The type of game I have in mind is something like the Arkham file series: Arkham horror, elder sign, eldritch horror, etc.
In those games, you have tons of cards and sometime tiles to represent items, spells, monsters, characters, events, scenarios, conditions, etc.
It has the consequence of requiring a lot of components. Expanding the game also requires lot of material. If players want to make their own material, it's very hard to mix those new homemade cards and tiles to the original game.
So I came up with an idea to turn the game inside out to solve those problems. The only game so far I have seem something similar is "Space Infantry".
The idea is that you use generic components, like piece pack. The unique stuff is on a reference sheet. For example, instead of having monster tiles with stats on the tiles. The tiles hold monster types. A reference sheet will contain all monsters in this scenario for each type. You look at the matching monster type on the sheet to know what you are fighting.
Characters could also be sheets with assets and conditions directly on the sheet. So instead of shopping for let say a weapon. The weapon is already on the character sheet, the player just needs to unlock the item on his sheet or put some ammo tokens over it. No need to hope drawing a weapon from an item deck.
The goal is to be able to easily swap sheets to change the behavior of the game without requiring new components.
It also reduces the impact of randomness of the card during certain activities like shopping.
Also if players want to make new monsters, characters, boss, scenario, etc. They can simply print a 8-1/2x11 sheet with all the information and they are up and running. No cutting, mounting or sleeving. Building prototype should be easier too since all components are generic.
That could be a way to keep components low while offering a lot of variety. There is just one big drawback to this system: Cross referencing. You need to cross reference information all the time which could be annoying.
Tell me what you think?
Do you know other games that does this?
Card randomization is actually a problem, it makes it more complicated to predict and calculate probabilities especially in games with complex card manipulation. Also, there is an high chance that you get a card that you do not need.
Instead, if you want a machine gun, you just need to go to some specific areas in the city. You are more likely to get only the stuff you need. There should be more strategy. You will also get the items designed for your character's skills. You can see character equipment like a locked feat or ability that is unlocked when going to a shop.
Since there is no assignment of a card to a location or a character, most "cards" in this case would be preassigned. For example, my character can use hand guns and fireball spell, its directly on his sheet. Else tokens will be used to localize a game element.