Gnaughty Gnomes News

[p]Hello everyone![/p][p]After a year and a half of development, we can announce the release date for Gnaughty Gnomes: It will be available on Steam on March 3, 2026![/p][h3]What is Gnaughty Gnomes?[/h3][p]Gnaughty Gnomes is a PvP party game built for playing with friends and losing any remaining dignity along the way. There are no sacred rules here and no well-behaved gnomes—just fast matches, absurd situations, and highly questionable decisions.[/p][p]Here's what you can expect:[/p]

• [p]Wild, crazy and (g)naughty gnomes [/p]
• [p]Any object used as a weapon[/p]
• [p]Upgrade cards that can flip a match in seconds[/p]
• [p]Fast-paced rounds designed to make you say ''one more game''[/p]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]The game takes clear inspiration from multiplayer chaos classics like Rounds, Boomerang Fu, and Party Animals.[/p][h3]Play its demo on Steam[/h3][p]You can still play the Gnaughty Gnomes demo on Steam. In this version, you can try:[/p]

• [p]45 different upgrade cards (125 in the final game)[/p]
• [p]10 maps set in the Aquarium and Airport (25 in the final game, including Candyland, Bakery, and Fairy Forest)[/p]
• [p]3 emotes to laugh at your friends mistakes (6 in the final game)[/p]
• [p]The classic free-for-all game mode (with Team Mode and Prop Hunt coming in the final game)[/p]

[h3]If you're press or content creator...[/h3][p]We've put together a full press kit with everything you might need: Official press materials.[/p][p]If you'd like more details, want to request keys to try the full game before launch, or are interested in setting up an interview, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or through our [/p][p]social media.[/p][p]Thanks for reading and for your interest.[/p][p]See you soon with more news![/p]

[p]Hello everyone![/p][p]The launch of Gnaughty Gnomes is getting very close. We'll be revealing the release date soon, but before that, we want to share the latest additions to the game: the game modes.[/p][p]Until now, we had only talked about Classic Versus mode, but we decided to add two more to give you even more ways to play.[/p][p]The 3 game modes in Gnaughty Gnomes are:[/p]

• [p]Classic Versus [/p]
• [p]Teams [/p]
• [p]Prop Hunt[/p]

[p]Before diving into each mode, it's worth noting that all modes allow you to customize the following settings:[/p]

• [p]Standard: First player to reach 5 wins takes the match. Each gnome starts with 2 health points. You choose an upgrade card after every round, and all upgrade cards are enabled by default.[/p]
• [p]Quick Play: Same rules as Standard, but the match is won by the first player to reach 3 wins.[/p]
• [p]Custom: Fully customizable. You can choose the number of wins required, starting health points, how many rounds before choosing an upgrade card, and even which upgrades can appear during the match.[/p]

[h3]Classic Versus Mode[/h3][p]Classic Mode is a free-for-all battle. From 1 to 4 players fight to win using stage objects, mounts, and upgrade cards.[/p][p][/p][p]In previous devlogs, we explained all the core mechanics in detail. If you want to dive deeper into Classic Mode, we recommend checking out those videos or blog posts.[/p][h3]Teams Mode[/h3][p]Two gnomes versus two gnomes. You and a teammate join forces to face off against another pair of friends. Simple, competitive, and straight to the point.[/p][p][/p][p]It really works the same as Classic Mode, but this time you go in pairs.[/p][h3]Prop Hunt Mode[/h3][p]One gnome becomes the hunter. The rest must hide and blend in with the objects in the environment. Everything happens under a time limit, with a countdown that keeps the tension high from start to finish.[/p][p][/p][p]Which mode is your favorite?[/p][p]You can still try Classic Mode in the open demo available on Steam. Follow us on social media or join our Discord to stay up to date with all the latest news. And don't forget to add the game to your wishlist it helps us a lot.[/p][p]Thank you very much for the support![/p][p]Best regards,[/p][p]Sand Castles Studio[/p]

[p]Hey everyone, we’re back![/p][p]We’ve reached the final (for now) devlog of our Gnaughty Gnomes development journey. Previously, we covered how gestures, dashing, mounts, and weapons work. Today, we’re wrapping things up with the core mechanic of our chaotic party brawler: Upgrades![/p][p][/p][h3]What are upgrades?[/h3][p]Upgrades are cards that give your gnome new abilities. Basically, they’re boosts that can make the difference between being a pointy-hatted punching bag… or an unstoppable beast with near-cosmic powers.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h3]What kinds are there?[/h3][p]Not all Upgrades are created equal, which is why we’ve classified them by power level:[/p]

• [p]Common: Basic, useful, but don’t expect miracles.[/p]
• [p]Rare: Now we’re getting somewhere.[/p]
• [p]Epic: This is where things start getting out of control.[/p]
• [p]Legendary: These are game-breaking. Literally.[/p]

[p]And yep, those are all the tiers… for now. Think that’s not much? Wait till you see what they actually do.[/p][p][/p][h3]A few examples you’ll love (or hate)[/h3]

