2026 Update Live for All Players [Update #398]

[p]Hey everyone![/p][p]Update 2026 is out and available for all players![/p][p]This covers everything in the previous Test branch updates,[/p][p]But I'll summarize them here:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]General:[/h2][p]-Entire engine moved to new render pipeline (URP from HDRP) allowing us to better scale.[/p][p]-Better performance and optimization across the board.[/p][p]-Groundwork laid for launch on consoles (but still a ways out).[/p][p][/p][h2]Maps:[/h2][p]-Fully 3D environments, with brand new lighting, props, trees, foliage, water, set dressing and visuals.[/p][p][/p][h3]Meadow[/h3][p]-Fully 3D environment with props and set dressing, along with unique environmental visuals and effects.[/p][p]-Unique grass interactions with ball.[/p][p][/p][h3]Volcano[/h3][p]-Fully 3D environment with props and set dressing, along with unique environmental visuals and effects.[/p][p]-Unique thunderstorm and volcano effects and sounds, along with unique interactions.[/p][p][/p][h3]Desert[/h3][p]-Fully 3D environment with props and set dressing, along with unique environmental visuals and effects.[/p][p]-Unique sandstorm effects and sound, along with unique interactions.[/p][p][/p][h3]Snow[/h3][p]-Fully 3D environment with props and set dressing, along with unique environmental visuals and effects.[/p][p]-Unique snow effects and sound, along with unique interactions.[/p][p][/p][h3]Free Roam[/h3][p]-Fleshed out and more polished, along with dozens of new assets.[/p][p]-Tutorial path has been given further guidance with torches and fences[/p][p]-Springs, fans, dash panels and more have been improved and given better visuals and feedbacks.[/p][p][/p][p]//The goal of Free Roam is to build a sandbox where we can play around with the great movement, and build out fun platformer-style levels and challenges.[/p][h2][/h2][h2]Various[/h2][h3]UI[/h3][p]-Free Roam has been added to the main menu as an option. [/p][p]It'll send you into the map solo for now, with support eventually for more players.[/p][p]-Various fixes on controller where navigation could get stuck[/p][p][/p][h3]Ball[/h3][p]-New interactions with different surfaces (grass, snow, dirt, and sand!)[/p][p]-Will eventually get different physics tuning and behaviors as we flesh these out.[/p][p][/p][h3]Music[/h3][p]-Added 20 new tracks that play while in free roam.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Stage Remixer (and More Unique Stage Conditions)[/h3][p]-Mix up your matches with stage hazards that move and change throughout the match.[/p][p]-Options for random and set times (or at last 3rd of game, on last goal needed, the option is yours!)[/p][p]-Universal to all maps (with options for region-specifics!)[/p][p][/p][h3]Character Customization[/h3][p]-Bringing this feature back, as well as offering 6 more character variants (one for each region)[/p][p]-Customize your character model, skin, club and headpiece[/p][p][/p][h3]Cloud Saves[/h3][p]-In early testing, basic framework built.[/p][p][/p][h3]Buffs/Debuffs During Matches[/h3][p]-Buff/debuff system built and is being tested and experimented with. These can be applied at runtime in all sorts of different ways. [/p][p]Think - getting exhausted after being hit a certain amount of times (stamina system), gaining momentum after holding the ball in an opponent's zone for a period of time, weather effects (heat, cold, frozen, burning, with characters from different regions having an affinity against certain effects)[/p][p] [/p][h3]Tournament Mode[/h3][p]-Tools are being built, framework is getting set up. [/p][p]-In order for tournaments to feel like tournaments, we need to add more character variety and build more teams into the game (from different regions).[/p][p][/p][h3]Season Mode[/h3][p]-Build a team and progress through the season, winning games, making the playoffs, and winning the championship.[/p][p][/p][h3]Single Player Adventure[/h3][p]-A platformer-based single player mode that expands from what we built in the tutorial level.[/p][p]-Progress through an actual campaign of challenges and levels that teach you and test your knowledge of the controls and the environment.[/p][p][/p][h3]Account Progression[/h3][p]-A leveling system where you gain XP and unlock cosmetics and new ways to play as you level up and play the game[/p][p]-Still in early stages[/p][p][/p][h3]Achievements 2.0[/h3][p]-New achievements to reflect the new things to do in the game, as well as new challenges.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Thanks for playing! [/p][p][/p][p]Join Our Discord[/p]