Fleet Hunters Launches: Real-Time and Classic Naval Grids From a Solo Dev

Fleet Hunters, a naval deduction game built around the classic hidden-fleet formula, has launched on Steam as the debut release from solo developer HortoBAM.

The core hook is Real-Time Mode: rather than alternating turns, both players attack whenever their weapons are ready, converting the traditional grid hunt into a simultaneous race. Reading the board and acting on partial information becomes more urgent when the opponent is already shooting back.

For those who prefer the original rhythm, Classic Mode preserves turn-based play — one tile at a time, no pressure clock.

What's in the game

• Real-Time Mode: simultaneous fire, no turn structure
• Classic Mode: traditional turn-based rules
• Solo play against an AI opponent
• Private matches with friends
• Online matchmaking against other players

The developer notes this is a first Steam release, grown out of a demo phase during which players sent feedback and wishlist support.

For players who have drifted away from the genre, the real-time variant is the meaningful reason to look again — it reframes a familiar puzzle as a test of speed and inference rather than patience.