City Defense Z News

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[/p][h2]THE TRANSFORMATION BEGINS - PART 1 IS HERE![/h2][p]
Commanders, the moment you've been waiting for has arrived! Part 1 of our massive 21-feature roadmap is now live, bringing core system improvements that will revolutionize your City Defense Z experience.

[/p][h2]WE HEAR YOU![/h2][p]
We are aware of crashes and performance issues on previous builds. We heard your voice through reviews and discussions, and we made lots of optimizations to get rid of crashes! We worked so hard for these optimizations and we will not stop! We will continue to polish and optimize the game.


Early Delivery Alert!
We were scheduled to release Part 1 tomorrow (September 20), but we couldn't wait to share these amazing features with you! We're delivering it one day early so we can be right here with you for any hotfixes or adjustments needed. We're fully aware this is an early launch and ready to support you every step of the way! :D

But wait... we couldn't resist adding some extra surprises!

[/p][h2]PART 1 FEATURES - CORE SYSTEMS & PROGRESSION[/h2][p]
Hand-drawn NPC Characters
• Complete replacement of AI-generated NPCs with custom hand-drawn artwork

Permanent Upgrades Expansion V1
• Tons of new permanent upgrades across all game systems

Dynamic Economy Redesign V1
• Reimagined economy with dynamic scaling and intelligent balance

Major FPS Boost Optimizations
• Reduced VRAM usage for better graphics performance
• Reduced CPU usage for smoother gameplay
• Reduced memory issues and leaks
• Reduced spike FPS drops for consistent performance
• Changed rendering systems of soldiers and enemy types
• Optimized particle effects for better performance
• Code optimizations across the entire game

Redesigned Merge-able Buildings
• Complete visual overhaul with enhanced distinguishability

Toggle-able HP Bar System
• HP bars for zombies and soldiers visible when ALT key is pressed

Seasonal Leaderboard System
• Leaderboards reset on scheduled days for seasonal competition

Transform Card System
• Special Transform card transforms any building while maintaining level



Card Lock System
• Lock cards to persist through transitions with strategic retention

Complete Control Rebinding
• Customize every hotkey and shortcut with full flexibility

[/p][h2]BONUS FEATURES - EXTRA SURPRISES![/h2][p]
We couldn't stop at just the planned features! Here are 5 bonus improvements we added:

Glow Effect for Special Cards
• Special cards like move level up now have beautiful glow effects

Deck-Style Card Layout
• Cards are now displayed like a deck with curved rotation for better visual appeal

Hide Cards Hotkey (H)
• Press H to hide/show cards for cleaner gameplay view

3X Laboratory Boost
• Laboratory building's research point generation increased by 300%

Enhanced Card Hover Details
• Building cards now show hover details for left and right click functionality
• Left click: Select card
• Right click: Pin/lock the card

[/p][h2]NEW PERMANENT UPGRADES - COMPLETE OVERVIEW[/h2][p]
Here's every single new permanent upgrade we've added in Part 1:

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That's 42 brand new permanent upgrades across 9 different categories!

[/p][h2]WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU[/h2][p]
Immediate Impact:
• Better performance with FPS optimizations
• More strategic depth with permanent upgrades
• Enhanced visual experience with hand-drawn NPCs
• Improved economy balance for better progression

Enhanced Gameplay:
• More control with rebindable keys
• Better card management with lock system
• Cleaner interface with hide cards option
• Faster research progression with lab boost

[/p][h2]PART 2 COMING OCTOBER 11[/h2][p]
This is just the beginning! Part 2 arrives on October 11 with:
• Complete UI Overhaul
• Steam Deck Optimization
• Intro & Outro Cinematics
• Market System Transformation
• And 10 more features!

[/p][h2]COMMUNITY FEEDBACK WELCOME[/h2][p]
Your Experience Matters:
• Test the new features and let us know what you think
• Report any issues or suggestions for improvements
• Share your favorite new permanent upgrades
• Help us refine Part 2 based on your feedback

[/p][h2]THE JOURNEY CONTINUES[/h2][p]
From our 10-day developer challenge to this massive Part 1 release, we've been working non-stop to deliver the best possible experience. These features represent our commitment to making City Defense Z the definitive tower defense game.

Part 1 is live. Part 2 is coming. The future of City Defense Z is here!

Share Your Feedback

Official Website

City Defense Z Wiki

10 planned features + 5 bonus surprises = 15 reasons to jump back in!

The transformation begins now. Your feedback shapes Part 2.

