Draft:2D Blaster

2D Blaster is a top-down shooter developed by Gordon Starr. The game revolves around a lone starfighter fending off an ever-increasing deluge of pirate enemies and semi-conscious asteroids.

Version history
Version 1 was released on August 1, 2023. Version 2.1 was later released on February 19, 2024, and included many bug fixes, new features, and gameplay mechanics, the update also included an online leaderboard and weapon to cater to different play styles. Version 3 released on March 13, 2024, the update addresses the Leaderboard Controversy which mirrored the release of version 2.1 (and, shortly after, v2.2).

Controversy
Radek Michalik, going by “eradek” on the Leaderboard, quickly rose through the ranks, attaining the second-place spot on February 21st; he claimed the coveted 1st place on February 22, 2024, just ahead of the play tester and game development meetup that weekend (otherwise confusingly known as “Babymoon 24”).

However, the rank topping was when the trouble started, and the facade of 2D Blaster as a tough but fair forge of 2D blasting skills everywhere was revealed to be something far more sinister: a top-down, authoritarian style hegemony existing only to prop up the friends and family of the developers.

Ironic that this 2D shooter had taken on a decidedly three dimensional pyramid-shape.

After securing the top spot (by a fairly large margin), Michalik took a screenshot of an apparent glitch in the game, which refused to acknowledge his hard-won victory. The proof of the score was sent to the highest echelons of the development team which apparently made light of the injustice, a senior member even emailing back a damning message which appears to say the quiet part out loud:"Just cuz my buddy Dean is really keen on this game doesn't mean I have anything against you."Michalik attempted to personally take his case to the development team and stakeholders at the Babymoon summit but was again ridiculed, and the team hid behind the conveniently timed release of version 2.2.

To date, Radek “eradek” Michalik’s high score from February 22 has yet to be acknowledged, a shameful, brown stain on a promising entry into the Esports arena.

Update from March 13, 2024
Upon delivery of Version 3.0, the development team restarted the leaderboards for the new season, but, in a cruel slap across the face of Michalik, after refusing the acknowledge the validity of his screenshot, the development team themselves screenshotted the final tally and posted it as a definitive record of the scores, once again highlighting their “rules for thee and not for me” attitude. The screenshot heard round the world.

As for Michalik, he is lying low, the legal team released the following statement: "This isn't just about a videogame, if they can silence me, they can silence anyone. Whistleblowers everywhere need to be protected! Justice for Chelsea Manning, Edward Snowden, and Radek Michalik!" Rumor has it that he has returned to 2D Blaster under another alias and reclaimed the top score.