GLADIUM News

[h3]Hail Gladiators![/h3]
This update focuses on important features that will greatly enhance the experience of the game now and in the updates to come.

Featuring:

• Save slots! - 3 slots to utilize with a delete option.
  
• A new NPC who allows you to switch between boss rounds and normal.
  
• More leaderboard functionality - The top 3 leaderboard entries are now presented as gold, silver and bronze. And scrolling!
  
• Skip the boss elevator cutscene.
• New death animation - watch your enemies (or yourself) get thrown across the sands!
  
• Combat UI text - Available to turn off in settings.
  
• Steam screenshots - Press F12 by default.
  
• And much more!

Check out the Patch notes for additional info here:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/1118410/discussions/0/1745644917624415457/

Remember to get in touch if you have any questions or issues.
- Eirik

[h3]Top 10 gladiators[/h3]

[h3]Hail Gladiators![/h3]
Spread the word and leave a review! I want the arena filled with as much blood as possible!
As gratitude for you wanting to play the game now, I have included a 10% discount.

Going forward
Straight away I'm going to be making sure that the launch goes as smoothly as possible. Any issues or bugs you find, report in the community hub. This will have my top priority.
After this is done I will begin development on the next content for Gladium. Here I will work on a new boss, equipment, leaderboards(see below), general polish, etc.

Note
I have opened up threads for suggestions and bugs on our Community Hub.
Leaderboard functionality is very basic now, and I will require many people to play Endless Mode before this will be improved. I am planning to have atleast three different leaderboard modes: Highest scores, your position and one for just your Steam friends. As the game is challenging and Endless Mode is locked until you have beaten the (current) last boss, this will probably take a little while for players to get there.

If you run into any issues feel free to email me at: [email protected] or make a thread in the Community Hub.

Good luck and see you in the arena!
- Eirik

[h3]Hail gladiators![/h3]
The arena opens on the 12th of February at 12:00pm PST!
GLADIUM, the game I have spent now more than 3 years making will finally be released on Steam.



If you haven't already, you can wishlist the game here to be notified at launch.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1118410

I am really excited to share my game with you!

See you there,
Eirik

Hope you all had a blast!
Thanks for all the wonderful feedback.
If you haven't filled out the feedback form, please do so. The link is in the beta-invite mail.

Remember to put the game on your steam wishlist to get notified when the game launches!
After the beta ended the game is removed from the wishlist because you had a test-version in your library.


Changes in Gladium going forward
Now that I've gathered some feedback and watched some of you play there's a number of improvements that I'm going to be working on until the Early Access launch.

Enemies
The enemy AI and specifically their telegraphing are going to be experimented with and improved. When enemies are blocking, boss attacks and generally better visual clarity while fighting.

Pit fighting
I have some exciting plans to make this into a grander experience. The fights will be more exciting, a pit-exclusive weapon, a better reward-system and more.

Combat
I'm really happy with where the combat is now, but I'm wondering if it still could be more interesting. So I am thinking about implementing a new fight-mechanic, the Shield Slam. Some enemies already have this mechanic and I think, if implemented properly that this could be another interesting part of the player's tool-kit.
It would have a stamina cost (probably 2) and stun the enemy if it connects, while also functioning as a block for its duration.
The are some balance/design issues especially regarding bosses that I would have to work on first though.
Please feel free to share your thoughts about the implementation of this.


Hope you're looking forward to the launch as much as I am!
- Eirik

IMPORTANT CLOSED BETA INFO: Please make sure to play the endless mode atleast once before the beta is over, this is super important for my development. Make sure you fill out the feedback form from the beta invite email.
Thank you for all the amazing support and feedback! A lot of changes have been made in this patch, I hope you enjoy it!

Patch notes

Polish

• AI system and behaviours has been improved accross all enemy gladiator classes.
  
• Better randomization in Endless mode for spawning enemies.
  
• World-UI is now hidden while in pause menu.
  
• The Battlemaster and his weapon challenges have been improved. If you kill more enemies than required you get additional gold.
  
• Boss names are now shown above their health bar.
  
• The blood facepaint has received a much needed nerf. It still has it's own effect, but now at a cost of 2 HP.
  
• Minor font adjustments.
  

Bugfixes

• Critical hits dealt twice as much damage as intended.. FIXED!
  
• The leaderboard/pause menu interaction is fixed.
  
• Removed world-interaction while in pause menu (buying/equippping items etc).
  
• Projectile's in Endless mode now scales properly with the + damage modifier.
  
• When stunned the "stun-stars" over your head now is the correct duration.
  
• Shop items no longer flash when starting the game.
  

Good luck in there!
- Eirik