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[h2]MARK YOUR CALENDARS: SEPTEMBER 20 & OCTOBER 11![/h2]

Hello Commanders,

Since the 10 Days Development Challenge, we've been sharing updates with you every single day. We got so used to it that being quiet for just five days already felt strange to us. The truth is, we've kept working in the background, but we wanted to let you know we're still here and moving forward. That's why we thought it was time to share the dates for the next content and updates!

[h2]HERE'S OUR ROADMAP:[/h2]



We've split the work into two parts and locked in the dates:

📌 September 20 📌 October 11

Our dev team barely made it through 10 days of intense work, but we're sure they'll survive the next 30! (At least we hope so 😅)

Now the real question is: can you keep up with us?

[h2]A MESSAGE FROM THE HEART[/h2]

Since the launch day, we've built a small but strong community. The feedback, criticism, advice, and support you've given us mean so much. We really felt seen. 💚

You've added value to our work and guided us. Every bit of engagement, whether positive or negative, has lifted us up. We felt noticed. 💚

By the end of this roadmap, we hope to be worthy of your support.

[h2]WHAT'S COMING?[/h2]

September 20 - Part 1:
• Hand-drawn NPC Characters replacement
• Permanent Upgrades Expansion V1
• Dynamic Economy Redesign with scaling systems V1
• Major FPS Boost Optimizations
• Redesigned Merge-able Buildings
• Toggle-able HP Bar System
• Seasonal Leaderboard System
• Joker Card System
• Card Lock System
• Complete Control Rebinding system

October 11 - Part 2:
• Permanent Upgrades Expansion V2
• Dynamic Economy Redesign with scaling systems V2
• Complete UI Overhaul and polish
• Detailed Unit Information Panels
• Full Steam Deck Optimization (targeting official approval)
• Intro & Outro Cinematics with storytelling
• Market System Transformation
• Enhanced Building Card System
• Scalable UI System
• NPC Dialogue Toggle settings
• Mass Unit Selection
• ASMR Merging Animations polish
• Enhanced Expedition System

Full feature details available in our comprehensive roadmap announcement!


[h2]STAY CONNECTED[/h2]

We're not going anywhere, Commanders. We're here, we're working, and we're excited to share this journey with you.

Join Our Community

Official Website

City Defense Z Wiki

Two dates. One mission. Endless possibilities.

– Good Mood Games Team 💚

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[/p][p]
[/p][h2]WE HEARD YOUR FEEDBACK[/h2][p]
You told us you didn't like the AI-generated NPC art. We listened. We worked day and night to replace every single AI-generated portrait with hand-drawn artwork.

[/p][h2]WHAT'S CHANGED[/h2][p]
Hand-Drawn NPC Characters
• All AI-generated NPC portraits replaced with hand-drawn art
• Created by our team, no more AI Art content

FPS Improvements
(Why wait for this as well if we already did it right ? PS: ofc there is more fps optimization to come)
• Performance optimizations across the game
• Better frame rates and stability


[/p][h2]MEET THE NEW HAND-DRAWN NPCS[/h2][p]
[/p][p]
[/p][h2]WHY NOW[/h2][p]
Your feedback was clear: you wanted authentic art, not AI-generated content. We agree. This felt important enough to deliver immediately rather than wait for our planned roadmap.

[/p][h2]THE ROADMAP CONTINUES[/h2][p]
This patch is separate from our planned roadmap. The original 21 features in Part 1 and Part 2 are still coming as scheduled.

[/p][h2]THANK YOU[/h2][p]
Your feedback shaped this update. Thank you for being honest about what you wanted to see changed.

The game is updated now. Launch it and see the difference.

Share Your Feedback

Official Website

City Defense Z Wiki

No more AI. Just us.


[/p]

[h2]THE FUTURE OF CITY DEFENSE Z - OUR MOST AMBITIOUS ROADMAP YET![/h2]

As promised after completing our 10-day developer challenge, today we reveal our massive 1-month development roadmap. These aren't just updates - they're transformative features that will revolutionize your City Defense Z experience!

