Rivals of Aether

Rivals Of Aether Definitive Edition (ROA)
Version	2.1.5.3 (PC)
	2.1.2.2 (Switch)
Developers	Dan Fornace
Publishers	Dan Fornace
Systems	PC Mar 28, 2017 Nintendo Switch Sep 24, 2020
Official Websites	https://rivalsofaether.com
Online Play	Rollback Netcode (PC)
	Delay Netcode (Switch)
	Matchmaking, Player Lobbies
Community Channels	Main Discord Rivals Academy

About

Rivals of Aether: Definitive Edition is an indie platform fighting game created by Dan Fornace and currently developed by Aether Studios. Originally released in 2017, new characters and updates, the addition of custom Steam Workshop content, a growing community, and an official developer-supported competitive championship series and system building its standing as a pillar in the platform fighting game scene led to its current revision, "Definitive Edition", released in 2020. In 2022, rollback netcode (Steam version only) and 4 original community-created characters deemed the "Workshop Character Pack" were introduced.

• Modern, competitive platform fighting game. Rivals of Aether shares similar mechanics and goals as other platform fighters, most notably Super Smash Bros. However, compared to recent Smash titles, RoA puts more of a focus on its competitive aspects and deep mechanics, creating a platfighter more reminiscent of games like Melee or Project M with modern conveniences like controller customization and a streamlined focus on difficult advanced techniques to be more accessible.
• Fast-paced, offensive gameplay. In its attempts to streamline the platform fighting game genre, Rivals of Aether emphasizes fast-paced offensive gameplay empowered by movement. Dodge rolls and the precise parry system are the core strictly defensive mechanics without the traditional shields, blocks, or universal grabs found in other fighting games, creating a reliance on movement and evasion. Whiff lag encourages careful thought and discourages spamming, as missing an attack will cause more endlag than on hit. The mechanic of hitfalling (fastfalling during an aerials hitstop) allows for deep combo variety and strings otherwise impossible.
• A varied and unique cast. Compared to its contemporaries, while RoA has a relatively small roster of 18 characters, its playable roster is extremely diverse and stands out from each other. Each character relates to one of four elements reflected in both their design and moveset: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Characters generally have 1-3 core mechanics or resources that are expanded on with an assorted set of tools useful for movement, ranged play, resource management, and more, all of which synergizes with each other to make each Rival feel distinct.

20% complete

In Progress / Completed	To-do
Fleshing out controls page. Cleaning up character pages. Moving stages to new template Adding frame data for most of the cast. Creating move images for most of the cast.	Creating/organizing the glossary. Creating/organizing Links page.