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Fabled Lands News

Mini-devlog Update #33



Hello everyone! I'm thrilled to finally reveal more about the enhanced combat mechanics in Fabled Lands' much-anticipated expansion!

Missed the last update about new items? Check it out here: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1299620/view/3993071138698551668?l=english

I'm tackling some unique challenges in the new area. The Violet Ocean, connecting all landmasses, is a Rank 3 area, ideal for those at Ranks 3 or 4 and comfortable with sailing. The southern continent of Ankon Konu, on the other hand, is a formidable Rank 7 zone. To keep combat exciting beyond just increasing enemy stats, Paul Gretsy, the creative mind behind book 7, has introduced some captivating twists. I've thoroughly enjoyed adding my own spin to these novel elements, enhancing the overall gameplay experience!

[h2]Heat Penalties[/h2]



Parts of Ankon-Konu are extremely hot, and many types of armour can only be worn for short periods, if at all. In some combats, particularly within the Weeping Jungle, if you are not wearing armour that is specifically adapted for a hot climate, you must subtract the armour’s Defence bonus from your COMBAT and your DAMAGE scores for the duration of the battle. For example, if you are wearing chainmail armour (Defence +3), you will receive the armour’s Defence bonus as normal, but you must also subtract 3 from your COMBAT and DAMAGE scores until your current opponent is defeated.

Certain types of armour are designed for use in a hot climate, and ignore any heat penalties. Such armour is always marked with an asterisk. So, if you enter battle wearing quilted armour* (Defence +2), the armour’s Defence bonus is added as normal, but you do not suffer a penalty to your COMBAT nor DAMAGE scores.

[h2]Spiritual Combat[/h2]



The spirit world hangs closely over the Feathered Lands, and you will find yourself facing enemies from this other realm. Such combats are not fought in the normal way. If you have the title Nahual, it will be followed by a certain number; this is your ‘Nahual value’ (if you do not have the title Nahual, this is assumed to be zero). When attacking spiritual foes, your Nahual value replaces your COMBAT ability. Your Defence score is calculated by adding your Nahual value to your MAGIC or SANCTITY ability (whichever is higher). Your Rank has no bearing on this Defence score. If you are injured, you lose Stamina points in the normal way.

In Spiritual Combat damage dealt is your OFFENCE minus the enemy's DEFENCE. Builds relying on weapon Max Damage must strategize anew for these encounters.

Finally, unless specifically stated, you cannot use any of your weapons, items or armour to help you in a Spiritual fight. For clarity, any weapons or armour that may be used in spiritual combat are marked with the ‘†’ symbol. So, if you possess a crystal knife† (COMBAT +2), you can use it in both regular and spiritual combat.



The exotic enemies you'll encounter have weathered ancient empires, the Serpent King's rule, and even dragons!

Prepare for challenging mini-bosses with diverse abilities – they're tougher than your average foe.



I'm itching to whirlwind through those Marsh Ghouls and then dash out with a mobility skill!

[h2]Final Words[/h2]

The DLC is shaping up well. I'm finalizing a few last details, including the ultimate boss battle, and I am already scouting dates for a closed beta.

This week, I'm adding ~22 new achievements and revamping the objectives dialogue for better tracking across 110 objectives, after all, it's quite a list!

Stay tuned for updates and news and don't forget to wishlist the game!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1299620/Fabled_Lands/

Mini-devlog Update #32



Hello, Adventurers! I trust you've had a rejuvenating holiday season, and here's to a thrilling 2024 packed with achievements and adventures! It's been a bit quiet on my end around new year, but I'm back with exciting news about the colossal DLC that's on the horizon for Fabled Lands - The Serpent King's Domain.

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1299620/view/3904120607114439638?l=english

Quick Update: The narrative, choices, world map, townscapes, markets, and harbors are all set. Last week marked a milestone with the integration of new items, taking our total loot count in the game to an impressive 390!

Prepare your heroes for an array of legendary and mythical equipment to aid you in the treacherous jungles of the Feathered Lands, ensuring both style and survival.



New recipes are in store to craft unique item effects. One of my personal favorites, the Flask of Oblivion, offers that crucial extra space for your travels. And to safeguard your precious belongings, consider the Seeking String, a must-have to secure your inventory against unforeseen mishaps.



New teleportation items are here to whisk you away from danger in the nick of time.

Venturing into the southern seas and oceanic expanse of the main continent is ideal for characters of 3rd and 4th level rank. Yet, the southern continent of Ankon-Konu is designed for the endgame, demanding robust stats for survival.

With an increased power level of the characters I anticipate to travel to these distant lands, it opens up new opportunities for interesting item effects. Items like the Periapt of Purity offer immunity to diseases and poisons – indispensable for the hardcore adventurer. However, this power comes with a trade-off, affecting certain stats and your maximum Stamina.

Implementing over 180 new items has been an absolute blast, and I can't wait for you, the dedicated hoarders and explorers, to uncover what lies hidden in the expanded realms of the world :)

Ensure you wishlist the game to stay updated on all the latest developments!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1299620/Fabled_Lands/

A Year of Growth: Fabled Lands' Journey and What's Next

Hello fellow adventurers,

As the year's end approaches, it feels like time has slipped through my fingers, a relentless chase from one task to the next. Yet, today, as I personally celebrate another trip around the sun, I find myself pausing for a moment of reflection.



[h2]DLC dropped in February[/h2]

What a year it's been for Fabled Lands! February 16th marked a milestone with the game's first DLC release, and the reception was fantastic. Landing on the front page of Steam, "Lords of the Rising Sun" didn't just give a boost to my indie developer spirit, but it also provided a substantial uplift to the game's journey.

