Examination- Your witnesses may testify against your opponent's witnesses, you may use events, and you may use any effects that may be used during the Cross Examination phase. If your opponent controls no witnesses, you may expend all of the witnesses you control to flip one of your cases.

Testifying- To testify you expend a witness you control (turn them horizontally) and choose a witness your opponent controls. Your opponent may expend the chosen witness to counter testify. If they choose to counter testify, you measure the two testimony values ( the number over the '?') against each other. The witness with the lower testimony value takes damage to their credibility (the value over the "!") equal to the difference between the two values. If the values are even, the defending witness takes 1 damage to their credibility. If your opponent chooses not to counter testify, they take the full amount of damage equal to the testifying witnesses testimony value.
Example: Damon Gant - Enraged chooses to testify against Larry Butz - Man of Many "Talents". Larry chooses to counter testify against Gant. Gant's testimony value is 4 and Larry's is 2. Larry takes 2 damage to his credibility.

Phase 4: The End Phase- Discard any witnesses with zero credibility, use any effects that may be used during the end phase.


Then you and your opponent repeats the same process (excluding the start of the game actions) until one of you wins the game!

And here's my mock up Main Personality:

I used the text box and the background image from the graphic rips gallery, but everything else is me and photoshop, except for the Phoenix art of course.
Speaking of which, I'll be using sprites and stuff for most of this, but if any of you have any quality fan art for me to use if I go through with all of this, I'd be more than happy to use it!

I need to think about this game/test it more for it to be actually playable and stuff, so It's still in the development stages.

So, anything I missed? Any questions or suggestions, grips or complaints?


EDIT:
Oh yeah I forgot to list the Main Personalities I plan to make

Defense Attorneys:
Phoenix Wright
Mia Fey
Marvin Grossberg
Gregory Edgeworth
Diego Armando
Miles Edgeworth

Prosecutors:
Miles Edgeworth
Manfred Von Karma
Franziska von Karma
Winston Payne
Godot
Young Miles Edgeworth

There'll be different versions of each MP to ensure diversity.


Cards:

Main Personalities:
Phoenix Wright - Ace Attorney
Diego Armando - Best in the Office
Miles Edgeworth - Veteran Prosecutor
Godot - Furious Avenger
Franziska von Karma - Relentless
Manfred von Karma - Undefeated

Witnesses:
Maya Fey - Kurain Medium
Damon Gant - Enraged

Lotta Heart - Over Excited
Larry Butz - Man of Many "Talents"



Dick Gumshoe - Under Appreciated


Bikini - Head of Hazakurain

Maggey Byrde - Frantic Officer
Mike Meekins - At Attention

Maya Fey - Phoenix's Friend
Maya Fey - Phoenix's Guide
Pearl Fey - Phoenix's Friend
Mia Fey - Phoenix's Mentor



Events:
Wait Right There!

The Fragrance of Dark Coffee
Illegal Evidence
Reggae Detective
She's Fainted!
Zvarri!

The Edgeworth Legacy
Victory!
Reporting for Duty!
The Police at Work
OBJECTION!





Evidence:
Missle
Godot's Visor
Larry's Sketch
Lotta's Photo
Bruto Cadaverini
Image of the Past
The Thinker
Edgeworth's Knife


Cases:
The First Turnabout
Bridge to the Turnabout

Spirits:
Mia Fey


Last edited by Pickens on Sun Aug 31, 2008 7:13 pm, edited 16 times in total.

There was a really lengthy topic about an Ace Attorney Trading Card Game. I don't remember where it was though.

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Honestly, I'm not one for trading card games because they seem overly complicated to me already, but your game sounds 10 times more overly complicated...

But I do really love that layout you got for that card there.


Really? I don't remember anything about a trading card game but there was a poker card project going on at one point that I remember

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Sounds cool. How about making Lana a prosecutor?

How about having Assistant?

They could be Maya, Pearl, Grossberg (change it?), Minuki, and Kirihoto.

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Ahhhh yeah, forgot all about Lana. I certainly plan on having a Maya suspect and witness, and for the sake of gameplay, I may just make Pearl and Minuki witnesses. I should probably also make a Kirihito Defense Attorney.

Also, I forgot 2 of the most important rules, decks consist of 60 cards (not counting your Main Personality and Suspect), and you may use up to 3 of each card (except for those that start in play like your Suspect and Main Personality) unless otherwise stated on the card.

I'll probably need help making the GS3 cards, since I haven't played that game yet.

And for those intimidated by card games, typically when you just read the rules, you really don't get a feel for the game. Typically, it makes a bit more sense if you get someone to play a teaching game with you, and after you've played a few games, you'll get the hang of it.

