Lords of the Fallen News

Greetings Lampbearers,

We trust by now that you have been fully indoctrinated by… the Way of the Bucket. Released last week, this is the latest of a series of new questlines arriving to Mournstead before end of year, and believe-you-us, there’s plenty more to come, as hinted at by our Content Roadmap.

Today’s update sees us return to a more traditional cadence of weekly tweaks and enhancements, with highlights including:

• AI adjustments to make some enemy actions more consistent and predictable, so that you can better read and subsequently react to their movements for a more satisfying combat experience.
  
• Further refinements to ping and matchmaking for improved co-op sessions
  
• Significant performance optimisation across several areas of the game
  

Expect more of the same in next week’s update, before we start ramping things up for the festive season! And with that, onto the patch notes…



[h4]Multiplayer[/h4]

• Adjusted matchmaking to be more flexible with ping requirements to allow for broader and quicker results.
  
• Fixed an issue where an invading player could get blocked by praying enemies in Path of Devotion Memorial.
  
• Fixed an issue that could occur when spectating the host in the Pieta boss encounter.
  

[h4]Performance[/h4]

• Pass to reduce the number of actors casting shadows (small objects and minor details) near Shuja Hamlet. No loss in quality.
  
• Pass to reduce the number of actors casting shadows (small objects and minor details) in the castle in Fief of the Chill Curse. No loss in quality.
  
• Pass to reduce the number of actors casting shadows (small objects and minor details) in Pilgrim's Perch. No loss in quality.
  
• Pass to reduce the number of actors casting shadows (small objects and minor details) in Sanctuary of Baptism. No loss in quality.
  
• Pass to reduce the number of actors casting shadows (small objects and minor details) in Defiled Sepulchre. No loss in quality.
  
• Pass to reduce the number of actors casting shadows (small objects and minor details) in the city in Fief of the Chill Curse. No loss in quality.
  
• Pass to reduce the number of actors casting shadows (small objects and minor details) in Leprosarium. No loss in quality.
  
• Overall optimisation pass in Fief of the Chill Curse and Lower Calrath.
  

[h4]Camera[/h4]

• Tweaked the Lantern's camera behavior to be smoother and less disruptive in combat.
  
• Fixed a camera issue that could cause unintended behaviors with falling enemies that were locked on.
  

[h4]AI[/h4]

• Fixed an issue with Holy Bulwark that could teleport back and fully heal him when luring him away too far.
  
• Tweaked the Marksman's behavior to shoot one bolt per reload and improved his rotation rate slightly.
  
• Tweaked the Trapper's mortar rate of fire to behave more consistently and to prevent stunlocking the player.
  
• Fixed an issue where enemies could get stuck while rotating in place in rare circumstances.
  
• Fixed an issue that prevented Womb of Despair to spawn when striking the corresponding statues in Forsaken Fen.
  

[h4]Level Design[/h4]

• Fixed an issue that allowed players to emerge from Umbral during combat near Andreas of Ebb.
  
• Added an Umbra dual realm fence in the balcony area in Bramis Castle.
  
• Repositioned an event trigger to prevent players from skipping the tower near the optional boss encounter with The Lightreaper.
  
• Added an Umbral dual realm fence in Sunless Skein.
  
• Added a torch to highlight a new gate in Sunless Skein.
  

[h4]Collision[/h4]

• Adjusted moth walls to prevent players from leaving the Holy Bulwark Otto boss encounter.
  
• Fixed a collision issue where players could climb out of the gameplay area and fall out of world near the mini-boss encounter in Fief of the Chill Curse.
  
• Fixed an issue that allowed players skip the valley area by rolling on a wall from an Umbral structure in Fief of the Chill Curse.
  
• Fixed an issue where players could bypass moth walls and leave the invasion zone near the Vestige of Chabui.
  
• Fixed collision issues that could unintentionally block projectiles in Sunless Skein.
  
• Fixed an issue that could result in navigation issues near The Crow's Nest.
  
• Adjusted the collision of a corpse to avoid navigation issues in Forsaken Fen.
  
• Fixed an issue where players could get stuck near a crystal and improved the navigation in Bramis Castle.
  
• Added missing collisions to Umbral assets near the moveable platforms in Fief of the Chill Curse.
  
• Fixed a collision issue where players could get stuck at a road in the Manse area.
  
• Adjusted collisions and killing volumes to improve gameplay in Abbey of the Hallowed Sisters.
  
• Fixed an issue where players could skip the Tower of Penance and activate the bossfight with Tancred, Master of Castigations.
  
• Adjusted the collision to prevent players from leaving the game world near the Infernal Enchantress guarding the Umbral entity in Upper Calrath.
  
• Fixed a collision issue that allowed players to reach unintended areas near the Vestige of Lydia the Numb Witch.
  
• Adjusted the collision for better navigation in Defiled Sepulchre.
  
