Linkshift News

[p][/p][p]Hey everyone![/p][p]First off, I wish you all a happy New year and a wonderful 2026![/p][p]Lets kick this new year off with a big update for the LinkShift Demo which is already live and also quickly talk about the development plan for 2026. [/p][p][/p][h2]New Demo version 1.05.0 - Major features/changes[/h2]

• [p]Joker Nodes can now manipulate/affect other Joker Nodes[/p]
• [p]Amplified Nodes are always collected[/p]
• [p]Glitch Status is removed from Relaxation Mode. [/p]
• [p]New Boosters added[/p]
• [p]Booster Rebalance[/p]
• [p]Point Breakdown on results screen[/p]
• [p]Readability improvements[/p]
• [p]Bug fixes.[/p]

[p]Lets highlight a few of the new features![/p][h3]Joker Nodes Affecting other Nodes[/h3][p]Jokers will now affect any other Jokers it will be placed adjacent to or connects to. It can create a wild range of new ways to manipulate the grid and opens up new strategies and ways to solve the on going puzzle. [/p][p]Note the Bomb on the lower left. It can not clear the Glitched node since its connector does not point towards it.[/p][p][/p][p]When the player connected a Full Connector Joker, the Bomb grows all its Connectors and is able to clear the Glitch Node. The Full Connector Joker even gave another Full Connector Joker all its Connectors which in return even affected the placed Joker too. You can see the chain reaction possibilities here![/p][p][/p][h3]Amplified Nodes are always Collected immediately[/h3][p]Amplifying Nodes by connecting all of a Node their Connectors is a great way to create big collections. With this new change, Amplified Nodes will always be collected with whichever collection is first.[/p][p]This leads to bigger and more varied collections. It allows or more dynamic ways to score and building up multiplier with bigger leaps. [/p][h3]New Boosters[/h3][p]The roster of different Boosters you can encounter during an Exploration run has grown in size (which is by no means final either)[/p][p]You will see things like, Easier Blockers Booster, Longer Collection Times etc.[/p][p][/p][h3]Score Breakdown[/h3][p]To give you a better understanding how you have managed to build a crazy scoring combination of Boosters, the scoring screen will now give you a full break down of all the ways you managed to score points during your last run.[/p][p]This is my no means final and I am keen on learning from you how you would like to see these statistics be improved![/p][p]Those are just a high level view of the changes in v1.05.0. Go ahead and play the demo and see how you like all the recent changes. Let me know what you think![/p][p][/p][h2]LinkShift Development plan 2026[/h2][p]LinkShift is scheduled to release in Q1 2026 and things are moving fast. On the development side I am full steam ahead on the release version and its progressing nicely. [/p][p]There are 14 Jokers in at the moment but aiming towards 20 on release. Steam Leaderboards are working and are visible in the game. The third game mode is done and full functioning and feels very different to the other modes. Lumines fans might like this one ;). [/p][p]The first order of business for now will be the Steam Next Fest Demo and adding Steam Achievements to the full game.[/p][p]Hope this gives you a bit of insight what's coming. Let me know what you think![/p][p]Cheers, [/p]

• [p]Tim[/p]

[p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Hi happy Sunday everyone,[/p][p]Am glad to announce the LinkShift Demo is now available to play![/p][p][/p][p]It contains two different game modes, Relaxation and Exploration. Unlock new Master Nodes for Exploration and experiment with different builds and find new synergies. [/p][p][/p][p]The demo will be available indefinitely so enjoy it as long as you like. [/p][p]If you have any feedback or want to share your builds or high scores, please visit the community hub:[/p][p]https://steamcommunity.com/app/3822710/discussions/[/p]

[p]Hey all,[/p][p]Tim here! I'd like to introduce you to LinkShift's main game mode called Exploration. Its a puzzle game mode with roguelite elements that lets you manipulate the rules into your favor. [/p][p]Lets a have a quick look how it works.[/p][p][/p][h2]Master Node Selection[/h2][p]Before you start a new run you can select up to 3 Master Nodes to take with you. In LinkShift you will unlock new types of Master Nodes so the options you have will expand over time. Each Master Node lets you do do unique things so find your preferred combination and synergies. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Boosters Upgrades[/h2][p]Once you have started the run, each 3-5 levels you are presented with 3 random Booster Upgrade tiles that are spawned onto the grid. To choose one, place any Node on top and it will be added to your upgrade pool. The stats you have upgraded are visible on the lower left of the screen. There are many different Boosters to collect during a run which will let you manipulate the run into your favor. Spawn specific Nodes only, receive many Master Nodes, getting massive points via point clusters or just focus on survival and get those upgrades that will let you reach level 100, its up to you. [/p][h2]Booster Build Example[/h2][p]In this run I focused my build on the Point Clusters. These are locations that spawn on the grid and by placing Nodes of the same color in them they will become very valuable. [/p][p][/p][p]I managed to gather Boosters that made the Clusters bigger and their point value higher.[/p][p]Point clusters in this run were now super valuable and gave me loads of points when collecting. In combination with getting specific Nodes and manipulating the Master Node types the build became very strong.[/p][p]This is just an example of what is possible by choosing the right Master Nodes and making the right Booster choices during a run. Even in these early stages of the game's development there are already many different combinations and ways to bend the rules and this will grow over time in the up coming months. Very exciting![/p][p][/p][h2]Demo out soon[/h2][p]The demo release date is getting closer and I can not wait for you to be able to play the game and find your favorite Master Node and Booster combinations! [/p][p]Next update will be the demo release date announcement, it wont be long! See you soon :)[/p]

[p][/p][p]Hey! Tim here with a short update regarding Steamdeck support.[/p][p]Am aiming LinkShift to be fully Steamdeck verified. [/p][p]On top of that it will:[/p]

• [p]Runs at a smooth 60 fps.[/p]
• [p]Adjust content zoom levels or better experience at a smaller screen.[/p]

[p][/p][p]The demo with all the Steamdeck support features will release soon![/p][p]Next to that, the demo will contain the complete Classic game mode, completely free and no play time constraints. [/p][p]Am super excited to share the game with you soon.[/p]

• [p]Tim[/p]