AETHERA · PUBLIC UPDATES

Patch notes

Website fixes and updates to the free verified-member SoS CPU beta.

AETHERA · PUBLIC BETA

A short daily summary of what changed in Aethera, and why. Earlier detailed notes remain in the archive.

Free local 5v5 · Email-verified account required · No game key

Play the CPU beta →
Daily summaryLatestConnected profiles and clearer card-table controls

Connected profiles and clearer card-table controls

Why this changed Spend less time retyping usernames and more time finding people and making clear choices.

  • Player search accepts @usernames and Aethera profile links, keeps the latest search in view, and returns from a profile to the same results. Public profiles have a copy-link action, clearer headings and more compact skills.
  • In World development, The Fold has readable phone and landscape seats, clear legal-target cues, and keyboard controls that retain focus. Escape cancels targeting before returning to the World. Shared World is not yet open.
Earlier updates64 updates · choose a note
Daily summaryA clearer city entrance and smoother beta controls

A clearer city entrance and smoother beta controls

Why this changed Make Aethera easier to see, enter and learn, with less reading between meaningful choices.

  • A brighter Syrion overview and smaller centered entrance leave more of the plaza visible. Compact navigation, Watch and Support sections work better on narrow screens and with larger text.
  • Units visibly respond to movement and orders, with tighter hit and healing effects. Round details sit in Menu so the arena stays clearer. Fullscreen is optional where supported; landscape layouts keep controls within reach.
  • Account, profile and Community recovery is clearer, including in-place Twitch status checks. Recent Support celebrations can recover delivery interruptions; old effects stay in the past. Owned styles carry onto website profiles. World development connects friend rooms, Royale Party, Spin Royale and Archive Duel results, and three Commons experiments. More generous rewards lead into a compact try-on shop. World maps separate Play and Places, and activity returns restore keyboard control. Shared World is not yet open.
Community and AccountKnow what each Community question covers

Know what each Community question covers

Why this changed Questions about Royale, shared World and optional Sparks uses could sound like invitations to features that are not open. Feedback should make clear what you can play today and what remains a future concept.

  • Community and Account now show a short availability explanation with each existing question. Local CPU feedback is distinguished from city previews, future modes and optional future Sparks uses.
  • A compact Play and Field Guide introduction explains the free, verified-account local CPU beta and that voting does not unlock other features. All existing questions, answers, recorded votes and participation receipts are retained.
Local CPU controlsChoose keyboard quick-cast

Choose keyboard quick-cast

Why this changed Some players want to release an ability directly at the pointer, while others prefer to aim before clicking. That choice should be explicit, and opening Display settings should keep game controls quiet.

  • Match menu → Controls now offers Quick-cast keyboard abilities, off by default and remembered on this device. When enabled, Q/R/E releases once at your current battlefield pointer; move the pointer onto the lane before casting.
  • The usual arm-and-click controls and touch ability buttons remain available. Quick-cast uses the same cooldowns, aim requirements and range limits as an ordinary release.
  • Display settings now blocks gameplay shortcuts, held steering and delayed squad-key releases while its drawer is open. Close it to return to the round.
Home and unit feedbackA clearer entrance and units that respond

A clearer entrance and units that respond

Why this changed Moving capsules could look like they were sliding, and orders lacked a clear destination cue. Home also hid too much of the city beneath its title and dark overlay. The entrance and your actions should read clearly.

  • Character capsules now show a bounded lean and weight shift while moving, settle when stopped, and visibly follow the existing action poses. The shared presenter keeps the same capsule geometry, simulated position and gameplay rules.
  • Accepted SoS move and attack orders show a labelled destination and line to the actual lane point or target. The cue clears on arrival, defeat or round end; it follows the accepted order rather than guessing from a click.
  • Click and tap orders get a short acceptance message. Held movement stays quiet, and reduced-motion or Data saver preferences keep the extra body motion still while retaining the written order cues.
  • Home has a brighter plaza overview and a smaller, centered title and Play area, leaving more of the city visible. Supporting text and access terms are easier to read; optional watching and support remain below the entrance.
  • The expanded City and Sky views still use the same scene, with centered viewing that returns to the entrance when closed. Free verified-account CPU access and the separate shared-World gates are unchanged.
Community feedbackRead Community results at a glance

Read Community results at a glance

Why this changed Raw vote counts were hard to compare, and Account offered no quick results view. The same questions should be equally useful in both places without crowding the answers.

