Dev Update

A quick note upfront:

• Music mechanics are still work in progress. Major changes to musical expressivity and freedom are coming in the next playtest in Q1 2026.
• Progression and advanced rewards mechanics are not implemented yet. This second playtest is focused on testing core systems first.

TLDR video:

Communication & Social Play

We're taking our first steps toward improving communication tools to make cooperation and coordination easier for players:

• Text chat with proximity, server, and party channels.
• Ping system for quick, non-verbal callouts.
• Early Discord integration.
• Improved party and friend flows for smoother play-together moments.

Text chat preview

World & Art updates

To strengthen the musical identity of MAJJAM's world, we've made several updates that deepen its atmosphere and make exploration feel more expressive and alive:

• Refined Oasis & Sanctuary zones with more consistent visuals and enriched areas.
• Environmental storytelling now leans on cues.
• World areas still react to your music, but their reactions have been enhanced to deliver a richer, more fantastical feel.
• Flying musical shipwreck (?!) and ancient areas that you would be able to rebuild by jamming with other jammers.

Trumpeter Temple preview

Matchmaking, Session Flow & Kodé's Trials

Our Second Playtest introduces a reworked system meant to keep things moving and make matchmaking smoother.

New join rules for Kodé's Trials

• Free-for-All: 2-4 players
• Races: 2-4 players
• Team Play: 2 or 4 players
• You can still enter the Runner Trial alone during the tutorial, so you will always be able to complete it

Smarter queueing

• You can walk away from a Trial entrance and stay queued
• Easier to join an existing group instead of always starting from scratch
• Clearer cancellation steps and timing
• Cross-region matchmaking when local queues are low
• Rematch: replay with the same group instantly

Keeping Trials lively

• Tasks now link naturally to Trials.
• Leaderboards now reset periodically, and if you hold a high enough rank when they do, you'll earn a special reward for that Trial.

Queuing, changing type of game, joining (10sec)

Performance & Optimizations

We've made several improvements performance-wise to help MAJJAM run more smoothly than in the first playtest. It's still a work in progress, but you should notice fewer slowdowns and a more stable, responsive experience overall.

Navigation, Maps & World Clarity

We've updated how you understand and move through the world so sessions are easier to read at a glance.

Maximap (World Map)

• Bigger map with clearer icons.
• Shows players, fog level, Maximaj, Trials, and world labels.
• Updated Trial locations and removal of inaccessible beacons.
• Trials now appear on Maximap/Minimap for faster discovery.
• Next step: a "state of the world" view showing energy and major jams.

Minimap & Compass

• Reworked Minimap with fog info moved to a clearer place.
• Added Compass with clean bearings and objective markers.

Maximap preview

Energy, Controls & Visual Flavor

We've continued improving how things feel and respond as you play.

Energy generation rework

• Interactables are easier to spot.
• New rule: if it creates sound or interaction, it should emit energy.
• We've revamped the Visual FX for the energy!

Before/after flamenca jamming

3C improvements

• Unified jumps with fixes to velocity and gravity.
• Less "soapy" braking, for tighter control.

Controls improvements preview

Visual updates

• 3 new skins to unlock for each hero.
• Updated jam animations.
• Introduction of Charms, a new cosmetic & musical layer.

Charms preview

For Returning Players

You'll feel right at home, but you'll also notice smoother matchmaking, clearer navigation, better communication tools, and a more readable world. Music systems and progression-style features are largely unchanged for now: those are coming in the next major playtest.

For New Players

This build shows MAJJAM in an early, open-development stage. You'll get a taste of the world, meet Kodé's Trials, try the early communication tools, and see how exploration works. Your first impressions will be incredibly valuable as we shape the next versions.

Your Feedback Matters More Than Ever

Everything we're sharing here is part of a long-term plan, and each playtest helps us take the next step with confidence. Your feedback, both the small details and the big-picture impressions, guides what we fix, rethink, or rebuild.

Thank you for spending time with us, testing early, and helping MAJJAM grow. We can't wait to hear what you think of Playtest 2.

The MAJJAM Team