Big news today.
I've decided to pull out of the February Steam Next Fest and push the release date back to Q3 2026. Apologies if you're keen to get your hands on the full game but honestly, it'll be worth the wait!
I took this decision for a few reasons:
1) MUSIC. The game really benefits from thematic 80s music and in fact there are 10 different tracks you can choose as your boxer's entrance music. The problem I have is that the library music I've been using could easily cause reviewers and streamers to get hit with copyright strikes, and nobody wants that. I started off using music from Epidemic Sound, got spooked by their licensing model, paid for a bunch of Gamedev Market music under their Pro Licence but, on reflection, didn't trust that either. So I was left with 2 choices: pay a composer for original music or write my own. As I'm an experienced recording musician anyway I've decided to go that route. Thing is, there are at least 13 tunes required so it's going to take me time to write and record them all. On the plus side, at least I can be sure that the music is exactly how I want it. I'll make it available in a separate OST bundle too.
2) POLISH. I've worked hard on it but the game still needs more polish and QoL improvements and I was getting worried I wouldn't be able to refine it enough before the Next Fest and the Q1 release date.
3) REFEREE. I decided to add a ref to the game. This has required a new commission for my artist Ozan. He's currently still character designing and building the animations, while I've been writing the code that should work with them when they arrive. (The artwork for this Event shows my very rough ref in the ring. Don't worry, Ozan's character will be so much better!) The ref doesn't anything to gameplay but he'll really make the matches look more interesting and exciting.
4) PROMOTION. This is the hard part! I'm painfully aware that there's so much more I could and should be doing to promote the game but (excuses incoming!) it's just so difficult to cover all the bases as a single dev. Pushing things back will give me time to get the word out before the June Next Fest and release date.
5) OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. I've also recently implemented a bunch of new features, for example shouting at your boxer to GET UP! or STAY DOWN! if he ends up on the canvas; a 10-match record of previous fights; announcement sfx; more info and help; diffculty tweaks; Steam Deck-specific help; changes to how Strength is recovered, etc... and they all need thoroughly testing.
Once again, apologies if you were looking forward to getting your hands on the game in Q1. I'll be updating the demo as soon as the referee's been integrated so keep an eye out for that. The new music will come along a bit later.
Ian (Subjunctive Software)