  • Each question on Community and Account now has optional Results beside its vote action. Open it to compare proportional bars, exact recorded counts and the total, with a written cue for your recorded answer.
  • Results stay compact until opened, remain open when that question refreshes, and keep a saved answer distinct from your current unsent selection. Missing totals or counts are labelled unavailable instead of being shown as zero.
  • Voting, manual confirmation and once-only participation receipts are unchanged. Reading results never submits an answer or grants recognition.
3D inspectionGive inspected models a grounded studio view

Give inspected models a grounded studio view

Why this changed A shape floating against a dark background makes its scale, surface and contact harder to read. The same studio should adapt to a small capsule or a tall landmark.

  • The shared 3D inspector now places a graphite studio floor beneath the model’s actual bounds. Camera framing and detail views still follow the original model, without changing its shape or proportions.
  • Eligible desktop previews add a bounded key shadow that refreshes when the model or view changes. Touch, constrained-device and Data saver settings keep the lighter floor-only treatment. Transparent and Gaussian parts do not receive invented solid shadows.
  • The same studio serves public briefs and Account inspection. Static views remain still, and closing or leaving releases the studio resources.
Field GuideInspect all ten Vowen capsules in 3D

Inspect all ten Vowen capsules in 3D

Why this changed Artists and curious players should be able to turn the current basic shape around and see its materials before imagining a new direction.

  • Every Vowen capsule brief now offers the same optional 3D inspector as the public landmark briefs. Open it for front, side, back and angled views, or choose the turntable when your display preferences allow motion.
  • These views show the shared World development capsule with each Vowen’s World identity color. They are clearly separate from the concept plate and SoS team colors; all ten still use the same placeholder shape while finished art develops.
  • The inspector loads only when opened and releases its graphics resources when closed or when you leave. The original artist brief, references and contribution path remain available if 3D cannot start. Inspection does not start gameplay or save a Character.
Community feedbackConfirm a vote when its response is lost

Confirm a vote when its response is lost

Why this changed A connection failure can hide a vote that was already saved. The next action should help you confirm it without promising another participation award.

  • Community and Account feedback now offer Confirm vote after a lost or unreadable confirmation. Your selected answer and other unfinished answers stay in place, and nothing is sent again until you choose to submit.
  • A readable confirmation distinguishes new participation recognition from an already-recorded receipt. If only the results refresh fails, the saved-vote message remains clear. Changing or confirming an answer never awards participation twice for the same topic.
Creator toolsSee your reference revisions together

See your reference revisions together

Why this changed Comparing filenames and review notes alone could not show how a submitted image changed. Your private history should help you inspect the work itself without replacing earlier versions.

  • In Creator tools, open a reference’s version history, choose two versions and select View image comparison. Supported images appear together with their dates, recorded review status and original download links.
  • Images load only when requested. Close the comparison or choose different versions to release it; your submission draft and any pending upload stay intact. PDFs and images your browser cannot display remain available as original downloads.
  • Inspection stays private to the existing account and review access. It does not publish a reference, approve rights, select game art or change a review decision.
Account studioInspect your Character and companion together

Inspect your Character and companion together

Why this changed A companion-only thumbnail could not show your Character color and companion design together. You should be able to inspect a draft before saving it.

  • Character & companion now offers an optional 3D inspection with front, side, back and angled views. Change the original studio fields to update the same preview. Both frames still use the same simple Character capsule while finished Character art develops.
  • Color, companion Shape and Glow reflect your current draft. Known saved World appearance is shown directly; if it is unavailable, the view says so and shows the companion without inventing a Character appearance.
  • The inspector loads only when opened. Close it to release its graphics resources, or keep editing with the 2D companion preview if 3D is unavailable. Display settings remain available, and opening a preview never saves a design or starts a game.
  • If you keep editing while a save is waiting, the result distinguishes the saved design from your newer draft. Your latest fields stay in place, ready for another save.
Website readingRead the latest, keep the history

Read the latest, keep the history

Why this changed Finding current changes should not require scrolling past every earlier explanation, while old links should still lead to the full update.

  • Patch notes open with the newest update. Earlier updates sit in a compact archive: open the archive, then choose the update you want to read. Every change and its explanation is retained.
  • The jump index and permanent links open the requested update, including through Back and Forward. The full history is included in the first page response for reading without JavaScript, and current beta facts stay ahead of the older archive.
Website reliabilityStay on track when reopening or recovering

Stay on track when reopening or recovering

Why this changed Reopening the theater should show the current request, and recovering an account should keep the place you were trying to reach.

