Thetaball
Thetaball is an authentic digital sport with challenging, physics-based gameplay and lifelike AI.
Developer
Publisher
Release
July 31, 2018
8 years and 3 days ago
Steam Reviews
7 user reviews7 reviews100.0%
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Game contextLatest: IGF Team
| ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan. | Status | Notes Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes |
|---|---|---|
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer. | ||
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher. | ||
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified. | ||
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game. | ||
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released. |
Media
11 itemsAbout the Game
Thetaball is an authentic digital sport with challenging, physics-based gameplay and lifelike AI. Each of the game's 256 robotic players is a distinct individual, created by a process of simulated evolution; because the bots have co-evolved within a complex physical environment -- both cooperating with and competing against one another -- their behaviors are diverse, robust, and lifelike. The end result is a game with all the challenge and re-playability of a real-world sport.
In the single-player game, your task is to field a team of robotic athletes in order to advance through a series of progressively more challenging leagues, earning as many coins as you can along the way. You can remotely control any of the bots on your team, or let them play on their own.
In the local-multiplayer game, 2-8 players choose up sides, with AI-controlled bots filling in the empty slots.
In the single-player game, your task is to field a team of robotic athletes in order to advance through a series of progressively more challenging leagues, earning as many coins as you can along the way. You can remotely control any of the bots on your team, or let them play on their own.
In the local-multiplayer game, 2-8 players choose up sides, with AI-controlled bots filling in the empty slots.
About the Engine
Generator is a specialized 2D game engine based on Evolutionary Robotics, a technique for the automated creation of simulated robots. The engine provides a C++ framework for generating populations of such robots and deploying them in a completed game. It also includes a heavily optimized, glitch-free physics module for simulating the environments in which the robots interact and evolve. Thetaball is the first game built on the Generator engine; more are planned.Some Thetaball Features
- A true physical (not statistical) simulation -- outcomes are determined not by "rolling dice" but by the actual physical interactions between players.
- Lifelike AI -- every bot is a distinct individual with its own unique style of play.
- Extensive single-player game -- earn coins, develop your team, and advance through the leagues.
- Exciting couch multiplayer with up to 8 players -- a great party game!
- Play with a gamepad or mouse.
- Bet on individual matches or buy in to a tournament.
- Slow motion replays.
- Ultra-smooth animation.
- Monitor your coins with a variety of financial reports.
- Dozens of practice drills.
- Physics-based procedural sound.
