New Indie Release Deals and Duels Turns eBay Sniping Into an Autobattler

Indie developer Indieben has released Deals and Duels, a browser-based simulation game that reimagines the chaotic experience of online auctions as a strategic autobattler. The project is currently available as a free prototype on the digital marketplace itch.io. According to the developer, the game is in an early stage of development but already features a "full playable loop" for users to test.

The concept takes the core mechanics of the autobattler genre and applies them to the high-stakes world of second-hand commerce. In a traditional autobattler, players draft units from a shared pool, manage an economy, and position their team to fight automatically against opponents. Deals and Duels appears to swap out fantasy creatures for auction listings, turning the act of bidding and "sniping" items into the combat itself.

The Evolution of the Auto Chess Genre

This release highlights how far the autobattler genre has drifted from its high-fantasy roots. The genre exploded into the mainstream in early 2019 with Dota Auto Chess, a custom game mod for Dota 2 developed by Drodo Studio. The format proved so addictive that it triggered a rapid industry response. Valve released Dota Underlords, and Riot Games launched Teamfight Tactics within months of the mod's success. These titles largely stuck to the aesthetic of their parent franchises, utilizing wizards, warriors, and dragons as the primary units.

However, the indie scene has since taken these mechanics in stranger directions. Games like Super Auto Pets stripped away the complex lore in favor of emojis and asynchronous multiplayer, proving that the drafting mechanic was strong enough to support casual themes. Deals and Duels follows this lineage by applying the formula to something arguably more stressful than a dungeon raid: trying to win an auction for a rare collectible in the final three seconds.

The Role of itch.io in Prototyping

The release of Deals and Duels on itch.io is consistent with the platform's history as a testing ground for experimental mechanics. Founded by Leaf Corcoran in 2013, itch.io has become the de facto home for game jams and early prototypes. Unlike Steam, which requires a listing fee and a more rigorous approval process, itch.io allows developers to upload "vertical slices" of gameplay to gauge interest instantly.

This approach has launched massive hits in the past. Vampire Survivors, for instance, spent time on itch.io as a browser-based demo before becoming a Steam phenomenon. By releasing a "little Ebay Autobattler Simulator" at this stage, the developer can iterate on the economy balance—a critical component of any autobattler—based on real player feedback rather than internal testing alone.

Gamifying the Marketplace

While the developer notes the project is "still early stage," the premise touches on a reality familiar to many retro gaming enthusiasts. The skills required to navigate eBay often mirror strategy games. You have resource management (your bank account), timing windows (auction endings), and the need to read your opponent's behavior (shill bidding or hesitation). Translating these anxieties into a literal battle simulator is a logical, if slightly traumatizing, design choice.

The game is playable directly in the browser, requiring no download. Interested players can find the project on the developer's itch.io page.