• [p]Kachow: Gives you a little speed boost. Nothing wild, but sometimes that’s all you need to escape or set up a sneaky play.[/p]
• [p]Emotional Damage: Turns your taunt into actual damage. Yes, you can literally hurt feelings and hit points.[/p]
• [p]Imaginary Technique: A huge, powerful, and extremely generic energy ball? Absolutely.[/p]
• [p]Soul Reaper: Steal the entire Upgrade set of the gnome you just eliminated. Yep, you’re taking their life and their legacy. You monster.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Anything else?[/h3][p]Some of these Upgrades have power we’d dare call… astroGnomic. So if you see a gnome glowing with cosmic energy, you better run—or get yourself an Upgrade too.[/p][p]Gnaughty Gnomes is strategic chaos disguised as a ridiculous party game. Upgrades don’t just spice up the combat, they force you to think—or just lose your mind with absurd power.[/p][p]Ready for the chaos? Add the game to your Steam wishlist and follow us on social media to stay in the loop![/p]

[p]Hello all! [/p][p]We’re Sand Castles, the team behind Gnaughty Gnomes. Today we want to tell you the story of how one of our core mechanics started as a silly little joke and ended up becoming a key part of the gameplay: the gesture (or emote, or taunt, you’ll see why).[/p][p][/p][h2]It all started with a laugh[/h2][p]Early in development, we had a funny thought: ''What if the gnomes could taunt each other?''
It seemed like a goofy, charming little detail. Why not throw in a fun animation that lets gnomes mock their opponents? Nothing fancy. Just a laugh, a gesture, a cheeky way to say, “Hey, I’m winning!”[/p][p][/p][h2]From joke to core mechanic[/h2][p]The beauty of game development is how a small idea can suddenly open the door to something much bigger. And that’s exactly what happened with our little taunt.[/p][p]We started asking ourselves: ''What if certain upgrades in the game could modify the effects of your gesture?''[/p][p]That changed everything.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]Suddenly, that silly little animation wasn’t just for laughs, it became a strategic tool, a gameplay element, a core mechanic. Depending on the upgrades you unlock, your taunt can do things like:[/p]

• [p]Spawn objects out of nowhere[/p]
• [p]Slow down your enemies[/p]
• [p]Reverse their controls[/p]
• [p]Deal emotional (and physical) damage[/p]
• [p]Even… call a taxi? (Don’t ask why. Or do. Just not yet.)[/p]

[p]And here’s the kicker: if you manage to get a specific gesture upgrade, you can trigger all those effects at once. Yep. Total chaos.[/p][p][/p][h2]From laughs to tactical mayhem[/h2][p]What started out as an internal joke became one of the most important tools in this chaotic party brawler. We love how something as simple as a taunt turned into a source of pure fun, strategy, and absolute nonsense. Then again, that’s kind of how we roll when we make games.[/p][p]Try the game demo and don’t forget to wishlist Gnaughty Gnomes if you liked it!
You can also follow us on social media to stay updated on all things gnome-related.[/p][p]And remember: If a gnome starts taunting you… they just might be about to break the game.[/p][p]See you soon![/p]

[p]Hey there! We're Sand Castles Studio, the team behind Bread & Fred and now Gnaughty Gnomes.[/p][p][/p][p]Today, we want to share one of the most underrated (but essential) mechanics in the game: the dash.[/p][p][/p][h3]What is the dash?[/h3][p]At its core, the dash is one of the simplest moves you can find in a fast-paced fighting game. When activated, your gnome dashes forward in the direction he's facing. That's it. This quick burst lets you dodge incoming projectiles or charge toward your opponents in the blink of an eye.[/p][p][/p][h3]Simplicity with purpose[/h3][p]We designed the dash with a clear intention: make it easy to understand and use, while leaving room for strategic depth. Its simplicity ensures that any player (new or experienced) can take advantage of it right away without any learning curve.[/p][p][/p][p]Think that's all? Not even close. In Gnaughty Gnomes, things aren't supposed to stay clean or predictable. Everything needs to be chaotic, frantic, and just a little bit wild. So...[/p][p][/p][h3]Dash on steroids[/h3][p]The dash can be upgraded with different abilities and enhancements that turn it into something much more fun and way more unpredictable.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]For example, here are just a few upgrades you can add:[/p]

• [p]Dash through walls, perfect for ambushes from unexpected angles.[/p]
• [p]Instant teleport, turning your Dash into a quick blink.[/p]
• [p]Extended Dash, ideal for closing gaps or escaping madness.[/p]
• [p]Leave an explosive mine at the end of your Dash, perfect for players who love tactical mayhem.[/p]

[p][/p][p]These variations don't just keep each match feeling fresh, they also unlock unpredictable synergies between abilities, items, and environments.[/p][p][/p][h3]Balance and chaos in equal parts[/h3][p]During our internal playtests, we experimented with all kinds of upgrade combos, and let's just say things got interesting. Some dashes became hilariously overpowered (and incredibly fun), while others clearly needed some serious tuning.[/p][p][/p][p]In other words, we've got some GNOMbers to tweak.[/p][p][/p][p]If you have questions, suggestions, or just want to stay in the loop with development updates, don't forget to follow us on social media and add the game to your Steam wishlist. Oh, and don't forget to try the demo![/p][p]See you soon![/p]