21 Major Features Coming in 2 Parts Over the Next Month:

[h2]VISUAL & TECHNICAL REVOLUTION[/h2]

Hand-Drawn NPC Characters
• Complete replacement of AI-generated NPCs with custom hand-drawn artwork

Complete UI Overhaul
• Total redesign and polish of the entire user interface

Redesigned Merge-able Buildings
• Complete visual overhaul with enhanced distinguishability

Full Steam Deck Optimization
• Complete optimization following all Steam guidelines (approval timing depends on Valve's review process)

Scalable UI System
• Customizable UI scaling for all screen sizes and devices

Intro & Outro Cinematics
• Dynamic intro/outro sequences with rich storytelling for each map

Massive FPS Boost Optimizations
• System-wide performance improvements with enhanced frame rates

[h2]GAMEPLAY & ECONOMIC SYSTEMS[/h2]

Market System Transformation
• Always-active market with reroll functionality and permanent upgrades

Dynamic Economy Redesign
• Reimagined economy with dynamic scaling and intelligent balance

Enhanced Building Card System
• Increase total building card count beyond current 3-card limitation

Card Lock System
• Lock cards to persist through transitions with strategic retention

Massive Permanent Upgrades Expansion
• Tons of new permanent upgrades across all game systems

Joker Card System
• Special joker card transforms any building while maintaining level

Mass Unit Selection
• Select and move multiple defense units simultaneously

Enhanced Expedition System
• Preview rewards, new reward types, and unlock locked units through expeditions

Seasonal Leaderboard System
• Leaderboards reset on scheduled days for seasonal competition

[h2]USER EXPERIENCE & CUSTOMIZATION[/h2]

Detailed Unit Information Panels
• Click any defense unit to see comprehensive stats and capabilities

Toggle-able HP Bar System
• HP bars for zombies and soldiers visible when ALT key is pressed

Complete Control Rebinding
• Customize every hotkey and shortcut with full flexibility

NPC Dialogue Toggle
• Settings option to disable/enable world news NPC dialogues

ASMR Merging Animations
• Repolished merging animations with satisfying, ASMR-quality experiences

[h2]2-PART DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE - STRATEGIC RELEASE APPROACH[/h2]

PART 1 - CORE SYSTEMS & PROGRESSION (First Part):
• Hand-drawn NPC Characters replacement
• Permanent Upgrades Expansion V1
• Dynamic Economy Redesign with scaling systems V1
• Major FPS Boost Optimizations
• Redesigned Merge-able Buildings
• Toggle-able HP Bar System
• Seasonal Leaderboard System
• Joker Card System
• Card Lock System
• Complete Control Rebinding system

PART 2 - PLATFORM & EXPERIENCE (Final Part):
• Permanent Upgrades Expansion V2
• Dynamic Economy Redesign with scaling systems V2
• Complete UI Overhaul and polish
• Detailed Unit Information Panels
• Full Steam Deck Optimization (targeting official approval)
• Intro & Outro Cinematics with storytelling
• Market System Transformation
• Enhanced Building Card System
• Scalable UI System
• NPC Dialogue Toggle settings
• Mass Unit Selection
• ASMR Merging Animations polish
• Enhanced Expedition System

Why 2 Parts?
• Part 1 delivers core gameplay improvements immediately
• Part 2 focuses on platform optimization and cinematic experience
• Allows for community feedback integration between releases
• Ensures each part receives proper polish and testing

This is our most ambitious roadmap yet - 21 transformative features that will revolutionize City Defense Z!

[h2]COMMUNITY FEEDBACK WELCOME[/h2]

Your Voice Matters:
• Share your thoughts on these planned features
• Suggest priority ordering for development
• Report any additional features you'd love to see
• Help us make City Defense Z the best tower defense experience possible

We're not just developing a game - we're building the future of tower defense together with our community!

[h2]THE JOURNEY CONTINUES[/h2]

From 10-day challenge to 1-month transformation:

The developer challenge was just the beginning. These 21 features represent our commitment to making City Defense Z the definitive tower defense experience. Every feature has been carefully planned based on community feedback and our vision for the game's future.

This isn't just an update - it's a complete evolution delivered in 2 strategic parts!

Join Development Discussions

Official Website

City Defense Z Wiki

21 features. 2 parts. 30 days. Unlimited possibilities.

The future of City Defense Z starts now. Your feedback shapes every feature.

[h2]THE CHALLENGE IS COMPLETE - BUT OUR JOURNEY NEVER ENDS![/h2]

Today's Final Challenge Updates:
• Huge FPS Boost with soldier vertex animation conversion
• Resource Collection Fixes for final building levels
• Major Performance Optimizations across music, particles, and machines
• Animation System Overhaul for soldiers and day/night cycles
• Critical Bug Fixes for merge indicators and gameplay mechanics
• Developer Challenge Complete - 10 days of intense development
• New Era Begins - Major 1-month roadmap announcement tomorrow!

