What’s Code of Joker?

Code of Joker is (was) a Trading Card Game from Sega – purveyor of some longstanding and well-loved TCGs.

The scenario is one of the deepest and most engaging I have ever struggled through on Japanese Wikipedia: In the future, something something AI something consciousness. However, something something eternal life something cyber terrorism something. That is until something agents something something. Something something something something something only hope!

Which is where you come in.

Something something trading cards, something something something something something ¥300.

But what's that sign on the top of the cabinet? It says "free to play". Are they giving out free starter decks?! Yes!

Well, no. Well, yes, but the cards are all virtual, stored safely on a Sega server.

But come on! It’s the 21st century! Who needs a “deck” of beautiful, tactile “cards”? Isn’t it so much simpler to have a data profile representing unlocked game assets, accessed with your All.net-compatible integrated chip card or smart device with the latest version of your chosen entertainment pass software installed? Isn’t it More romantic?

Stupid for 2 reasons:

1: Fake computer cards are clearly a waste of time. You're not gaining anything by playing Code of Joker. You're just frittering away your youth for some imaginary collectibles.

2: Fake computer cards, in virtue of being basically exactly the same as actual cardboard cards, make it obvious how pointless REAL cards are, too. Code of Joker proves that TCGs are stupid. It’s then just a short analytical step to realise the futility of life in general.

Way to poop the party, Sega.

Code of Joker thudded into arcades in 2013 and was finally decommissioned in July 2019. Fairly good run – but at what cost to the will of humanity?