🏛️ Progression Overhauls - Update 0.0.155! 🏛️

This past week has been all about refining the user experience. We’ve been listening closely to your feedback regarding game momentum, pacing, and visual clutter, and we've rolled out some massive systemic changes to address them, and we have more on the way in the coming weeks!

Here is what is hitting the tables this week in Update 0.0.151:

🔓 Brand New Unlock & Progression System

We want the onboarding experience to feel rewarding rather than overwhelming, so we are introducing a new pacing structure for content:

• Paced Unlocks: Trophies and items will now unlock gradually over time. Don't worry, though—you are still in complete control of exactly when you choose to upgrade each trophy!

• Demo Players: You will still see all trophies displayed in the bar and can unlock them using your loyalty points.

• Beta Key Players: You’ll notice the bar starts out empty! The space will now dynamically fill in as you add items and trophies to your ball case during a run.

• Why the change? We want a smoother, less "in-your-face" introduction to the game's depth. Plus, this new architecture perfectly sets the stage for us to start implementing Steam Achievements over the next couple of weeks!

🎥 Scoreboard Camera & Momentum Fixes

You asked, we delivered! We received a lot of feedback that the scoreboard constantly opening and closing between shots was killing the game's momentum.

• Seamless Scoreboard: The scoreboard will now stay open right on the table. It will only tuck away when your player camera gets close to it, ensuring it never disrupts your shots.

• AddedTurn NotificationsBecause the new scoreboard camera makes turn transitions a bit more subtle, we've added clear, snappy UI turn notification for both you and Ralphie so you always know who has the table.

• Scoreboard VFX: We’ve given the scoreboard a fresh visual effects pass on point scoring! It’s still a work in progress, so expect a little more TLC here next week.

⚙️ Quality of Life Updates

• AddedScreensaver ToggleWe’ve added a setting to disable the screensaver. We know a lot of you absolutely love this feature, so it's entirely optional—leave it on or shut it off as you see fit!
• AddedBar NavigationAdded a quick right-click shortcut to go back while navigating menus in the bar.

⚖️ Balance Changes & Fixes

• FixedDistinguished Service CrossFixed a bug where this trophy wasn't checking for the correct ball color.
• FixedShattered Mirror (Emergency Nerf)Fixed a crazy issue where the Shattered Mirror could infinitely spawn balls onto the table, grinding performance to a halt and potentially crashing the game. It also now caps its effect at the first 5 balls sunk in a round.

• Independent Investor of the Quarter: We've rebalanced this trophy's scaling. When you sink a Yellow ball, it will now reduce your current coins by a set percentage and convert them into pure score:

  • Level 1: 5%

  • Level 2: 10%

  • Level 3: 20%

We are incredibly excited to see how these pacing and camera changes feel in your hands. Jump into the Discord, let us know how your runs are going, and we'll see you next week with even more updates! 🎱

PS: Keep and eye on Discord - we have something cool happening there this week!