update · November 18, 2023
Astrea Six-Sided Oracles Developer Update Outlines Slowed Roadmap and Health Break
Astrea Six-Sided Oracles lead developer Leonardo Castanho discusses a temporary slowdown in post-release updates due to team burnout, while detailing upcoming priorities like controller support and daily runs.
Lead developer Leonardo Castanho has published a development update for Astrea Six-Sided Oracles, addressing the timeline for future patches. Citing severe overwork and health issues following the game's launch, the two-person development team is shifting to a slower pace.
Team Health and Development Pace
Following heavy crunch during the first year and a half of development, lead designer and programmer Leonardo Castanho experienced severe burnout and subsequent physical back pain requiring emergency medical care. As a result, the studio is slowing its update cadence. Castanho is taking a one-week vacation, with a full team break scheduled for the end of the year.
Upcoming Priorities and Controller Support
Programmer Inoue is focusing on Xbox porting and controller improvements. The immediate priority is adding a visual selection highlight to show current controller focus. Future controller adjustments will streamline shop exits, reward confirmations, and card-hand viewing during specific mechanics like Astral Calling or Void Seek.
Balance Reworks and Daily Runs
Work has begun on daily runs, with game design drafts completed before the health interruption. Upcoming balance changes slated for the beta branch include a rework to the Stunned status effect allowing players to reroll only one die before decreasing the counter by one. Corrupted Moonie receives nerfs to bring her in line with other Oracles, while the Moonite starter kit receives buffs.
Why this patch matters
The Astrea team is prioritizing developer health over rapid output, setting realistic expectations for future balance patches and daily run features.