The world of Fabled Lands expanded significantly. The newly added domain of Akatsurai is rife with intrigue and power struggles where the Shogun's authority is constantly under threat. For those seeking the arcane, the hidden magic of these lands offers bountiful new loot and expansive character development opportunities.

[h2]Steam Deck and Full Controller Support[/h2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rehsZT1Vp14&ab_channel=PrimeGames

The year also brought Steam Deck verification and full controller support to the game. A heartfelt shoutout to the folks at Valve for not only fast-tracking the verification process but also for gifting a Steam Deck to support an indie developer like me. This gesture was instrumental in implementing full controller support and ensuring the game's seamless transition to the small screen.

[h2]Nintendo Switch Release in October![/h2]



The leap to the Nintendo Switch took a solid five months of dedicated work. Successfully self-publishing the game on the platform was a dream come true, taking me back to the NES days that ignited my passion for gaming.

Optimizing for the Switch wasn't just a technical challenge; it was a labor of love that ultimately resulted in a game that runs smoother and lighter than ever.

[h2]The Serpent King's Domain DLC[/h2]

Now, my sights are set on "The Serpent King's Domain", an epic expansion that beckons seasoned adventurers to the southern oceans and the mysterious continent of Ankon-Konu. This isn't just a DLC; it's a colossal addition that's nearly the size of the base game (consiting of two books adapted: "Over the blood-dark sea" and "The Serpent King's Domain"), crafted for those who relish a challenge.

With a commitment to the series' open-world ethos, the DLC introduces more focused quests and tantalizing puzzles that culminate in a formidable boss encounter.

Get ready for new mechanics, such as crafting, enhanced blessing systems, legendary item effects, larger legendary and mythical loot tier, heat penalties, spirit combat, along with a plethora of new enemies equipped with unique abilities. The excitement is palpable, and I am eager to guide you through the perils of the Feathered Lands' jungles.

As we sail towards the launch, targeted before the end of Q1 2024, I raise my goblet to the adventures that await us!

Here's to another year of exploration and conquest!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1299620/Fabled_Lands

Announcing The Most Expansive Fabled Lands DLC Yet!



Hey everyone!

Today, I'm beyond thrilled to officially announce the next monumental expansion for Fabled Lands – "The Serpent King's Domain"! This is not just any update; it's the biggest one yet, propelling the game into a new era of adventure and exploration.

[h2]A Whole New World to Explore[/h2]

The Serpent King's Domain will introduce players to the vast expanse of the Violet Ocean (based on Book 3 - "Over the Blood-Dark Sea") and the mysterious southern continent of Ankon-Konu (based on Book 7 - "The Serpent's King Domain"). With this, we've now brought all the published material to life, completing the series in its current form. That's right! This DLC will feature not one, but two whole books of content! The sheer volume of this update is almost as big as the base game!



To give you a taste of what's to come, I'm excited to share a glimpse of the new world map, showcasing these new areas.

[h2]A Game Richer Than Ever[/h2]

This DLC isn't just big in size; it's colossal in content. The word count jumps to an astounding 400,000, enveloping you in a narrative depth like never before. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Over 100 New Items: From mystical artifacts to practical gear, your inventory is about to get a whole lot more interesting.
  • Engaging New Quests: Each quest is designed to challenge your wit, courage, and strategy.
  • Innovative Mechanics: Brace yourself for unique challenges including heat penalties in the desert, spirit combat, new blessings to aid your journey, crafting opportunities, and intriguing puzzles to solve.
  • Formidable Enemies and Encounters: Prepare to face a diverse range of foes and unexpected situations, each requiring a unique approach.




[h2]Deep Dive into New Mechanics[/h2]

In the coming dev-log updates, I'll delve deeper into each of these new mechanics, giving you a sneak peek into the exciting gameplay that awaits.

How about that new item called The Flask of Oblivion?

You open the flask and pour an inky black fluid, like thick, liquid darkness, onto the ground before you. Within moments, you see the face of the imp that resides within. You may leave a maximum of 12 possessions in the imp’s care.

Maybe it will give you some space for that loot you keep hoarding before stashing it savely in your hideouts!

[h2]Release Timeline and Availability[/h2]

While I'm still honing the final details, anticipate "The Serpent King's Domain" to land somewhere around the end of Q1 or Q2 next year. This massive expansion will be available across PC, Mac, Steam Deck, and Nintendo Switch.

Stay tuned for more details, and I can't wait for you to experience the most significant leap in the Fabled Lands saga yet! Your continued support and enthusiasm make these big dreams possible – so a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Until our next adventure!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1299620/Fabled_Lands/

Patch 1.3.2a is live



Hey, folks, just a small readability patch with some minor fixes. Progress on the big update is a bit slow, naturally with a newborn and a 2yo at home. Still, hopefully I'll have exciting news and updates to share with you in November!

[h2]Version incremented to 1.3.2a[/h2]
---
  • Added an additional font size setting for UI text size.
  • Added two more font size options for Story text size.
  • Fixed loading times sometimes showing a black screen for too long, now displaying the custom loader.
  • Fixed main menu dialogues allowing the player to click on the menu while opened.
  • Fixed character model in Adventure Sheet not refreshing when switching between different character saves within the same world map region.


In the meantime, I had a mini-viral thread on Twitter on porting one of my games from Unity to Godot, my experience and thoughts, which you can check out here if the tech side of things are of interest to you: https://x.com/ringlas/status/1715107280742486213?s=20


As always, make sure to wishlist and follow for future updates:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1299620/Fabled_Lands/