Unlike other local-multiplayer games that create gameplay variation with an array of settings that tweak minor gameplay variables, PMPY will feature a number of distinct variant modes. These variants overhaul the tightly-refined “core” game mode, presenting mechanical twists that feel like whole other sports. Here’s our first variant:

Each team has their own ball to defend.

Push your opponents’ ball out of the ring first to score a point.

The variant doesn’t have a real name yet - so far we’ve been calling it “two-ball mode”, but that’s probably going to change soon.

Games of two-ball have a very different pace to our standard sport. Each point starts in an equilibrium with both teams in a defensive stance, and things slowly unravel from there. Having two focus points also allows a natural way for players to split up, one playing offense and the other defense.

We took two-ball along when we showed PMPY as part of the Indie MEGABOOTH at GDC this year, and showed it off for the first time. We were really pleased with how it went. People got it straight away, and had some really competitive games. Some people who played two-ball on their first game assumed it was our main game-mode, and didn’t seem phased by it at all.

We noticed some good tactics and formations after watching people play.

This stance lets players control a second ball while keeping their own wrapped up tight.

Players can shrink down and hope to rush their opponents’ ball out, ignoring their own ball all together. This is very much an “all or nothing” strategy.

This position is a bit dangerous. While the pink team has almost all the power, it will be very hard for them to control which ball crosses the line first.

We’ll be adding more variants in the next few months, and will post about them as we do.

-Nico