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Dev Update: Multiplayer

· Pazaak Cantina

I’m excited to announce that the latest update to Pazaak Cantina includes a multiplayer mode.

Multiplayer

The first phase of the new multiplayer mode is here! I’ve put a lot of work into building all the systems needed to play against others. In this first release you can:

  • Travel to a cantina: Choose a cantina from a list, each with its own vibe. In the future I’ll add more cantinas and give them unique mechanics.
  • Sit down, relax, and find an opponent: Once you’re in a cantina, sit down and get matched against an opponent to play head to head. For now it’s random matchmaking, but in the future I’ll work on friends lists and invitation-based games.

Updated visuals

I’ve spent some time revamping the menus, buttons, backgrounds and color palette in the game. Hopefully it’s a bit more polished and cohesive. I’ve heard from some of you that it needs polish, and I’m on it. I’ll keep improving it going forward.

Player feedback and future updates

Many of the features in this update were inspired by player suggestions. Please keep sharing your thoughts and ideas. They play a big part in shaping the future of the game.

Looking ahead, I have a ton of ideas for new features and improvements that I’ve been thinking about for years. Here are a few:

  • Title system: Expand your gameplay options with unique Player Titles that modify game results. Titles are unlocked by completing goals throughout the game.
  • Starship system: Buy, upgrade, and customize your own starship. With this update I’d add a ship travel system to the campaign that takes you between planets.
  • Campaign story: A custom dialogue system, NPCs to interact with, and a unique story that you explore as you progress.

…and so, so, so much more. I have a ton of ideas I’ve been cooking up over the years that I’d love to make happen. Let’s stay engaged and see if we can make it happen together. With your support, it just might be possible.

TL;DR

Multiplayer v1 is here. It’s a lightweight version, but I wanted to get it out ASAP since you’ve been asking for it for years. I have ideas for more features and I want to make them happen. If I can figure out some support options, I could dedicate more time to building the features I’ve always envisioned.

Send me your thoughts, suggestions, and feedback.

As always, thanks for playing.

-Alex

Update: soft-locked matches

There’s an issue where multiplayer games get soft-locked and don’t start right after the queue pops and players are matched. It happens when one of the players has been AFK in the queue for a while before being matched. I’m fixing this first so games start properly.

To get out of a soft-locked game: quit the app, reopen it, select multiplayer, and choose the abandon option when prompted. That removes you from the stuck game so you can queue again. Sorry about this one. I was too excited to roll out multiplayer and didn’t account for AFK players.