
As you may be aware we have been working really hard lately on the next version of our game [BattleTabs](https://mikecann.blog/tags/battletabs).

In an effort to broaden the game's reach for the upcoming mobile release, we decided to invest some time in producing "devlogs".

If you're not familiar with devlogs, they are a popular format on YouTube where developers discuss their past and current progress with a game.

We hope that viewers will find the video entertaining and informative about the game. Ideally, they will subscribe and follow along as the game progresses and future devlogs are released.

With that in mind, we created our first devlog. This one is longer than future ones because I was eager to tell the story up to this point. Watch it and let us know what you think!

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kDlEoLjflGw" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

We were initially hesitant about investing the time (about 5 days) to prepare and create this video, as that's time I could have spent working on the game.

However, we justified the time investment because marketing is an area where none of us on the team are experts. We feel the need to explore every possible avenue to spread the word about the game and attract new users.

Speaking of which, we are taking [BattleTabs to the Perth Pixel Expo](https://www.pixelexpo.org.au/game-devs) this year, where we have a double-wide booth.

[![](./expo.png)](./expo.png)

I'm looking forward to showcasing the game in person to a larger audience, running tournaments, and giving out stickers and t-shirts!

We plan to continue our devlog videos roughly monthly, depending on other commitments and the content we have to show off.

Anyway, let us know what you think in the comments. If there are things we can improve for future videos and, importantly, other communities you think might be interested in this video, we'd love to hear from you!



Its been a while since I have posted about BattleTabs but things most definitely haven't been standing still, so I think its time for an update!

# Background

Just quickly; [BattleTabs](https://battletabs.com/) is the premier game from [Gangbusters](https://www.gangbusters.io/), the company that im a co-founder of.

I have [posted quite a few times in the past](https://mikecann.blog/tags/battletabs) about BattleTabs so checkout those posts for more background on the game and how it works.

# Whats Changed

[![](./update-notes.jpg)](./update-notes.jpg)

Since November last year there have been over 40 updates to the game. Some of the major ones include:

- Rivalry Feature - challenge others to "just one more battle"
- Huge change to the battles architecture allowing for more complex ship-ship interactions
- New content - ships, emotes, etc
- Lots of changes to support Manifest v3 Chrome Extensions
- Added new sound and visual effects
- Added push notifications to the web versions of the game
- Added "Daily Deals" feature to the shop
- AI turn taking for players that go offline
- Board Ping feature
- TONs of bug fixes

In addition to the above we also started working on our long-term strategy for the company.

# Cards & Web3

We strongly believe in the power of community driven games. We think that a game can be good but the community is what makes it great. This is certainly the case for BattleTabs.

Over the almost 3 years of running the game we have amassed over a million downloads, millions of battles played and over 15,000 members on discord. 24 hours a day players on discord discuss the game, create content, share ideas or just generally hang out.

Given this, we started to think how we could empower our community to go further and at the same time develop a strategy that allows us to continue to develop the game and company.

This is where BattleTabs Cards comes in.

From our [community page](https://battletabs.com/battletabs-cards) on the topic:

> BattleTabs Cards are digital collectible cards that you can trade with other players. They will be released in Sets, where each set will feature a particular theme or art style. Every Set will be limited in quantity, and cards will have different rarities.

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LFV1ugBAb1M?playlist=LFV1ugBAb1M&loop=1;rel=0&autoplay=1&controls=0&showinfo=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

> Outside of their intrinsic value in looking amazing cards will also provide unique benefits in BattleTabs and other experiences we have in production. For example, you may craft a special cosmetic item or a ship skin in BattleTabs using a combination of cards, then display or trade the crafted treasure inside your own 3D sandbox! Watch as the newly crafted item comes alive with special animations and behaviours.

[![](./storyboard_c.png)](./storyboard_c.png)

> Additionally, BattleTabs Cards can be freely built-upon without any intervention or restrictions from us. Say you have a fantastic idea for a new game, you can team up with your friends, use the exact same "shared card database" that we use!

[![](./storyboard_a.png)](./storyboard_a.png)

> You could host tournaments with these cards, perhaps charging players a Common card to enter the tournament and setting Rare cards as a reward for the winners.

> Say you have a vast stack of cards saved up and want to give some to helpful members in the community, you can do that with cards!

We think it an exciting direction for the company and community. To kick things off we are running a tournament on [Fractal.is](https://fractal.is).

# Fractal Tournament

Our first card is going to be special. Rather than simply selling or giving them away we thought it would be more fun if we rewarded top players and community members by giving them preferential access.

So every day that the tournament runs (2 weeks), the top 20 players that participate will earn a silver token:

[![](./silver-token.png)](./silver-token.png)

The silver token along with the golden token which we awarded to a selection of of most loyal players will grant free minting rights to the Seed Card.

[![](./gold-token.png)](./gold-token.png)

The tournament starts tomorrow, monday the 15th of August. Head over to [https://www.fractal.is/battletabs/tournaments](https://www.fractal.is/battletabs/tournaments) for all the details!

# Fractal Interview

In preparation we sat down with Justin Kan who co-founded JustinTV (Twitch) and a number of other companies including [Fractal.is](https://Fractal.is) where the tournament is being held.

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nRbUc9N9hGY" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

We talk about the game, the tournament, web3 in general and some future projects. Check it out!

# Conclusion

The past 9 months have been a total rollercoaster of ups and downs (no one ever said running a startup would be easy huh?). The ever-changing funding landscape in particular has been a source of continual headaches.

It does however feel great to wake up each morning and work on something that brings obvious joy to thousands of people daily.

