Clear Card Design Contest

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Did you know that The Game Crafter has clear PVC cards?! Just like the cards in games like Gloom and Mystic Vale.

In this contest, your game must include Clear Card Crafting Deck and/or Clear Euro Poker Deck.

The card's transparency must play a key role in the cards usage in your game.

Clear cards have a very specific way the files need to be made that differ from normal cards, they also use a very specific white printing method. It is imparative that you read the help pages for both to make sure you design your cards correctly!

Creating Clear Cards - The Game Crafter

Printing With White Ink - The Game Crafter

Judge

Shoe started designing games seriously in 2009 and has been printing with the Game Crafter since nearly its inception. He has written for game design websites, had a game design podcast and even did a little moonlighting as an indie video game designer. Shoe is always looking for something new or an interesting twist in a game design be it mechanical, thematic, an interesting component or something else entierly.

Shoe is also the winner of the Fur, Feathers and Fun contest with their game Elephant in the Room.

Contest start date: {{wing.format_datetime(contest.properties.date_created)}}

• Component Design

Your game must include Clear Card Crafting Deck and/or Clear Euro Poker Deck. Their transparency should be a key factor in how they are used.

• Player Count

The minimum player count must be 1 or 2. There is no maximum player count.

• Mechanics

Any game mechanics are allowed.

• Components

Any type of components may be used.

• Cost

The total production cost of your game must not exceed $99.99.

• Rulebook

The game must include printed rules. A PDF of your rules must also be available for free download from your game’s shop page.

• Overview Video (Optional but Encouraged)

Though not required, a short overview video of approximately 2 minutes is highly encouraged.

• Artwork

All artwork must be your own, commissioned by you, licensed to you, or in the public domain. Please provide proper attribution where required. AI-generated artwork is allowed, but its use must be clearly disclosed on your shop page.

• Publish-ready

The game must be publish-ready (as it relates to your shop page, not as it relates to being finished). This means it has a logo, backdrop, shop ad, action shots, description, and cool factors. It must also have all images proofed. You do not need to purchase or publish the game to enter.

• New game

This must be a new game created for this contest. It cannot have existed on TGC prior to the start of the contest.

• Submission

All entries must be submitted through TGC's game editor (by clicking on the "Contests" button) no later than Nov 2nd, 2026 at 11:59PM US Central Time.

• Editing after submission

Games and their shop page should not be changed after the contest deadline, until the finalists have been announced. You can however make changes until the contest´s deadline.

• Multiple entries

Contestants may submit multiple entries to this contest. Each entry will be judged separately.

· You retain all rights to your game, and are welcome to sell it in The Game Crafter shop during and after the contest, regardless of the outcome of the contest.

· Your game does not have to be available for sale to enter the contest.

· The community voting process will be used to determine 20 semi-finalists.

· Finalists will be selected from all entries, not only semi-finalists.

Clear cards have a very specific way the files need to be made that differ from normal cards, they also use a very specific white printing method. It is imparative that you read the help pages for both to make sure you design your cards correctly!

Creating Clear Cards - The Game Crafter

Printing With White Ink - The Game Crafter

The winner will receive the following:


• $250 of shop credit on thegamecrafter.com.
• Automatic Showcase status for their game on thegamecrafter.com.
• The possibility of judging a future contest.
• Induction into The Game Crafter Hall of Fame.

Semi-finalists, finalists, and the winner will all receive accolades for their achievements.

· Fun!

Is the game fun? Do I think there is someone (if not me) out there who would be dying to put this into their collection?

· Clever use of transparentness

Transparent cards are really rather underutilized in games, and I love surprises and clever twists. Neat and novel uses of the transparent nature of the cards will be of key importance.

· Novelty

I like seeing things that surprise me, turn gaming norms on their heads or just generally make me remember the game above others. It could be a theme I've never seen before, a strange new way to look at a mechanic, funky components, new ways to use a component...Surprise me!

· Rules Clarity

Any game where players have to stop to argue about the rules during game night is a huge buzzkill, I should be able to understand how to play the first time I read the rules, and hopefully no major rules ambiguity should arise where I think it would cause player arguments.

· Fun!

Is the game fun? Do I think there is someone (if not me) out there who would be dying to put this into their collection?

· Clever use of transparentness

Transparent cards are really rather underutilized in games, and I love surprises and clever twists. Neat and novel uses of the transparent nature of the cards will be of key importance.

· Novelty

I like seeing things that surprise me, turn gaming norms on their heads or just generally make me remember the game above others. It could be a theme I've never seen before, a strange new way to look at a mechanic, funky components, new ways to use a component...Surprise me!

· Rules Clarity

Any game where players have to stop to argue about the rules during game night is a huge buzzkill, I should be able to understand how to play the first time I read the rules, and hopefully no major rules ambiguity should arise where I think it would cause player arguments.