Bout Time Reviews - Patch Notes beta 2.7

Bout Time Reviews - Patch Notes beta 2.7

This update focuses on a major overhaul of the in-game presentation and introduces a powerful new tool for managing your creations.

New Feature: Database Companion

We are excited to release the Bout Time Database, a new, standalone HTML application that allows you to save, view, and manage all of your exported fighters and rosters!

Decoder: Paste any exported string to see its contents in a human-readable format.

Persistent Storage: Save an unlimited number of individual fighters and full rosters directly in your browser.

Long-Term Backup: Use the full database import/export feature to save your entire collection to a single .json file for backup or sharing.

Note: The Database Companion is included for free in all download packages. This feature is not available in the itch.io web player.

New Features & Enhancements

Visuals:

New Boxer Models: The stick-figure boxers have been replaced with new, more detailed SVG models, providing a richer visual experience.

Dynamic Animations:

Fighters now have a more lifelike idle stance with subtle, independent body part animations.

Punching animations have been completely reworked for a more realistic and impactful feel. Each punch is now thrown with a randomly selected arm.

When a champion's name is called during the pre-fight introductions, they will now perform a three-punch combination.

New Knockdown Animation: When a fighter is knocked down, they will now be visually represented as lying on the canvas instead of just flashing red.

Title Win Animation: When a title is won, the announcement now gracefully glides over to the winning fighter's head and fades out.

UI Improvements: Added a "Manage Roster" button to the Hall of Champions section for easier access.

Audio:

Sound Engine: Implemented a new sound system using the Web Audio API, removing the need for any external sound files.

New Sound Effects:

Added a simulated crowd roar, which plays during exciting moments like critical hits, knockdowns, and champion introductions. The intensity of the roar is dynamic based on the prestige of the champion.

Replaced the bell during the 10-count with a more tense, percussive "tick" sound.

New Bell Sequences: The bell ringing has been updated to be more meaningful:

Pre-Fight: 3 bells ring before the ticker intro.

Fight Start: 2 bells ring to start the fight.

Round Start/End: 1 bell rings for the start and end of each round.

Fight End (Normal): 2 bells ring for a normal fight conclusion.

Title Wins: Special bell sequences now play for title victories (3 for Local, 4 for Major, 6 for Undisputed).

Gameplay & Rules:

Title Vacation: A local champion will now automatically vacate their title if they win a major championship bout.

Goliath System: The underdog bonus has been updated. A fighter now receives a bonus to their "to-hit" roll if their opponent's final score is 9.0 or higher.

Top Rank Pacing: To create more action-packed and back-and-forth bouts between elite competitors, the bonus to-hit modifier that triggers when both fighters have a score of 7.0 or higher has been increased from +2 to +3.

Bug Fixes

Fixed an issue where the purple fighter's punch animation was mirrored incorrectly.

Resolved a bug where the "404 Not Found" message for Metacritic scores would persist incorrectly after swapping fighters.

The Champion Roster panel no longer closes automatically after populating a fighter card, allowing for easier setup.

The fighter in the blue corner now correctly displays blue attire.