The Unlikely Creation of Tetra Tactics: A Conversation with Jabari Alii

Tetra Tactics, a roguelike deckbuilder, has finally exited Early Access after a year and a half, marking its full release on Steam. The game, formerly known as Card Craft, underwent a name change due to a trademark issue, just in time for its release. According to lead developer Jabari Alii, the development process was relatively smooth, thanks in part to the fact that the game was never intended to be a large-scale commercial release. Alii started working on Tetra Tactics as a three-month side project, a palette cleanser from a bigger action-RPG he was working on. He drew inspiration from the Final Fantasy mini-game Triple Triad, being a huge fan of card games and RPGs. As he shared the game with his circle, it gained momentum, and eventually, other developers joined the project, including Adrian Marple and Manadream. The team released Tetra Tactics in Early Access in September 2022, which proved to be a beneficial experience, providing valuable feedback from the community. Alii recommends Early Access for small indie devs, as it allows for financial return and, more importantly, feedback from players who care about the game. The team used this feedback to refine the game, fixing bugs and improving mechanics. Alii also discussed his work with the Hidden Genius Project, a Black-led non-profit that teaches young Black boys technology, leadership, and community skills. He emphasized the importance of giving back to the community and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in the gaming industry. When asked for advice for newcomers to the industry, Alii stressed the need to decentralize the industry and create a better environment for junior developers. He encouraged aspiring devs to make games, build their portfolios, and finish their projects, even if they are not perfect. By doing so, they can gain experience, get feedback, and ultimately succeed in the industry.