• Fixed a collision where players could get stuck near certain walls in Lower Calrath.
  
• Added missing collisions to wooden planks near Drustan's fireplace in Fief of the Chill Curse.
  

[h4]Visual[/h4]

• Fixed visual glitches when simulating the cloth for the outfits Iron Wayfarer and Vanguard.
  
• Fixed visual glitches with the Bucketlord by adjusting the head and leg buckets.
  
• Fixed visual glitches with the Bucketlord gear by adjusting the head and leg buckets.
  
• Fixed issues that could result in the player character clipping through Umbral assets in Fief of the Chill Curse.
  
• Updated and improved materials for certain Umbral gear.
  

[h4]UI[/h4]

• Fixed an issue where items could get destroyed upon pickup while the inventory was full. Affected tems will now be dropped to the ground.
  
• Fixed an issue where Umbral eyes could not be dropped.
  
• Fixed an issue where the "new" marker for items in the inventory would reset in certain multiplayer situations.
  
• Fixed an issue where items dropped by Umbral statues would not appear in the player's inventory after being picked up.
  

[h4]Audio[/h4]

• Fixed an audio issue when transitioning to certain areas in The Empyrean.
  

Check out our 2023 roadmap here.

In Light we Walk.

Virtual photographies in this post are courtesy of Belegarsson115 - created with the in-game 3D Photo Mode


https://store.steampowered.com/app/1501750/Lords_of_the_Fallen/

Links:
Official Website: https://lordsofthefallen.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lotfgame
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/cigames

#DareToBelieve

[h3]Greetings Lampbearers,[/h3]
ICYMI, last week we announced the Git Gud Gauntlet! In partnership with GG Talent, we have brought forth a no-hit speedrun, offering the chance for any risk taking crusaders seeking glory to win some coin from a $5,000 prize pool.

You have until 13th Dec. Do you have what it takes?

Enter here!

Official Rules

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1501750/Lords_of_the_Fallen/

Greetings Lampbearers,

The nominations are now open for the Steam Awards 2023.



Thank you for the ongoing passion you’ve shown for our game; now we kindly ask that you light your Umbral Lamp once more, and cast your vote for Lords of the Fallen in the ‘OUTSTANDING VISUAL STYLE’ category!

In Light, We Walk

- HEXWORKS

Exclusive to the Steam Autumn Sale, we’re delighted to offer 34% Off the Standard Edition of Lords of the Fallen, and 30% Off the Deluxe Edition, for a limited time only.

Free Content Plan

Price deduction aside, there’s never been a better time to embark upon the vast lands of Mournstead in an epic quest to defeat Adyr, the demon god. Since launch, we’ve released no less than 26 updates, significantly improving overall performance, as well as refining difficulty balance with the help of our passionate community (more on that below).

Today also sees the launch of ‘The Way of the Bucket’ - the second of a series of new questline events scheduled for this year, as detailed in our 2023 Free Content Plan. Following in the steps of ‘Season of the Bleak’, released for Halloween, these free (and permanent) events introduce new quests, armours, and weapons, and arrive alongside numerous other content updates, as detailed below:

Difficulty Balancing

In terms of difficulty balancing, we’re incredibly grateful to our steadfast Lampbearers, for your ongoing feedback and commitment to Lords of the Fallen. With your help, the last 26 updates have nearly all included numerous balancing improvements, and we’re incredibly happy with the results. As summarised in yesterday’s recap, please see some of the key refinements below:

• Reduced Mob Density
  
• Vestiges reinstated to NG+
  
• Improved enemy leashing
  
• Reduced accuracy of ranged enemies
  
• New instakills for all beasts
  
• More resourceful NPC boss summons
  
• Improved fall prevention during attack animations
  
• Ongoing split PvP/PvE balancing
  

Accolades Trailer

In case you missed it, check out our Official Accolades Trailer, featuring the likes of IGN, Fextralife and GameRant, released shortly after launch in celebration of hitting the 1 million sales landmark.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
In Light, We Walk.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1501750/Lords_of_the_Fallen/

[h3]Greetings Lampbearers, [/h3]

The Way of the Bucket: An ancient martial art? An extraordinary, time-honoured ritual? Or just one man’s unprecedented commitment to the humble receptacle?

Today’s update, released ahead of our usual cadence, answers this question and more, with headline features including:

• New Questline Event: The Way of the Bucket
  
• New Spells Pack #1
  
• Fall prevention when attacking
  
• Improved matchmaking
  
• Umbral ending fix

And with that, we continue to tick a few more items off our 2023 free content plan, though there’s still… ahem, a bucket load to come before year’s end. Additionally, we continue to work hard further refining the game’s difficulty balance in line with your ongoing feedback. Please find a recap of all difficulty enhancements to date here from earlier this week.

