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  3. First Demo Update is here!

First Demo Update is here!

[p]Ave, Patronus![/p][p]The sands of the arena run red once again, and with your valuable feedback, we've tinkered with our demo quite a bit. Today’s update brings a plethora of new features, balance changes, UX improvements, and crucial bug fixes to help you experience full on gladiator mayhem…[/p][p]…Let’s dive into the full update:[/p][p] [/p][h2]Balancing Updates[/h2][h3]Audience Quests[/h3]
  • [p]Balanced 14 Audience Quests by reducing complexity and simplifying objectives to make them more achievable.
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  • [p]Improved quest design based on player feedback to ensure smoother progression.
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[h3]Status Effects[/h3]
  • [p]Burn and Frost statuses no longer persist between battles, reducing long-term punishment and improving flow.
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[h2]New Features & Additions[/h2][h3]City Management[/h3]
  • [p]Level-Up Stat Rerolling: You can now reroll stat choices during level-ups using gold. Manage your training more strategically!
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[h3]Battle Pickups[/h3]
  • [p]Favor of Cleansing: New pickup item that removes all stacks of a random negative status on pickup.

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  • [p]Favor of Protection: New pickup item that grants 1 Invincibility status on pickup.
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[h3]Tactical Visibility Tools[/h3]
  • [p]Movement Range Preview: Hold F to view hovered unit's movement range. This can be toggled to always-on in gameplay settings.
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  • [p]Path Danger Indicators: Paths now display hazard indicators (e.g., traps, status zones). Enabled by default and toggleable.

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[h2]
UX & UI Improvements[/h2][h3]Battle UX[/h3]
  • [p]Added new notifications for key events: Evade, Luck – Death, Luck – Status, and Critical Hits.
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  • [p]Evade Luck now displays when hovering over units.
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  • [p]Default pathing uses safe paths, with a toggle to revert to "fastest path."
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  • [p]Unit tooltips show clearer level, tier, and class icon tooltips.
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  • [p]Improved readability for stack counts and ability damage numbers.
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  • [p]Enhanced unit rotation targeting, especially for directional abilities like Vindicta.

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[h3]City UX[/h3]
  • [p]Auto-close delay added to stat level-up screens for smoother progression.
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  • [p]Added Graveyard “(!)” Indicator for unseen fallen Gladiators (reminder: equipment is preserved until graves are dug up in the full release).

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  • [p]Improved tutorial flow during first academy ability unlock.
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  • [p]Added consistent “(!)” indicators across Quarters, Map, and Academy.
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  • [p]New tooltip explaining grave-digging mechanics.
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  • [p]Better sorting and highlighting for gladiator selection and challenge assignment. For Example, a new sort option, differentiating between “in team” and “not in team” Gladiators.
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  • [p]Added Inn “(!)” notification when free Gladiators are available to recruit.
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  • [p]Fixed New Gladiator “(!)” indicator when gaining units via mercy.

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[h3]Dialog & Cinematics[/h3]
  • [p]Skip button repositioned to bottom right for better visibility.
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  • [p]Clicking during dialog now skips speaker fade-ins for faster progression.
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[h3]Other UX Tweaks[/h3]
  • [p]Sliders, for example in Gladiator previews, vertical lists or pre/post battle panels, now display exact values (except XP).
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  • [p]Improved item tooltip positioning (no more tooltips off-screen).
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  • [p]Added simple font option for accessibility (Bree-aligned duplicate of Liberation).
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  • [p]Added a location in each arena to show your chosen banner for improved visual flair.

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[h2]Fixes & Stability[/h2][h3]General Fixes[/h3]
  • [p]Journal now returns to the previously selected option after dialog or custscene replays.
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  • [p]Fixed issue with dialog recap after saving post-first battle.
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  • [p]Dismiss Gladiator feature now available from game start. You still won’t be able to dismiss your last Gladiator.

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[h3]

Combat Fixes[/h3]
  • [p]Arena Modifier Fixes:
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    • [p]“Spiked Arena” Modifier’s spikes no longer spawn on spaces occupied by a unit.
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    • [p]“Opportunism” Modifier now correctly counts filled consumable slots, not unique items.
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  • [p]Prevented attacks through indestructible objects with melee spear/hammer abilities.
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  • [p]Updated Taunt to only expire on turn start (not on damage).
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  • [p]Fixed missing attack of opportunity animation for enemy Invicta.
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  • [p]Vindicta and other directional abilities now correctly rotate based on target alignment.
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  • [p]Fixed tooltips displaying out of screen bounds during battle and pickups.

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[h3]City Fixes[/h3]
  • [p]Fixed outermost gladiator class icon clipping in full party layouts.
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  • [p]Updated Novice Challenge behavior to prevent quest exploit.
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  • [p]Fixed map node visibility after resetting challenges.

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[h3]Ability Fixes[/h3]
  • [p]Clarified Headbutt tooltip: Stun applies only on collision.
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  • [p]Disabled initiative tooltip preview in invalid states.

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[h3]AI Fixes[/h3]
  • [p]Enemies now consider attack of opportunity risks and their own HP when moving or attacking.
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  • [p]Age 1 Boss AI updated to use a more diverse set of abilities instead of repeating the most efficient one.

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[p]This update is just the beginning of refining the demo and the development of Bloodgrounds in general. Your feedback is a vital part of its' evolution, and we’re honored to fight beside such an already passionate community. Keep the reports, ideas, and feedback coming - we’re listening.[/p][p]Now go... train your champions and claim your glory!
[/p][p]Vale Patronus!
Exordium Games & Daedalic Entertainment[/p][p]

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