Massive Demo Update and New Release Date!

[p]Massive demo update is here! But first, an important announcement.[/p][p]The original release date was December 12, 2025.[/p][p]After a lot of thought (and reading tons of your amazing feedback), I’ve decided to postpone the release to January 20, 2026.[/p][p]🗓️ New Release Date: January 20, 2026
(Mark your calendars, or just hit that Wishlist button and let Steam do the work!)[/p][p]I’ll be honest, with all the recent coverage, excitement, and feedback, things have gotten a little overwhelming… in the best possible way. Reading, analyzing, and replying to all your feedback takes a lot of time (who would have known, right?).[/p][p]I might be a perfectionist, but this isn't just me tweaking pixels for another month. I want to make sure I'm actually listening to all of you and that the game you've been waiting for is worth the wait.[/p][p]So please, let me cook just a bit longer! 🍳[/p][p]And come throw your ingredients to the Discord channel! (or email, post to Steam discussion channel or comment here! I want to hear it!)[/p][p]Rest assured, there’ll be a big launch discount! And btw, this absolutely does NOT mean that there will be no free content updates after release![/p][p]Thank you all for your patience, feedback, and incredible support.[/p][p]Now, on to those patch notes… 👇[/p][p][/p][h2]🌟 New Features in Demo v0.320[/h2]

• [p]Starter Gem loadout customization - Change what starter Gems you can discover when mining and placing blocks and how that affects all the merges you can create![/p]
• [p]Leaderboards system - activated in a few days if there are no problems populating it! Collecting your highest difficulty and score runs already.[/p]
• [p]Encyclopedia added - browse all Gems and Augments in the main menu.[/p]
• [p]Core, Aid and Archetype Augment Selection - New specialized Augment Selections appear on specific waves! Core for utility abilties, Aid to heal your miner, recharge abilities or fill your starter Gem loadout, and Archetype to change how you discover Gems when you are done mazing![/p]
• [p]Roguelike Timeline Tracker - Visual "map" showing your run progression with upcoming waves and Augment Selections![/p]
• [p]3x Speed Option - Fast-forward through waves even faster.[/p][p][/p]

[h2]Gem & Ability Changes[/h2]

• [p]Aquamarine - Now buffs itself for 1% Fire Rate per adjacent water tile at wave end[/p]
• [p]Serpentine - Shoots 3 projectiles, damage reduced by 66%[/p]
• [p]Chalcedony - Buffs now apply on wave end[/p]
• [p]Iolite - Activates on first attack instead of wave start, added visual effect[/p]
• [p]Fluorite - Ability can only be placed directly on gems and follows the target if moved[/p]
• [p]Gems and Miners can now have up to 3 abilities simultaneously[/p]
• [p]Stealth detection separated from attack range with new indicator (Pearl, Nacre, Pyrite, Chalcedony, Moonstone, Fluorite, Iolite reveal stealth at 3 range)[/p]

[h2]New Augment[/h2]

• [p]Synthesizer - Starter Gems gain a Gem Ability to combine with another Gem of the same type and level. The combining Gem also gains a permanent buff (+0.25 Range)[/p]

[h2]Balance & Gameplay[/h2]

• [p]Crowd Control Diminishing Returns - CC effectiveness scales down after expected travel time, reaching zero at 3x duration[/p]
• [p]Damage check wave HP now properly scales with mob HP stat[/p]
• [p]Damage check supports values up to int64 (over 9 quintillion)[/p]
• [p]Final boss wave improvements to make leaderboards more fair[/p]

[h2]Quality of Life[/h2]

• [p]Reposition abilities now show transparent ghost image of the gem being moved[/p]
• [p]Copy Cat can't target Traps anymore and places copied gems randomly around the Miner[/p]
• [p]Abilities can now be used during augment selection[/p]
• [p]Merge button updates interactivity without reopening UI[/p]
• [p]Range indicators update correctly when checking merges[/p]
• [p]Tooltips and merge info panels now have opening animations[/p]
• [p]Better visibility for stealth detection and attack ranges in Frozen Trail[/p]

[h2]UI Improvements[/h2]

• [p]Tag icons added for detector, slow, stun, debuff, anti-air, and AoE[/p]
• [p]Icon backgrounds added to gem and miner ability buttons[/p]
• [p]Improved gem list sorting and navigation[/p]
• [p]Enhanced gamepad navigation throughout menus[/p]
• [p]Font fixes and improvements[/p]

[h2]Bug Fixes[/h2]

• [p]Fixed rare error where mobs at spawn point deal damage instantly[/p]
• [p]Selector correctly updates after repositioning gems[/p]
• [p]Copy Cat description clarified[/p]
• [p]Malachite and Serpentine bounce descriptions corrected (5 bounces, not 3)[/p]
• [p]Various tutorial fixes[/p]
• [p]General UI and tooltip improvements[/p]

[hr][/hr][p]As always, your feedback is very much appreciated![/p][p]From worrying no one would care about my game to seeing so many players enjoying the demo, and even content creators covering it, it’s honestly beyond words. Thank you all so much for understanding, the incredible support and for all the wishlists! 💎[/p][p]-iFeral[/p]