FINAL CHALLENGE ACHIEVEMENTS:
1. Performance Revolution - Soldier animators converted to vertex animation for massive FPS improvement
2. Resource Collection Polish - Fixed visibility issues in final building levels
3. System-Wide Optimization - Music, particles, and machine performance dramatically improved
4. Animation Overhaul - Complete soldier and day/night animation system modernization
5. Challenge Completion - 10 days of non-stop development and community-driven improvements
6. Future Vision - Tomorrow we reveal our ambitious 1-month development roadmap

[h2]PERFORMANCE BREAKTHROUGH - VERTEX ANIMATION IMPLEMENTATION[/h2]

• Huge FPS Boost - Soldier animations now use vertex animation instead of traditional animators
• Smooth Gameplay - Significant performance improvement across all maps and scenarios
• Technical Achievement - Complex animation system optimization completed
• Future-Proof - New system provides foundation for even more complex animations

[h2]GAMEPLAY POLISH - RESOURCE COLLECTION PERFECTION[/h2]

• Resource Indicator Visibility - Fixed issue where resource collection indicators were hidden behind tall buildings
• Final Level Buildings - Players can now clearly see when resources are ready for collection
• Visual Clarity - No more guessing if resources are ready to collect
• User Experience - Seamless resource management across all building levels

[h2]SYSTEM-WIDE PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATIONS[/h2]

• Music & Sound Effects - General size updates and FPS drop prevention measures implemented
• Particle System Overhaul - Game loads reduced, visual elements optimized for better performance
• Machine Performance - General load reduction and day/night animation updates
• Smooth Machine Targeting - Machine rotations toward targets now smoother and more natural
• Animation System Modernization - All soldier animations updated to new system for reduced performance load
• Soldier Targeting Fix - Fixed issue where soldiers could fire without looking at targets

[h2]CRITICAL BUG FIXES & POLISH[/h2]

• Merge Level Sprite Fix - Fixed issue where level sprites remained visible during merge operations
• Pause Localization - Added localization support for "Paused" text
• Merge Indicator Fix - Fixed incorrect merge indicators for max-level objects and reorganized multi-merge rewards
• Dust Display Fix - Resolved issue where dust particles appeared unexpectedly on screen
• Toxic Boss AI Fix - Fixed bug where toxic boss could attack friendly soldiers
• Building Collection Height - Increased height for high-level building collection to prevent resources getting stuck inside

[h2]THE 10-DAY CHALLENGE JOURNEY - COMPLETE![/h2]

What We Accomplished Together:

Days 1-3: Core gameplay mechanics, bug fixes, and performance improvements
Days 4-6: UI/UX enhancements, community feedback implementation, and system refinements
Days 7-9: Leaderboard balance, major UI polish, and gameplay convenience features
Day 10: Performance breakthrough, system-wide optimizations, and final polish - Challenge Complete!

Total Improvements Delivered:
• 50+ bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements
• Major performance optimizations and FPS boosts across all systems
• Complete UI/UX overhaul and polish
• System-wide animation and performance modernization
• Community-driven feature implementations
• Leaderboard and scoring system balance
• Enhanced gameplay mechanics and convenience

[h2]TOMORROW: THE NEW ERA BEGINS - 1-MONTH ROADMAP REVEAL![/h2]

The Challenge is Complete, But We're Just Getting Started!

• Major Roadmap Announcement - Tomorrow we reveal our ambitious 1-month development plan
• New Features - Exciting gameplay additions and system expansions
• Community Goals - Your feedback will continue to drive our development priorities
• Future Vision - Long-term plans for City Defense Z evolution

This isn't the end - it's the beginning of something even bigger!

[h2]COMMUNITY CELEBRATION - THANK YOU FOR THIS INCREDIBLE JOURNEY[/h2]

Special thanks to our incredible community:

Challenge Champions:
• Every player who provided feedback and bug reports
• Community members who tested features and reported issues
• Steam reviewers who highlighted areas for improvement
• Discord members who participated in discussions and suggestions
• All players who supported us during this intense development sprint

Your feedback, patience, and enthusiasm made this challenge possible. Together, we've created something amazing!

[h2]THE CHALLENGE COMPLETE - NEW ERA BEGINS[/h2]

Day 10 complete: The 10-day developer challenge is finished. We've delivered massive improvements, performance boosts, and gameplay polish.

Tomorrow: Major 1-month roadmap announcement - the next chapter of City Defense Z development begins!

Remember: This challenge may be complete, but our commitment to excellence never ends. Your feedback will always drive our development.

Join the Community

Official Website

City Defense Z Wiki

Challenge Complete. New Era Begins Tomorrow. The journey never ends.

Your feedback drives our development. Always.