  • Closing and reopening the Twitch theater no longer lets an older status request overwrite the new one. Closing a view cancels its metadata work; unavailable requests settle within a deadline instead of waiting indefinitely. Video and chat still load only after you open them, with the direct Twitch link available as a fallback.
  • Forgot password and Back to sign in now preserve your destination, including the CPU beta. Valid destinations also travel through the reset email link and back to sign-in after a successful reset. An unusable or oversized optional destination is omitted by the website so it does not prevent the normal recovery request.
  • Recovery still requires the existing one-time email link and a new password. The page continues to give the same submission message without revealing whether a username is eligible. A reset does not grant access to closed game features.
Website readabilityKeep your display choices while reading

Keep your display choices while reading

Why this changed Opening a policy, creator information or a missing-page recovery should not discard the display choices that make the website easier to read.

  • Press, Privacy, Terms, Security and missing-page recovery now use the same Display settings as the application. Open the Aa button in the top bar or use Ctrl/Cmd + comma. Your choices stay on this browser and update across open pages.
  • Large text also enlarges the ordinary policy paragraphs. High contrast and compact spacing carry through these documents, and the shared settings dialog keeps its solid dark surface, readable controls and reachable final actions on short screens.
  • Privacy now agrees with the current CPU beta access rule: an email-verified account is required, and no game key is needed. Shared World gameplay remains closed.
Accessibility and rendering preferencesDisplay settings that follow your choices

Display settings that follow your choices

Why this changed Display controls should visibly change the experience, stay usable with a keyboard and reach the rendering views without a reload.

  • Open Display settings from Explore. The dialog now follows the website’s dark orange theme, has labeled groups and larger controls, and keeps keyboard focus when you choose an option. Large text uses 125% sizing; high contrast and compact spacing now have visible effects.
  • Your motion and data-saving choices now reach the city, model inspectors and match presentation. Device motion and data-saving preferences still apply. Changing these settings updates an open view, and a stopped model turntable stays stopped until you choose to start it again.
  • Data saver uses lighter visual effects and a smaller rendering budget. It does not limit downloads or change game rules. Restoring detail follows the normal adaptive graphics budget.
  • Choices persist on this browser and update across open application pages. Unreadable saved settings recover safely; when storage is unavailable, the dialog explains that changes last for the visit. The final actions remain reachable on short phone layouts.
Artist tools and model presentationInspect the primitives behind the briefs

Inspect the primitives behind the briefs

Why this changed Artists should be able to examine the current shape, its materials and its details before imagining a new direction.

  • The Halm Beacon and Triarchy Orrery object briefs now offer an on-demand, full-screen 3D inspection of their current World prototypes. Switch viewing angles or use the optional turntable. The Beacon opens at its crown, with separate lobby and full-model views.
  • Model framing adapts to the object and screen size. The preview starts still, pauses when hidden, honors reduced motion and releases its graphics resources when closed. Back to brief or Escape returns you to your reading position.
  • The briefs have centered headings, direct section links and optional design requirements. Existing diagrams, exact requirements and reference-submission paths remain available. If graphics are unavailable, you can retry or keep reading.
  • These are visual inspections of existing prototypes. Shared World gameplay, 3D submissions and automatic art replacement remain closed; verified accounts can still submit 2D references for private review.
Rendering and city presentationSee Syrion in a better light

See Syrion in a better light

Why this changed Simple city shapes should feel grounded, and you should be able to see the work clearly before imagining what you might create for it.

  • Select View city on Home to open the existing live-rendered Syrion scene across the screen. City and Sky views let you inspect the streets or look upward. Back to Home or Escape returns you to the entrance; the artist and creator briefs are linked from the preview.
  • The shared skybox begins to show the inverted horizon of the inhabited Dyson sphere: distant land and illuminated routes rise beyond the local weather dome. This is an early visual treatment. City lighting now includes directional shadows and more deliberate light and shade. Eligible skyline roofs have subtle beveled edges that catch the light, while shared surface materials respond more consistently to lighting and keep their fine detail aligned.
  • Home starts with a bounded lighting profile. Additional contact shading is reserved for desktop rendering when measured graphics timing supports it; phones keep the simpler profile. Static and reduced-motion views redraw after resizing or lighting changes and settle their edges before pausing again. Leaving Home during graphics startup also releases the unfinished renderer.
  • The preview shows a city in development. Shared World gameplay remains closed; the free verified-account CPU beta remains browser-local.
Website readingA more consistent first view

A more consistent first view

Why this changed The website should stay clear while pages open and when JavaScript is unavailable.

