The market for analogue games is growing continuously and is expected to become even more relevant in the coming years. Recently, board and card games have evolved significantly, not only in their themes and mechanics but also in their visual design. This thesis examines the central role of design and illustration in analogue games and analyses their influence on gaming experiences, immersion, and purchase decisions.
The competitive card game ‘Cryptid Hunter’ was developed based on comprehensive literature and market research, supplemented by interviews with industry experts and a survey. During the conception and illustration of the game, the focus was on coordinating mechanics and visual design. They should be coordinated in such a way that they support each other to create an easily accessible game that is convincing, both visually and in terms of content. This example shows which design aspects are particularly relevant for analogue games and how an appealing visual design can enrich the gaming experience.