2/5/26 - First Devlog & Updates

Hello! We are Bit Forward Games, and this is our first official devlog and major update! We are a small independent team of 7 working on our game Spell Code SlingerZ; a 2-4 player (currently only local) party-platform brawler where players weave codes and sling spells as punk Y2K spell-code synthesizers. Players compete with each other in a race to be the first to win 3 rounds in single elimination matches with a shop phase in-between each round in order to acquire new Spellcodes for use in combat.

With this short first devlog, we are bringing a multitude of balance changes to the game. For starters, we have universally decreased cooldown times for .exe Spellcodes, reducing them all by 1-2 seconds.  This change was made in an attempt to speed up general gameplay and encourage faster matches. This helps us move closer to our goal of having quick rounds with a short turnover between them in order to maintain engagement.

We have also, after a short round of AB testing, switched to a static camera during matches. It was found that some players frequently suffered motion sickness from the quick vertical movements of the camera which was unintended. Testing a static camera we found that our worries of the player sprite being to small was not a problem. An extra bonus to this change is that player can now see the entire map at all times, helping them maintain a better sense of where everything and one is and improving ability to strategize.

Finally, upon popular request, we have added the ability to store Spellcodes for a short time. While before players were stuck in place while in the CodeWeave state before casting, players can now press "jump" after inputting a valid Spellcode to hold it and regain freedom of movement. How long a Spellcode can be held depends on it's complexity:

2-input Spellcodes can be held for 3 seconds

3-input Spellcodes can be held for 2 seconds

4-input Spellcodes can be held for 1 second

To try it for yourself follow these steps:

1) Enter CodeWeave state by pressing and holding the CodeWeave button (button west on controllers)

2) Input a valid Spellcode

3) Without releasing CodeWeave state, press the Jump button (button south on controllers)

4) You are now free to move around while holding your Spellcode. Upon the requisite time passing or releasing the CodeWeave button, the help Spellcode will cast in the direction the player is facing.

Here's a short demo video of better quality: Spellcode Storing

That's all for now! We have some exciting new features coming in the next few weeks to look forward to such as improved new player onboarding, new audio and tile sets, a new Dev Collective and associated Spellcodes, and a totally revamped Shop!

Until next time,

- Bit Forward Games 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Updates:

General

- Added the ability to store Spellcodes for a short amount of time before casting

- Camera is now static instead of dynamic

.exe Spellcodes

Amon Slash: 

- Cooldown reduced from 3s -> 2s

- Hitbox expanded inwards

Asuran Blades: 

- Cooldown reduced from 3s -> 2s

Gift of Prometheus: 

- Cooldown reduced from 10s -> 8s

Might of Zeus: 

- Cooldown reduced from 5s -> 4s

Skillshot Slash: 

- Cooldown reduced from 4s -> 3s

- Damage while in Flowstate reduced from 15 -> 10

Reload Shot: 

- Cooldown reduced from 10s -> 8s

- Now resets all cooldowns regardless of Flowstate 

- If in Flowstate, remaining duration is consumed to refresh it's own cooldown

- Resets Flowstate and reduces own cooldown by half if sweetspot is hit

- All knockback and damage reduced by 1/3rd

.config Spellcodes

Overclock:

- Changed from a speed boost -> Creates an explosion around you whenever a spellcode is cast while in Flowstate

Boots of Hermes:

-  Changed from double jump -> gain an extra jump per 3 Reps

Dev Collective Resources

Flowstate: 

- Active duration increased from 5s -> 10s

Demon Aura:

- No longer fades upon taking damage. Instead, not hitting a spellcode for 6 seconds causes Demon Aura to rapidly decrease