Closed Beta has launched, and I will be starting to look for additional testers soon. Online multiplayer is in, including a rating system and in game leaderboards not only for Player Rating but also for Student Rank. For now I use the classic Elo rating system (familiar from chess) that is a good fit for Gemwielders as well. So far only very few players have access to the game and, at times, no opponent will be available. While waiting for an opponent in the online queue, you can climb the Student Ranks against Sokras and compete to your fellow Gemwielders in the Student Rank ladder.
Features
- The player name is displayed on the title screen and under the player portrait in online multiplayer games.
- The player rating is displayed in brackets next to the player name on the title screen.
- The player rating and rating change is displayed on the win screen.
- The player ratings are recorded in a leaderboard so you can check your rank in comparison to others.
- After reaching Student Rank 3, the player’s Student Ranks are recorded in a leaderboard as well.
- You can check the leaderboards by clicking on the medal icon next to your name on the title screen.
- Added a game timer using a time bank system. Each player has a 5 minute time bank that starts counting down after a certain time into a turn (increasing with turn count). When your timer runs out, you lose the game.
- You can play against Sokras or in Pass and Play while in online multiplayer queue. This is indicated by a small icon in the bottom left corner. As soon as an opponent is found, the game will start. Note that you won’t lose Student Rank when getting matched out of a game against Sokras.
Polish
- Should the game initialization fail in multiplayer matchmaking, you are returned to the main menu. This is so you can never get stuck on the loading screen.
- When Thicket's miss Effet is triggered and it stays in the defense setup it will be moved to the center position.
Bug Fixes
- Cursed Cave no longer causes a desync in online multiplayer when the deck was empty on use.
- Belladonna no longer causes a desync in online multiplayer when the opponent did not select a valid target.
- Improved the handling of complex card effects to prevent issues with multiple triggering of skills in online multiplayer.
- Both players arrive at the draft phase simultaneously in online multiplayer to prevent syncing issues.
- Resolved an issue with regards to shuffling of the gem card deck. It now produces actually random results.