Apocalypse Cats: Teamwork Against Chaos
A cooperative card game exploring modern stressors through metaphor and collaboration
Game Design
Systems Thinking
Card Game
PROJECT BREAKDOWN
The Challenge
Design a cooperative card game that explores the emotional and psychological challenges of contemporary life using humor, metaphor, and collaborative play.
The Goal
Create a game system that turns abstract stressors (like consumerism, burnout, and social media overload) into playable enemies, while empowering players to overcome them together.
Tools
Adobe Creative Suite, Tabletop Simulator, Screentop
My Roles
Game Design, Narrative Design, Systems Design, Art Direction, Prototyping, Playtesting
Details
Team: Johnny, Roberto, Tommy
Timeline: 2 years
The Research
We began with a design mission and developed character concepts, card mechanics, and gameplay metaphors that represent internal coping mechanisms. Through ten iterations and frequent playtesting, we explored how to express emotional themes through gameplay, visual language, and team collaboration.
The Outcome
Apocalypse Cats is cooperative card game where players act as cats defending homes from surreal pests powered by apocalyptic forces. Each cat represents a coping strategy, and enemies embody distorted stress responses. Players use instinct-based mechanics and team tactics to fight and ultimately free enemies from manipulation.
DESIGN CONTRIBUTIONS
Gameplay Mechanics Design
Designed a cooperative combat system centered on token-building mechanics and instinct-driven actions, where players collaboratively battle bosses and their minions.
Worldbuilding and Narrative
Developed the game’s thematic universe, where cats defend our homes from apocalyptic forces, blending humor and emotional depth into story and gameplay.
Visual Identity and Marketing
Created the game’s logo, visual branding, pitch materials, and digital assets for showcasing the game at events and online. Developed a visual style that balances comic-book energy with metaphorical meaning.
Prototyping
Built and iterated the game using Tabletop Simulator and Screentop, enabling remote playtesting and balancing of cooperative mechanics, enemy behaviors, and card interactions.
BEHIND THE SCENES
ART DIRECTION
Led visual direction through detailed mood boards, character profiles, and card concepts. Collaborated closely with an illustrator to align art and mechanics through a structured feedback loop that deepened theme expression and player empathy.
