Gnaughty Gnomes News

[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]

[p]Hello all! [/p][p][/p][p]We’re Sand Castles, the studio behind Gnaughty Gnomes. In this post, we’re diving into one of our most fun (and dangerous) mechanics: Mounts.[/p][p][/p][h2]Weapons: Objects vs Mounts[/h2][p]In Gnaughty Gnomes, there are two types of weapons you can use to cause damage:[/p]

• [p]Objects: Things you can grab and throw or swing at your enemies. We told you how to use objects (weapons) in the last devlog. You can check it for more information.[/p]
• [p]Mounts: These are a bit more… special. Mounts not only let you attatc. Also give you an entirely new way to move through the battlefield.[/p][p][/p]

[h2]What are mounts?[/h2][p]Mounts can spawn naturally on any map, although at a lower frequency than regular objects. You can also force them to appear using certain upgrades. Once you pick one up, you can swing it like a normal object, but here’s where it gets fun.[/p][p][/p][p]When you use a mount, you hop on and start riding it. Yes, just like a car! Your movement speed increases dramatically, and you’ll keep charging forward until one of two things happens:[/p]

• [p]You crash into a wall, or[/p]
• [p]You smash into another gnome (highly recommended).[/p]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]And here’s a wild detail: if you dodge everything and avoid crashes, you can ride indefinitely. That’s right, infinite mount mode, if your reflexes are good enough.[/p][p][/p][h2]But watch out...[/h2][p]Riding a mount might make you feel invincible, but don’t get too confident. While you're zooming around, enemies can still break your mount, leaving you vulnerable and exposed. Risk and reward classic Gnaughty Gnomes style.[/p][p][/p][h2]Mount upgrades[/h2][p]Because we like turning everything up to 11, mounts also come with their own set of upgrades. Some of our favorites include:[/p]

• [p]Ghost Rider: Lets you dash through walls while mounted.[/p]
• [p]Gnomicorn: Our rarest(and flashiest)mount. Also, our personal favorite (not that anyone asked).[/p]
• [p]Other mount options include airplanes, sharks, and more. If you can picture it, we probably made it rideable.[/p]

[p]So go ahead, run over your enemies with a flying fish. And if someone asks whether you have a license for that chaos?[/p][p]
Well… that’s GNO-my problem![/p][p][/p][p]Want to see it in action? Try the demo, follow us on social media, and make sure to add Gnaughty Gnomes to your Steam wishlist![/p][p][/p][p]Until next time![/p]

[p]Hi there! We're Sand Castles Studio, and we're working on a new party fighting game: Gnaughty Gnomes.[/p][p][/p][p]In this wild and chaotic game, there are three ways to attack a gnome: throwing objects, melee attacks, or using mountable items.[/p][p][/p][p]This time, we want to tell you all about how to use objects as weapons and how to deal damage with them.[/p][p][/p][h3]If you can grab it, you can use it[/h3][p][/p][p]Throwing and melee attacks are the basic combat mechanics in the game, and they're your main tools to take down enemies. Here's where it gets fun: any object you find on the ground can become a weapon, whether you're smashing gnomes up close or throwing things from a distance.[/p][p][/p][p]If you can grab an object, you can:[/p]

• [p]Hit with it if you're close enough to your opponent. Depending on the object, it may have a wider or smaller impact area.[/p]
• [p]Throw it, either instantly or by charging up your shot for more power. There's a max force limit, so the longer you charge, the faster and harder it flies. [/p]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h3]Upgrade your combat style[/h3][p][/p][p]As you progress through the game, you'll discover upgrades that modify your melee attacks and throws. These not only make you stronger, but also add flashy new ways to eliminate gnomes—and open up new strategies and synergies.[/p][p][/p][p]Trust us, you'll end up doing things like throwing a giant purple ball, or creating a floating barrier of spinning objects that protects you and damages other gnomes. It might not be very ''gnormal'', but it sure is fun![/p][p][/p][p]Please, add Gnaughty Gnomes to your Steam wishlist if you want help us! Thank you![/p][p][/p][p]Stay in touch with us through our social media![/p][p][/p][p]See you soon![/p]