Update Log - [Combat Improvements][Tournament Fixes][Editor Update][NewDLC Info]
Travelers of the desert:
We've fixed some of the bugs we told you about last week with the [Tournament] and [Child Rearing] in this update we just launched. We've also made some tentative improvements that'll hopefully reduce lag in the mid and late-game, and we've upgraded the mod editor.
This update hits PC and mobile at the same time, so be sure to update your client.
[h2][Combat Improvements][/h2]
We continuously receive frequent feedback regarding lag in the mid and late-game, and it's something we've always needed to improve. We've seen that the most frequent lag occurs just as both sides' forces clash, and part of this is due to the combat text.
We've therefore made some changes to the underlying logic regarding this, which should alleviate some lag during late-game battles. Naturally, fully fixing this lag isn't something we can do with just one or two changes, and we'll be going at it from other directions too (such as AI pathfinding, etc.) once we've solved the issue with the combat text, to attempt to resolve this issue from multiple directions.
And apart from this, we've taken the chance to make a few other changes too:
We've changed how critical hits are shown to make the visual prompts more intuitive, and we've differentiated magical and physical crits by giving them different colors.
We've also made changes to the attack speed and damage radius of all weapons. Attack speed now not only affects the cooldown of basic attacks, but also the animation speed along with both the fore and backswings. We've also changed the hitbox from its previous prismatic shape into a more intuitive conical shape.
[h2][Tournament Bug Fixes][/h2]
Following the last round of changes, a few stubborn bugs still remained, which we've fixed this time around:
1. Fixed an issue where you couldn't participate in the Tournament again in the same town.
2. Fixed an issue where you would receive tournament rewards even if your team participated without you.
3. The game would suddenly freeze and the file become corrupt after a certain number of days had passed. We've now added protective measures to prevent this, which will automatically reset the Tournament DLC when this error occurs.
We've also fixed an issue a localization issue with the [Child Rearing] DLC that led to a code error. The bug would lead to a key quest progressing into the wrong quest branch, meaning that the quest couldn't be completed.
Furthermore, we've redrawn all icons for special [Ember Workshop] gear and quest items.
Previous Version
New Version
We've also made the following fixes and changes in the new update:
1. Improved the underlying logic behind damage calculations.
2. Fixed a bug where the Might, Agility, Essence and Wisdom of skills weren't included in the final calculation.
3. Fixed a bug that would invalidate strategy order configurations.
4. Divided up the difficulty further, allowing for individual dynamic changes to level caps.
5. Added an attribute affix that increases Might, Agility, Essence and Wisdom by a certain percentage.
6. Adjusted the Block attribute affix, added Block and Counter Block, Empower Block and Weaken Block.
7.Added objects/areas which are only traversable from one side in battle.
1.0.40 Temporary fixes
Through immediate feedback from our community of players we've discovered some issues in version 1.0.40 that we've made temporary fixes for
1. Auto-battle can not be carried out
2. Unlimited duration of invincibility buffs
3. Cannot learn NPC skills
[h2][Editor Update][/h2]
We've updated the mod editor to make it easier for mod creators to use it. This includes improving the UI and adding a few commands, along with three viewers: Icon Viewer, Portrait Viewer, and Model Viewer. Hopefully these changes will be of some help to you all!
Within the Icon Viewer you'll be able to find all icons currently available in the game. Considering that some icons are readily used, we've also added a batch of new ones.
Within the Portrait Viewer you'll be able to find all portraits and avatars currently available in the came. These are marked with a corresponding portrait ID, so that you can more easily change out default portraits.
Within the Model Viewer you'll be able to find all character models currently available in the game. You can also directly drag weapons in the object category to the right to see their animations and special effects.
[h2][New DLC Info][/h2]
We revealed a preview of the new DLCs we're working on last week, and we've naturally received feedback regarding this. We'll just say it: the DLC is coming on Dec 8, just as there are discounts running on the various platforms.
[h3]Exotic Wayfarer[/h3]
The Exotic Wayfarer DLC will include outfits inspired by a variety of cultures, along with uniquely colored hairstyles. This DLC will also come with an item granting one free character customization (cannot be used to change gender), enabling you to change your appearance without first talking to the dresser.
[h3]Siege and Conquest[/h3]
Following our DLC reveal, plenty of you were worried that soldiers getting stuck in walls would become an even greater problem than before. And that's indeed one of the issues we encountered during development. We tried to fix this in a variety of ways, including changing the display size of models for broader paths, and modifying collision body sizes and map boundaries.
