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  3. Swordai Playtest 7 starts 9-3-2025

Swordai Playtest 7 starts 9-3-2025

Playtest 7 will start at 1pm Pacific on 9-3-2025 and will run through 9-8-2025. This playtest features tons of changes based on your feedback from playtest 6 as well as a greatly expanded quest line, new 1vX NPC code that is unparalleled in the slasher genre, a new enemy type, new control options, tons of QoL and more.

Right after playtest 6 I also released a new official game trailer. Huge shout out to everyone who participating in the filming. The trailer is absolutely fire and I'm super grateful for all the help from the community. ICYMI:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

What's new in Playtest 7?

Below is just the highlights, for full patch notes see discord.

  1. Content
    • Greatly expanded the main quest line
    • Significant updates to the ice cave including new sections, new chests/secrets, and a new NPC type
    • Added a new 1vX AI module that makes the harder AIs riposte transfer, target switch, etc in 1vX scenarios.
    • A new kata, called the Kata of the Fading Sun. Currently Raydil has the #1 time.
      [previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]


  2. Community Feedback
    • Killing another player near their bind stone banishes them to a far away bindstone
    • When you go through a red portal you will not be sent to a bind stone that is being camped
    • Ability slot unlocks no longer require Kata's instead those have greatly increased quest rewards
    • The entrance has a PvP toggle
    • Ice golem hitboxes have been reworked to use the Basalt Golem code base
    • Greatly improved the directionality of the audio to give a better indication of direction and distance
    • You can now practice specific phases of the initiation trial and other challenges
    • You can now practice defending against kicks at the block trainer
    • Player loot crystals now persist for 30 minutes and are visually distinct from NPC crystals
    • Tons more, thanks so much to all of you who dropped suggestions in discord


  3. QoL
    • You can now search and filter your inventory
    • Added new control schemes such as "Freeblock" which lets you update your block direction in real time while holding RMB.
    • Added a "Buffered Kiai" option that applies your kiai to the next attack rather than the current one
    • Added control presets that load in specific recommended configurations
    • Katas now show a preview of the next orb
    • The arena is greatly streamlined, NPC duels are greatly sped up if two npcs are fighting and players are queued, npc's auto spawn if you are waiting for an opponent, etc


  4. Bug Fixes
    • Fixed issues with swords not loading in properly
    • Fixed a couple of issues with NPCs not resetting properly between duels
    • Fixed a bug where you could get stuck on the "play now" screen
    • Many more


Can't wait to see you all at the next playtest. Here's the hype video!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]