This update marks an important milestone for Stormbane as the AI test battle framework moves into a playtest-ready state.
The current focus is not just on isolated combat encounters, but on making sure groups, regions, and systems can behave reliably under simulation before wider player access begins.
AI battle framework
Autonomous AI groups can now engage, resolve combat, and transition between states without direct player involvement.
This gives us a controlled way to test combat pacing, balance, regional conflict, and systemic behaviour before those systems are exposed to more players.
The main improvements include more reliable AI group engagement, stable battle resolution, better region-level conflict flow, and stronger handling around state transitions.
System stability
Alongside the AI work, we have been tightening several systems that support playtest readiness.
This includes improvements to character creator selection logic, reset behaviour, shared progress bar configuration, and moving more gameplay-critical behaviour into C++ where it can be handled more reliably.
This work is less visible than a new feature, but it matters. Stability and predictable behaviour are essential before players begin pushing the systems in unexpected ways.
Character preview improvements
The character preview flow has also been refined.
Camera framing, focus control, camera transitions, and LOD behaviour have all been improved to make character selection feel more intentional and polished.
What comes next
Stormbane is now moving from experimentation toward validation.
The next phase is focused on playtest readiness checks, extended AI battle simulation, system stability, networking verification, and incremental UI polish.
The foundations are tightening. Now the goal is to prove those systems under real play conditions.