Sirlin Games

Sirlin Games is an independent tabletop and digital game developer and publisher based in Emeryville, California. Founded in 2005 by game designer David Sirlin, the company creates competitive games built around asymmetric balance: players use different characters and abilities within systems designed for strategic depth, accessible rules, and tournament-level competition.

The studio’s work draws on fighting game principles, including reading opponents, managing spacing, and balancing attacks, blocks, and throws. These ideas connect its physical and digital games, with distinct characters and carefully balanced choices forming a recurring foundation. Its capabilities span original game design, tabletop publishing and manufacturing production, and digital game engineering for computers, consoles, and mobile platforms.

From tabletop competition to digital fighting games

Sirlin Games began full-time publishing in 2009–2010 with Yomi: Fighting Card Game, which translates fighting game fundamentals into a physical card format. Early releases also included Flash Duel and the chip-building game Puzzle Strike. Together, these projects established the company’s focus on bringing competitive video game ideas into tabletop systems.

Many of its titles share the fictional Fantasy Strike universe. The digital fighting game Fantasy Strike arrived in 2019 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Steam, presenting an accessible approach to competitive fighting. In 2020, it moved to a free-to-play model with cross-platform play and rollback netcode.

The company’s broader catalogue includes Codex: Card-Time Strategy, Pandánte, Puzzle Strike Shadows, Puzzle Strike 2, and Yomi 2. These releases extend its work across customizable card games, bluffing games, chip-building games, and digital adaptations. Across its tabletop and digital output, Sirlin Games maintains a consistent emphasis on distinct player options, competitive balance, and rules intended to support sustained strategic play.