The Making of OMG – A Solo Creator’s Journey

Hey there! If you’re reading this, you’re likely one of the first to stumble upon this blog, and that’s exciting because this part of the website isn’t public yet. It feels a bit like writing in a journal that no one will see until everything is ready to launch. But that’s kind of fitting, considering how personal this project is to me.

A One-Man Show

Old Mana Game is, for the most part, a solo endeavor. I’m handling everything myself: designing the cards, building the website, crafting the story, and creating the visuals in Photoshop. It’s a labor of love that pulls together all the things I’ve been passionate about for years. That said, I do have a close friend who’s been a huge help during the Playtesting phase, providing critical feedback and ideas to make the game even better. But outside of that, it’s been me, my computer, and countless hours of creating and tweaking.

A Bit About Me

I’m INDI, a 35-year-old creator from the north of Germany. I’ve been pouring my heart into this project for over half a year now, and it has completely taken over my days (and nights!). What started as a hobby has quickly become something much bigger, giving me an unexpected boost of energy and excitement. I often find myself wishing there were more hours in the day to keep working on this game because it’s become such a source of joy for me.

The Creative Process and Embracing AI

I’ve always been drawn to the act of creating — whether it’s designing visuals in Photoshop, building immersive websites, or writing stories that bring fantasy worlds to life. The blend of storytelling and design is where I feel most at home. I’ve loved fantasy genres since I can remember, from role-playing games filled with orcs, elves, and dwarves to classic tales where you get to step into the shoes of a hero (or in our case, a Champion). The idea of merging all these elements into a card game has been a dream project for me, and I’ve been pouring everything I have into it.

Using AI for the art in Old Mana Game was a conscious choice. I know there’s a lot of criticism surrounding AI-generated art, but for me, it’s a tool that enhances my creative process rather than replacing it. It’s not just a matter of pressing a button and getting the final image — there’s a lot of iteration, tweaking, and refining involved to get the visuals just right. I’m proud of the work that’s come from this process, and I feel that it captures the vision I have for the game. It’s a modern approach that allows me to push the boundaries of what a one-man project can achieve.

From Crypto Dreams to Physical Play

Originally, Old Mana Game was envisioned as a crypto-based project, where every card would be an NFT. However, during the Playtesting phase, using real proxies and prototype cards, I quickly realized how much more fun it was to play the game physically and interact with people in real life. The countless hours spent in Playtesting sessions brought so much joy and energy that I decided to focus on creating a traditional TCG first. There are definitely plans for a digital version in the future, but it’s not the right time to dive into those details just yet.

Looking Ahead

Right now, everything you see here is still behind the curtain. The website isn’t live yet, and this blog is just a small peek into what’s been happening behind the scenes. It’s a bit of a nerve-wracking process, knowing that one day this will be out there for everyone to see. But I’m incredibly excited about what’s to come. This is a passion project in every sense of the word, built from the ground up with love for the craft and a genuine desire to create something unique.

I can’t wait to share more as we get closer to launch. If you’re here early, thank you for being a part of this journey from the start. Let’s see where this adventure takes us!