As for me, since I've started playing card games, there's only been one year where I haven't had a game to play. I started with Pokemon in elementary school, and quit in 6th grade. Then I started to play Dragonball Z until that ended in 2004, I played Yu Yu Hakusho until the 4th set, and I played InuYasha when that came out, and I still do today. I also plan on playing the Bleach card game which comes out this May. I've tried Magic, YGO, Epic Battles (Street Fighter/Mortal Kombat/Tekken), and World of Warcraft. I've been to many regional level, and one kind of worlds (which I Top 8'd at) level events for various games and I really love playing card games in general. So, I'd really like to at least make an online version of an Ace Attorney game for everyone to enjoy.

You forgot Kaminogi as a defense attorney

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More cards, I may add some textures or something because they're looking kind of plain...

I don't know what happened to the other thread, but the idea of it was QUITE a bit more thought out than this version.

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Add templates and I shall assist.

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Do you mean just have blank templates, or do you mean you need the PSDs or whatever to help with the game?

I'm talking it over with a few people and I've come to a few methods to 'win' the case.

I'll either have it so witnesses have effects that do a certain amount of damage through their testimony, or I may have it so a player has to win a certain amount of credibility from the judge (in that case I'll have to rename it, since it really doesn't sound right). And I'm still looking for a lawyer-ie way to say "event" so that's still open for suggestions. Though remember, the name'll have to cover everything from court room manuvers, to special events like Maya leaving for training etc.

lol at Edgey's 1 heart.
I REALLY want to see more of these... perhaps even play the game

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Hmm....That's a hard one...You could keep event, but like you said; it's been used way to much already.

I have an idea for effects for your already made cards.

Larry: One of the rarest cards, completely (Still working on how) f*cks up your opponent's case.

Ini Miney: Stop mid sentence: Make your opponent need one more piece of evidence to break testimony. Quote: Well...Like..................

Edgey: Forge evidence: Can be used to replace one evidence card, so you don't have to use it. Quote: Tsk tsk tsk...

Objection: Quote: OBJECTION!

Phoenix: n00b: Gain sympathy from the Judge for being a new attorney aka get an extra card on your first draw turn. Quote: You're lying damnit, and I can prove it!

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Both if need be.

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I'd like some blank templates too. This sound VERY fun.

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Some ideas for Event Cards:

Unexpected Witness (Larry popping out on case 1-4): whoever plays this card can add an extra witness to his hand
Illegal Evidence ( at the end of 1-5): discard a piece of evidence from the opponent's hand

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A Phoenix Wright card game could be fun to play.

I'd try it out. :3

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Your idea intrigues me...

I want to make some cards now~

but it's 2am, so I'll wait until tomorrow to do that.

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Nince, i'll help. Would there be a judge card?
would there be cards?

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Yeah, I haven't abandoned this yet =') I just need to put A LOT more work in on it. I'd kind of like some more input from some outside sources and I need to think deeply on some key parts of the game, especially the whole 'winning' thing ='/

How about Paradigm Shifts (as to honor Kirihito Garyuu's quote from a trailer long ago)?

Personally, I play card games, and this makes no bloody sense.

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Flip a coin. If the opponent gets it correct then larry is discarded and cannot be used again that game. If they get it wrong they lose a point or something. (Remember phoenix said that larrys testimony could take it either way)

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Thats really complicated, but I would probaly get it if I played it with someone who understood it! I love the card layout art thingy ma gigger.

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One thing I will not have in here is coin flip effects, those are suuuuuuper annoying. Other than that, I'd like to get a sample MWS (magic workstation) set made so I can teach the game to a few people, if people understand it a bit better then they'll be able help me with it better.

You can download MWS here:
http://toptiergaming.com/modules.php?na ... load&cid=4

I wouldn't download it until I have the set made though; to my knowledge that's the trial version but it never expires. It's limited in what you can do but you can't have an avatar you can't solo test against a different deck etc. It still plays online perfectly fine though.

This could be fun. I have played both DBZ up through Buu Saga (did very well, then just kind of ditched it in favor of YYH when the GT sets came out.)

Played Yu-Gi-Oh virtually for years, and I am actually the reason a few cards got errata'd in DBZ and Yu Yu. :-)

I can also say I overkilled IQ, creator of the DBZ game, won a dozen ultra rares for doing that. :-)

I'd love to help with a play system, and card design.

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I...I dunno...

Its HARD to make a card game...you have to consider so many elements...

But if you pull this off, I'd give it a try.

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That's how they do it in UFS and quite frankly, it's the best way to go around the limited character pool.

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This would be loads of fun. The idea itself still seems to be in its drawing-board phase, but if you could smooth it out a bit, I'd love to play it.
Witness: Wendy Oldbag. (The picture could be the one of her firing the raygun in GS2.) Effect: Babble. The opponent loses one turn trying to absorb everything this witness insists on talking about. Quote: And that's when the class hamster died they called me the Queen Reaper can you believe it little old me I swear I cried and cried and...

