Playtest Sign-Ups Are Live! (+Story Narration, Boss Spawns, & Dog's Last Stand)

Hi Survivors!

This month, our main priority is opening up sign-ups for Focus Group Playtesting, and because you supported us on Kickstarter, you get priority access.

We're reaching the stage where we need fresh eyes to help us refine the experience, spot balance issues, and tell us what's working (and what isn't).

How to Join Playtesting:

• Schedule: Kicks off in the first two weeks of September, with additional rounds following after.

• Deadline: There's no hard cutoff date, but we fill spots as forms come in. The sooner you apply, the sooner you'll get invited.

• Priority: Kickstarter backers will have their application submissions reviewed first.

Fill out the Focus Group Application Form here: bit.ly/MAPlaytestingForm

What We Worked On This Month

Outside of getting the playtest pipeline ready, we spent the last few weeks hunting down bugs and polishing up game feel. Here’s a quick look at a few features that just landed:

Objective Story Narration

Back in June, we showed an early draft of how we wanted to deliver story moments. That system is officially integrated! Now, whenever your team completes a major objective during a mission, dynamic story narration triggers to keep the narrative moving while you play.

Steam post image Story narration after completing a major objective.

Cinematic Boss Spawns

Bosses should never just "appear", they should strike fear into your entire squad. When a boss spawns on any player's location during pivotal story beats, a cinematic alert now broadcasts across all players' screens simultaneously. No matter where you are on the map, you’ll know the threat just escalated.

Steam post image AI Core Leader Global boss spawn alert screen.

Fallen Teammates & Dog's Last Stand

If a survivor dies, the rest of the team isn't completely out of luck. You can now scavenge cards and objective gear directly off dead teammates so key items aren't lost forever.

Steam post image Hovering on a dead teammate's backpack reveals their inventory!

This mechanic created a unique situation for the Veteran. If the Vet dies, his Dog stays on the field. We restricted what actions Dog can perform without his handler, so surviving on his own is a real struggle, but Dog can still act and technically clutch a mission win for the team.

Steam post image Don’t count Dog out just yet!

If you want to help us test these features in September, make sure to get your application in on the Google Form above. As always, leave your thoughts in the comments below!

See you in the wasteland.

— The Mega Cat Studios Team 🐱🐈‍⬛