  • The first view of the guide, briefs, stories and updates now uses centered headings, the shared obsidian-and-orange theme and more compact phone navigation. The daily journal is a direct destination, and Community and Journal keep their own page titles and links.
  • The complete patch-note archive remains readable without JavaScript, with a bounded jump list, visible keyboard focus and readable brief images. The free verified-account CPU beta and closed shared World are explained consistently.
Account dataYour reference history stays in your account export

Your reference history stays in your account export

Why this changed A copy of your account data should retain the revisions and declarations attached to your own creator references.

  • Account exports now include reference revision links and any recorded candidate kind, slot, revision and separate review or rights declarations.
  • Older reference records remain exportable. Exports keep private review notes and internal storage details out, and report temporary read failures so you can retry.
Optional supportAlex’s Chime invite is easier to find

Alex’s Chime invite is easier to find

Why this changed Optional support choices should be easy to find and clear about how they can help Aethera.

  • Alex’s personal Chime invite now leads the optional Support section, with a visible explanation that a qualifying referral may earn him a reward that helps fund Aethera. Play remains the main action.
  • The shared referral card stays visible in site footers. How to qualify opens the key steps and Chime’s current terms; links and details controls are easier to read and use.
Website navigationStories stays with the page you choose

Stories stays with the page you choose

Why this changed Moving to another page should not let an older request replace your destination or its title.

  • Leaving Stories while it is loading now keeps your new page and its title intact. Canceled or older loads cannot repaint over a newer page.
  • When you stay on the page, available story results still appear and genuine loading failures keep their manual Retry action.
Website informationCurrent facts and clearer ways back

Why this changed Press information should be easy to check, and an old link should lead you back to useful parts of Aethera.

  • Press now groups quick game facts, current play and account links, update archives, creator background and contact information. Optional project previews are labeled separately, with the existing creator and book information preserved.
  • The missing-page screen has a compact, centered layout with direct Home, CPU beta, Field Guide, Account and update links. It uses the shared website navigation and explains the current verified-account requirement.
Home presentationA clearer skyline behind the entrance

A clearer skyline behind the entrance

Why this changed The city should meet Syrion’s sky without a flat band cutting across the background.

  • Home now keeps its shared city ground and Syrion sky together without the extra distant landscape sheet that obscured the skyline. City places, movement boundaries and the separate World terrain stay the same.
Account websiteAn Account overview with room to focus

An Account overview with room to focus

Why this changed Returning members should find their next action without scrolling through every optional account tool.

  • The member Account page keeps play, access status and sign-out near the top. Character and profile settings, saved progress, community questions, creator references, connections, security and support open in clearly named sections.
  • The centered layout follows the website’s obsidian, graphite and orange theme, with larger controls and visible keyboard focus. Existing form values and actions stay in place as you open sections; links to feedback and support reveal their destination.
Match controlsMovement follows the camera and targeting cancels reliably

Movement follows the camera and targeting cancels reliably

Why this changed Movement should follow the view, and opening a panel or canceling an aim should not trigger an ability.

  • WASD, arrow keys, the movement stick and directional buttons now follow the rendered camera. Movement speed stays the same in every direction.
  • Right-click the battlefield to cancel an aimed skill or attack. A middle click does nothing. Open menus, the shop, squad orders and build choices keep ability input from reaching the battlefield.
Website readingA clearer way through stories and updates

A clearer way through stories and updates

Why this changed Finding a community question, an older fix or a daily journal entry should take fewer detours.

  • Stories, Community, patch notes and journal articles share compact navigation. Community, Patch notes and Journal stay one click away; the Stories menu keeps the archive, timeline, characters, videos and sources together.
  • Patch notes now has a jump list for every update, with titles, dates and categories. Full change explanations and permanent links remain available. Public policy pages now link to the released free CPU beta instead of the retired invitation-only path. Centered headings, clearer focus and tighter reading layouts make the pages easier to scan without shortening their articles.
Field GuideRead the Field Guide at your own pace

Read the Field Guide at your own pace

Why this changed Learning the current CPU game should not require scrolling through every planned city and Character detail.

