Trading Card Inspector, a simulation game about working as a card inspection officer

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If you have ever dreamed of sitting down and carefully evaluating trading cards in a serious, structured way, then Trading Card Inspector might be the perfect game for you. The latest indie title from developer Daydream Gallery, published by Catoptric Games, officially launched on Steam on June 6, 2026.

Trading Card Inspector (image source: Steam)
Trading Card Inspector (image source: Steam)

Inspection and quality control gameplay

In Trading Card Inspector, players take on the role of a new quality control inspector for the wildly popular Habubis Trading Card Game. Your daily task is to review dozens of hand-drawn cards and identify production errors and inconsistencies.

Players must rely on guideline notes, errata memos, reference lists, and their own judgment to determine whether a card is valid or invalid. You are then responsible for assigning the correct value to valid cards while disposing of invalid ones using a shredder. As you progress, you will climb the corporate ladder and face increasingly complex challenges that distort perception and test your attention to detail.

Carefully inspect each card to detect any errors (image source: Steam)
Carefully inspect each card to detect any errors (image source: Steam)

Game modes and key features

The game offers two main modes for different play styles:

  • Story mode: Players perform inspection duties while uncovering mysteries within Habubis Corporation, revealing a narrative involving friendship, corporate espionage, and a murder case.
  • Endless mode: A limitless challenge mode where players continue working until their run ends. As you progress through story mode, new gameplay modifiers are unlocked for this mode. Each modifier increases difficulty but also raises earnings per successfully evaluated card, allowing players to earn currency for the Habubis Company Store.
Each card carries its own unique story (image source: Steam)
Each card carries its own unique story (image source: Steam)

The game features over 160 unique hand-drawn cards to unlock. Each card comes with its own background story, which can be reviewed in the card gallery. The character Plarbo also makes an appearance in the game.

Visual style and workspace customization

Trading Card Inspector features a distinctive 1-bit visual style with extensive customization options to keep the experience engaging. The game includes 40 unlockable color palettes, 20 desk surface patterns, and various playful desk widgets, allowing players to personalize their workspace within corporate regulations.