Shallow Pond

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Latest news

• Patch Notes·10 Sept 2026Official

  Small Demo Update: Movement, Controls & Bug Fixes

  Movement ImprovementsRipples’ movement received another round of improvements.A new Boost Jump has been added, giving you another way to keep your momentum going. Dashes now also reset when using bounce pads, making movement chains more consistent.I also fixed an issue where Ripples wouldn’t enter his dive pose when jumping from bridges. The dive pose itself has been improved as well, although there are still a few situations where it doesn’t behave quite as intended.The double bounce pads in the demo can now also be grabbed at the edges, making it easier to recover if you miss your landing slightly.Combat ImprovementsRipples can now stun enemies with his Stomp, adding another use for the ability during encounters.I also fixed a fairly serious enemy bug: after being stunned, enemies could stop attacking entirely until Ripples left their detection range and entered it again. They should now recover and continue attacking normally.Controls & UII made a few changes to the controls that should make the overall layout feel more natural.On gamepad, LB is now dedicated to Water Spray, while X is used for interactions. On keyboard, F is now the default Interact key.Some keyboard prompts are also now displayed alongside the gamepad prompts throughout the level.This is partly in preparation for a larger UI update planned for the next demo version. The current demo UI will gradually be replaced with the interface intended for the full game, including more settings and button prompts that dynamically switch between keyboard and gamepad controls.Camera ImprovementsCamera collision with the landscape has been improved to reduce clipping into the environment.I also reduced the amount of sideways camera rotation by around 30%, resulting in a slightly calmer camera during movement.Plants & Water SpiritsEvery fully grown plant now rewards you with a Shell, and the spawn effect has been made more noticeable so it’s clearer when the reward appears.Collecting Water Spirits underwater ha...
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• Patch Notes·15 Jul 2026Official

  Small Demo Update: Character Improvements & Bug Fixes

  The Shallow Pond demo has received another small update, with a few visual improvements and bug fixes.Ripples’ Helmet HookRipples now has a small hook on top of his helmet that wobbles as he moves. This was already part of the original character concept, and I also plan to use this attachment point for additional decorations and future skins.A Glimpse Inside the SuitRipples also has eyes now - well, kind of.There is a Water Spirit inside the diving suit, so it felt right to let some of that spirit show through. The effect is intentionally subtle, but it becomes more noticeable during some of his idle animations.Movement ImprovementsI refined Ripples’ squash-and-stretch animation when jumping and landing, and added a leaning motion when turning in mid-air.The previous squash-and-stretch setup may also have caused issues with enemy interactions in certain situations. This should now be fixed.Bug FixesFixed an issue that could cause Ripples to respawn at the wrong location after running out of health in the tutorial.
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• Announcements·14 Jul 2026Official

  Shallow Pond at gamescom 2026 - Indie Arena Booth

  Shallow Pond is officially part of the Indie Arena Booth lineup at gamescom 2026.From August 26-30, you’ll be able to play the game at the Indie Arena Booth in Cologne.Have a look at the full Indie Arena Booth 2026 lineup announcement:I’m really looking forward to being on the show floor and seeing people stand in front of my booth and play the game I’ve been building on my own for the past three years. I’ll be there throughout the event as well, so come by, play the demo, grab a button and say hello.I’m currently working on a million little details around the event. And apparently there’s also a game I’m building, right? Plenty of things to do!I’ll share the exact hall and booth location closer to the event.And in case you won’t be at gamescom: the latest version of the Shallow Pond demo is already available here on Steam.See you in Cologne!
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• Patch Notes·3 Jul 2026Official

  Big Demo Update

  I keep updating the Shallow Pond demo while the full game is in development. Based on your feedback, the survey responses, and my own ongoing work on the game, I made a lot of changes to performance, enemies, visuals, camera, and general game feel.Here’s a shorter summary of the bigger updates.Graphics quality modesI added three graphics quality modes. The low mode now runs on Steam Deck at around 35–50 FPS. I capped it at 50 FPS, and most of the time it stays around 40–50 FPS, which I’m already very happy with.The goal is to keep the game smooth while preserving the look and atmosphere as much as possible.Enemies, plants, and combatDefeated enemies now turn into plantlings. Water them twice, and they grow into full plants. Sometimes they even reward Ripples with a shell.This fits the world much better, because all enemies in Shallow Pond originate from plants. They are corrupted, but more in a weird and playful way than an evil one. I also updated their designs: Korq (melee) now has leaves growing out of his body, and Croq (ranged) has a mushroom-like mohawk.Enemies are smarter now too. They no longer all run straight into Ripples. Up to three enemies can attack at once, while others stay nearby and wait for an opening. They also avoid each other more successfully.Ranged enemies are now part of the demo as a second enemy type. They throw mushrooms from a distance and try to evade Ripples when he gets too close.The water spray can now stun enemies as well. It doesn’t damage them anymore, but it gives you another fun option to slow them down and create a bit more space.Water Spirits feel more alive nowWater Spirits are now chained to the ground by magical ropes, and only Ripples can free them.Before, Ripples absorbed them into the helmet, which worked mechanically, but felt a little too rude for the tone of the game. Now, when you free a Water Spirit, it shows its gratitude, gives Ripples energy, and vanishes back into its own realm.Ripples is a Water Spirit too, aft...
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