Ember Jack

Vasilis Bellos
/
Ember Jack
on 8 Nov 2026
1
11
2
0
9944
game.m
function g=game
% Ember Jack
% A one-button, push-your-luck dungeon card duel
g.init=@I;
g.update=@U;
g.render=@R;
end

function s=I(a)
% Create the graphics objects and decode the pixel artwork
% Keep as UTF-8 to preserve the Unicode artwork data
a.XLim=[0 400];a.YLim=[0 300];a.YDir='r'; % Pixel coordinates increase downward
% Ink, stone, violet, wood, bronze, parchment, cream, red, rose,
% orange, gold, mint, teal, blue, white, deep green
s.p=reshape('与丛丫乀乨亹仫五仫仠仿亓丱乒仿丗不丘严丫乂亅仍丰乢乳仂仜乩乼仯丵丘丧丷丱临乏亗乂乧丷乒亭乮亝仆丹'-19968,16,3)/255;
colormap(a,s.p);
s.g=image(a,[.5 399.5],[.5 299.5],0);
% Each row of a 5-by-7 glyph is packed into one integer
f=reshape(mod(floor(('㦎絞㳮竎胎䛟䗮䜰㳎绾䜱缱ԀĄȂ䚑䇁䔰䜱䌱䜰䥄桰䜱጑䜱ܱऄĄ善֓䉁䕐䜱䌰䜐兄垰䜱጑䜱੊ऄӤ㥈ক筎㦞糯笰翾慄侰䣑ዞ圱ᆄᓿĄ絈ᆙ࣡䘑䜡䌰䜰卄䜰圑ᄴ圱↊℄Ӥ㥈↑Ձ䘑䜡䌱䜰䭄䜰䬑ᄲ噑䆑℄ᄀ善绎神㨎笮胎䛰䚎䜿㜎ᓑ⦎綑䄀ᄄȂ'-256)./32.^(0:2)'),32),45,7);
s.f=permute(mod(floor(f./reshape(2.^(4:-1:0),1,1,5)),2),[2 3 1]);
s.f(7,6,46)=0;
s.a=['0':'9' 'A':'Z' '+-/!=.()*'];
% Mirrored half sprites: grave knight, bat, and crowned ember king
r=reshape(mod(floor(('ĀĀгĀаࡷĀࡳࡷЀࡷࡷ࠰ɷࡱ࠰ɷࡱ࠰ࡷࡷЀࡷȑĀࡳࡷĀаࡷЀггаз࠳࠰з࠳࠰ггЀггЀų࠰Ѐų࠰ЀĳаĀĀऀƀĀঀঀĀঀঀĈঈঀƈঈঀঈঈঀ࢈ࡷঀࡸࠑऀࡸࠑĀࡸࡷĀࢀࡷĀऀঈĀऀঈĀঀঀĀƀऀĀĀĀĀĀĀĀĀĀĀċఀĀƻರĀ಻಻Ā಻಻ĀٕٕĀঈঈऀঈঈঀȘঈঀȘঈঀঈঈऀࡸࡷĀࡸࡷĀঀঈĀঈঈऀڈঈऀڈঈĀڈঈĀঈঈ'-256)./16.^(0:2)'),16),9,18,3);
s.r=cell(1,3);
for k=1:3
    z=r(:,:,k)';
    s.r{k}=[z fliplr(z)];
end
s.u=mod(floor(reshape('ĶſſľĜĈĀĈĜľſľĜĈĈĜľſſĪĈĜĜūſſĈĜ'-256,7,1,4)./2.^(6:-1:0)),2);
% Modes: title 0, active hand 1, hand resolution 2, game over 3
[s.b,s.t]=deal(0);s=Z(s);s.m=0;
set(findobj(a,'-not','Type','axes'),HitTest='off',PickableParts='none');
end

function s=Z(s)
% Reset a run, keeping the session record and all graphics
s.hp=24;s.l=1;[s.q,s.k,s.j]=deal(0);
s=H(E(s));s.m=1;[s.w,s.fx]=deal(0);s.M='';
end