Full patch notes below,


[h4]The Way of the Bucket[/h4]

Similar to our Hallowen Event - ‘Season of the Bleak’ - today’s update brings with it ‘The Way of the Bucket’, a new and mysterious questline which upon completion, grants a reward of truly indeterminate value.

Seek guidance in the words below…

When time came to do or die, they emerged from their throes,
With meagre improvisations, spreading such desperate blows.
Should you as well seek meaning in these humble souls' disguise,
Don makeshift twin attire and find the one that lies.
Salute, attest and once more show honour to their semblance,
And you’ll amass the sincere gifts of one held in remembrance.
Yet hoard not without measure, show mutual regard,
For greed amongst the downtrodden is seen as truly marred.

[h4]New Spells[/h4]

Embrace the array of new spells now accessible across the three magical schools. You have the opportunity to acquire them by defeating their wielders.

Please note that these spells will not count towards the Radiant, Inferno, or Umbral Adept Achievements.

[h4]Core Gameplay Improvement[/h4]

With this patch if you begin an attack animation away from a ledge, you will no longer fall off if the attack animation draws you to the edge of said platform. However, if you start the attack animation when already standing at the edge, you will fall.

[h4]Improved Matchmaking[/h4]

We've updated the matchmaking selection process, giving priority to ping while also performing additional checks on the connection at both ends. This may slightly increase matchmaking time, but it ensures a higher quality connection.

[h4]Umbral Ending[/h4]

For players who previously encountered an issue with the Umbral ending, preventing them from completing the game, we have more positive news this week. We've implemented an additional check to address another edge case, allowing you to proceed after being blocked. So now, when you load the game, you should be able to directly access the ending.

We appreciate Fionn for sharing his save, to help identify and resolve this matter.. While we believe all outstanding issues have now been addressed, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team at [email protected] with your save information if you encounter any further problems.

[h4]Performance[/h4]

• Added additional precalculated PSOs to further reduce micro-stuttering throughout the game world.
  
• Removed redundant collisions only on far-distance assets in the Empyrean Vista. All affected elements are out of the gameplay area.
  
• Improved performance in the level art of the Upper Calrath nobles area by removing cast shadows from numerous assets without any impact on quality.
  
• Optimized the Umbral level in Skyrest Bridge (Rampart and Parapet) by deleting hidden meshes and adjusting camera occlusion and pixel depth in certain meshes.
  
• Second pass to reduce the number of actors casting shadows (small objects and minor details) in the Manse of the Hallowed Brothers. No loss in quality.
  
• Second pass to reduce the number of actors casting shadows (small objects and minor details) in the Tower of Penance. No loss in quality.

[h4]AI[/h4]

• Increased Scarlet Shadow's senses to ensure it acquires the player as a target even in edge cases where it spawns far away from the player.
  
• Linked the Ruiner to a leashing volume to prevent him from leaving the intended encounter area in Lower Calrath.
  
• Added additional collisions for enemies spawning on the floor of Skyrest Bridge.
  
• Filled a missing navmesh hole in one spot of Pilgrim's Perch to improve AI navigation.
  
• Fixed an AI that was not following its patrol in the Manse of the Hallowed Brothers.
  
• A very treacherous NPC now says different things when defeating the player. Still obnoxious, but with style.

[h4]Collisions[/h4]

• Fixed an issue where players could get stuck near a crystal in Bramis Castle.
  
• Fixed an issue where players could get stuck in Anchor Between Realms.
  
• Fixed an issue where players could get out of world in The Empyrean.
  
• Fixed minor clipping issues on some stairs in Fief of the Chill Curse.
  
• Fixed an issue with a missing wall collision in Abbey of the Hallowed Sisters.
  
• Fixed an issue where players could get out of world in Manse of the Hallowed Brothers.
  
• Adjusted moth walls to prevent players from leaving Otto's boss encounter.
  
• Adjusted the location of a chest to avoid players getting stuck in Forsaken Fen.
  
• Placed blocking volume to prevent the player from jumping on a specific branch in Fief of the Chill Curse.
  
• Fixed issues where players could skip certain areas in Fief of the Chill Curse.
  
• Adjusted a flower bed near the Bellroom Vestige that could cause issues with gameplay.
  
• Fixed an issue where players could get stuck at a rock near the Tower of Penance.
  
• Fixed an issue where players could skip the Pieta boss fight encounter by climbing up the Fire Giant's corpse.

[h4]Visuals[/h4]

• Improved player character turning animation for turning at very slow speed.
  
• Added a missing base to one of the statues in Abbey of the Hallowed Sisters.
  
• Improved the specular and brightness for several weapons and armors sets materials.

Check out our 2023 roadmap here.

In Light we Walk.


Images from HEXWORKS art blast on Artstation


https://store.steampowered.com/app/1501750/Lords_of_the_Fallen/

Links:
Official Website: https://lordsofthefallen.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lotfgame
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/cigames

#DareToBelieve