[Dev Notes #28] October 2024
Dear CEOs,
This is Kim Hyun Soo, the Head PD of CounterSide.
In this month of Dev Notes, we'll provide more details about the upcoming November 2024 update.
[h2][ Mainstream EP.12 Garden of Memories ][/h2]
In the upcoming Mainstream EP. 12, with the support of Lotus Senior the Administrator will venture into the Northern Union.
As the Administrator seeks to uncover the countless remnants of past Administration Failure and the memories of the Valkyries hidden beneath Ground Zero’s Counterside, they must navigate the treacherous territory of the Northern Union, a hostile faction of the Administration.
This new episode promises to unravel the past story of the Administration Failure and Hilde sheds light on the enigmatic hostile force, the Brothers Abandoned.
[h2][ New Awakened Employee - Red Witch Felix ][/h2]
A new awakened employee, [Red Witch Felix] will be released along with the Mainstream EP. 12, Garden of Memories.
Felix is a Soldier with a Tower role who utilizes various types of summons and can contribute to securing the team's air superiority.
[h3]◆ Red Witch Felix[/h3]
[h2][ Cafe Strega 2nd Anniversary Event ][/h2]
In November, Cafe Strega will hold its 2nd anniversary event.
As part of this event, a new skin for Ingrid Johanna will be added, following the previously released skins for Evelyn Keller and Yuna Springfield.
Additionally, for CEOs who cannot visit Cafe Strega's 2nd branch in person, in-game furniture from the actual cafe is created to collect. Using this new furniture, you can now enjoy the atmosphere of Cafe Strega's 2nd branch in the game.
[h3]◆ Ingrid Johanna[/h3]
[h3]◆ Cafe Strega Interior Set[/h3]
[h2][ Maze Gear Acquisition Increase ][/h2]
CounterSide features various gear, including normal gear, Shadow Palaces, Raid, limited gear like Maze gear, and Relic gear, where CEOs need to equip different gear to suit various situations.
Relic gear is generally considered as the end-game gear, but acquiring the necessary materials through Dimension Trimming to get Relic gear requires a significant level of gear to clear the stages.
Additionally, while Maze gear is highly effective, it is limited in acquisition, placing a burden on CEOs to gear up.
To alleviate the stress of gearing up and facilitate preparation for high-end content like Dimension Trimming, we are preparing to introduce the Maze gear crafting materials in the Shadow Palace shops for CEOs to purchase.
Furthermore, we also plan to reduce the cost of crafting Maze gear using existing Dimension Cubes to lessen the burden on CEOs.
We hope the increase in Maze gear acquisition will help CEOs enjoy a wider variety of content.
[h2][ Observation Mode and Draft Ban Pick Update ][/h2]
Observation Mode will be introduced to the Global server very soon.
The feature can be used as the following.
[h3]◇ Method 1[/h3]
A new [Create Room] option will be added to the [Friendly Match Options]. After finishing up the options, you can create an observation room by selecting [Create Room].
A unique [Observation Code] will be assigned to the created observation room. You can share this code with those who want to observe through other messaging apps.
CEOs who receive the observation code can enter the [Friendly Match] as an observer after entering the code.
[h3]◇ Method 2[/h3]
Create an observation room by selecting from the [Friendly Match Options] and selecting [Create Room].
Directly invite the opponent and observations from the [Partner] or the list of [Consortium Members].
Once the opponent or observers accept the invitation, the opponent will be placed in the [Friendly Match] to prepare for the match, and the observers will be directed to an observation waiting room.
Once all participants are ready and enter the match, a dedicated toggle button will be generated for observers.
By clicking the target toggle button, observers can switch between the perspectives of each competitor. The initial perspective will be the left-side competitor’s perspective.
Observers can leave the observation screen at any time during the match.
Furthermore, we are developing a feature that allows observers to see not only the matches but also the pick-and-ban process so that you can watch the Gauntlet battles and pick-and-ban strategies of other CEOs.
Additionally, we are preparing to update various improvements, such as entering HanaTalk within the observation mode and copying text.
[h2][ Gear & Set Option Ensured Selection System ][/h2]
CounterSide gear features options and set options, where tuning and set binaries are required to tune these options to your desired ones.
To obtain the desired options among the various options and set options attached to the gear, a large number of tuning and set binaries are consumed. Due to this, many CEOs have requested the addition of a 'pity' system that allows them to definitively change the options and set options of gear.
Although the development team has continuously discussed it, it has been very difficult to modify the Gear Tuning system due to the numerous tuning and set binary items that have been used since this system was added.
However, we have concluded that the fact that there is no guarantee of obtaining the desired options even when using countless tuning and set binaries can have a more negative impact on the CEOs' play experience, and decided to develop a system that allows you to select the desired options after using a certain amount of tuning and set binaries.