function s=E(s)
% Every third floor is a boss; retaliation damage is capped at 10
s.e=30+7*s.l+16*~mod(s.l,3);
s.v=s.e;s.d=min(10,3+ceil(s.l/2));
end

function s=H(s)
% Shuffle A and 2-10 in four suits; draw without replacement within this hand
s.o=randperm(40);s.c=s.o(1:4);s.i=5;
[s.h,s.z,s.x,s.N,s.C]=deal(0);s.n=zeros(1,12);
s.T=max(12,18-.5*s.l);s.L=s.T;
end

function s=U(s,d,p)
% All rules and animation clocks live in value state
s.t=s.t+d;s.fx=max(0,s.fx-d);s.w=max(0,s.w-d);
if ~mod(s.m,3)
    s.C=mod(s.C+d/.75,5);
    if p && ~s.w,s=Z(s);end
    return
end
if s.m==2
    if s.w>0,return,end
    % Life is clamped to zero, never negative
    if ~s.hp,s.m=3;s.w=.6;return,end
    if s.v<=0
        s.l=s.l+1;s=E(s);
    end
    s=H(s);s.m=1;return
end
if s.w>0,return,end
% Select the slot displayed last frame, before advancing the cursor
j=floor(s.C)+1;
if p && (j<5 || s.h>0)
    if j==5
        s=A(s,false);
    else
        c=s.c(j);u=ceil(c/10);
        s.h=D(s,c);s.N=s.N+1;s.n(s.N)=c;
        s.z=s.z+3*(s.x==u);s.x=u;
        s.c(j)=s.o(s.i);s.i=s.i+1;
        s.C=mod(j,5);s.fx=.3;s.w=.2;
        if s.h>=21,s=A(s,s.h>21);end
    end
    return
end
% Cursor speed increases with the floor, capped at one slot per 0.6 seconds
s.C=mod(s.C+d/max(.6,.76-.012*s.l),5);
s.T=max(0,s.T-d);
if ~s.T,s=A(s,false);end
end

function h=D(s,c)
% Best non-busting total, or the lowest bust; shared by play and previews
% Aces count as 1 or 11: A+6=17, A+6+6=13, and A+A+9=21
% c holds candidate card IDs: one for a draw, or a row for the card previews
v=mod(s.n(1:s.N)-1,10)+1;c=mod(c-1,10)+1;
h=sum(v)+c;h=h+10*((any(v==1)|c==1)&h<12);
end

function s=A(s,c)
% Settle the entire hand once, then leave time to read the result
j=s.h==21;
d=(s.h+s.z)*(1+j)*~c;
s.v=max(0,s.v-d);
k=~s.v;
h=s.d*~k+2*c;
b=2*j+3*k;
s.hp=min(24,max(0,s.hp-h+b));
s.q=s.q+d+25*k;
s.k=s.k+k;s.j=s.j+j;
s.b=max(s.b,s.q);
s.M=sprintf('HIT %d  /  HURT %d',d,h);
if c,s.M='BUST! YOUR HAND BURNS';end
if j,s.M='EMBER JACK! DOUBLE DAMAGE';end
if k,s.M=[s.M '  CLEAR'];end
s.m=2;[s.w,s.fx]=deal(1.25);
end