Prosecuter: Fransizka von Karma. Effect: Intimidation. The Defense Attorney takes double penalties when presenting incorrect or unjustified evidence. Quote: Mr. Phoenix Wright is a foolishly foolish fool who foolishly dreams foolish dreams!

Assistant: Ema Skye. Effect: Scientific Scrutiny. The Defense gains one extra piece of evidence when this assistant is in play. Quote: It's just a flesh wound, Mr. Wright!

Witness: Mike Meekins. Effect: Dazed and Confused. The Defense cannot press this witness due to his general incompetence. Instead, evidence must be presented in order to obtain new information. Quote: My profession? That would be murderer, sir!

Witness: Shelly de Killer. Effect: Disappearing Act. One assistant or witness is removed from the game. Or the earth. Quote: I see you are quite a dark-hearted man, Mr. Attorney...

Just a few ideas.

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Yay I will now blow my fairy dust and make you some new cards

Witness: Ini Miney
Effect: Airhead
After Sher testifies The defence can exchange Ini For any Other card In his/her deck

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Here are some suggestions for cards

Defence Attorney
Gregory Edgeworth -- Miles' Father --
Effect: Accuse of Forgery- After opponent presents evidence, you may flip a coin. If heads, the opponent is penalized*. If tails, you are penalized*.
*Double if opponent is Manfred von Karma.
Quote: My murderer's name is Yanni Yogi.
Rarity : Rare (just an idea)

Prosecutor
Manfred von Karma --Perfectionist--
Effect: Perfect Case (or Forge Evidence)- Once per turn, you may check your deck for new evidence. Reshuffle afterwards.
Quote: Decisive Evidence, a decisive witness... what else could possibly be required?


Event
Psyche-Locks
Effect: Flip 5 coins until tails. Keeps one of the opponent's witnesses from testifying for one turn per heads.

Event
Maya's Magatama
If opponent plays Psyche-locks, play this card to cancel the effect. Negates only one Psyche-locks card.

EDIT: Manfred's quote fixed

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Last edited by Phoenix223 on Wed May 30, 2007 8:24 am, edited 1 time in total.

It's actually "what else could possibly be required" but good suggestions.

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Whoops. Thanks for clearing that up

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I think that this is a awesome idea! I used to make simple card games from different anime series' using the Yu-Gi-Oh card system (Monsters, Effect monsters, magic, trap etc.) But I think the way you have set it out is pretty cool. Better than most the original ideas some people could come up with. If this ever goes famous, count me in on buying some.
Although this game does slightly SLIGHTLY resemble the FMA (Fullmetal Alchemist) Trading Card Game (TCG). Probably coincidence. Keep it up!

Eslpdd out *wink*

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Thanks! Funny thing though, after beating Trials and Tribulations, I started randomly working on this again. I decided to start back from scratch though, so there are some things that are different, and I don't have some of the specifics pounded out yet, but I have a basic idea. Here are some cards I put together though:





The most major changes to the gameplay are that evidence doesn't attach to characters, there are no suspects, I have alternate win conditions, you pay for cards differently, and the number printed on the defense attorneys/prosecutors indicates how many cards your deck can hold.

Sorry about the double post, but I've made a lot of progress on this game! I edited the rules to reflect the changes I've made, and I've got a template made for every card type now! Here are the cards I have written/made so far:


Updated Maya


Event


Evidence



2 Cases

If you guys have any suggestions/questions about the game or gameplay, just feel free to tell me!

Wait... Won't that create balancing issues? I mean, if I can have 65 cards in my deck and you can only have 55, won't that mean you'll run out a lot faster than me? Does running out of cards have any significant impact on the game?

Other than that, I love this idea and support you to the end! If I had more friends who played PW, I'd definitely buy myself a set of these when they came out. I'm excited to see how this turns out and I hope you have fun making it! I'll be watching this one...

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The idea behind that is that the guy with 55 cards in his deck can more easily draw specific cards. So, if you're using a deck that relies on drawing specific things (such as my idea right now for Kurain Mediums having to draw into spirits), it'll benefit you to have less cards in your deck because you'll have a higher chance of drawing it. As far as people with more cards, it's true that they'll live longer, but your deck will be less consistent and possibly have a few cards that are either fillers or situational just to meet the deck size requirement. So deck size is a dual edged sword.

I've made A LOT more cards, tell me what you think.




Don't look at this if you haven't finished case 5 of the first game:


Don't look at this if you haven't finished case 5 of the third game:

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I would, indeed, like to subscribe to this newsletter. As you get the game into a more structured condition, please keep posting more detailed rules and card sets. I'm very interested in seeing how it plays. And if you'd like some help with pulling everything together, let me know and I'll see if I can think up some interesting stuff for you.

Oh, and some suggestions for your quandries: