After taking the decision to pull out of the February Next Fest and push the release date back to Q3, I've been hard at work bringing the game up to a higher standard. Many interesting features that were languishing on the "Nice Idea" pile have been dusted off and added in to the game; I've started replacing all of the music - and many of the sound effects - with original compositions and recordings, and the whole game's been debugged and polished to within an inch of its life.
The updated demo includes most of the new features and is available now!
Popularity
The rules around gaining and losing Popularity Stars have been overhauled. Boxers can no longer take stars from less popular opponents.
There are new animations for losing or gaining a star.
If you throw in the towel, the opponent boxer will gain a star from your boxer. This is in addition to the star your boxer will lose according to the normal rules.
Referee
There's a Referee! He has attractive bouncy hair!
Huge thanks to artist Ozan, who designed and animated him in double-quick time so I could include him in the Next Fest... (which turned out to be an unnecessary rush)
Music and SFX
All music will now be original and created specially for the game.
The demo only requires 4 pieces of music (one entrance music track, one for losing a match and BGM for the main menu and shop). I'm working on the other nine.
All of the music is written and performed by Ian Williams / Television Of Cruelty. It'll be available as an OST in the future.
Ian created all voice-based SFX (including the referee and crowd sounds).
Other additions/changes
Added the Card Girl
A good Trainer can now add Coaching Points between rounds
Detailed audio settings
Permanent Strength loss (if Strength loss from a match is greater than 25%)
Boxer stats on Match screen
Introduced the Premium Cognitive Recovery Programme
Newly refurbished Shop
New ways to shout at your boxer when he gets knocked down
Beginner Guidance can be switched back on again
More tips and help text
Lots (yes, lots!) of bug fixes and balancing tweaks
I really hope you enjoy the new demo. Please don't forget to wishlist the game! Planned release date is Q3 2026 (sometime after the June Next fest).