Blaseball

Blaseball is an online browser baseball simulation horror game[1] developed by The Game Band. It was released on 20 July 2020.[2]

Blaseball
Developer(s)The Game Band
Designer(s)
  • Sam Rosenthal
  • Joel Clark
  • Stephen Bell
Platform(s)Browser
Release20 July 2020
Genre(s)Simulation, horror
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Gameplay

Blaseball centers on an absurdist simulation of baseball,[3] with random events such as the "incineration" of players by "rogue umpires"[4] with fictional team names such as the Kansas City Breath Mints and the Philly Pies. After the first log-in, the players can choose a team and are given some coins.[5] The game allows the players to bet on the outcome of the simulated games by using an in-game currency.[6][7] Each season lasts a week, and the players are able to follow what happens in real time. The matches are organized every day on the hour, while the post-season happens in two parts with wild card matches and quarterfinals happening on Friday and semifinals and finals happening on Saturday. Each team member has a name and a star rating, which is used to determine their stats.[8] Users are able to use their in-game currency to vote on events and rule changes that will happen after each season on Sunday.[9]


Development

Sam Rosenthal, the creative director of The Game Band, spent some time on video conference calls during a quarantine caused by coronavirus with friends who don't usually play video games, but were still eager to play browser adaptations of board games. The idea of creating a title that would bring people together attracted the developers.[10] At first, he thought to make a horse-racing gambling game, but the team decided that the whole concept was better suited for baseball.[11]

From 9 August 2020 to 24 August 2020, The Game Band put the game on a temporary hiatus, citing the problems associated with running into unexpected viral popularity.[12]

Fanbase and community

Blaseball is known for its sizeable fan community which has developed art and social media accounts for Blaseball players, leagues, sportscasters and union representatives.[13][14][15]

References
  1. Band, The Game (2020-09-17). "A Dark Week in the Discipline Era". Medium. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  2. "Introducing BLASEBALL". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  3. Martin, Garrett (2020-07-31). "The Problem with Blaseball". Paste (magazine). Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  4. Greszes, Sam (2020-08-06). "An absurdist baseball game is tearing up the internet, thanks to fans". Polygon (website). Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  5. Parrish, Ash (2020-08-10). "What Is The Forbidden Book, And Other Blaseball Questions Answered". Kotaku. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  6. Martens, Todd (2020-08-24). "It's a beautiful summer for 'Blaseball.' Yes, 'Blaseball,' where America's pastime meets 'D&D'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  7. Van Allen, Eric (2020-07-31). "Blaseball Is the Absurd Sports Game That's Been Filling Your Social Feeds". USGamer. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  8. Jackson, Gita (2020-07-21). "Blaseball is the Real Return of Baseball". Vice (magazine). Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  9. Livingston, Christopher (2020-07-29). "Place bets on Blaseball, a simulated baseball league with the occasional Hellmouth". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  10. Valentine, Rebekah (2020-08-20). "Making Blaseball, at our mercy". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  11. Farr, Stephanie (2020-08-10). "At Tastykake Stadium, the Philly Pies are two-time champs. Welcome to Blaseball". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  12. Band, The Game (2020-08-09). "Blaseball is Taking an Extended Siesta". Medium. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  13. "Baseball Fans Rule In An Online Game Made For Pandemic Times". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  14. Greszes, Sam (2020-08-06). "An absurdist baseball game is tearing up the internet, thanks to fans". Polygon. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  15. Lewis, Danny (20 October 2020). "Cosmic Horror And Devoted Fans Made Blaseball The Best Sport Of The Pandemic". Gothamist. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
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