Early Access Release Date Announced – March 10
[p]The binary review for the Battle Hanafuda Early Access version has been approved, and the release date has been set to March 10 at 8:00 PM (PDT).[/p][p]This corresponds to March 11 at 12:00 PM (JST) in Japan.[/p][p][/p][p]We are currently making the final preparations for release.
Please stay tuned.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]■ About Hard Mode at Initial Release[/h3][p]At launch, Watch Mode (AI vs AI spectating for Hard Mode) will be available. However, the mode that allows players to play against the Hard Mode AI will not be included in the initial release and is still in preparation.[/p][p]We are currently fine-tuning the Hard Mode AI with the goal of creating a strong yet human-like opponent that experienced Koi-Koi players can respect.[/p][p]The AI has already become quite strong, but by observing matches in Watch Mode we can still see areas where further improvement is possible.[/p][p]One of my goals for Battle Hanafuda is to make it feature the strongest Koi-Koi AI among existing Hanafuda video games, but I cannot yet say that it has reached that level.[/p][p]Personally, I would describe myself as only moderately experienced with Hanafuda, and I believe many of the players who have discovered Battle Hanafuda may have deeper knowledge and experience than I do.[/p][p]For that reason, we decided to first release Watch Mode to show the current strength of the Hard Mode AI, and continue improving it through observation, discussion, and feedback from the community.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]■ Pricing Roadmap[/h3][p]The initial price for the Battle Hanafuda Early Access release will be $4.99.[/p][p]As development progresses and the game becomes more complete, we plan to gradually increase the price.[/p][p]The first milestone for a price increase will be the completion of Hard Mode, at which point the price is planned to increase by $1.00.[/p][p]The next milestone after that has not yet been decided.[/p][p]For example, one possible idea is an Arcade Mode where players face opponents with different strategic tendencies based on the Hard Mode AI, such as:[/p]
Please stay tuned.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]■ About Hard Mode at Initial Release[/h3][p]At launch, Watch Mode (AI vs AI spectating for Hard Mode) will be available. However, the mode that allows players to play against the Hard Mode AI will not be included in the initial release and is still in preparation.[/p][p]We are currently fine-tuning the Hard Mode AI with the goal of creating a strong yet human-like opponent that experienced Koi-Koi players can respect.[/p][p]The AI has already become quite strong, but by observing matches in Watch Mode we can still see areas where further improvement is possible.[/p][p]One of my goals for Battle Hanafuda is to make it feature the strongest Koi-Koi AI among existing Hanafuda video games, but I cannot yet say that it has reached that level.[/p][p]Personally, I would describe myself as only moderately experienced with Hanafuda, and I believe many of the players who have discovered Battle Hanafuda may have deeper knowledge and experience than I do.[/p][p]For that reason, we decided to first release Watch Mode to show the current strength of the Hard Mode AI, and continue improving it through observation, discussion, and feedback from the community.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]■ Pricing Roadmap[/h3][p]The initial price for the Battle Hanafuda Early Access release will be $4.99.[/p][p]As development progresses and the game becomes more complete, we plan to gradually increase the price.[/p][p]The first milestone for a price increase will be the completion of Hard Mode, at which point the price is planned to increase by $1.00.[/p][p]The next milestone after that has not yet been decided.[/p][p]For example, one possible idea is an Arcade Mode where players face opponents with different strategic tendencies based on the Hard Mode AI, such as:[/p]
- [p]an aggressive gambler[/p]
- [p]a cautious defensive strategist[/p]