Cardboard Town
Released Aug 2023
Cardboard Town is a city-building card game. Manage your resources, obtain upgrades, draw your cards and thrive! Random events, quest cards, and game modes make each run different.
79% positive · 2,314 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
Medium confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
Medium confidence
Where to buy
Steam $19.99
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Evaluation
Cardboard Town launched into Early Access on April 12, 2023 and reached its 1.0 release on August 18, 2023. Since launch, the developer (Stratera Games) has delivered a steady stream of content updates, including the Industry Update (June 2023), the 1.0 launch content, the v1.1.0 Crisis Cards and PoV Mode update (November 2023), the v1.2.0 Sandbox Mode update (December 2023), the v1.2.6 Leaderboards update (March 2024), and the v1.3 Tourism Update on May 4, 2024 — which was explicitly described as the "biggest and final content update" with no major content planned thereafter.
Despite that declaration, the developer returned in November 2024 (v1.3.2) with new cards, acknowledging they had said updates were over but were drawn back by community enthusiasm. Then in March 2025, they announced yet another "final" update — the Booster Pack Update — citing 100,000 downloads as the reason for returning. That update shipped on June 7, 2025 as v1.4.0, bringing 4 booster packs, new buildings, and new action cards.
The developer's March 2025 post characterized the Booster Pack Update as their "next (and maybe really final this time?)" update — a self-aware acknowledgement of their pattern of returning for one more round. However, no further updates have been announced since the June 7, 2025 release, and the developer has repeatedly characterized updates as complete. The June 7, 2025 v1.4.0 post also contained a note that "if you like the concept, we can add more booster packs in the future" — but this is a vague, community-dependent possibility rather than a concrete commitment.
Given the repeated pattern of the developer announcing completion and then returning, some uncertainty remains. However, there are no announced or unreleased DLC, no roadmap, and no concrete commitment to future content. The most recent developer communication was the June 7, 2025 v1.4.0 post, and as of June 21, 2026 — over a year later — there has been no further update or announcement. The developer has a track record of quiet periods followed by surprise returns, but the silence since June 2025 combined with the "really final this time" framing from March 2025 and no new announcements suggests the game has reached its content endpoint.
Evidence
v1.4.0 Booster Pack Update ships with 4 booster packs, 2 new buildings, and 2 new action cards. Post notes 'if you like the concept, we can add more booster packs in the future' but makes no concrete commitment.
Developer celebrates 100,000 downloads and announces the Booster Pack Update, calling it their 'next (and maybe really final this time?)' update. Acknowledges they keep saying the game is complete but keep returning due to community support.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Rogue Duck Interactive
Achievements
20
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player
About this game
Cardboard Town is a city-building card game where you manage resources, upgrade buildings, and navigate random events to build the ultimate tabletop metropolis.
Cardboard Town has a charmingly aesthetic and hand-drawn art style, but you aren't just mindlessly placing buildings to make a pretty skyline; you are actively managing a complex economy where every decision matters. Every card you play impacts your delicate balance of Water, Electricity, and Safety.
Build your cardboard empire today!
Cardboard Town has a charmingly aesthetic and hand-drawn art style, but you aren't just mindlessly placing buildings to make a pretty skyline; you are actively managing a complex economy where every decision matters. Every card you play impacts your delicate balance of Water, Electricity, and Safety.
⚡ The Gameplay Loop
- Draw Your Hand: Each turn gives you new options. Will you expand your residential district or upgrade your power grid?
- Manage Your Stats: Keep an eye on your Money, Electricity, Water, Environment, and Safety. If your population grows too fast without the infrastructure to support it, things get messy.
- Survive the Chaos: Random disasters and events will test your planning. Do you have the Action Cards to save the day?
- Unlock & Upgrade: Earn persistent rewards after every run to beef up your deck for the next attempt.
🃏 A Massive Deck of Possibilities
With over 300+ Building, Action, Quest cards, Festivals, and Upgrades, the combinations are endless. You might build an eco-friendly green paradise in one run, and an industrial powerhouse in the next.- Various building cards to build your city from the ground up
- Action cards to take care of random events and adjust your cards
- Quest cards to complete and make your people happy
- Road cards to make cars go wroom wroom
🚨 Three Strikes, You're Out!
The stakes are real. Failing to manage your stats or resolve disasters results in a Red Alert. Accumulate three Red Alerts, and it’s Game Over. Can you beat your high score before the city folds?🏙️ Roguelite Fun
With different upgrades, random festivals, disasters, and quests; each run is different! Try to beat your high score each time and unlock even more random stuff such as new building cards, festivals, cosmetics and even resources!Build your cardboard empire today!
Last evaluated Jun 21, 2026
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