Shields of Loyalty News

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Greetings, warriors of Mantaria!

As we march ever closer to the full release of Shields of Loyalty, our commitment to refining your strategic experience remains unwavering. Today, we are thrilled to present DevBlog #33, highlighting the latest improvements and updates in version 0.9.0.42.

[h3]Patch Notes – Update 0.9.0.42[/h3]

Our dedicated development team has been hard at work addressing critical issues and enhancing gameplay on our internal test branch and these will be available for Steam soon. Here’s a comprehensive list of the latest fixes:

Gameplay Fixes:

• Resolved an issue where clicking an exclamation mark during attack animations caused the game to freeze.
  
• Fixed a bug where casting spells on large units would cause the game to become unresponsive.
  
• Addressed duplication of boss units and their inability to attack.
  
• Improved AI pathfinding and turn logic for more strategic enemy movements.
  
• Corrected an issue preventing progression after research completion without restarting the game.
  

Localization and Text Corrections:

• Ensured defense values do not exceed 100%.
  
• Adjusted auras of avatars for consistency.
  
• Fixed various typographical errors in unit names, dialogues, and tooltips.
  

Visual and Audio Enhancements:

• Updated title screen animations for a more engaging introduction.
  
• Improved spell effects for a more immersive visual experience.
  
• Resolved missing textures on the "Treasure Hunt" map.
  
• Corrected unit icon issues, including the Valkyrie unit icon in the Valkyrie Aerie.
  
• Fixed animation errors for Dryad and Sylph attacks.
  
• Adjusted new sound effects that were previously too quiet.
  
• Ensured music transitions smoothly between menus.
  

User Interface Improvements:

• Units with no available actions are now greyed out, and the end turn confirmation dialogue is skipped if no unit has actions left.
  
• Updated the artifact menu to display units correctly.
  
• Fixed overlapping text issues, such as the "Force of Nature" text overlapping the UI.
  
• Corrected graphical glitches when zooming in and out on certain maps.
  
• Ensured equipped items display correctly during missions.
  
• Resolved issues with construction and tier upgrades.
  
• Improved display of aura buffs and artifact-loaded units' stats.
  

Our beta testers have been instrumental in identifying and reporting these issues. Their dedication is immensely appreciated, and we continue to welcome new testers to join our bug hunt. If you're passionate about improving Shields of Loyalty, consider applying to be a beta tester through our Discord server.

Discord

[h3]The Road Ahead[/h3]
Our development team is tirelessly working on both fixing critical bugs and implementing new assets to enhance your gaming experience. We understand the importance of a polished and immersive game, and we are committed to delivering just that. Your trust and patience are invaluable to us, and we believe that, together, we can achieve greatness.

[h3]Support Us by Wishlisting[/h3]
As we approach the full release, we kindly ask for your support by wishlisting Shields of Loyalty on Steam. Wishlisting not only keeps you updated on the latest developments but also significantly boosts our visibility, helping more strategy enthusiasts discover the game. For indie studios like ours, every wishlist adds momentum to our journey.

Steam Store Page

Thank you for being an essential part of the Shields of Loyalty community. Together, we are forging a path to an epic launch.

Stay vigilant, strategists, and see you on the battlefield!

The Shields of Loyalty Team



⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The frozen winds howled around us as we approached the looming tower of Alaris, the legendary magician of Eternal Ice Island. Yet, we were not the only ones drawn to this place. A sea of Undead surged ahead, their rotting forms twisting in unnatural movement, their hollow eyes fixed upon the structure like moths to a flame.


From which hells had these monstrosities risen, and what terrible knowledge had led them here? The sheer number of them suggested that Alaris, or something within his tower, was of immense importance. But a far darker thought chilled us deeper than the frigid air—had the Undead already turned the magician into one of their own?


Steel clashed against bone, and magic burned through cursed flesh as we fought our way to the entrance. The battle was relentless, the Undead seemingly unyielding. Yet, as the final abomination fell, silence claimed the tower once more.


Inside, devastation awaited us. The grand library, once a bastion of knowledge, had been ransacked, scrolls and tomes scattered across the cold stone floor. It was clear that someone—or something—had been searching for something specific. Amid the wreckage, one parchment stood out. It bore a single, enigmatic sentence:

"The Stone of Life is the key!"

Was this Alaris’ discovery? A means to end the Undead blight? Or was it a desperate clue left behind as he was taken? And then there was the portal in the basement—was it his doing, or had he been forced through it?

The answers lay beyond. We could not turn back now.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

DevBlog #32 – February 13, 2025

[h2]🚀 The Journey to Launch Continues![/h2]
As we push forward toward Shields of Loyalty's full release, our focus remains on refining the experience, fixing critical issues, and making every battle feel immersive. Update 0.9.0.32 is another step toward that goal, addressing several key issues and introducing some much-needed improvements to gameplay flow and visuals.