I hope we can continue to grow and improve our game, business and community for many years to come!

BTW: I generated the header image using [Dalle](https://openai.com/dall-e-2/).. so cool :)


Well its been years in the planning and months in the development but the "Big Summer Update" / "Seasons" / V1 update for our game [BattleTabs](https://battletabs.com) is finally out!

This is by far our biggest update yet. We generally don't like making large changes to the game like this, preferring small frequent incremental changes but it was necessary however as there are lots of exciting new overlapping systems and features in this update!



# Progression

For ages now there has been a large missing feature in the game one so obvious it stands as a testament to the [enjoyability and popularity](https://twitter.com/theBrandonWu/status/1458058505072652300) of the game that we were able to get this far without it. That missing feature was progression.

Sure we have had a rudimentary sort of progression via preset fleet unlocks but this was rather crude and players tend to whip through that part of the game:

[![](./preset-fleet-unlocks.png)](./preset-fleet-unlocks.png)

The new update however brings a whole new dimension to progression in the game. Players now earn XP for various actions during a battle which contributes to their season level.

[![](./game-over-modal.png)](./game-over-modal.png)

# Season

Seasons are a feature common to Free-2-Play games and exist as a mechanism to keep the game feeling fresh as the developer continually works on new content. The season is periodically (every few months) refreshed and the player's level resets. This gives new players to the game a way to enter the game without feeling like they will never catch up with the players that joined before them.

The XP earned contributes to their season level:

[![](./progress-scroller-1.png)](./progress-scroller-1.png)

Each level the player can claim various rewards:

[![](./reward1.png)](./reward1.png)

There a lots of different kinds of rewards: Avatar Cosmetics, Custom Emotes, Ship Blueprints, Gold, Gems etc

There are 60 levels and two "tiers" of rewards. Theres the free tier, that anyone can claim rewards from, then there is the premium "Battle Pass" tier:

[![](./bp-modal.png)](./bp-modal.png)

The Battle Pass costs 2000 gold to unlock (1000 with Battle Club, our subscription product) and gives the player 2x XP rewards and substantially better rewards. Battle Pass also resets at the end of each season.

The player can grind enough gold during the free tier to unlock the Battle Pass for free eventually but they will loose all the double XP bonus they could have achieved along the way if they do that, so we are hoping this will be a strong incentive to visit our new Shop.

# Shop

[![](./shop1.png)](./shop1.png)

Another common Free-2-Play mechanic that this update brings is In App Purchases (IAP) via the Shop. The player can spend fiat on in game currency in the form of Gold and Gems.

Gold can be used to unlock the Battle Pass but Gold and Gems can also be used to rent and buy ships.

# Ship Blueprints

Ships are the core game play feature for the game and can be thought of as cards in a traditional Collectable Card Game (CCG). You collect Ships (Cards) and combine them together in Fleets (Decks) and fight other players.

This update brings the concept of "Ship Blueprints" to game.

[![](./blueprint-states.jpg)](./blueprint-states.jpg)

The player can "discover" blueprints during the season then rent the ship for a few days for some gold. Once rented the ship can be used in a fleet. If it expires it can no longer be used and will have to be rented again. If the player get tired of renting a ship they can alternatively buy it outright with some gems. Once bought / owned they will never have to rent it again.

This Ship Rental concept gives the player something to spend their gold on and forces them into some interesting cost / benefit choices as they play.

# Content

The update is jam-packed with new content including:

- 6 New Ships
- 29 New Avatar Cosmetics
- 24 New Emotes
- 5 New Medals

The key is; once the season is over this content will no longer be unlockable. This incentives players to unlock everything before the season ends (FOMO). We may bring back some of the rewards in the future in the shop or through other rewarding mechanisms.

# Gangbusters

[![](./logo_full.png)](./logo_full.png)

This update brings a name-change for the company.

[3 years ago](https://mikecann.blog/posts/farewell-bamboo-hello-markd) Brandon and I started working on a SaaS product called "Markd.co" and so we named the company "Markd Ltd".

Some time later we decided to pivot the company and focus on BattleTabs. For for some time now we have felt that the name no longer suits what we are doing and have been searching for a new name.

We traded different ideas until we hit on "Gangbusters". We like it as it hints at excitement, growth and energy, all things we want to instil in the company.

"Gangbusters" as a word also has some utility as it can be split into "Gang" and "Busters" so employees or fans of the company could be called "Gang Members" or perhaps "Busters". Its also a word in common parlance that hasnt been taken, which helps :P

# Conclusion

I hope this post has given you a little taste of this update. We have worked really hard on it and I am personally quite proud of the results. We are due to be featured on the GooglePlay ChromeOS store soon and the hope is this will increase the number of users and excitement around the game significantly.

If you are in interested in checking out out head over to [https://battletabs.io/](https://battletabs.io/) and get started. Ill see you there!

Day[9] is a Starcraft2 commentator and a professional gamer (among other things). I have been following him for sometime watching his 'casts' of games. He just posted this video on Youtube (although its an old episode), its an incredibly moving tale of his journey through gaming to becoming one of the top players in the world. More than that he relates it to how his family have supported him through his passion and giving him belief to do what he loves.



If you enjoy gaming or know someone that enjoys gaming I cant encourage you enough to watch this video. Its quite long but I strongly encourage you stick with it till the end!

<iframe width="100%" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NJztfsXKcPQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

If you liked Day[9]'s quirky style of humor of  or are interested in watching some more of his casts you should checkout either his [Youtube ](https://www.youtube.com/user/day9tv)channel or his [BlipTV archive](https://www.youtube.com/user/day9tv).