Newsletter January 2026

Hello, it’s been a while!

Since the last update I’ve had my head down working on a lot of different things.

I now plan on doing a monthly Newsletter (you’re reading the first one now 😯) to try and balance the actual game work with keeping you all informed about development.

Quick end of 2025 recap

• NEW Rank trials loop: ~5 fights then a boss fight to gain a rank, 5 ranks to climb

• NEW Lobby area: Shops, Healer, NPCs, & Astral Creation area

• NEW Buy stuff with Gold: buy Astral Cores, consumables, skill traits and more

• AdjustedNEW Combat claritycombat log with details on buffs etc, team preview, improved HUD, autopause

• NEW Behaviour system: In combat set your Astrals to “Stay Close” to their target, or “Keep Away”, and other options.

January 2026

January was focused on expanding the available skill trait options for the module skill builder system

TL;DR

• NEW: Planned 75 new Skill Traits for more variety and allowing “builds”, these with the 13 Types allows for well over a million unique skill combinations.

  • Yup 1,000,000+ Unique Skills!

• NEW: Implemented all 23 of the Form Traits: Previously there were around 8

  • Functionality all complete but VFX is still work in progress

• NEW: Implemented all 24 of the Effect Traits; Previously there were only ones for status effects but now there are various skill modifiers as well

• NEXT: February will be focussed on adding in the final Skill Traits (Movement & Technique Traits), as well as allowing players to name the skills. Whilst im at it I may also add in an Astral nicknaming System.

Progress Update

January has been about massively expanding the modular Skill Trait system so it can properly support distinct builds and real variety. I’ve planned 75 new Skill Traits overall, and with the 13 Types this pushes the system into 1,000,000+ possible unique skill combinations!

So far, the functionality is complete all 23 Form Traits (up from ~8) while the VFX work is still in progress. Form Traits are what give a skill its shape and Form. From explosive grenade-style shots and homing energy missiles to fast dash-through strikes that cut as you pass, there are now many different ways to dish out the damage, as well as a number of useful Utility forms to support your build!

I’ve also implemented 24 Effect Traits, previously we only had status effects, stat buffs & debuff options, but now there’s a wider range of skill modifiers such as Lifesteal, which lets an Astral heal a portion of the damage dealt by that skill, and Revenge, which increases a skill’s power as the user’s HP gets lower.

Whats next?

In February the focus is finishing the remaining Skill Traits (Movement Traits and Technique Traits) and adding the much sought after skill naming! I may also add an Astral nicknaming system at the same time. From there QA testing and bugfixing will allow the game to once again be playable, so keep an eye out for the next public build!

If you want to help support Astral Arena please Wishlist + tell one person who might like the game!

Discord

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