  • The current CPU primer comes first. Planned chapters, the Vowen roster and object briefs now open on demand, while signup help and Creator tools remain easy to find. All guide content and shareable section links remain available.
  • Section links open the material they lead to. Returning from a brief or moving Back and Forward restores your chapter choices alongside the guide's existing reading position.
Website designCentered pages, obsidian surfaces and Halm orange

Centered pages, obsidian surfaces and Halm orange

Why this changed The website should feel like one place, with clearer choices and less empty space between them.

  • Home and the Field Guide now use more centered introductions and shorter layouts. Reading pages, previews and policy pages share darker obsidian and graphite surfaces with orange energy and focus accents.
  • #FF8800 is Halm’s presentation color and the website’s primary accent. Other Vowen keep their distinct contextual colors.
  • The access description in Terms now matches the free CPU beta: verify your email to play; no game key is required. Account verification and the closed shared-World boundary stay in place.
Home and SyrionA stronger entrance into Aethera

A stronger entrance into Aethera

Why this changed Home should introduce the game with a city that feels connected, readable and worth exploring.

  • Home now brings the live Syrion city into a full-width entrance with bolder comic-inspired typography, a short match objective and clear play, guide and account paths. The phone layout flows into Watch and Support without a large empty gap.
  • The shared city has cleaner building surfaces, better-separated resort façades, wall-aligned windows and ten shallow water courts. A lower entrance camera and depth haze give the city more presence while preserving its existing places and routes.
  • The free CPU beta still requires a verified account. The shared World remains in development; this presentation update does not open World or multiplayer play.
Account websiteA clearer, more focused Account entrance

A clearer, more focused Account entrance

Why this changed Signing in, creating an account and recovering access should feel like one connected path.

  • Account entry forms now share a centered layout, readable fields and clearer keyboard focus and status messages. Wide signup forms group related fields to save space; small screens use one natural page scroll. Field Guide and support links are available throughout recovery.
Field GuideA clearer path from the guide to your first round

A clearer path from the guide to your first round

Why this changed Joining from the guide should keep your intended match destination and explain the current tools accurately.

  • The first-round signup link now keeps the CPU beta as your next destination. The guide also explains the fresh-round and same-opening replay choices.
  • The Sparks guide links directly to private Creator tools and explains recorded reference-use recognition. Future item ideas are optional; the old monthly game-access proposal has been removed. Core play stays free, and Spark spending remains unavailable.
Match recoveryKnow when your Character is back

Know when your Character is back

Why this changed Following the fight while waiting to respawn should not make you miss your return to play.

  • Local CPU rounds now show a brief status message when your own Character respawns. The message is available to assistive technology and appears once per return, without repeating the countdown. Respawn timing stays the same.
Website recoveryOptional support recovers from interrupted loading

Optional support recovers from interrupted loading

Why this changed A slow connection or browser Back should not leave a support control stuck.

  • Support controls now recover after slow or interrupted checkout loading and after returning with Back. An unchanged manual retry keeps its checkout request. Optional support availability and payment confirmation rules stay the same.
Website layoutClearer pages for features still in preparation

Clearer pages for features still in preparation

Why this changed A section that is still being prepared should offer clear, reachable next steps.

  • Preview and recovery pages now have consistent margins, readable headings and keyboard-accessible scrolling when needed. Preview pages include a direct Account link, and Account labels the player directory as coming soon.
Combat feedbackAbility readiness matches the cooldown

Ability readiness matches the cooldown

Why this changed An ability that looks ready should be ready to aim, including the final fraction of its cooldown.

  • Ability buttons now keep their countdown and unavailable state until the cooldown fully expires. The last fraction still displays 1s instead of briefly appearing ready. Cooldown lengths and controls stay the same.
Keyboard navigationSkip to content keeps your place and work

Skip to content keeps your place and work

Why this changed Moving focus into a page should keep your unsent work intact.

  • The shared Skip to content link now moves focus into the current page without reopening it. Unsent form drafts and the current view stay in place.
Combat readabilityKnow when a skill shot needs more room

Know when a skill shot needs more room

Why this changed The aiming guide should explain when a shot is too short to release, before you commit the click.

  • Forge Crash and Long Look now show an aim-farther message and a dashed corridor when the selected line is too short. The release instruction appears once the line is long enough; ability range, damage and cooldowns stay the same.
Account recoveryAccount controls work while connections load

Account controls work while connections load

Why this changed Managing your Aethera account should not depend on an optional connection's status.

