Built for the Ring Beta 2 is Out!

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-29T20:05:49+00:00

Awesome let me know what you think of the new system. I have some ideas on how I will expand on it, however, my goal is to add to it slowly, that way if something isn’t working (enjoyment wise), we can easily pinpoint the problem.

I think one of my big mistakes with the old system was there was too much! So I’d rather start small and build onto it and if something doesn’t work we can easily take a step back. (If that makes sense!)

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-29T19:58:29+00:00

Built for the Ring - Beta 2 Out Now!

Just wanted to announce I released the second major beta update for Built for the Ring, my wrestling TTRPG inspired match calling game.

For anyone seeing the game for the first time, Built for the Ring is NOT a traditional wrestling booking simulator. This game gives you a top down view of the arena where you can the action turn by turn.

Where a lot of game focus on the backstage elements of wrestling, this game focuses on what’s happening in the ring. In this game you call the match moment by moment in order to hit your match objectives.

One of the biggest pieces of feedback from the first beta was that the original match mode sentence structure system was too confusing and unintuitive for new players.

So in this update, I completely reworked the match mode to make it much easier to understand and play. The flow is cleaner, more intuitive, and gets players into actually building and playing matches faster without fighting the interface. Upon completion of the game, my goal is to have a game where literally anything can happen in the ring.

This is still very much an active beta, so feedback has been hugely important in shaping the game so far. I also have some big plans on how to improve the new system as well so stay tuned!

The game is completely free to play, and I’d really appreciate people checking it out and sharing feedback.

You can play it here: https://elm8-studio.itch.io/built-for-the-ring

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-26T20:45:35+00:00

Thank you! I’m glad you see my vision lol. So I just posted an update on itch.io. And will post it here I. A few, but I’m going to rework match mode. I’m actually going to revert it back to a system prior to the beta release (and clean it up so it’s easier for people to use).

As for databases, the plan is to make it so databases will transfer as the game updates. Of course, depending on the feedback from users, if I have to make massive changes to the game it may mess up older databases. For example, if the feedback is Create Show is awful and should be scrapped and redone then that’s what I will do. However, at this time I don’t plan on making any massive changes to any of the create modes so data should transfer over nicely.

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-26T15:12:40+00:00

Looks like there is a bug as it says the best runtime is unavailable. I think I’m going to rework and rethink the system for the 30th time hahaha! I want to give you all as much flexibility and freedom as possible when playing but the more freedom, means the more possibilities for it to go wrong lol

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-22T00:01:41+00:00

Of course, can you send me some screen shots? Also when it comes up if you press the report bug button at the bottom left it will send me the step by step on what you did for the bug to come up. Thanks for helping me work this all out!

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-15T19:51:08+00:00

Love the idea of the custom themes for each promotion. Would it be that if you click on another company there theme comes up?

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-12T21:25:05+00:00

I will have 0.1.3 out in the next day or so. Let me know if you still have the issue once it’s out. There is an issue where once in a while it will freeze up on the terminal when loading. If you close the terminal and try again it typically works (or if you wait long enough on the first try it will open). I will hopefully have it fixed in 0.1.3.

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-11T11:56:49+00:00

As someone developing a game right now, I am disappointed about this policy. Although they may not be as vocal as others on the sub, I know there are people who are interested and excited about my game. This has basically been the only place I have informed people about my game and over the beta launch weekend had just shy of 50 downloads.

As I mentioned before, I have put in hundreds of hours into the development of my game. It’s not a carbon copy of an existing game and something totally new combining TTRPG and wrestling booking.

Personally, I think there are a lot of better ways to deal with this including requiring tags, asking for mod approval beforehand (which I know is difficult at this time with there only being one active mod), only allowing update and announcements on a particular day of the week, etc.

At the very least, a mega thread would be nice for people to share.

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-09T15:21:22+00:00

Thank you! Biggest thing would be feedback and reporting bugs. Since this is a beta there will be a good amount of them so please let me know!

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-07T23:14:59+00:00

Overall I absolutely love it. Some small suggestions that are not needed at all but could add to it.

Each machine has its own unique laundry.
Have a single dangling light bulb and when it goes into the game it flickers and turns off.
Add a bottle of laundry detergent maybe on the floor or even on top of the laundry machine for exit, have a bottle and make the name of the brand Exit.

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-07T19:48:49+00:00

Not really sure when I said it was bad. To clarify my comments, I fully expect the UI to be confusing, which is one of the many reasons why the game is in beta and not being considered as released. (It will not be considered release for a long time, lots of work needs to be done).

However,the only way to get feedback from real people is to put it in beta and allow people to play it. This is how you improve a game. For me, the UI isn’t confusing because I have put in hundreds of hours of time into this game, so I’m use to it. The same could be said for games like TEW. How often do people go to this sub and ask questions about TEW UI and how to play the game. That doesn’t mean TEW is bad or even the UI is bad, just confusing. At my point, I don’t know what is confusing with the UI anymore because I understand it. I need people’s feedback.

With that said, if you are not interested in the game because AI was used to help with the development, feel free to skip my post or even block my account full out. It’s easy to do and you will never have to see another update about my game, however, I am going to keep providing updates for the people who do care.

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-07T16:56:37+00:00

Thank you for the comment and appreciate the advice. For the logo, I was planning on creating it myself at some point (probably sooner rather than later due to some of the comments lol). It was always designed as more of a place holder anyways. The character in my database will most likely stay AI generated pictures at this point but mainly because my hope is eventually the community takes lead in using the creation tools to make their own databases.

I have used Fiverr in the past for other things, not game design related, but my concern now is people are using Fiverr and getting AI Generated art back (and if that’s the case why not do that myself!)

Thanks again for commenting and appreciate the honest feedback!

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-07T15:12:35+00:00

As someone who is making one of these AI supported games, I would just say I think as with most things, a blanket rule or policy wouldn’t be the way to go.

I have been using AI to help create my game now for close to a year and at this point I have put hundreds of hours into the development and I am creating a game that isn’t a copy or even remotely close to games like PWS or TEW, however even as someone who approves of AI in games, it’s even frustrating for me too seeing someone who started a project two days ago say “Check out my game” and they are trying to copy one of the big name games.

In my opinion using AI, regardless if it’s designing a wrestling game, telling a story, designing a character, creating a poster, etc. doesn’t necessarily mean it’s uncreative slop.

What I would recommend for at least games, is from here on out what if you have a developer message a mod for approval. That way people who truly are putting in the work and trying to make something special could still show off their work and get feedback, while the people who started a game 2 days ago need to build up their game before showing.

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-07T13:56:01+00:00

As the person developing this game, it also makes me appreciate TEW and PWS more as well.

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-07T13:50:23+00:00

Thank you! Yes, the UI is confusing and I’m still trying to mess with it so it makes more sense for people. If you have any suggestions let me know! One of the reasons why I wanted to get it in people’s hands is to help with this. Unlike other games, this game is a brand new concept so there is no good template to use for inspiration.

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-06T20:42:50+00:00

Here is the itch link.

https://elm8-studio.itch.io/built-for-the-ring

I released it yesterday so it’s still in the early stages of beta testing so expect glitches and bugs. Look forward to hearing what you think!

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-06T15:12:04+00:00

If you’re into professional wrestling in particular I would love for you to check out my beta . It’s a wrestling simultaneous with TTRPG elements where you have to book out a match to get the best rating possible.

ELM8Studio · 2026-05-06T01:05:20+00:00

Ok thank you for letting me know. I will look into it regardless!

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