All users must update if they wish to continue playing, since server updates are also going into effect with this app update. You must also be running iOS 4 to play. You can read about all the changes on our previous blog post.

As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated. If you have any comments or suggestions please be sure to send them our way, and if you enjoy the game please take a moment to rate it on the App Store!

Update:

Our apologies for the slight hiccup some of you may have experienced as our servers switched over to the latest version. Everything should be running smoothly now!

Here’s a brief rundown of the changes in this version:

• Removed the Unranked Duel Lobby.
• Listen to iTunes music while you play or make a playlist for iDuel Online from within the game!
• Added the option to turn off battle animations.
• Apprentice classes with a lower level requirement give players access to classes earlier in the game!
• 21 new items!
• Overhauled the game’s server to improve performance and stability.
• Bug fixes to take care of crashes and other issues.
• Game balance changes: There is now a Match Point penalty for fighting sleepwalkers or players that are too far below your level.
• The game now requires iOS 4 to run.

I’ll post again as soon as the update is actually live.

Features added to the new release:

• Added “Sleepwalker” mode.  When a player has disconnected or logged off, opponents may challenge them and the server will play in their place.  If the server population is low there is always somebody to fight, even if that person is just a bot.  Winning a “Sleepwalker” match reduces your match point earnings, however, so it’s always best to fight live players when possible!
• Added auto-refresh to the lobby.  This will keep you up to date with the players entering and leaving the lobby in real time.
• If a player disconnects during game play (ie you see them “Do Nothing”), the player will automatically forfeit on the next turn if he/she does not take action.  The winner is awarded full match points and credits if an opponent disconnects.  The loser will receive zero credits and zero match points.

Major Bug fixes/Improvements:

• If you have multiple challenges pending, the server will automatically decline all other challenges when you enter a game.  This prevents many situations where you issue a challenge and wait forever for somebody to accept or decline and never get a response.
• Made the lobby more efficient.  We greatly reduce the rate at which games fail to connect.
• Found and fixed a number of crash problems.
• Fixed the major issue where the duel screen simply waits forever on the opponent.
• iDuel Online now requires iPhone OS 3.0 or greater.

On the table for the future:

• Performance enhancements in the Gear Shop.
• Performance enhancements in game.
• AI Learning for sleepwalkers.  Your sleepwalker will fight matches based on how normally fight.
• Other great stuff!

I would also like to thank the players who have provided the constructive criticism regarding these issues and have waited patiently while we fix them.  For any questions or comments, please feel free to follow up on this post or contact me directly via email.

Patrick “Invictvs” Twohig <invictvs@namazustudios.com> (A.K.A. “The Server Guy”)

We’ll also be adding a “Sleepwalker” bot mode. This will allow players to choose to duel a bot version of a character if they can’t successfully challenge another live player to a match or if other players are unavailable.

I’ll post updates here (as well as on Twitter, Facebook, and our thread on the TouchArcade Forums) as the changes go live.

iDuel Online is now available on the App Store! Be sure to get it for your iPhone or iPod Touch!

iDuel Online is a multiplayer online RPG where players strategically duel other players. We’ll be showing off some more art soon with additional info. We’ll also be adding to the game’s page on the site as we reveal more.

We’ve been hard at work on our next project, our first game for the iPhone and iPod Touch!  I can’t say much now, but it’s in a totally different direction for us and we’re very excited about the project.

We can’t give too much more away at this time but it’s going to be big so keep your eyes open for more info in the very near future!

You can expect frequent updates with news of what we’re doing as well as tips and tricks we learn as we work and other odds and ends.

Keep an eye on the site and watch it evolve as we grow!