Hey everyone!

My name is Tommy and I'm the solo developer behind Banner Rush. Today I'm kicking off a weekly devlog series where I'll take you along on the journey to Early Access – and beyond.
But first things first: What is Banner Rush?

Banner Rush is a tactical real-time card game on an isometric battlefield. Imagine chess – but with cards, combos, and explosive spells.
You play as a general, commanding your army through cards: melee warriors storm the frontline, ranged units provide cover from behind, buildings boost your economy, and spells turn the tide in a split second.
The twist? Everything happens in real-time. No waiting for turns. Every decision matters – instantly.

• Three Resources – Craft, Magic, and Combat. Every card has a cost – spend wisely or fall behind.

• Combo & XP System – Fast kills create combo chains. Your cards level up mid-match. Timing is everything.

• Living AI – No boring bots. The AI has unique personalities, emotional states, and adapts to how you play.

• Three Game Modes – Solo vs AI, local splitscreen, or online against players worldwide.

Banner Rush started as a creative break from my main project. A simple idea: What happens when you bring card mechanics onto a real-time battlefield? The prototype turned into a month of work, then two, then six – and suddenly there was a full game with AI, multiplayer, sound design, and everything in between.

Banner Rush is on its way to Steam Early Access. In the coming weeks, these devlogs will give you a closer look at:

• Game mechanics in detail

• How the AI works and why it feels "alive"

• Balancing cards, resources, and upgrades

• Behind-the-scenes development insights

If this sounds like your kind of game, add Banner Rush to your wishlist – it helps a ton and makes sure you get notified at launch.

Got questions, feedback, or ideas? Drop them in the comments – I read everything and I'm looking forward to connecting with you.

See you next week!
Tommy / HexLeaf Studio