Horizon's Gate News

I put it off as long as I could, but I finally made the big technical change required for further development - Horizon's Gate now runs on FNA, and from here on, it is ONLY 64-bit! Read on for the details:

[h2]v1.3.5[/h2]
Horizon's Gate has been converted from XNA to FNA! What does this mean exactly?

• Development on Horizon's Gate and any future games using the same engine can continue!
  
• XNA was extremely difficult to set up on new computers - now I can work on it from anywhere.
  
• I'm no longer screwed if the one single computer I had XNA on dies!
  
• I can finally use modern tools! With XNA I was locked into using Visual Studio 2010.
  
• Porting to other platforms is still very unlikely, but is now technically possible.
  
  • (There's still a ton of work and testing required for any port, so don't get your hopes up)

Additionally, Horizon's Gate is now a 64-bit ONLY app.

• Why? Because 32-bit apps have a hard memory limit which I was hitting. Now I can add new images, sounds, and songs!
  
  • v1.3.5 and onward will not run on 32-bit-only computers (supposedly less than 0.5% of Steam users).
    
  • v1.2.1 will remain available indefinitely for users who can only run 32-bit applications.
    
    • To use v1.2.1, right-click Horizon's Gate in your Steam Library, select Properties > Betas, then select "v121" from the dropdown list.
      

[h3]BALANCE[/h3]

• Ravager's 'Despair' base MP drain increased from 1 -> 4
  
• Warrior's 'Battlecry' base accuracy increased by 20%
  
• Gatewarder's 'Gate: Shield' ranks now grant +10t duration instead of +1 max range
  
• Warden's 'Enduring Negate' passive protection increased to 1 + half your Life skill
  

[h3]BUGFIXES[/h3]

• Fixed Revel duration being 5t instead of 50t
  
• Fixed resolution settings showing when using Borderless Fullscreen mode
  
• Fixed weather effects stopping after the second scene of the intro
  
• Fixed Hagger not automatically joining the landing party when hired
  
• Fixed crash when opening class window after uninstalling a class mod you had equipped
  

[h3]MODDING[/h3]

• (Modding) comments "--" can now be added after code in the same line
  
• (Modding) Added special error detection for mods that identifies some missing semicolons for the modder
  
• (Modding) Fixed XP drain attacks not working
  
• (Modding) Added console command 'listfx' which displays a list of all FX
  

Small patch with a few minor features and improvements. The main menu looks a bit better now, and those that prefer "standard" fullscreen rather than borderless windowed mode now have a toggle.



[h3]v1.2.1[/h3]

• Improved main menu button graphics
  
• Added toggle for Borderless fullscreen mode
  
• Star costs to upgrade HP/MP/Skills now max at 99
  
• Highlights now darken briefly when clicking, for improved feedback
  
• 'End Turn' (default: Start) now points controller pointer at 'Done' when shopping or looting in dialog
  
• Fixed 'explore channel' goal not being completed if all enemies are killed without entering combat
  
• Added extra info tracking for rare Cleever salvage station crash
  
• (Modding) added 'placeActorFromBoardedShip' task
  

Here comes a big mechanical change - Itchy and Guard are now mutually exclusive! Now those little Spides and Netchals can really disrupt your defenses. (Several Itchy-inflicting enemies have had their stats adjusted to compensate.)

Additionally, there is now a 3rd level of Monster Den with some seriously deadly encounters:





[h3]FEATURES[/h3]

• Itchy now REPLACES Guard, and vice versa!
  