The [Gear & Set Option Ensured Selection System] is still under development, so it is difficult to say the exact schedule and details. However, we plan to develop it in the form of mileage where you can select the desired option at a certain number of attempts, and we are trying to update it in mid-November.
However, please understand that the tuning and set binaries used before the update of the [Gear & Set Option Ensured Selection System] will not be reflected because tuning and set binaries usage records are only stored for a certain period, making it difficult to take fair measures for all CEOs.
We hope that the [Gear & Set Option Ensured Selection System] will help you have a more enjoyable experience.
[h2][ Growth Resources Improvements ][/h2]
We have received numerous suggestions from CEOs regarding the resources required for employee growth.
After careful review and internal discussions, we have decided to implement the following improvements.
[h3]■ Increased Entry Count for Kim Hana's Talent Cultivation Challenge (Fusion Cores)[/h3]
Many CEO have expressed concern about the shortage of Fusion Cores, which are essential for creating S-Fusion Cores and reaching level 110.
To address this, we will increase the basic weekly entry count for Kim Hana's Talent Cultivation Challenge and allow for additional entries using Quartz.
[h3]▼ Breakdown of Changes to Kim Hana's Talent Cultivation Challenge (Fusion Cores)[/h3]
▷ Basic weekly entry count: 9 → 12
▷ Entry count recharge: 3 times/week
▷ Cost per recharge: 80 Quartz
▷ Additional entries per recharge: 3
[h3]■ Removal of Special Catalyst from S-Fusion Core Crafting Requirement[/h3]
Many CEOs have expressed concern about the burden of acquiring Special Catalysts, which are required to craft S-Fusion Cores with the expansion of the maximum employee level.
To reduce the burden, we will remove Special Catalysts from the crafting materials for S-Fusion Cores.
[h3]■ Increased Rewards from Simulation Operations[/h3]
We have received feedback that the rewards obtained from Simulations are insufficient to meet the needs as the game has expanded and more employees have been released.
Therefore, we will increase the amount of base rewards obtained from Simulations.
These improvements regarding growth resources will be applied immediately through the update on October 29.
Please refer to the patch notes for more details.
[h2][ New Operater - Esther Priest Jung Dain ][/h2]
Jung Da-in, who has been loved by many CEOs through [Counters Saga], will return in a new form.
Operator Esther Priest Jung Dain is a beautiful cleric who helps adventurers on their journey. With her skilled abilities, vast knowledge, and gentle nature, she has earned the absolute trust of her companions.
Please refer to future patch notes for more detailed information.
[h3]◆ Esther Priest Jung Dain[/h3]
[h2][New Skins - Hero Party][/h2]
In November 2024, two new skins will be added to the game.
[h3]◆ Hero★Starlight - Mi Rinae[/h3]
[h3]◆ Violet Witch - Jin Bora[/h3]
[h2][ Balance Adjustment and Recall ][/h2]
We sincerely apologize for the concerns and frustrations caused by the recent balance adjustments and recall process.
We especially apologize for the negligence of some employees which significantly impacted the overall game environment and balance, and deeply regret that we failed to address the concerns raised by CEOs to correct them on time.
As a result, certain employees became mandatory bans in the Ranked Gauntlet, preventing CEOs from using them and also causing the elongation of match time regardless of the result. Additionally, other employees exhibited overpowered abilities in PvE which ignored gimmicks, which diminished the enjoyment of strategic gameplay.
Despite these imbalances, CEOs adapted by developing new strategies and utilizing different employees.
However, the development team became so focused on the delayed balance adjustments that we neglected to appreciate the dedication and effort CEOs had invested. As a result, we hastily implemented a recall system as compensation, which fell short of expectations.
We sincerely apologize for the disappointment caused by this rash decision.
Furthermore, along with the recent balance patch, other significant changes brought about by the maximum employee level expansion have led to widespread disappointment. We are also deeply sorry for failing to fulfill the various promises we have made to CEOs through previous announcements.
We believe that demonstrating gradual improvements is more important than making additional promises that may not be kept.
Going forward, we, the entire Counterside development team, will actively listen to CEOs' feedback to establish the direction for future balance adjustments and game development, especially on content that could significantly impact the game.
We will establish communication channels, including developer notes, via pre-release explanations and surveys, to actively listen to your feedback.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this balance adjustment and hope you kindly accept the compensation we have prepared.
[h3]◆ Compensation[/h3]
- 5 S-Fusion Cores
[h3] ◆ Delivery Schedule[/h3]
- Oct. 25, 2024, 05:00 (UTC-5)
※ The compensation will be available until November 2, 09:59 (UTC-5) in the in-game mailbox.
※ The mail will expire after 7 days after receiving the mail.
This concludes the end of Dev Notes for October 2024.
Thank you.