function R(~,s)
% Rasterize a deterministic 400-by-300 scene into one pooled image
% Local read-only aliases and an early return save overlay indentation
F=@sprintf;J=s.m;H=s.h;V=split('A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10');G=@round;
O=[D(s,s.c) 0];
% Hand points remain separate from damage bonuses and the perfect multiplier
i=F('%d+%d',H,s.z);
if H==21,i=['(' i ')*2'];end
if H>21,i='BUST';end
p=(H+s.z)*(1+(H==21))*(H<=21);
B=ones(300,400);
% Stonework, recessed arch, carpet and gilded table
Q(0,0,400,184,2);
for y=22:18:166
    for x=-20:40:400
        Q(x+20*mod(y/18,2),y,37,16,3);
    end
end
for q=reshape('于亖亞享亚仳亹仄亹一一上与丑且且东且与上丛丛丞丞串乷乷亸亴亷人伒乴乤乔为七七丞丆丞侐侐佼佴佮佨佨乚乢乨乬乐乐中中丄丿七乥乥也乚丂丁丁丁丁丄丄不丂丂丐不丄丆丅丐不'-19968,[],5)'
    Q(q(1),q(2),q(3),q(4),q(5));
end
% Candle sconces and rising embers, using no random draws in render
for x=[44 350]
    for q=reshape('䷴䷶䷼一䷾丯丱乐丿丸丝丙不丅三丰丫丄丒三丄丂丆万上'-19968,[],5)'
        Q(x+q(1),q(2),q(3),q(4),q(5));
    end
    Q(x,52+mod(floor(s.t*7),3),5,12,11);
    Q(x+1,58,3,7,15);
end
for k=1:15
    x=mod(k*73,370)+15;y=110-mod(k*17+s.t*(6+mod(k,4)),95);
    Q(x,y,1+mod(k,2),2,5+5*(mod(k,3)==0));
end
% Scene HUD and enemy portrait
T('EMBER JACK',200,7,1,11);
T(F('FLOOR %02d',s.l),53,9,1,7);
T(F('BEST  %05d',s.b),341,9,1,7);
if mod(J,3)>0
    e=1+mod(s.l-1,3);
    b=G(3*sin(s.t*65)*min(s.fx,1))*(J==2 & p>0);
    S(s.r{e},173+b,49+G(2*sin(s.t*3)),3);
    a={'GRAVE KNIGHT','VELVET BAT','THE EMBER KING'};
    T(a{e},200,27,1,7);
    Q(156,107,88,5,1);Q(157,108,86*s.v/s.e,3,8);
    T(F('%d/%d',s.v,s.e),200,115,1,7);
    T(F('RETALIATES %d',s.d),315,104,1,9);
    T(F('LIFE %d/24',s.hp),64,104,1,12);
    Q(27,115,74,4,1);Q(28,116,72*s.hp/24,2,12);
    T('YOUR HAND',200,132,1,7);
    T(F('%02d',H),200,142,3,15);
    T('/21',248,152,1,6);
    T(F('+%d SUIT',s.z),320,142,1,11);
    T(F('DMG %d',p),320,155,1,7);
    % Miniature hand history keeps the previous suit visible
    for k=1:s.N
        x=26+12*(k-1);c=s.n(k);u=ceil(c/10);
        Q(x,140,10,20,7);T(V{mod(c-1,10)+1},x+5,143,1,1);
        S(s.u(:,:,u)*(8+5*(u>2)),x+2,154,1);
    end
    Q(24,172,352,3,2);Q(24,172,352*s.T/s.L,3,10+(s.T>5));
    T(F('AUTO STRIKE %d',ceil(s.T)),200,164,1,6);
end
% Four draft cards and STRIKE. The active slot is raised and has a countdown.
j=floor(s.C)+1;
for k=1:5
    x=24+(k-1)*71;y=194-5*(j==k && J~=2);
    c=s.c(min(k,4));v=mod(c-1,10)+1;
    for q=reshape('七一丂丅丆丄一丂丅丆乂乁丽丷丵乆久乁主丹丁丆万丆万'-19968,[],5)'
        % Mark a projected 21 in gold and an unavoidable bust in muted red
        b=q(5)+(q(1)==5 && k<5 && O(k)>=21)*(2+3*(O(k)==21));
        Q(x+q(1),y+q(2),q(3),q(4),b);
    end
    if k==j