One of the most important fixes in this update is for spellcasting-only units, which previously had unintended attack behavior. Additionally, we’ve polished UI interactions by ensuring units with no available actions will be properly greyed out and that turn confirmations will be skipped if no units have actions left—making the game feel much smoother.

We’ve also made updates to the title screen animation and enhanced spell effect visuals, creating a more polished and immersive experience. These small but crucial refinements bring us one step closer to a final, feature-complete version of the game.

But that’s not all! The world of Shields of Loyalty is constantly expanding, and tomorrow, we’re excited to unveil Lore Piece #16! 📜

[h2]🛠️ Patch Notes – Update 0.9.0.32[/h2]
✅ Units with all regular attack strengths set to 0 can no longer perform unintended attacks
✅ Units with no available actions will now be greyed out for better clarity
✅ Turn confirmation dialogue will be skipped if no unit has any actions left
✅ Localization fixes to improve in-game text clarity
✅ Title screen animation updated for a more polished look
✅ Spell effects have been improved and shortened for a smoother experience

[h2]📜 Introducing Lore Piece #16![/h2]
The rich history of Mantaria continues to unfold! Our latest Lore Piece #16 dives deeper into the world’s past, its legends, and the secrets hidden within its war-torn lands.

We love bringing the world of Shields of Loyalty to life with every update, and we know many of you enjoy immersing yourselves in the deep lore of our game. If you're a fan of strategy games with rich storytelling, be sure to check it out and discuss your theories in our Discord community!

[h2]🛡️ Join the Bug Hunt![/h2]
We’re working day by day to fix the most critical bugs and improve the game, but we need your help! Our dedicated playtesters have been instrumental in finding issues and giving valuable feedback.

💡 Want to join the hunt and help make the game even better?
📢 Join our Discord and become an official playtester! Together, we’ll ensure Shields of Loyalty is the best it can be.

🔗 Join here: https://discord.gg/WhTTddC4

[h2]📢 Call to Action – Be Part of the Journey![/h2]
🔥 We’re getting closer to launch, and every update takes us one step further! 🔥

💖 Wishlist & Follow the game on Steam! It helps us tremendously and ensures you won’t miss any major updates.
👥 Join our growing community on Discord! Discuss strategies, share feedback, and participate in exclusive events.

🔗 Steam Store Page

🔗 Discord

⚔️ Thank you all for being part of this journey! The battle for Mantaria is far from over, and we’re excited to share more with you soon! ⚔️


The Shields of Loyalty Team



⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The Lost Fragments of Power

The priest’s cryptic words still echoed in Aglovan’s mind as they stood before the first of the four ancient tombs. The air was thick with the scent of decay, the entrance lined with runes long since dulled by time. Somewhere inside lay a fragment of the amulet, hidden away by desperate hands as the temple fell.


The group pressed forward, their torches casting wavering light against the stone walls. Every shadow seemed to move, every whisper carried the weight of the dead. The first chamber was eerily silent, but the second was not so kind—skeletal warriors rose from their slumber, their empty eyes burning with unnatural light.


Tomb by tomb, battle by battle, they reclaimed the lost pieces. Each fragment seemed unremarkable on its own, but as they fit them together, a deep crimson light pulsed from the central gem. At first faint, but with each step closer to their goal, it grew stronger, guiding them toward Alaris’s domain.


The final tomb held the fiercest resistance yet, but at last, the amulet was whole again. Aglovan held it up, and for the first time, the veil over their path began to lift. The way to Alaris’s tower was no longer hidden—it was time to face whatever lay ahead.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Unveiling the Hidden Tower

The journey to the ice desert was as treacherous as the warnings had foretold. Aglovan and his companions pushed forward against the biting cold, their breath forming misty clouds in the frigid air. At last, nestled in a remote cavern, they found the one they sought—a frail woman, her eyes as white as the snow outside, yet filled with an unsettling knowing.


She let out a raspy chuckle upon hearing of Alaris’s magical veil. "That fool always thought himself clever," she muttered. "But I taught him everything he knows." Her words hinted at a history long buried, a connection between master and student now turned to rivalry.


The seer agreed to help, but the ritual would take time—and time was not on their side. No sooner had she begun to draw sigils in the frost than the howls of the Undead echoed across the frozen plains. Alaris’s minions had arrived, drawn to the ancient magics at play.

The battle was fierce, the cold biting as much as the enemy’s steel. But as the last Undead fell, the air around them shifted. The veil hiding Alaris’s tower flickered, and for the first time, Aglovan could see a path forward. With a final incantation, the clairvoyant ensured their vision would not fail again.


But her assistance did not end there. With the battlefield strewn with corpses, she turned to her ancient tomes, whispering arcane words. The fallen had left them scars, but perhaps their sacrifice would strengthen the army yet…

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