We are nearing the end of our travels through E-arr-ly Access and have one last treasure chest of updates for ye! Our team is now preparing for the full release of Plunder Panic on Steam and across all major consoles.
Behold the patch notes for Version 0.9
New stage – Cherry Blossom Island added into rotation
Victory camera effect that zooms in on winning move
Captains have new death VFX and SFX
Random Teams, Speedy Pirates and Dance Party modify-arrs
Added a Shuffle Teams option during the award screen
Hosts can force start private matches
Updated Empty Chest item visual for better guidance
Updated Swabby voice lines
Improved error code clarity
Local players now use random pirate names
Local players can have highlighted names in online matches
Can cut teammates free out of nets
Enabled Remote Play Together
Cannon fades to transparent when not available
Holding action will automatically row at a reduced speed
Improved Region Select functionality
Various bugfixes, optimizations, and improvements
PAX Rising Showcase Winner
Exciting news, mateys! Plunder Panic is an official selection of the PAX Rising Showcase at PAX East 2022 in Boston, MA!
We'll be shipping up to Boston (whoaaaa) and showcasing Plunder Panic from April 21-24 2022. Come visit our crew if ye be attending!
Showcase Information from PAX: The PAX Rising Showcase is an intensely curated collection of games selected by the PAX Team and highlighted on the show floor. If a game is part of the Rising Showcase, it's because we believe the title stands out from the crowd in gameplay, entertainment, or inventiveness; regardless of which genres or platforms you favor.
We’ve received over a hundred game submissions, all from worthy indies eager to show off what they’ve been working on, and fed them to our judges. They are analyzed, critiqued, poked, prodded, and judged until only a few remain.
The Arrr-chievement Update
Ahoy mateys!
We've got another big update for ye! Our crew has added some highly requested features like Achievements and the ability to Late Join into existing matchmaking battles. Check out the full patch notes below:
Added the ability to late join into matchmaking matches
Added 21 achievements to unlock on the Steam platform
Graphical update for the match display in character select
Added Steam invite button to the match display
Added a How-to-Play video to the tutorial
Added USA West to the available server pool
Wanted poster now shows your most used pirate
Stats are now properly recorded across multiple-match sessions
Fixed disconnect and data-rate issues on the party scroll
Fixed a crash/timeout issue when connecting to certain regions
Swapping hosts now properly transfers access to room code/invites
Implemented a page-turn animation on the ledger
Fixed crashing/disconnection errors for MacOS
General bugfixes and optimizations
Minor Update - 0.7.7
Fixed application freeze issue affecting certain PC’s
Matchmaking should properly connect between regions
Backfill tickets work more consistently in Matchmaking
Updated UI elements (add UI banner, ship railing, modify-arr icons)
Changing Space key will no longer lock your input changes
Captain vs. Captain increased to 3 lives each (up from 2)
Updated the “Use Item” tutorial to show cutting down items
Captain’s can only change options in Local Play now
While Captain is at the wheel, players cannot fall into the water
AI Captains – auto adds AI if you sail away without a Captain
Fixed bug with AI Captains not having any Captains present
Fixed a graphical error with moving icebergs
Tutorial screen allows any back button as input now
Fixed Tutorial “back button” not displaying the platform specific graphic
Various optimizations and bugfixes
Update 0.7.6 - Matchmaking Optimization and Stability
Matchmaking optimization and stability updates
No longer need region for Private Matches
Click to copy room code, hold to hide room code
Invite launch behavior fixes (from desktop to match)
Team size indicator and UI prompt for empty crews
Additional Characters for Wanted Poster
Proper default stats for Wanted Poster
Updated Available Regions for Online play
New Modify-arrs: Infinite Swords and AI Captains
Ability to play without a Human Captain
AI behavior optimizations
Private Matches auto start after 30 seconds on Award Screen
Fox Armed and Dangerous freeze issue in Character Select
Various bugfixes and stability updates
Update 0.7.5 Now Available!
0.7.5 Patch Notes
The Lost Glacier stage is now available
Bounty menu option added with sharable Wanted Poster
Pirate ledger functionality to shows stats, awards earned, etc.
