TECHMASH

Tag: #SteamDeckbuildersFest

  • Catch the Heat: Why Cardburners is the Indie Standout at Steam’s Deckbuilder Fest

    Catch the Heat: Why Cardburners is the Indie Standout at Steam’s Deckbuilder Fest

    If your Steam library hasn’t already been taken over by cards, tokens, and roguelike synergies, get ready—the Steam Deckbuilders Fest is officially here. From May 4th to May 11th, 2026, Valve is celebrating the best of the genre with massive discounts and a wave of new demos.

    While heavyweights like Balatro and Inscryption are drawing the usual crowds, one indie title has been setting our monitors on fire: Cardburners.

    What is Cardburners?

    Developed by GrosChevaux, the small but mighty London/Paris-based team behind the 2020 hit Unspottable, Cardburners flips the traditional deckbuilding script. Most card games reward slow, methodical planning. Cardburners rewards you for not panicking.

    The premise is as stressful as it is addictive: play your cards before they burn in your hand. As cards pile up at a blistering pace, you’re forced to make split-second strategic decisions. It’s a “chaotic strategy” game that feels like a cross between a tactical card battler and a high-stakes arcade game.

    Why It’s Turning Heads:

    • Insane Pacing: The game can deal cards at a rate of up to 100 cards per minute. It’s deckbuilding at terminal velocity.
    • Chaotic Customisation: You can mix and match completely different card packs—some inspired by classics like Hanafuda and Crazy 8s—to create unique rule sets for every match.
    • Versus Mode: While many deckbuilders are solo affairs, Cardburners features 1v1 Online PvP, letting you sabotage your friends with bombs or force them to overdraw until they collapse.
    • Indie Pedigree: GrosChevaux has a reputation for “easy to learn, impossible to master” mechanics, and Cardburners fits that mould perfectly.

    Don’t Miss the Demo

    As part of the Steam Deckbuilders Fest, a free demo of Cardburners is currently live. It’s the perfect “litmus test” for your reflexes. If you can survive the first few AI opponents without your hand turning into a pile of ash, you might just have what it takes for the full release.

    TechMash Tip: For Steam Deck users, this is a must-download. The “just one more round” loop makes it an ideal handheld companion for your morning commute or a quick break.

    When Can You Get the Full Game?

    You won’t have to wait long after the Fest ends to get the full experience. Cardburners is scheduled to launch on Steam on May 28th, 2026.

    If you’re looking for something that breaks the mould of the typical turn-based card game, head over to the Steam Deckbuilders Fest page, try the demo, and hit that Wishlist button.

    Are you fast enough to handle the heat, or are you going to let your deck go up in flames?

    Check out the Steam Deckbuilders Fest before it ends on May 11th!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/3264960

    #GrosChevaux #Cardburners #SteamDeckbuildersFest #Steam #Deckbuilders #demogames #gametrailer #videogames #gamers #gaming

  • Hacking the Future: Into The Grid Drops Massive Metaprogression Update for Steam Deckbuilders Fest

    Hacking the Future: Into The Grid Drops Massive Metaprogression Update for Steam Deckbuilders Fest

    The neon-soaked streets of the digital frontier just got a lot busier. Flatline Studios has officially pulled the curtain back on the most substantial update to their cyberpunk roguelike deckbuilder, Into The Grid, since its Early Access launch last November.

    Timed perfectly with the kick-off of the Steam Deckbuilders Fest (May 4–11), this update—version 0.3.0—is more than just a balance pass. It’s a total overhaul of how you experience the climb through the corporation-controlled cyberspace of 2112.

    Zero-Grind, Maximum Power: The Metaprogression Overhaul

    The centrepiece of this update is the brand-new Metaprogression System. For many roguelike fans, “metaprogression” often translates to “endless grinding for +1% health.” Flatline Studios is taking a refreshingly different path with their Zero-Grind Philosophy.

    • Hardware Mods: You can now customise your console before you “jack in.” The update introduces over 30 unlockable Hardware Mods (out of a planned pool of 100+). These range from flat stat boosts to game-altering perks that synergise with specific deck archetypes.
    • The Mission System: Every run now features level-based objectives. Completing these missions doesn’t just give you in-run rewards; it accelerates your progress toward unlocking new hardware and abilities, ensuring that even a failed run feels like a step forward.
    • New Currencies: By playing, you’ll earn Experience, Software, and Hardware Points. These are used to tailor your Runner to your specific playstyle—whether you prefer brute-forcing through firewalls or a more surgical, stealthy approach.

    A Fresh View of the Grid

    Navigating a digital labyrinth requires a clean interface, and the team has delivered a fully redesigned Map UI. The new look isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s built to handle the complex variables introduced by the new Hardware Mods, keeping the tactical map readable even when your runner is loaded with high-end tech.

    “We are incredibly proud of this update, which takes Into The Grid one step further into the vision we always had for the game, with tons of content and replayability.” — Bruno Annetta, Co-founder of Flatline Studios.

    Celebrating at the Steam Deckbuilders Fest

    If you’ve been on the fence about diving into this “dungeon crawler meets deckbuilder” hybrid, now is the time. Into The Grid is currently featured in the Steam Deckbuilders Fest, joining heavy hitters like Balatro and Inscryption.

    For those new to the game, it stands out with its unique VIM (Virtual Memory) dual-resource system. Every card you play generates VIM, which can then be spent on powerful Commands—special abilities that sit outside your deck to help mitigate the RNG of a bad draw.

    Patch 0.3.0 Highlights at a Glance:

    FeatureDetails
    Hardware Mods30+ new unlockable pre-run perks.
    Mission System~40 objectives that shape run demands and rewards.
    Map UITotal overhaul for better readability and scaling.
    BalanceTweaks to “Trace” mechanics and Haven node healing.
    QoLNew keybinding options (paving the way for future controller support).

    How to Play

    Into The Grid is available now in Early Access on Steam. If you aren’t ready to commit your credits just yet, there is a free demo available that includes the recent visual overhauls and core gameplay mechanics.

    Are you ready to jack back in and take down the mega-corps? Let us know your favourite Hardware Mod combos in the comments!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/2576200

    #FlatlineStudios #IntoTheGrid #cyberpunk #roguelike #deckbuilder #dungeoncrawler #EarlyAccess #Steam #SteamDeckbuildersFest #MetaprogressionUpdate #Map #UI