• Added a 3rd level of Monster Dens for $3000 with 3 possible encounter types. Only available with >700 combat fame
  
• Added 'Skip Intro' checkbox when starting a new game (unlocked after beating the game once)
  
• Pushing an object that blocks walking into another obstacle now deals damage to both
  

[h3]BALANCE[/h3]

• Training Ground daily XP bonus increased from +1.5xp -> +2.5xp
  
• Museum daily income reduced by ~6%
  
• Balancer's 'Stonefoot' base duration reduced by 10t
  
• Bloodweaver attack power reduced by -2
  
• Bitfly attack power increased by +1, and an additional +2 in RUIN mode
  
• Bitflies now only have 'Bristling Setae' passive in RUIN mode
  

[h3]BUGFIXES[/h3]

• Objects pushed by abilities should now be properly blocked by obstacles
  
• Fixed Splitworms turning invisible when Frozen
  
• Fixed 'secret' (i.e. non-quest) Lost Shipwrecks having no loot (new games only)
  
• Fixed shield dodge bonus not recalculating when support abilities are (un)equipped
  
• Fixed crash when holding both a cargo and a non-cargo item over your open Stash
  

[h3]MODDING[/h3]

• Mods no longer refresh automatically (fixes certain methods of modding causing stacking effects)
  
• Fixed trigger window buttons getting desynced after reorganizing trigger effects
  
• added new tasks "travel_point_g", "appendToGlobalVar", "appendToGlobalVar_math"
  
• "endBoarding" task now sends to 'sValue' zone if specified
  
• Added string ActorValue.bubbleIcon
  
• Added SpawnDataSample.txt, which explains how to create SpawnData.
  

• Fixed 'Pushable Staircase' not being pushable
  

• Fixed investigators altering the real XY position of locations when converting them to Lat/Long format
  
• Museum income now only counts the most valuable item on each table tile
  
• Silence is now removed when a character is KO'd
  
• Fixed being able to acquire items from dojo combatants by carrying their body
  

A huge update is ready with new features, a new dungeon, a new enemy type, and some graphical improvements! Check out the specifics below:

[h3]FEATURES[/h3]

• You can now 'Establish' your own towns at Supply Ports!
  
  • Build your choice of structures, including a Home, Cafe, Shipwright, Harbor, Smithy, Museum, and more.
    
  • Assign crew to tend buildings, earning you cash and earning them XP while you're away. (They cannot earn this XP if their total XP exceeds the main character's total XP.)
    
  • Customize your port by renaming it, recoloring it, and changing the music to your liking.

• New "Information" shops in each capital! (NOTE: New games only!)
  
• Pay for an investigation of:
  • Fleet positions
    
  • Nearest undiscovered location
    
  • Port investment unlocks
    
  • Missed creature journal entries
    
  • Upcoming trade specials

• Redens' Arena now only awards an Ability Crest for your first victory. Subsequent victories give Essence Gems. (Pre-existing saves will get one last Ability Crest the next time they beat the arena)
  
• New 'Elite Arena' (accessible after you beat the regular arena once) where you fight twice as many enemies. Rewards twice the cash, and gives Ability Crests as the grand prize

• New location: Frostbite Cave (small dungeon at northeastern Stone Isles)
  
• Gladiator's 'Swift' has been reworked to pierce Guard and ignore counter attacks, but only gain +5% Accuracy (increased by +5% per rank)

• Added 'Netchal' enemy type and 'Itchy Barbs' item, found in hard Monster Dens
  
• Added additional 'insect group' hard Monster Den encounter
  
• Added support for Paste (Ctrl+V) into text fields
  
• Holding Left/Right keys now quickly moves through text fields
  

[h3]GRAPHICS[/h3]

• Damage numbers now use background icons, and now have an icon for Physical damage

• Added background texture to parchment windows
  
• Improved magnifying glass graphics for 'Look' mode
  

[h3]BALANCE[/h3]

• Increased Spidest defenses by +1
  
• Dispel and Cure no longer affect buffs or debuffs from Cafe food
  
• Greatly reduced the number of Sleep Darts arena combatants can get
  

[h3]BUGFIXES[/h3]

• Items pushed by abilities now move according the indicator arrows instead of diagonally
  