Goal / Personality based AI systems update
Change to local player name display (1-Player, 2-Player, etc.)
See item / modify-arr changes on character select screen
Updated High Tide waves for the Atlantis stage
Progress indicator for Matchmaking has been updated
Added “controller recommended” on Controls Screen
UI Popup on completion of the Tutorial
General optimizations of code and player systems
General bugfixes and quality of life improvements
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Update Patch 0.7.3
Sailing animation and elapsed time added to Matchmaking Search
Adjusted Matchmaking search timings
Chat functionality fixes
Able to enter a Private Match from another Private Match
Fixed AI pathfinding nodes on Lamplight Port
High Tide rowboat requirements decreased slightly
Rowboat tapping speed fluctuations for AI players
Multiple controllers in the Tutorial will no longer cause crashes
Various Bugfixes and Improvements
Minor Update - 0.7.2
Added Level Select Functionality
Capped length of displayed Steam Names
Controls Clarification for Eagle Drop
Tutorial Messaging Updates
Matchmaking Improvements + Improved Timeout
General Bugfixes
0.7.1 - Minor Fixes
Quality of life fixes from the Matchmaking update!
When in a party, shows the "search for match" map
Names are enabled by default for Online matches
Award descriptions
Victory track UI updates for Conquest Mode
Various Party and Matchmaking fixes
Plunder Panic - The Matchmaking Update
In our biggest update yet, Plunder Panic, the 6v6 pirate-themed multiplayer arcade title from Will Winn Games, has added a highly requested feature...online matchmaking! It's debuting alongside a dynamic new map, the Lamplight District!
The new matchmaking system complements the existing lobby system, ensuring that pirates thirsty for victory can always find the perfect crew to join them in the fight. There’s never been a better time to hop into the action.
While still in Early Access, Plunder Panic has proved quite a hit so far with critics and content creators alike:
“Plunder Panic is sure to be a hit for those looking for a fast-paced competitive title.” — Gaming Trend
“The Switch is the ideal system for multiplayer gaming, and Plunder Panic is an Indie title due in Q1 2022 that may well be the perfect fit.” — Nintendo Life
“This is definitely a Gong Show winner, you can see how fun this is” — TrishaHershberger
Inspired by classic SNES games, Plunder Panic blends retro graphics, arcadey action, and a boatload of online (and offline) gameplay modes and options to shiver even the most hardened pirates’ timbers. Two teams of up to six players must go all hands on deck and face off against each other, utilizing a variety of weapons, enchanted items, and power-ups. Quick, round-based matches begin as rival teams anchor their ships on the same island. Only the scurviest dogs will prevail once the action starts, with victory within reach if the rival team loses either too much of their gold, their ship gets scuttled, or if their precious captain takes a trip to Davy Jones’ locker. It’s up to teams to decide on an offensive or defensive approach!
Matchmaking
The new matchmaking system accommodates players of all levels, offering Casual and Private games with a ranked system to follow later. Casual provides players with the ability to create a party of up to 6 players (combination of local and online) or hop into a queue themselves. Match sizes can range from Captain vs. Captain (1v1) to team matches up to 12 total players across game modes like Freeplay, Conquest, Rival Crews, and a weekly game mode with specific items and modify-arrs.
Players looking for a more intimate experience can also set up private games with up to 12 players and full customization options. For those who prefer playing locally, Plunder Panic’s 12-player co-op experience is sure to bring friends and family together… or cause a mutiny in the household.
New Map
The powder-monkeys at Will Winn Games have been working themselves to the hook, adding all sorts of new content to Plunder Panic. The new map, “The Lamplight District”, is a spooky, haunted level with disappearing platforms guaranteed to trouble even the most sturdy pirate!
New Updates and Features
As Plunder Panic is a game for all ages, the devs have added a new chat function that keeps things clean by replacing NSFW words with pirate terms! Being a competitive game, players can now view individual stats at the end of a match as well as some fun and hilarious player awards. And for those who prefer custom controls, Plunder Panic now features full keyboard and controller mapping.
Plunder Panic is available now for Windows PC and MacOS via Steam Early Access for a reduced price of $9.99. The game will also release on PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch in Q1 2022.
