paperclip-collector
Nibs’ Paperclip Collector is a Java game about a raccoon collecting paperclips around a cluttered office desk, built from scratch with a focus on gameplay and game logic.
- Repository
- AidenCarrera/paperclip-collector
- Created
- October 23, 2025
Highlights
- Built a lightweight desktop game directly with Java Swing and AWT.
- Implemented a delta-time game loop, custom rendering, and mouse input handling.
- Created paperclip spawning, collection, upgrades, and endless progression systems.
- Stores settings and player progress through a JSON-based save system.
- Supports configurable resolution, scaling, and paperclip size without an external engine.
Nibs’ Paperclip Collector is a Java desktop incremental game where a raccoon explores an office and collects scattered paperclips. Inspired by games like Cookies Inc., the game centers on a simple progression loop: collect paperclips, buy upgrades, and steadily increase how many paperclips you can earn.
Players drag across paperclips to collect them, then purchase upgrades that increase their value and spawn rate. Progression builds toward increasingly valuable upgrades, including a golden paperclip, before continuing into endless scaling after the main goals are reached.
The game was built from scratch with Swing and AWT rather than an external engine. It features delta-based frame timing, custom rendering and mouse input, configurable resolution and scaling, a Jackson-backed JSON save system for player progress and settings, and an original custom soundtrack.