  • Password and session controls are now ready while Twitch connection status is loading or unavailable. The connection can finish checking without holding up your account actions.
Account accessibilityCheck passwords before continuing

Check passwords before continuing

Why this changed Password entry should be easier to check when signing in, recovering access or changing your password.

  • Show and Hide controls now work across Account password fields. Fields start masked and are masked again when switching sign-in forms or leaving Account; your password and submission rules stay the same.
Website navigationBack returns to your reading position

Back returns to your reading position

Why this changed Opening another page should not make you lose your place in a guide or update.

  • Back and Forward now restore the page's reader position, including after following a chapter link. Fresh chapter links still open their section. Pages kept in the browser's Back cache retain their navigation and controls.
Items and buildsInspect item effects before buying

Inspect item effects before buying

Why this changed Choose equipment with its real effect on your current build in view.

  • Use Inspect equipment in the shop to compare current stats with an affordable purchase's outcome, including gold left. Item buttons now explain when you need more gold, already own the item or have full slots.
Items and buildsItem purchases keep your build intact

Item purchases keep your build intact

Why this changed Your gold and equipment should stay intact when a purchase cannot be made.

  • Unavailable items and purchases during respawn are now rejected consistently before changing gold or equipment. Gyro Coil's description now correctly states a 12% shorter attack interval.
Character presentationConsistent turns after repeated direction changes

Consistent turns after repeated direction changes

Why this changed Turning in a circle should not make the next direction change take the long way around.

  • Characters now keep taking the short turn toward movement, attacks and casts after several full rotations.
Character presentationCharacters turn toward their casts

Characters turn toward their casts

Why this changed A Character's body cue should help you read the direction of its cast.

  • Characters now turn toward the aimed point during a cast, including casts made while standing still or aiming behind their movement direction. Self-centered casts keep their existing facing.
Game controlsCPU rounds wait when you switch tabs

CPU rounds wait when you switch tabs

Why this changed You should decide when a local round continues after you return to the tab.

  • Active local CPU rounds now pause when the tab is hidden. The match menu explains why; choose Resume to continue from the same match time, with keyboard focus back on the battlefield.
Creator toolsSee what changed between your references

See what changed between your references

Why this changed Keeping earlier work is more useful when you can compare its details with a revision.

  • Open a reference’s version history to compare two linked versions privately. Changed details appear first, with unchanged details available to expand. The comparison includes submitted text, file hashes, reuse permission and recorded review facts; it never selects art for the game.
Game controlsShop keyboard focus stays in reach

Shop keyboard focus stays in reach

Why this changed Opening or closing the shop should not leave your keyboard focus behind.

  • Opening the shop with P or its button now focuses the Close control. Dismissing it with P, Escape or Close returns focus to a visible control, and screen readers can tell whether the shop is open.
WebsiteJump to the part of the Field Guide you need

Jump to the part of the Field Guide you need

Why this changed Finding a hero, game strategy or reference brief should not require scrolling through the whole guide.

  • An In this guide index links directly to the city plan, Character information, SoS strategy, the Ten Vowen, joining the CPU beta, creator references and World object briefs.
WebsiteRead patch notes without waiting

Read patch notes without waiting

Why this changed You should be able to review the change history even when scripts load slowly or are unavailable.

  • Patch notes now show every dated entry, its explanation and permanent link before the full site loads. The archive remains readable and scrollable without scripts.
Game controlsChoose your next CPU round

Choose your next CPU round

Why this changed You should be able to practise the same opening or try a fresh matchup without leaving the result screen.

  • After a local CPU round, choose New CPU round for a fresh seed or Replay same seed to repeat its opening setup. Gameplay shortcuts stay inactive on results; Escape still opens the match menu.
WebsiteClearer first view of public pages

Clearer first view of public pages

Why this changed Useful access terms and destinations should be available before the full page opens.

  • Character and World object briefs now show the current verified-account, no-key CPU beta terms while loading or without scripts. Stories and brief pages make the Field Guide, Community and patch notes easier to reach, with unavailable previews clearly labeled.
Creator toolsKeep earlier creator reference versions

Keep earlier creator reference versions

Why this changed Revising a reference should preserve the work and review context you already shared.

  • Creator tools now let you link a new private submission to an earlier reference and open its version history. Earlier files and reviews stay available; each revision starts a separate review with fresh consent.
Game controlsSkills and movement have separate keys

Skills and movement have separate keys

Why this changed W was shared by movement and the middle skill, so moving could prevent you from selecting that skill.