We ended up using the aforementioned in part, and put most of our focus on modifying AI pathfinding. The pathfinding guideline we've added for siege battles should prevent this issue to some extent. Plus, this change will improve the issues of soldiers getting stuck in walls for the base game too.
We have created a set of city walls and gates with unique designs that differ for all regions (Ifrit Domain, Redstone Valley, Crying Rock, Twinluna Valley, Zagros Mountains, Umbra Cliffs, West Docana Desert). Have a look at our early design drafts!
As for which designs will prevail and how they'll look in the game when released, well, you'll just have to find that out later!
[h3]The Eclipse Hive[/h3]
We mentioned in the preview that you could gather Eclipse [Clues] from the various regions and exchange these with the Mastigure Adventurer (usually found near the main city of the region's main faction) for [Boss Intel] in order to directly challenge that boss.
We've created 24 bosses for The Eclipse Hive, with each region apart from the Ifrit Domain containing 3 powerful entities and 1 super entity. Each of these has different mechanics from ordinary bosses.
As an example, the Twinluna Valley's super boss will in phase two pit you against a clone of yourself (with your skills, gear and attributes, but naturally with more skills due to being an AI).
Or when faced with the Dune Band trio, you must defeat all of them within quick succession of one another or they'll simply resurrect to no end.
Upon defeating a boss in the Land of the Eclipse, their loot will drop as a chest upon the ground. Be sure to leave the area only AFTER you pick up your loot. There's a confirmation box for leaving, though, so there's that.
For the 24 bosses in the 6 regions, we've created 36 pieces of legendary gear all featuring gear skills. Each boss has a 100% chance of dropping a unique piece of gear of a set gear slot, while each super boss has a 100% chance of dropping 1 out of 3 pieces (accessory, armor or weapon).
These new pieces of gear aren't just powerful stat sticks, rather, they all have their own quirky effects and mechanics that may be either good or bad. But when used properly, a seemingly bad effect may well be a great one.
[h2]New DLC Release Date & Discounts[/h2]
The new DLCs are estimated to hit the stores on Dec 7, 10:00 PST. The Sands of Salzaar base game will be available at a discount for 2 weeks (Dec 7 to 21).
The PC discount will be our biggest ever at 60% off for the base game, and 50% off for both The Ember Saga and Tournament DLCs.
That's all for this update! Feel free to join our Discord to get in touch! Our managers will try their best to help you solve any issues you encounter in the game!
We've fixed some of the bugs we told you about last week with the [Tournament] and [Child Rearing] in this update we just launched. We've also made some tentative improvements that'll hopefully reduce lag in the mid and late-game, and we've upgraded the mod editor.
This update hits PC and mobile at the same time, so be sure to update your client.
[h2][Combat Improvements][/h2]
We continuously receive frequent feedback regarding lag in the mid and late-game, and it's something we've always needed to improve. We've seen that the most frequent lag occurs just as both sides' forces clash, and part of this is due to the combat text.
We've therefore made some changes to the underlying logic regarding this, which should alleviate some lag during late-game battles. Naturally, fully fixing this lag isn't something we can do with just one or two changes, and we'll be going at it from other directions too (such as AI pathfinding, etc.) once we've solved the issue with the combat text, to attempt to resolve this issue from multiple directions.
And apart from this, we've taken the chance to make a few other changes too:
We've changed how critical hits are shown to make the visual prompts more intuitive, and we've differentiated magical and physical crits by giving them different colors.
We've also made changes to the attack speed and damage radius of all weapons. Attack speed now not only affects the cooldown of basic attacks, but also the animation speed along with both the fore and backswings. We've also changed the hitbox from its previous prismatic shape into a more intuitive conical shape.
[h2][Tournament Bug Fixes][/h2]
Following the last round of changes, a few stubborn bugs still remained, which we've fixed this time around:
1. Fixed an issue where you couldn't participate in the Tournament again in the same town.
2. Fixed an issue where you would receive tournament rewards even if your team participated without you.
3. The game would suddenly freeze and the file become corrupt after a certain number of days had passed. We've now added protective measures to prevent this, which will automatically reset the Tournament DLC when this error occurs.
We've also fixed an issue a localization issue with the [Child Rearing] DLC that led to a code error. The bug would lead to a key quest progressing into the wrong quest branch, meaning that the quest couldn't be completed.
Furthermore, we've redrawn all icons for special [Ember Workshop] gear and quest items.
