All of us at Pansimula have been pulling double duty, going all-in to get Galactic Thunderdome prepped and polished for Next Fest, and it's been a wild ride! With just over a week left until the big release on October 23rd, we've been running on pure adrenaline, and let's just say, things are getting a bit chaotic around here. We're beyond excited to share this with you and really hope you enjoy the madness our small, but passionate, team has cooked up!
If you want to stay up to date and chat directly with us devs, come hang out in our small but awesome Discord community! We're always around to hear your suggestions, feedback, or just to talk shop. Plus, you'll get all the latest Galactic Thunderdome news right as it drops. Hit the banner below to join—we can't wait to see you there!
Menu Overhaul
We've revamped the main menu for a more modern and user-friendly experience. It's now easier on the eyes and more intuitive to navigate. Additionally, we've included some exciting new features for you to explore below:
Multiplayer Menus
We've been burning the midnight oil to get the multiplayer menus polished and playable. The menu for Remote Play with friends is ready to roll! As for the Matchmaking menu, which will let you play with others who aren’t on your friends list, we're still tightening some bolts. It'll be good to go for the full launch, but unfortunately, we couldn't get it fully prepped in time for Next Fest.
Introducing Thunderpedia
This new in-game resource covers every item, ability, game mode, and the basic mechanics in detail. There's a lot going on in Galactic Thunderdome, and while we love the idea of players experimenting, we know some of you might prefer a bit more guidance. Thunderpedia is here to help! Stay tuned for the final chapter, which will dive into advanced mechanics and tactics—hopefully before launch.
New Challenges and Improvements
New Gauntlet to Conquer
Prepare yourself for Omegabyte's Ordeal, a thrilling new Gauntlet that will test your skills like never before! This dynamic map is packed with exciting challenges, featuring a colossal hammer that crashes into a bubbling lava lake, a menacing arrow-flinging wacha, and a powerful barrel cannon that adds an explosive twist to your strategy. We can’t wait to see if you have what it takes to conquer it!
Achievements Galore!
To give players a greater sense of progress and hint at some of our favorite mechanics, we've added 100 achievements to the game. And there’s even more to come post-launch when Steam allows us to roll out additional ones!
Weapon Balancing Update
After reviewing tons of playtester footage, we realized we’d been balancing weapons based on our own (the four devs) experiences. With hundreds of players diving into the game, we were inadvertently tuning for the top-tier players. This meant that those less skilled weren’t getting enough ammo to experiment and learn from their mistakes. So, we’ve decided to significantly increase the ammo for most items—nearly doubling the previous values in many cases.
Melee Attack Improvements
Our playtesters were struggling to land melee attacks, partly due to the same issue mentioned above. We initially balanced some melee items with a very short window after fully charging them before the attack would automatically release. We realize now that it’s unrealistic to expect players to learn this for each item through trial and error. So, we’ve generally normalized the hold time for melee items after charging, making it easier for everyone to understand and engage with.
Coop Last Stand Revive Mechanic
In the last patch, we introduced a revive mechanic for the Coop Last Stand game mode, where you could bring teammates back by defeating enemies. We liked the concept, but as enemies ramped up over time, reviving teammates became easier later in the round. To properly give the sense of increasing difficulty as the round progresses, we’ve made the “kills to revive” requirement gradually increase each time you successfully revive a friend. This keeps the tension high without making the game mode feel too easy!
New Maps
Deathmatch / Team Deathmatch
Termolithics
Dive into this destructible rock cave with a lava lake below and an endless rock slide raining down from above. It’s a chaotic battleground where strategy and adaptability are key!
Barrage
Another destructible rock cave, this one features a wacha and barrel cannon at one end. Players spawn on the left and must battle for control of the powerful emplacements on the right, creating an intense power dynamic.
Geodesics
Set in space, this map has three gravity-producing orbs. Players fight for dominance while managing the twisted gravity. Don't get launched into space!
Too Many Moons
Players battle on a planetoid with asteroids that periodically rain down from space, exploding on impact. Small orbiting rocks add another layer of chaos to the battlefield.
Treasure Hunt
This game mode has players racing to retrieve an idol from somewhere on the map while fighting for survival as they transport it to an extraction point. It’s a battle for supremacy!
Thieves' Gambit
This new asymmetric map puts the player holding the idol in a precarious position, facing a barrel cannon, then a wacha, then finally they must survive as the gate to the exit slowly opens. It’s a tough challenge, but when they die, they progress the idol closer to the finish line, allowing others to capitalize on their demise.
Holding Cell
The extraction point is hidden behind three large gates that open only when the idol is held and slam shut when it’s dropped. Players must hold the idol for a set amount of time to escape through the gates, making this a very challenging map to conquer!
Quality of Life Improvements
Enhanced Visibility for Buttons and Pressure Plates
We noticed that the buttons and pressure plates scattered throughout the maps weren’t visible enough, leading players unfamiliar with the terrain to overlook them. To fix this, we've added bright, flashing lights that make them much easier to spot. These lights turn off when the buttons are inactive, providing clear visual feedback.
Distinguishing AI from Players
The enemy AI players and bosses were often confused with human players, especially for newcomers. To address this, we’ve introduced new Tear Drop Aimers for AI characters, making them more distinct and recognizable on the battlefield.
Character Spawn Indicators
Players have often struggled to locate their character when spawning in. To help with this, we’ve added an arrow in the player’s color that hovers above their character during the spawn process, making it easier to identify where they are.
Fire Extinguisher Revamp
The Fire Extinguisher was feeling a bit useless, serving only to put out flames. We’ve revamped its functionality so that the wispy clouds of smoke it produces now freeze players who are exposed to too much of it. This gives the fire extinguisher a much-needed boost in relevance!