Riot Games’ strategic auto battler Teamfight Tactics was first released in 2019 and has evolved over the years.
Many newcomers might find it difficult to get into it even after playing a handful amount of games due to its layered complexity. Fables and Tactics aims to change that — currently under development by Dim Sum Games, it’s an auto battler that’s accessible with strategic depth.
The fantasy-themed mobile auto-chess game combines fast-paced matches, thoughtful gameplay, engaging characters, and a charming chibi anime art style.
Founded by former Riot Games employees, ONE Esports spoke to Dim Sum Games co-founder Derek Winder to find out more about the title.
Why Dim Sum Games is making an approachable auto battler
Dim Sum Games explored other genres, but decided to dive into the auto battler scene not only because they’re passionate about the genre, but also because of its potential.
At the moment, the biggest auto battlers are Riot Games’ Teamfight Tactics and Golden Spatula based on League of Legends, and Moonton’s Magic Chess that’s based on Mobile Legends.
“Games like TFT are amazing, but they can feel intimidating for new players. Long matches and complex mechanics can make it hard to jump in,” Derek told ONE Esports.
The studio sees an opportunity create a much more accessible auto battler that players can enjoy casually and quickly with matches that last three to five minutes. “Think of it like Marvel Snap—fast, strategic, and endlessly fun—but for the auto battler space,” he added.
Marvel Snap, developed by Second Dinner and published by Nuverse for mobile, revolutionized the collectible card game genre in October 2022 by introducing new mechanics and reducing match times, making it much more accessible to Hearthstone and Legends of Runeterra.
“I was surprised to find that although Magic Chess is a more optimized mobile experience than TFT, it shares similar complexity. You still have to navigate intricate systems like economy, positioning, and drafting,” said Derek. With intricate systems come longer match times as well that last anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes.
The second major barrier to entry is burnout, Dim Sum Games identified. In TFT for example, Riot releases a few sets per year which reset the entire way the game is played and the rank ladder.
Grinding to Diamond in TFT, Derek shared that he put in the hours to learn the meta, perfect unit positioning, economy management, and item optimization. However, once the set resets and he had to start over from scratch , he felt overwhelmed instead of accomplished, increasingly relying on guides and overlays.
“With Fables and Tactics, we’ve designed the experience to avoid that kind of fatigue. We’ve streamlined the complexity, letting players focus on making smart tactical decisions and enjoying quick, satisfying matches,” he said.
Fables and Tactics mechanics
Dim Sum Games identified aspects of auto battlers that make learning curves steep, such as economy management, scouting opponents, and complex item optimizations.
They instead want players to focus on building a deck that suits their individual playstyle, then use it to make tactical decisions while adapting to the opponent.
“Our art also sets us apart. The heroes are designed as fun, collectible 3D models that feel like figurines you’d proudly display. We love the concept so much that we’ve even created high-quality physical figurines, uniquely combining the digital and real-world experience,” Derek explained.
So far there’s been two major playtests and the team feels encouraged by the feedback they’ve received on the game’s speed and accessibility, and community engagement.
“Take Rocky, for example—it’s literally a rock with eyes. What started as a joke turned into a fan favorite, with players laughing and sharing how much they enjoyed discovering it,” said Derek.
“One player queued up 500 times over a three-day playtest. 500 times! That kind of enthusiasm tells us we’re onto something special,” he continued. “This feedback gives us the confidence to move forward with a soft launch, targeting Asian markets in late Q2 2025, just under a year after we began development. We’re excited to share Fables and Tactics with a wider audience and continue building on the incredible momentum we’ve seen.”
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