• Fixed bug where losing the Arena would disable autosaving after combat
  
• Fixed Zoar not being immune to ground-based attacks
  
• Fixed world domination dialog not working for Seartial
  
• Fixed dropped items being able to stack onto buried items of the same type
  
• Fixed ships bouncing off of certain locations instead of entering
  
• Fixed crash if you drown while alone
  

[h3]MODDING[/h3]

• New 'formulas' console command that lists all globalFormulas
  
• Added TaskType.UIPartInputCommand which calls handleUIPartInput_command()
  
• DataManager.checkIfZoneExistsInZoneData() now checks mod content correctly
  

[h2]v1.2.01[/h2]

• Fixed missing Monster Den set pieces
  
• Fixed training dummies being pushable
  
• Pushing or pulling a brazier now knocks it over
  
• Left/Right journal buttons now 'scroll' through grid pages
  

Time for a big bugfix patch! Also some balance changes, improving certain ships, some spells, and reducing the potency (while improving the consistency) of Critical Recovery.



[h3]BALANCE[/h3]

• Full-rigged's Downwind increased from +1 -> +2
  
• Ironclad's Downwind increased from +1 -> +2 and value reduced from $45,000 -> $40,000
  
• Glacier's value increased from $35,500 -> $40,000
  
• Blackwing Galleass' value increased from $33,500 -> $36,000
  
• Critical Recovery healing reduced from 20% -> 15% HP
  
• Critical Recovery healing is now based on 'true' Max HP instead of being reduced by KO penalties
  
• Increased Zoar Bat attack damage by +1
  
• Increased 'Gate: Avalanche' base damage by +1 and Magic Attack scaling by +20%
  
• Buffs are now dispelled when entering a dojo
  
• Reduced XP reward decay for very common enemies such as Cleever or Spides
  
• Negate status now also negates weapon augments
  
• Reduced world domination dialog requirement from holding 26 ports to holding 25 ports
  
• Bauen now has 'Bulwark' passive
  

[h3]BUGFIXES[/h3]

• Attempted fix for AI targeting tiles outside their allowed range
  
• Attempted fix for music GC load error
  
• Moving an ally's corpse outside of combat now revives them instead
  
• Slightly changed 'Gate: Sky' damage delay to make it more reliably hit enemies that are pulled
  
• Fixed Critical passives not triggering when a secondary hit brings the target into critical condition
  
• Fixed AI being able to move if they become Immobilized during their action
  
• Fixed secondary crew inventory window position not being saved
  
• Fixed obnoxious flickering if an invisible ally is holding a light source
  
• Fixed light sometimes appearing through solid walls
  
• Fixed 'Shift Stab' being able to put the caster inside other characters in certain situations
  
• Fixed final boss being able to be displaced by party members or items when it spawns
  
• Attempted fix at Admiral or his allies sneakily getting extra turns during cutscenes
  
• Fixed Bauen getting crushed into the wall if the player starts the cutscene while in the way
  
• Fixed being able to loot some cargo even if all enemy ships flee
  
• Fixed 'Deploy Conveyor' range being reduced by difficult terrain
  
• Fixed item summon abilities (such as Set Trap or Fire Whirl) sometimes showing selectable tiles where the item can't fit
  
• Fixed Galf's allies interrupting his speech and going straight to combat if they detect you
  
• Fixed rare case where a moored ship becomes uninteractive until the game is restarted
  

[h3]MODDING[/h3]

• AvAffecters with actorValue=task; now pass in the XY of the target tile to the Task, and pass in strings, bools, etc. like dialog specialEffects do
  
• new Task 'addItemToContainer' that adds an item of sValue1 type (of quantity fValue1) to the first container (of sValue2 type if specified) found at XY
  
• Fixed travel trigger positioning issues with mod procedural content (thanks rcfox!)
  
• new examples in SupportAbilitySamples.txt
  
• added support for Palette name mods (Example: [Palette] ID=newpalettename; num=#;)
  
• added new Light property "palette", which allows non-textured lights to affect palette instead of lighting
  
• added "_added_temp" global vars for tracking added setPieces, which are reset after each procgen world