Byte Battle - The Computer Science TCG

Level Up Your Learning

Byte Battle is an educational Trading Card Game (TCG) designed for 6th-8th graders to learn computer science concepts through fast-paced, strategic duels.

Start the Duel!

The Design Protocol

Byte Battle was created by eduTCG, a Google Gemini Gem design project, focused on educational emergent gameplay. The primary goal was to make complex topics from the North Carolina K-12 Computer Science Standards (Grades 6-8) fun and accessible.

Target Audience & Curriculum

The game directly addresses middle school standards including **68-CS-02 (Hardware/Software)** and **68-NI-04 (Encryption)**. We translated concepts like Firewalls, Routers, and Protocols into tangible card effects to bridge the gap between abstract learning and practical application.

Emergent Gameplay Focus

Inspired by classic TCG design, we ensured cards have synergistic interactions. For instance, using the Router (Systetm) rewards successful attacks, encouraging players to chain attacks (Instruction Cards) for higher value—a core element of emergent strategy.

The Core Rules: System Warfare

Objective

Players duel by chaining Instructions to attack the opponent's core Systems. Players can play Bugs/Fixes to either distrupt or negate effects. You win the game when you chain 10 points of Instructions.

Setup (Quick Version)

Each player starts with 10 Life Points.
Shuffled Deck size: 40 cards.
Starting Hand: 5 cards.
Start with a System card.
Use Bits to play more Systems, execute Instructions, and/or implement Bugs and Fixes to negate effects.

Turn Flow

1. Start Phase: Draw 1 card. Gain 1 Bit (Energy).
2. Main Phase (Action Loop): Perform actions as desired:
- Play a Card: Pay its Energy Cost.
- **Use a Component Action:** **Rest** (turn sideways) a Component to use its ability.
- **Level Up System:** Pay **2 Energy** to increase your **Tier 1 System's** Level by 1 (max 5).
3. End Phase: Turn all your **Rested** cards **Active** (upright).