Out of 495 entries at Gamedev.js Jam 2026, Weeds & Wires ranked #8 overall, scoring #5 in Audio and #7 in Gameplay. It was built by happybats, Velvetlobster and luaris-here using Phaser, and was one of five Phaser-built games to crack the top 13 overall.
What Is Weeds & Wires? A Phaser Card Game About Surviving the New Dust Bowl
The year is 3026. After an agricultural collapse, the Bureau of Productive Farming controls the food supply. You've been leased a patch of land. Keep the lights on, keep the water flowing, keep the books in the black. Three days in debt and the Bureau evicts you. Or worse.
The gameplay is inspired by Stacklands: you drag cards around a board to trigger recipes and produce resources. Plant seeds in soil, water them, harvest the crops, sell at the stand. But Weeds & Wires adds a layer of automation and economy simulation on top. You can build water systems with wells, sprinklers and sprinkler extensions to water your crops automatically. You need to manage energy. And the market prices change every day, reported in the in-game Daily Gazette, so what you sell and when actually matters.
Toby the blue bird is always watching. He narrates, comments, and delivers tips with a dry wit that several players called out as one of their favourite parts of the game.
How Weeds & Wires Was Built with Phaser
The game was developed by a three-person team in 13 days for the Gamedev.js Jam 2026 theme: Machines. The card-based layout, automation systems, economy simulation and daily newspaper mechanic were all built with Phaser. The art style is warm and charming, the audio earned the game a top-5 score across the entire jam, and the writing — particularly Toby's commentary — gives it a distinct personality.
What Players and Judges Said About Weeds & Wires
"Stacklands is an amazing game and this is just as amazing. I loved every second of this and want more. This could really be the winning game, real contender for top spot."
mentalmonk3y
"This game is too addictive and juicy. The music is relaxing and does not get repetitive even though it's a loop. It feels good to drag the cards around, and to earn money after a hard day at work."
Reit Games
"A lot of fun, I could definitely see myself playing this as a proper paid game... I kind of wish Toby wasn't always watching."
RhetHypo
Play Weeds & Wires
Weeds & Wires is free to play in your browser. Plant, automate, sell, and try not to let the Bureau of Productive Farming evict you. The market shifts every day, Toby is always watching, and three days in debt is all it takes. Good luck, farmer. 🌾