• Fixed an issue where a player could not pause after getting defeated ingame. Previously the game gave pause control only to players who were undefeated. This was an issue when only bots were left. Players can now pause anytime in an active game and the top of the menus will indicate who initiated the pause.
  
• Fixed a bug in the sushi boat map where bots would get stuck on parts of the map
  
• Added tooltips at the beginning of new rounds
  
• Added Camera Shake scale settings
  
• Remapped keyboard Backspace button as the "Back" key instead of ESC as the later was conflicting with another function
  
• A new soundtrack for sports modes freshly cooked up by Wife Error!
  
• A few Christmas cosmetics have been added
  

• Introduced new experimental Sports Map - Infinity Ring: Two teams face each other to disassemble the shell of a ball to make it fit in the team goal post
  
• Fixed a bug in the Bot AI for Smash mode where the Seals would stop facing the blocks and charging
  
• Improved readability of UI text in Survival mode
  

• Bots in VS modes are now more aggressive and will use items against the player
  
• Bots in Survival mode will now actively seek Goop entities to eliminate
  
• Bots in Smash mode will now try to smash the closest blocks to them
  
• Bots in Control mode will prioritize stomping the floor to gain more control instead of attacking the player
  
• Bots in Pinball mode will now try to keep the ball(s) in the play area
  
• Clam Trap bug where the trap location is offset upon activation has been fixed
  
• Hermit Crab bug where the player was unable to push them back in sports mode has been fixed
  

In preparation for Halloween I have added a variety of cosmetics options for the Seals!

I have also made a bunch of gameplay tweaks and fixes from the first week of Early Access:

• The Hot Pepper powerup has been overhauled. Instead of having to charge while the item is in use, you will now automatically ram into anything in front of you.
  
• Double Jump activation window has been increased
  
• FX was missing when Seals perform a strong charge. That has now been fixed.
  
• Seal Pups in Survival mode are now heavier and will not fly off into the sunset when you charge into them by accident.
  
• Fanning charge sound does not get stuck into infinite loop if charged into or stomped anymore.
  
• Collision reinforced in Sealoon map.
  

• Added default presets for Switch Pro Controller
  
• Updated French Localization
  
• Reinforced collision in the Bento Level so that the puck does not get teleported outside the map
  

Friends! After lots of sleepless nights, the moment is finally here and I get to share with you all what I have been working on the last couple of years. What started as a silly project for me to educate myself on how to make a game from start to finish ended up very much taking a life of its own.

While I am glad that it has reached the current state it's in and is a blast to play with friends, my mission here is not done. Sumo Seals definitely has potential to be more. But this is a journey I would like to take you, the community, along for as I will need your help to determine what I should be focusing on until its full release.

I am eternally thankful to everyone who has helped me reached this stage. It has been a really challenging journey so far and this would never have been possible without you. You know who you are!

Thank you,

Victor