Rug Rumble — strategy card game
In 2024, at Biconomy's annual offsite in Baku the Growth team proposed building a small B2C product that could demonstrate our full tech stack. The idea was approved the same day, and I joined in to shape the product. It was a game.
I gathered the constraints and
Sketched An Initial Game Mechanic.
North Star
A game that people can enjoy and want to come back to
Constraints
A strategy or puzzle-based PvP game
A complete match in < two minutes
You don't learn how to swim by reading about it.
So here's the most rudimentary form of the game mechanic that evolved into complex meme-warfare.
- 5 rounds, 6 cards each
- Higher number wins the round
- 5 beats any two-digit card
- Played cards are discarded
- Unused cards shuffle back into the deck
Back in Bangalore, evolving this mechanic, we made and played with the first physical deck. We refined values, tested balance, and tweaked powers.
Then we shipped printed decks to remote teammates across four cities so everyone could join the playtesting.
We logged every match, noting not just balance issues but whether it passed the only test
North Star
A game that people can enjoy and want to come back to
Evolution of the Card Layouts
Over a Period of 3 Months
The very first hand-drawn concept
Added energy and name
Added conditional effects
First printed version
Final digital design
The final game launched with instant traction. Low rule overhead, quick matches, and meme energy made it an easy pick-up.
The adoption was so strong that the two people leading the project left the company to form a startup with Rug Rumble.
1. Basics
Rug Rumble is a fast-paced card game for 2 players, played with 7 cards per deck over 5 rounds.
Each card costs 1 to 4 Energy. You get 12 per match. Use it wisely.
This is your health
Max: 100
This is your shield
2. Gameplay
Reveal Cards
At the start of each round, 2 random cards from each player's deck are revealed to both players.
Choose a Card
Each player picks one card to play. The unchosen card goes back to the draw pile and is shuffled.
Lock in Choices
Both cards are revealed, and their effects are resolved simultaneously.
How to Rumble
3. Card Types
4. Resolving the Round
Card effects are resolved in the following order
Defense shields are applied before any damage is calculated
5. Winning the Match
Both players start with 100 health. The match ends when...
A player's health drops to zero
The player with the higher health wins
Tiebreakers: Defense and remaining energy act as tiebreakers if health is tied.