HomeGamesUpdatesPricingMethodology
Steam News6 January 20265mo ago

December 2025 Development Update

First off, what a year! So much completed, added, and shared with the community, supporters, and playtesters.

Full notes

Full Varsity High School Football update

Read the full published notes in a cleaner layout. The original post stays linked below.

What changed

0 fixes7 additions14 changes0 removals
  • Gameplay
  • Events
  • UI and audio
  • Store
addedFirst off, what a year! So much completed, added, and shared with the community, supporters, and playtesters. We've turned the corner in pulling all of our systems together to showcase a proper game loop now and things are moving smoothly.
addedLet's start off by showcasing a few key highlights that were added or completed this year. That doesn't cover all of the work we completed or implemented, but it's some of our larger pieces that the community expressed the most excitement for.
changedKey dynasty mode highlightsTraining ratings boosts for playing other sports in the off season
changedKey gameplay additionsHired full time Lead Animator with AAA mocap and animation experience in sports
changedKey gameplay additionsAdvancements in mocap quality, cleanup, and integration process
changedKey gameplay additionsDB gameplay and cover/man logic

First off, what a year! So much completed, added, and shared with the community, supporters, and playtesters. We've turned the corner in pulling all of our systems together to showcase a proper game loop now and things are moving smoothly.

Let's start off by showcasing a few key highlights that were added or completed this year. That doesn't cover all of the work we completed or implemented, but it's some of our larger pieces that the community expressed the most excitement for.

2025 HIGHLIGHTS

Key dynasty mode highlights

  • Multiple seasons playable (currently 50)

  • Weekly and seasonal awards

  • Training ratings boosts for playing other sports in the off season

  • Coach schemes and tendencies

  • Community file share for custom teams

  • Weather impact on games

  • Game themes (homecoming, rivalry, senior night, etc)

Key gameplay additions

  • Hired full time Lead Animator with AAA mocap and animation experience in sports

  • Advancements in mocap quality, cleanup, and integration process

  • DB gameplay and cover/man logic

  • New offensive and defensive plays

  • Gameplay audio with PA announcer, crowd sound, and environmental audio

  • Extensive custom rules options

  • First gameplay playtest (7on7)

7ON7 PLAYTEST FEEDBACK

  • “I was pleasantly surprised by the fluidity of player movement.”

  • “This game is amazing.”

  • “I actually got to throw the ball with defenders around love the qb animations “

  • “qb's can get ball out fast when need be but if you throw a bomb it takes a LOT longer “

  • “Movement feels so nice and smooth already!”

  • “the game feels good its giving strong APF 2K8 Vibes.!!! Excited for the Future”

A big focus for us in December was "atmosphere" in the game. This also included finally doing a lighting pass at making the game look more like a current generation game. It's still not finished, but it gives all of you a better view into what this game will look like.

GAMEPLAY ATMOSPHERE

  • Added PA announcer that handles down and distance, turnover, first down, and touchdown style events

  • Added initial crowd chatter in the stands, reactions based on play results like cheering for touchdowns.

  • Added background environmental sound design like wind, birds, traffic, etc.

GAMEPLAY

  • Focusing on pursuit logic to create more organic attack angles and avoid the “conga line” effect where players run in a line behind the ball carrier.

  • Robust custom gameplay rules options. As an example, in 7on7 we let you set points awarded for TDs or turnovers, game clock, overtime rules, mercy rule point range, etc.

It's going to be a wild 2026 for Varsity. Just wait until you see/hear about what we have in store for all of you...

Happy New Year,

The Varsity High School Football Team

If all of you wishlist our game on Steam we'll hit 10,000 wishlists and Steam will make our game more visible which will help us grow: [dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2361950/Varsity_High_School_Football/"]

PLAYTEST

Steam post image

Sign up on Patreon

Source

Steam News / 6 January 2026

Open original post

Changelog.gg summarizes and formats this update. How we read updates.