Blaseball

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]

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]

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]

• Official website