We’ve just released our first feature-adding, bug-fixing and balance-altering update to the Freeplay beta build! We’re currently in the testing phase for Freeplay (sandbox) mode and it’s open to all owners of the game on Steam - if anyone would like to participate who currently isn’t doing so please see our most recent newsletter for details on how to join in (please note - the beta is Windows-only). Now, let’s get to the fun stuff.

New Features

• Freeplay mode now has the option for Attack Waves. These are sent at the player periodically (every eight minutes) and comprise of random creatures of increasing power. They will give you no food when killed and will not be attacked by other creatures. They offer a real challenge for those looking for something truly hard in Freeplay. Every 5 levels there are special creatures added to the pool to make the fight extra hard. Be prepared if you make it to wave 15!
• Battle Arena now provides some basic stats for score and survivors that can be reset. Additionally, the battle arena panels can now be hidden (and are hidden in photo mode).

Bug Fixes

• Fixed an issue where attack and gather buttons were resetting or setting erroneously
• Funnel Web detection area and slow is now correctly removed when the landmark disappears in Freeplay
• Landmark spawn locations have been moved slightly further from the map edge on The Dunes
• Fixed an issue meaning creatures that spawned at map edges could get stuck (mostly an issue with ladybirds)
• Fixed an issue where “scale with colony” Freeplay difficulty only worked if you were in a specific underground starting location
• Fixed an issue that centred markers on closed tunnel exits when trying to place one on them
• Fixed multiple issues with victory and defeat animations on various campaign levels including issues with fading in and out. Please let us know if there are any more of these.
• Slow resistance is considered when slowing creatures on a funnel web; larger creatures should slow down less
• Fixed an issue where rapid-fire wood ant purchases were activating the wrong abilities
• Fixed an issue where green glow effect (and others) could be applied after death
• When looking for food or enemies, line of sight is now only blocked by tiles. This should solve issues of food being stuck on ramps.
• Removed Freeplay restart button
• Fixed an issue causing colonies on 2_2 to no longer be allied
• 2_2 nest entrances now have the correct colours
• Fixed a graphical issue with the surface painting on 2_1 and 2_2
• Nest group will no longer count food and speed tiles
• Fixed the camera focus on Freeplay defeats
• Fixed an issue preventing queen abilities announcing they have been activated
• Fixed an issue where ants did not always die on tile deletion
• Fixed an issue where creatures that did not contain food could spawn a corpse
• Fixed an issue that would sometimes cause spiders to not walk to the end in Battle Arena
• Fixed an issue where after queen abilities activate the queen would stop animating
• Fixed an issue where hats were causing collision and nav mesh changes

Balance changes / improvements

• Freeplay ramp rate doubled (should get harder twice as fast in ramp game difficulties)
• "Scale with colony" difficulty in Freeplay now takes upgrades into account as well as colony size
• Enemy pack sizes in Freeplay are now affected by difficulty (should be smaller below 100% and larger above it)
• Food harvested in Freeplay will now spoil after 3 minutes and disappear. Should stop the map being covered in small amounts of food.
• On transition to night or day if nocturnal / diurnal is selected several creatures will spawn based on the current difficulty (this is to make up for the ones leaving due to nocturnal / diurnal)
• Main menu music will play over loading screen and will fade out as the level begins
• Slight optimisation added to minimap rendering
• Surface minimap will now fade in when tunnelling to the surface
• Minor performance improvements

Known Issues / Request for help

• Ants getting stuck underground / appearing to want to walk into walls
• Creatures disappearing when attacking the queen (specifically the large Beach Tiger Beetle)