  • Use Q/R/E to aim your three skills. The middle skill now uses R; W stays part of WASD movement. The skill buttons and Controls guide show the updated keys.
Creator toolsRestore private creator reference access

Restore private creator reference access

Why this changed Your earlier references should stay available when you return to contribute.

  • Fixed an error that could block loading your private creator reference history or submitting a reference for review.
WebsiteClearer Field Guide return

Clearer Field Guide return

Why this changed Your browser tab and page description should match the guide you are reading.

  • Returning to the Field Guide through Explore now restores the guide’s browser title and page description after reading a Character brief or visiting creator tools.
WebsiteRead complete Stories and journal articles

Read complete Stories and journal articles

Why this changed Long articles should let you reach their sources and next steps on any screen.

  • Stories and journal pages now scroll through the full article, including sources and navigation at the end.
GameFind your Character in the fight

Find your Character in the fight

Why this changed Your Character should be easy to pick out when several Vowen gather in the same fight.

  • Your SoS nameplate now starts with YOU, followed by your Vowen number and name. Compact views keep YOU and your number visible.
WebsiteDaily development journal

Daily development journal

Why this changed Development is easier to follow when dated reports explain the changes and keep earlier records available.

  • Stories now includes a daily development journal, with links to the public changes and system facts behind each report.
  • Reports distinguish new patch-note entries from unchanged days. Earlier daily articles stay in the archive, and automated authorship is clearly labeled.
WebsiteA clearer website menu

A clearer website menu

Why this changed Finding your next step should not require knowing which section hides it.

  • Community and Patch notes are now in the first Explore menu, beside SoS and the Field Guide.
  • Read public Community questions before signing in. A verified account is only needed when you want to vote.
  • Stories, Community and Patch notes now share the same site navigation and Account link, with clearer section labels.
  • Optional previews say Coming soon. Unfinished Player profiles are no longer advertised in the main menu.
  • Escape closes Explore and returns focus to its button. Clicking outside or choosing a link also closes the menu.
HotfixCommunity loading and vote recovery

Community loading and vote recovery

Why this changed Waiting for questions or a vote confirmation should not leave you guessing.

  • If Community questions stop loading, Try again now appears after about 10 seconds.
  • When a vote takes too long to confirm, your answer stays selected and you can choose Confirm vote. Other draft answers stay in place.
  • A confirmed vote remains marked as saved even if the results take too long to refresh.
HotfixAccount recovery and beta navigation

Account recovery and beta navigation

Why this changed A slow connection should never leave you stuck or make you lose where you were headed.

  • Stalled Account loading now offers Try again after about 10 seconds instead of leaving you waiting.
  • Retry keeps your original destination, including the CPU beta. If you leave Account during sign-in, a late reply will no longer pull you back.
  • Pages still being prepared now offer routes to the CPU beta and Field Guide, with clearer descriptions of what is available.
GameClearer squad orders and match controls

Clearer squad orders and match controls

Why this changed Solo play should make your squad's next move easy to call and keep the controls within reach.

  • Squad orders give CPU teammates clearer attack, defend and regroup directions, with a compact command wheel.
  • The match HUD has clearer controls, and the responsive joystick makes local CPU controls easier to reach.
WebsiteSimpler community feedback

Simpler community feedback

Why this changed Saving one answer should not erase another or leave you unsure whether your vote counted.

  • Account and Community share larger answer controls and a single sign-up prompt.
  • Saving a vote keeps other draft answers and keyboard focus in place. Vote status shows whether participation Sparks are confirmed or still being checked.
  • Short screens scroll to every question, and public pages repeat less introductory text.
WebsitePrivate creator references in the Field Guide

Private creator references in the Field Guide

Why this changed Creators need one place to follow a submission and find its review notes without entering a game.

  • Reference uploads and review history are now together in the Field Guide's contribution desk.
  • Contributors can reopen their submitted details, private files and review notes from Account.
  • Email verification returns you to the wiki or Community destination you chose.
Beta accessFree CPU beta for verified members

Free CPU beta for verified members

Why this changed Trying the CPU beta should depend on a verified account, without an extra invitation step.

  • Every email-verified Aethera member can play the free 5v5 SoS CPU beta in their browser. No game key is required.
  • Sign-up and sign-in keep your intended CPU match destination. Small-screen account forms remain scrollable.