Previous Version
New Version
We've also made the following fixes and changes in the new update:
1. Improved the underlying logic behind damage calculations.
2. Fixed a bug where the Might, Agility, Essence and Wisdom of skills weren't included in the final calculation.
3. Fixed a bug that would invalidate strategy order configurations.
4. Divided up the difficulty further, allowing for individual dynamic changes to level caps.
5. Added an attribute affix that increases Might, Agility, Essence and Wisdom by a certain percentage.
6. Adjusted the Block attribute affix, added Block and Counter Block, Empower Block and Weaken Block.
7.Added objects/areas which are only traversable from one side in battle.
1.0.40 Temporary fixes
Through immediate feedback from our community of players we've discovered some issues in version 1.0.40 that we've made temporary fixes for
1. Auto-battle can not be carried out
2. Unlimited duration of invincibility buffs
3. Cannot learn NPC skills
[h2][Editor Update][/h2]
We've updated the mod editor to make it easier for mod creators to use it. This includes improving the UI and adding a few commands, along with three viewers: Icon Viewer, Portrait Viewer, and Model Viewer. Hopefully these changes will be of some help to you all!
Within the Icon Viewer you'll be able to find all icons currently available in the game. Considering that some icons are readily used, we've also added a batch of new ones.
Within the Portrait Viewer you'll be able to find all portraits and avatars currently available in the came. These are marked with a corresponding portrait ID, so that you can more easily change out default portraits.
Within the Model Viewer you'll be able to find all character models currently available in the game. You can also directly drag weapons in the object category to the right to see their animations and special effects.
[h2][New DLC Info][/h2]
We revealed a preview of the new DLCs we're working on last week, and we've naturally received feedback regarding this. We'll just say it: the DLC is coming on Dec 8, just as there are discounts running on the various platforms.
[h3]Exotic Wayfarer[/h3]
The Exotic Wayfarer DLC will include outfits inspired by a variety of cultures, along with uniquely colored hairstyles. This DLC will also come with an item granting one free character customization (cannot be used to change gender), enabling you to change your appearance without first talking to the dresser.
[h3]Siege and Conquest[/h3]
Following our DLC reveal, plenty of you were worried that soldiers getting stuck in walls would become an even greater problem than before. And that's indeed one of the issues we encountered during development. We tried to fix this in a variety of ways, including changing the display size of models for broader paths, and modifying collision body sizes and map boundaries.
We ended up using the aforementioned in part, and put most of our focus on modifying AI pathfinding. The pathfinding guideline we've added for siege battles should prevent this issue to some extent. Plus, this change will improve the issues of soldiers getting stuck in walls for the base game too.
We have created a set of city walls and gates with unique designs that differ for all regions (Ifrit Domain, Redstone Valley, Crying Rock, Twinluna Valley, Zagros Mountains, Umbra Cliffs, West Docana Desert). Have a look at our early design drafts!
As for which designs will prevail and how they'll look in the game when released, well, you'll just have to find that out later!
[h3]The Eclipse Hive[/h3]
We mentioned in the preview that you could gather Eclipse [Clues] from the various regions and exchange these with the Mastigure Adventurer (usually found near the main city of the region's main faction) for [Boss Intel] in order to directly challenge that boss.
We've created 24 bosses for The Eclipse Hive, with each region apart from the Ifrit Domain containing 3 powerful entities and 1 super entity. Each of these has different mechanics from ordinary bosses.
As an example, the Twinluna Valley's super boss will in phase two pit you against a clone of yourself (with your skills, gear and attributes, but naturally with more skills due to being an AI).
Or when faced with the Dune Band trio, you must defeat all of them within quick succession of one another or they'll simply resurrect to no end.
Upon defeating a boss in the Land of the Eclipse, their loot will drop as a chest upon the ground. Be sure to leave the area only AFTER you pick up your loot. There's a confirmation box for leaving, though, so there's that.
For the 24 bosses in the 6 regions, we've created 36 pieces of legendary gear all featuring gear skills. Each boss has a 100% chance of dropping a unique piece of gear of a set gear slot, while each super boss has a 100% chance of dropping 1 out of 3 pieces (accessory, armor or weapon).
These new pieces of gear aren't just powerful stat sticks, rather, they all have their own quirky effects and mechanics that may be either good or bad. But when used properly, a seemingly bad effect may well be a great one.
[h2]New DLC Release Date & Discounts[/h2]
The new DLCs are estimated to hit the stores on Dec 7, 10:00 PST. The Sands of Salzaar base game will be available at a discount for 2 weeks (Dec 7 to 21).
The PC discount will be our biggest ever at 60% off for the base game, and 50% off for both The Ember Saga and Tournament DLCs.
That's all for this update! Feel free to join our Discord to get in touch! Our managers will try their best to help you solve any issues you encounter in the game!