[BIG UPDATE] Core Gameplay changes

Brace for some titanic changes to gameplay in this first major update of Rite of Titans.

Among the many, major changes, we are updating the ball pick-up mechanics: to pick up the ball you now need to click and hold LMB.

Please note that due to ping/server behavior, you may miss ball pick-up with an instant or very short LMB. We are looking to improve on this in future hotfixes.

Check out the latest major update to our core gameplay as explained by our very own Alex, the team's narrative designer. Don't miss out on his weekly streams where he answers your questions and takes you up on team-up challenges.

SMOOTHING OUT THE GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE

In a nutshell, we heard your feedback about the hero movement and some of its clunkiness; with this update, we made a series of improvements that should result in more fluidity of gameplay. Notably, we have synchronized the dynamics and speed of movement for different events so that they are correlated to each other. To be specific, we are bringing the mechanics of walking, running, and using your abilities while moving closer together in logic so they no longer feel significantly different both in speed and dynamics. This should create a more fluid experience. We haven’t completed this rework yet, but we will continue to refine it in future patches.

MAPS, BALL PHYSICS, AND A NEW STAMINA SYSTEM

As part of this major rework, we are adapting our existing maps. Our Omni map has been updated to remove elements that caused heroes to get caught and stumble, hindering their progression. We have also added new elements to show clearly different paths, or lanes, from gate to gate. Finally, we are unveiling a brand new map, Star Striders, created with our new gameplay logic in mind.

By popular demand, and with a clear understanding of the benefits thanks to your extensive feedback, we're expanding ball gameplay, including by rolling out new ball physics that will make the relic more alive than ever before.

We also took note of your comments on speed and with this update, we are introducing a sprint system linked to hero stamina, to use carefully to boost yourself through the battlefield.

As part of these changes, we are also updating all hero abilities to support this new gameplay logic, as well as to reinforce their respective roles in the Arena with coherent and consistent powers that reflect their respective gameplay. Your titan form will now be a major trump card, as it not only triggers with your ultimate but also makes your original abilities way more powerful.

Read the full notes below to find out about all the changes.

PATCH NOTES

GAMEPLAY

Core Gameplay Update

Ball properties have been updated! The relic now bounces, has weight, and can become Charged (and can knock back opponents by hitting them). In Titan form, the Ball instantly becomes Charged. Ball Throwing mechanic - throwing is more intuitive and has a more tactical approach, the camera is unlocked, and the throwing distance has been increased; throwing also has a cumulative effect, on maximum throwing range the Ball becomes Charged. Ball interactions have also been updated - auto-grabbing is now disabled, to grab the ball players must hold the Grab button in range of the ball, otherwise, the ball will bounce off of your hero. Hero Movement mechanic - movement speed has been increased, Sprint has been added (which drains Stamina), and all heroes run