Flotilla was designed with Microsoft's XNA tools, and its development was influenced by animals as well as board games such as Axis and Allies and Arkham Horror.

Flotilla is a three-dimensional simultaneous turn-based strategy space combat video game set in a randomly generated galaxy.

[3] The player and computer-controlled opponents issue orders to their ships, which are carried in a simultaneous and real-time fashion over a period of 30 seconds.

Chung, who worked as a level designer for Pandemic Studios, previously contributed to the development of Full Spectrum Warrior (2004) and Lord of the Rings: Conquest (2009).

[6] Chung explained that he "figured there was enough games about little fighter jets", and that what he had in mind was "a jumbo battleship floating in space".

Therefore, instead of trying to solve the problem of creating compelling alien characters, he switched to animals: "[they] have certain built-in characteristics, they were fairly unique in how they weren't typically associated with space adventures.

[5] Chung intentionally limited the solo mode's play time as an "experiment in making a short-story generator", such that an adventure could begin and end within a half hour.

[21] The American version of PC Gamer commented that Flotilla "is a charmingly crafted bite-size portion of tactical fun".

[18] Meanwhile, the British version of the magazine elaborated that although the game had its share of "charm and character," it was nonetheless a random experience.

[17] PC Zone UK characterized Flotilla as stylish and funny, but concluded that it was a "sadly disposable" experience.

"[15] An editor from the website Charge Shot praised the game's artificial intelligence and overall design, but criticized the multiplayer mode.

[22] GameZone's Tom Dann also felt frustrated by the ship maneuvering mechanics, though he concluded that they "can also be rewarding and entertaining".

[16] Flotilla was nominated for the 2011 Independent Games Festival Visions Award,[23] but lost to Amnesia: The Dark Descent.