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API Combat – A game played through API calls

API Combat – A game played through API calls

by mcarthey·Feb 20, 2026·1 point·0 comments
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AI Analysis

●●●BangerZero to OneBig BrainNiche Gem

Strategic combat game where HTTP calls replace button clicks. HATEOAS-driven discovery.

Strengths
  • •Novel framing: turns API learning into a competitive game with real stakes and leaderboards.
  • •HATEOAS-driven design guides discovery; no documentation gatekeeping the first move.
  • •Education mode + marketplace for strategies creates community around API mastery.
Weaknesses
  • •Niche audience—fun for developers but won't appeal to mainstream gamers or casual players.
  • •Depends heavily on adoption; network effects matter for matchmaking and leaderboard engagement.
Category
Gaming
Target Audience

Developers, CS instructors, backend engineers, API learners

Similar To

HackerRank competitions · Codewars gamified learning · Lichess (API-driven, open ecosystem)

Post Description

I built a multiplayer strategy game with no GUI — you play entirely through REST API calls. Register, build a roster, configure teams, queue battles, and climb the leaderboard, all via curl/Postman/your own code.

Every response includes HATEOAS links that guide you to your next move, so you can discover the whole game by following the API. Full OpenAPI spec at /api-docs/v1.

Built with ASP.NET Core 8 and MSSQL. Free tier is fully playable. There's also an education mode for CS instructors to create curriculum modules where students learn APIs by playing.

Solo dev creating for my classes, happy to answer questions about the tech or design decisions.

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