Devlog – Gameplay Polish & A More Lively Stadium

Progress is going strong, and I'm getting deeper into the heart of the project. Over the past few days, I've been focusing on two key aspects: refining the gameplay and enhancing the stadium atmosphere.

On the gameplay side, I've worked on improving player responsiveness, dribbling feel, and overall match fluidity. Movements now feel a bit more natural and satisfying, especially during fast-paced transitions or quick direction changes. It's still a work in progress, but every little adjustment brings the gameplay closer to that perfect retro-arcade balance I’m aiming for—easy to pick up, hard to master.

But it’s not just about how the game feels—it’s also about how it looks and sounds. That’s why I’ve started building up the visual atmosphere around the pitch. One of the latest additions is a dynamic crowd system that includes banners and flags scattered across the stands. What’s cool is that these elements now adapt to the teams playing, displaying the correct colors to support the home and away sides. It adds a layer of immersion that helps bring the stadium to life, even in pixel form.

In addition to the visuals, I’ve also begun implementing sound effects. There are now custom SFX for the ball—kicks, passes, and rebounds have their own crisp retro sounds. And to top it off, I’ve started integrating crowd chants and background ambience to give each match more energy and identity.

These changes might seem small on paper, but together they’re starting to give the game that energetic, match-day vibe I’ve always loved in old-school football games.

More updates soon—next up: more crowd variations, improved AI, and maybe a sneak peek at the menu design!