Show HN: Ember – a strategy game where everyone moves at once

Ember, a strategy game built around simultaneous moves and shifting pressure across a grid, launched on the App Store and Google Play, per a Show HN post by its creator. The game is the developer's first app release on either platform and marks a return to a project started in 2019, abandoned during the pandemic, and revived by the creator's recent interest in AI.

The core mechanic centers on all players moving at the same time rather than taking turns, a concept inspired by the developer's love of board games and the possibilities unlocked by digital game design. The creator began exploring this idea in 2019, building what they describe as "a little strategy game" centered on simultaneous moves and shifting pressure. After setting the project aside due to life circumstances — including work, the pandemic, and having a child — the developer returned to the concept and expanded it into Ember.

According to the Show HN post, the decision to revisit the game came after becoming interested in AI. The developer stated they wanted "to see how far I could run with the original idea," a pursuit that ultimately resulted in the finished product. The creator described the development process as the most fun they'd had building something since childhood.

No pricing, player count, or gameplay details beyond the simultaneous-move mechanic were disclosed in the available information. The game is available for download on iOS and Android, making it accessible to players across major mobile platforms.