Dev Diary: New Year Update + Development Progress

Happy New Year!

We’re deep into development and 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for us.

Thanks for sticking with the project and continuing to push us with your feedback.

Today we’re sharing a new in-development build. In the video you’ll see:

• Part of the Act 3 boss fight

• Gameplay with the new weapon type, the Gauntlet

• Early prototype footage of a new boss

• A short Chapter 3 cutscene preview

As always, this is work in progress. Timing, UI, and effects are still being tuned. The full video will be uploaded to our official YouTube channel.

Act 3 Boss

This boss fight is built around pressure and control.

You’re dealing with tight close-range threats while managing space at the same time.

The phase transitions deliberately shift the pace of the fight.

If you’re not paying attention, the rhythm will break on you.

Our stance on bosses is simple. You should beat them because you learned the fight and executed cleanly. Not because RNG went your way. We’re continuing to tune attack clarity, recovery windows, and phase flow so the fight feels demanding but fair.

If you get hit, it should be on you. If you win, it should feel earned.

New Weapon: Gauntlet

The Gauntlet will be introduced to the demo in the coming months.

This isn’t a bigger damage number weapon. It’s about shaping the battlefield. You carve out space, control lanes, and set up your own tempo before committing.

Right now we’re focusing on three things:

• First, sustained control instead of burst clears.

• Second, helping you create reliable damage windows in boss fights.

• Third, tightening hitbox alignment so visuals and impact match exactly.

We’ll break this weapon down in more detail in the next update.

New Boss Prototype

At the end of the video you’ll see graybox footage of a new boss in early development.

It’s rough. That’s intentional.

We prototype for readability first. Patterns need to be learnable. Complexity means nothing if players can’t parse what’s happening.

We’re designing this fight so mistakes feel understandable. No cheap hits. No visual noise hiding key information.

Clarity is non-negotiable.

Story and Cutscene Preview

You’ll also catch a glimpse of a Chapter 3 cutscene.

Combat is the spine of Ember and Blade, but the world inside the seal and the characters driving it matter just as much. Chapter 3 starts to expose intent. Motivations get less abstract.

We’ll keep spoilers out of this one, but the tone should be clear.

Late February Demo Update

We’re preparing a major demo update for the last week of February.

This update focuses on early-game flow and core combat access.

Here’s are some of the upcoming changes:

• Demo weapon set updated to Sword, Hammer, and Gauntlet

• Dash Attack and Flash Counter unlocked by default (At the community’s request)

• Act 1 route adjustments and balance pass

• Minimap added (At the community’s request)

• Blessing system rebuilt, now capped at 6 slots with improved effects

• Relic system updated to allow multiple relics equipped

One important note.

Previous progress data will be reset with this update. The structural changes require it.

We’d rather reset now than carry forward unstable foundations.

And lastly, thanks again for following us and showing us love and support for Ember and Blade.

Watch the video. Tell us where it feels strong. Tell us where it doesn’t. We read everything.

And if you want to support the project, wishlisting helps more than you think.

We’ll be back with the next build soon.

— Ember and Blade Team

Stay Connected

Follow our channels for updates, dev posts, and community events:

• Discord: Join our community

• Twitter/X: @EmberandBlade

• YouTube: Ember and Blade Official