TCG Devlog #5 – Can Games Change the World?
My vision, minigames, and a ridiculous pink theme
This week, I dive into progress on the custom card creator and share a first look at a minigame prototype using Replit Agent V2. The ridiculous pink theme is definitely worth a look—I call it “flower-power.” 🌸
Art, Games, and Myths
As a young artist, I struggled with the idea that games and art actually mattered.
I wanted to do something real—something that saved lives or changed the world in a tangible way. But I was destined to be an artist, and that frustrated me. I looked down on the arts because I thought creatives just made pretty pictures and told entertaining stories. Even when I worked at Sony on Spider-Man, I saw that games made people happy, but it still felt like empty calories. It wasn’t my calling to just entertain.
Over time, I’ve come to see it differently.
Art as Mythology
Stories shape the world around us. They shape our values, inspire action, and define how we see ourselves and society. The biggest problems in the world—climate change, war, AI risks, loneliness—aren’t just technical problems. They’re narrative problems. If people believe they’re powerless, the world falls apart. If they believe they can be heroes, everything changes.
That’s why I built Alpha Cards—a mythology that reminds people that technology is magic, the future is unwritten, and we often have more power than we think.
And it’s already happening. I’ve seen people light up when they find cards that represent projects they love. I’ve seen strangers connect over shared philosophies. I've seen kids engage with the concepts shaping today's world. These cards spark ideas, conversations, and relationships.
Making Games as Gifts
In the end, I’ve realized something simple: making people happy does matter. But the kind of happiness I care about isn’t just escapism—it’s the kind that comes from meaning and connection.
I don’t make games to make money. I make money to make meaningful games.
We all have stories, games, and art that have shaped the way we see the world. Which have had a positive impact on you?
I'd love to hear your list.
With metta,
Colton
