THE DEVELOPMENT BENCH
Development, out in the open.
Follow the browser game’s documented changes and the tabletop project’s developing direction.
ONLINE GAME · 26 OCTOBER 2026
Directional overwatch, adjacent melee reactions, a clearer tactical dock and preloaded Nightjar departures.
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ONLINE GAME / SELECTED BUILD NOTES
From the source record.
The dated update records the current public website release. Earlier versioned entries are editorial summaries of the game README and refer to development builds.
26 Oct 2026Tactical update
- Directional overwatch. Shoot On Sight now watches a 90-degree cone fixed when it is armed. Ranged Whites Of Their Eyes watches all directions at two tiles; two-handed melee weapons can use it to react to enemies entering an adjacent tile.
- A clearer tactical dock. The dock now shows the selected soldier’s portrait and name, with a button to centre the map on them. Empty enemy-contact rails are hidden and contact space adjusts to the visible list.
- More visible selection. The selected squad card has a stronger highlight. Battlefield selection rings are raised above transparent floor decals while remaining hidden by solid cover.
- Loadout and balance adjustments. The Heavy class base AP increases from 6 to 7. When a personal scanner is unlocked but unassigned, automatic loadout assignment gives the shared module to a scout, then support, then the first deployed soldier; existing assignments are preserved.
- Nightjar launch improvements. Nightjar departure now covers Missions 1 and 2. Cinematic assets begin preloading during briefing, squad and hub screens, with two low-priority requests at a time. Preloading respects the browser’s data-saving preference. The hangar and ship load in parallel.
- Combat presentation. Plasma-axe effects and their light are prepared when equipment is attached, reducing work during the first strike. Reyes also has an updated “Right behind you. Go.” voice clip.
Read the full update →Evidence: source comparison of gollops.full.js, tactical-dock.js/.css, three-view.js, rigged-units.js, unit-attack-effects.js, nightjar-preload.js and nightjar-launch.js.More life in the station walls
Door returns gain service cabinets, conduits, junction boxes, handles and vents. The floor uses scuffed steel variations, worn hazard routes, an AIRLOCK stencil and embedded grilles.
Source: game README, “Door returns, cap cleanup and floor finish”.Rebuilding the bulkheads
Reference-led wall reconstruction introduces console clusters, cooling grilles, raised conduits, reinforced spine bays and blue and warm local lighting. The notes describe a 3D interpretation of the painting, rather than an exact reproduction.
Source: game README, “Reference-based wall reconstruction”.A freer view of the battlefield
Continuous rotation, adjustable tilt and closer zoom arrive across playable missions. Wheel zoom follows the cursor, while FIT restores tactical framing.
Source: game README, “Free camera”. DEVELOPER NOTES / ONLINE GAME
A new view.
The original campaign.
The 3D edition retains the campaign, AI, combat and mission systems through a presentation adapter. Environments are reconstructed from gameplay tiles, while the original campaign artwork and portraits remain part of the identity.
The source documentation distinguishes authored detail and approximate material maps from scanned surface data. These notes are summaries of that record, not invented development diary entries.
Source: game README, “Structure”, “Scope and verification” and version notes.BOARD GAME / PROJECT STATUS
Concept first. Materials to follow.
The tabletop project currently has concept artwork and plans for PDF rules, printable maps and cards, box art and 3D-printable miniatures. Text Combat Test Kit 0.2 is now available from the board-game page, including draft rules and prototype printables. It is not the finished base game; no release date is announced.
Explore the tabletop concept →