Rack and Slay
Billiards Roguelike

Rack and Slay is a roguelike where the player character is a billiard ball. Naturally, combat is not based on stats, but all about physics and spatial relations. Controls are kept intentionally simple, since emergent complexity unfolds via drafting from more than 100 game-changing items. Structurally, the game makes use of the effective "shop → level → shop..." loop: Players make strategic choices between levels and then test them in action immediately.

I designed and programmed the game's prototype on my own until almost all mechanics were in place. Then 2 Left Thumbs joined as a publisher and we quickly brought on Victor Negreiro as an artist and animator to redo the (mostly programmer-style) visuals.

The game launched in May 2024 on Steam to very positive reviews.

Quick Facts

• Online: Steam | Switch

• Publisher: 2 Left Thumbs

• Release: May 27, 2024 (Steam) | August 19, 2024 (Nintendo Switch)

• Platforms: PC (Windows, Linux, macOS), Nintendo Switch

• Technology: Unity (C#), Steam SDK, Spine, Nintendo Switch SDK

• What I did: Game Design, Programming, Creative Direction

Accolades

• "absolutely stellar roguelike with plenty of replayability, a great sense of humour, and a truly unique concept" (The Escapist)

• "a bite-sized, casual, unique and fresh approach to roguelike dungeon crawling" (9/10 - Higher Plain Games)

• "it is quickly becoming one of my most played coffee-break games on Steam" (GamingOnLinux)

• "a bold mashup never seen before [...] unique, fun and easy to grasp" (4/5 - Tiny Gaming)

• "a brilliantly creative combination" (9.5/10 - Writebase)

• "incredibly clever, fast, and easy-to-play" (Gideon's Gaming)

• "a unique and thoroughly enjoyable experience" (8.5/10 - CGC)

• "A terrific roguelike!" (Richard Garfield, creator of Magic: The Gathering)

• The Best Roguelikes of 2024 (Game Wisdom Awards)