Chop Chains News

[p]We’re excited to release a special build of Chop Chains for Steam Next Fest![/p][p]This version introduces a brand-new game mode and several improvements across the board 🚀[/p][p][/p][p]NEW 🆕[/p][p]Trials Mode 🪵
Take on a series of time-based challenges and beat the mascot’s time to prove you’re the ultimate lumberjack 🪓🔥[/p]

• [p]New Credits view[/p]
• [p]New Void Skill that lets you reset and start with 100 or 200 normal woods[/p]
• [p]Added consent confirmation for crash data & progression tracking[/p]
• [p]Smoother transitions between game states (menu, gameplay, etc.)[/p]
• [p]Added a Press Kit button in the main menu[/p]
• [p]Game version now displayed in the corner[/p][p][/p]

[p]IMPROVEMENTS & CHANGES 🔧[/p]

• [p]Axe Chains colors now match your equipped axe[/p]
• [p]Particle system now renders on the same layer as trees (FX can appear behind trees properly)[/p]
• [p]Fixed incorrect Spanish translations[/p]
• [p]Updated Void Skill Tree translations with shorter names[/p]
• [p]Demo balance adjustment: Forest now gives 2 base wood per level (was 10)[/p]
• [p]Classic leaderboards now reset monthly 📅[/p]
• [p]Leaderboard system reworked for easier maintenance[/p]
• [p]Added 10 dedicated leaderboards for Trials 🏆[/p]
• [p]Improved audio slider logic 🔊[/p]
• [p]Super Wood color adjusted (more yellow for clarity)[/p]
• [p]Fixed Autobuy interaction with Discord skills[/p]
• [p]Fixed save issues when changing language[/p]
• [p]Fixed skills remaining active when Time Attack is paused[/p]
• [p]Improved achievement icons and formatting[/p][p][/p]

[p]BUG FIXES 🐛[/p]

• [p]Axe prices now update automatically when gathering resources[/p]
• [p]Fixed Buy icon not resetting after unlocking skills via Void Skill Tree[/p]
• [p]Fixed zoom / reset zoom issue when opening Skill Tree[/p]
• [p]Void Skill Tree tab now correctly returns to the Plains[/p]
• [p]Fixed Forest progression percentage staying at 0[/p]

[p][/p][p]❤️ Thank you all for the support during Steam Next Fest!
Let’s see who becomes the ultimate lumberjack 🪓🔥[/p]

[p]We’re thrilled to announce that Chop Chains will participate in Steam Next Fest![/p][p]
📅 February 23 – March 3[/p][p][/p][p]For this special event, we’re releasing a Steam Fest build featuring a brand-new mode: TRIALS.[/p][p][/p][p]🆕 TRIALS MODE
Take on a series of timed challenges where you must chop down trees before the clock runs out ⏱️.[/p][p]
Complete all trials and prove yourself as the ultimate lumberjack! 🪵🪓[/p][p][/p][p]In addition to Trials, this Steam Fest build also includes:
• Improved performance and visuals
• UI polish and better tutorial flow
• Refined FX and achievement display[/p][p][/p][p]We’re also getting close to 15,000 wishlists — thank you all for the support ❤️
If you haven’t yet, don’t forget to add Chop Chains to your Steam wishlist! 🚀[/p]

[h2]🆕 NEW[/h2]

• [p]Added FPS limit and VSync settings.[/p]

[h2]🔧 MODIFIED[/h2]

• [p]Major UI overhaul by Clarisse.[/p]
• [p]Updated object pooling systems.[/p]
• [p]Improved Axe Chains performance and visuals (colors).[/p]
• [p]Tree positioning adjusted on tiles (Infinite mode trees are now centered).[/p]
• [p]More accurate hit FX for all skills (Chains, Mole, Thunder Storms).[/p]
• [p]Added fade-out on AoE skills (Thunder Storm, Mole).[/p]
• [p]Settings can no longer be opened with Escape on the main menu.[/p]
• [p]Disabled stats display on non-demo axes.[/p]
• [p]Added full game axes to the axe carousel (preview only for demo players).[/p]
• [p]Removed Buy button when requirements are not met to unlock an axe.[/p]
• [p]Reduced scene geometry from ~1,000,000 to ~100,000 triangles.[/p]
• [p]Overall performance optimizations.[/p]
• [p]“Already collected wood” flags are now saved on Steam.[/p]
• [p]Updated break leaves FX.[/p]
• [p]Break leaves FX are now pixelated when chopping a tree.[/p]
• [p]Break leaves FX now change color based on the chopped tree.[/p]
• [p]All FX have been reworked to a pixelated style.[/p]
• [p]Achievements no longer appear on top of the UI — now displayed only in game view.[/p]
• [p]Tutorial steps are now more controlled, using a black canvas to prevent unwanted inputs.[/p]
• [p]Reformatted some achievement values.[/p]
• [p]Updated fonts for JP / KR / SC from thin to regular.[/p]
• [p]Added missing translations in the settings dropdown.[/p]
• [p]Fully reworked German and Dutch translations.[/p]
• [p]Tutorial steps are now saved and loaded correctly.[/p]
• [p]Updated end of Time Attack popup.[/p]

[h2]🐛 FIXES[/h2]

• [p]Improved Buy icon states.[/p]
• [p]General translation fixes.[/p]
• [p]Fixed Forest save persisting from Normal mode to Time Attack mode.[/p]

[h2]🆕 New[/h2][p]• Axes now require a specific skill to be unlocked.
• Added a 1-second fade when switching music tracks.
• Added a new achievement: Mini Slime Army (Fill your plains with only mini slime trees — no map size requirement).
• Added the ability to choose between DirectX 11 or DirectX 12.
• Rearranged the top-right buttons into a stacked menu when clicked.[/p][p][/p][h2]🔧 Updates[/h2][p]• Rebirth no longer resets your axes or your forest.
You still need to unlock access again via:
– Axe Shop skill
– Forest skill[/p][p][/p][h2]🐛 Fixes[/h2][p]• Fixed the Buy All Skills achievement (325/325 was missing a skill in the skill tree).
• Fixed a bug where older players were not receiving the new achievement.
• Light modifications to Steam Cloud saves to fix errors for some players.
• Fixed WASD camera movement issues caused by AZERTY / QWERTY layout conflicts.
• Fixed tutorial progression (Void Tree was opening before purchasing the skill).
• Fixed an issue where the previously equipped axe appeared black when restarting the game (now displays the correct color).[/p]