Factsheet

Developer: Thumb Cramp, based in Gießen, Germany

Release date: TBD

Regular Price: TBD

Plattform: PC

Website: thumbcramp.com

Press / Business Concact: info@thumbcramp.com

Social: https://twitter.com/ThumbTanks/

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Description

Thumb Tanks is an exciting split-screen game that allows up to four players to compete against each other in pure PVP battles. This game is designed to test your skills and annoy your friends, all while receiving awards for your accomplishments.

The game features easy-to-learn basic mechanics that you can pick up in less than five minutes. However, it also provides upgrades, special talents, and secret weapons that add more depth to the gameplay for experienced players. These elements make the game fun for everyone, regardless of their level of expertise. In addition, Thumb Tanks comes in a retro comic style that adds to the game’s overall charm.

One of the game’s unique features is the multiple mechanisms that aim to level the playing field. For instance, tank upgrades are drafted by players along the current standings, with the last player selecting first. This system ensures that all players have a fair chance to upgrade their tanks and compete on an even playing field. Furthermore, the additional rank system allows players of multiple skill levels to play together by adding a handicap to the better players.

HISTORY

Nothing spectacular, to be honest. I have been programming for more than 25 years. I made two games back in 1998 when I didn’t know what I was doing in regards to coding. Imagine one single file with hundreds of GOTO statements. Functions back then were way over my head. I was 14, and the language was QBasic, so give me a break, will you? The first one was a text-based racing management „sim.“ The second one was a black and white stick figure „adventure“ in my hometown, where you had to get 1000 bucks to buy some shoes so your peers wouldn’t make fun of you (yes, it was a bit satirical). (Un)fortunately, all builds and sources are gone (or on some floppy disk in the basement).

Since then, I have made a couple of, let’s say, prototypes. Nothing wild and nothing that could ever be considered complete by any means. Then, six years ago, I started a top-down PVP tank shooter in XNA, and later in Monogame, but stopped working on it after a couple of months.

Then, finally, in 2022, after rage-quitting Hunt: Showdown, I decided to have better things to do and picked this project up again. Or rather, start it all over again. Once again, no old source was to be found anywhere. So what you now see is this game, my second attempt at this idea.

Not really spectacular, is it? See, I told you.

FEATUREs

• Local split-screen player versus player (PVP) for two to four players, with support for Steam remote play together.
• Easy to learn: Anyone can understand the main gameplay loop and mechanics by watching a single round.
• Comes with a fixed map and a procedurally generated island map, ensuring that no two rounds are the same.
• Offers enough depth for experienced players due to dozens of combinations of weapons, talents, and power-ups.
• Features vintage and comic-oriented graphics style.
• Includes a total of 8 tanks, each with its own special weapon, as well as 15+ talents, 20+ power-ups, and 20+ medals.
• A classic PVP party game where you compete against your friends and they immediately ask for a rematch.

ALTERNATIVE DESCRIPTION

Thumb Tanks is a 2D top-down tank game that incorporates classic gameplay mechanics, such as players driving and shooting at each other. However, Thumb Tanks adds depth to the gameplay by allowing players to repair their tanks and deploy mines to annoy their opponents. Players can select one of eight tanks, each with its own exclusive special skill, such as a defensive shield, cloaking device, or self-attacking support drone. Additionally, players can choose from more than a dozen talents that provide an advantage in certain situations. Combined with over twenty potential power-ups awarded at the end of each round, this offers immense depth for players to discover their personal special combo of weapons, talents, and power-ups.

The scoring system is designed to keep games exciting. While eliminating opponents is the main goal of the game, the system also awards certain playstyles and in-round achievements. Therefore, players with fewer kills can still stay in the hunt for first place. After each round, multiple awards are given to ensure that every player can score.

In addition to its exciting gameplay, Thumb Tanks is easy to learn and includes mechanisms to ensure matches are always exciting. Even players with differing levels of skill can play against each other, thanks to the simple yet effective rank system. This means anyone can pick up a gamepad and start having fun right away.

TRAILER

SCREENSHOTS

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ARTWORK / LOGOS

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