        for q=reshape('䷾䷾䷾乁䷾久一一久久丂丂丂丂久久下下下下'-19968,[],5)'
            Q(x+q(1),y+q(2),q(3),q(4),q(5));
        end
        Q(x,y-6,65*(1-mod(s.C,1)),2,11);
    end
    if k<5
        u=ceil(c/10);d=8+5*(u>2);
        T(V{v},x+13,y+8,1,d);
        S(s.u(:,:,u)*d,x+22,y+23,3);
        T(V{v},x+53,y+54,1,d);
    else
        % Packed x/y offsets, width, height and color for four sword rectangles
        for q=reshape('丄丞丕丞丄丈丠两丹丅丗丅丽东丄丈七丏下丆'-19968,[],5)'
            Q(x+q(1),y+q(2),q(3),q(4),q(5));
        end
        T('STRIKE',x+33,y+49,1,11);
        T(i,x+33,y+58,1,7);
    end
end
if j<5
    h=F('NEXT %d',O(j));
    if O(j)>21,h=[h '  BUST!'];end
    if O(j)==21,h=[h '  EMBER JACK!'];end
else
    h=F('%s = %d DAMAGE',i,p);
end
T(h,200,281,1,15);
T('SAME SUIT +3 / EXACT 21 DOUBLE HIT +2 LIFE',200,291,1,6);
% Confirm a non-ending pick; hit sparks depend only on the state's effect clock
if s.fx>0 && J==1
    T('CARD TAKEN',74,164,1,11);
end
if J==2
    Q(17,128,366,43,1);T(s.M,200,137,1,11);
    T(F('LIFE %d  /  GOLD %d',s.hp,s.q),200,153,1,7);
    for k=1:18*(p>0)
        r=(1.25-s.fx)*55;z=k*2.4;
        Q(200+cos(z)*r,75+sin(z)*r,3,3,10+mod(k,2));
    end
end
if mod(J,3)>0,s.g.CData=B;return,end
for q=reshape('久乇义丟両丣伆伂仾五亐二丁丆丂'-19968,[],5)'
    Q(q(1),q(2),q(3),q(4),q(5));
end
for x=[77 318]
    Q(x,39,5,5,11);Q(x,165,5,5,11);
end
if J==0
    T('EMBER',202,47,4,8);T('EMBER',200,45,4,11);
    T('JACK',202,81,4,8);T('JACK',200,79,4,7);
    T('HIT 21. DEAL DAMAGE. BREAK THE DUNGEON.',200,116,1,11);
    T('TAP TO DRAW. STRIKE TO CASH IN.',200,132,1,7);
    T('ACES 1/11. OVER 21 BURNS.',200,143,1,7);
    T('PRESS SPACE OR CLICK TO DEAL',200,161,1,12);
else
    T('FIRE OUT',200,49,3,9);
    T(F('%d GOLD',s.q),200,83,2,11);
    T(F('%d FOES  /  %d PERFECT HANDS',s.k,s.j),200,109,1,7);
    T(F('BEST %d',s.b),200,127,1,11);
    T('PRESS SPACE OR CLICK TO RETRY',200,156,1,12);
end
s.g.CData=B;

    function Q(x,y,w,h,c)
        % Clipped integer rectangles are the rasterizer's only primitive
        B(max(1,G(y)+1):min(300,G(y+h)),max(1,G(x)+1):min(400,G(x+w)))=c;
    end
    function S(z,x,y,n)
        % Stamp indexed sprite pixels; zero is transparent
        z=kron(z,ones(n));[hh,w]=size(z);
        x=G(x)+(1:w);y=G(y)+(1:hh);
        X=x>0 & x<=400;Y=y>0 & y<=300;
        z=z(Y,X);P=B(y(Y),x(X));m=z>0;P(m)=z(m);
        B(y(Y),x(X))=P;
    end
    function T(v,x,y,n,c)
        % Center bitmap text directly in the indexed pixel canvas
        x=G(x-(6*numel(v)-1)*n/2);
        [~,id]=ismember(v,s.a);id(id==0)=46;
        S(reshape(s.f(:,:,id),7,[])*c,x,y,n);
    end
end
Play Game
Preview

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