Edit: August 5, 2026, 2:40PM CST
Based on mixed-to-negative player feedback about this experiment we've decided to not make this change at this time.
Edit: August 4, 2026, 11:17AM CST
Based on player feedback, we are adjusting this experiment to land in a middle ground (still currently only on the beta branch). We will be opening up Tier 2 at the outset, but still requiring a Gold Star on a Dude in either Tier 1 or Tier 2 before unlocking that Dude in Tier 3. Let us know how it is!
Original post below.
We looked over all the feedback from the last 5 days and noticed one primary sticking point among a subset of players: the Tier 2 & 3 Unlocks requiring Gold Stars on Dudes in previous tiers.
It turns out that for some players, Tier 1 is just too dang easy, and so it feels like a tedious grind to get to the difficulty they'd like.
So we want to try something.
There is now an experimental beta build available on Steam that allows you to choose whatever difficulty you'd like from the outset. No gold-starring of Dudes required.
Note that this does not remove the metaprogression unlocks - you will still need to earn those Gold and Silver Stars to get all that bonus starting cash, ensemble slots, dice, and consumables. It just makes it possible for you to try out Tier 3 immediately, if you're up for the challenge. Earning stars in higher Tiers will still cascade into lower Tiers, so a Tier 3 Gold Star win would also provide progress toward your T2 and T1 rewards.
Our goal is to give players more agency over the difficulty of their run without impacting how most players (I mean 92% positive AIN'T BAD) are enjoying tier 1 and the overall balance of the game.
This IS an experiment, which means if we find that it negatively impacts most people's experience then we obviously won't be integrating it into the main game.
So we'd like to ask your feedback on this change once you play it, to see if it manages to solve this problem while not messing with what's currently working.
To opt into the beta, simply right-click the game in your Steam library, select Properties, then Game Versions & Betas, and then the Beta checkbox. Then drop your feedback over in the Steam Discussion or our Discord.
Thanks for playing and for all the feedback!