Hiraeth News

[h2]Task and quest systems are now being tested[/h2][p]
Full details can be found in the latest issue of Ahra Prime Times:[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]More updates coming soon.[/p][p]Best regards, The Author[/p]

[p]The new task, quest, and message system may not yet transform gameplay dramatically, but its arrival in the upcoming update marks the beginning of something much bigger.[/p][p][/p][h2]New System: Tasks/Quests and Messages[/h2][p]Coming in update 0.9.8.2 (this week), this system lays the groundwork for major gameplay changes. While early tests show it’s stable and well-structured, the initial version includes only a few trial tasks — many of which will be revised, expanded, and joined by new ones soon.[/p][h3]Tasks & Quests[/h3][p]Tasks are assigned by the system, by characters, or triggered by scenario events.[/p][p]Currently, tasks are optional. Soon, you’ll be able to choose between: [/p]

• [p]Pure sandbox survival — with or without tasks [/p]
• [p]Story mode — where quests play a major role and many are required to progress[/p]

[p]This is an early version: tasks are sorted and come with notifications. It works — but both aesthetics and functionality will be refined and expanded.[/p][h3]Signals, Messages[/h3][p]Often linked to quests, but not always. Currently, two test messages from a single sender…[/p][p][/p][p]Basic information about tasks and signals now in the OPERATOR menu[/p][p]Detailed with filtering in DATAVAULT[/p][p][/p][h2]Update published
[dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/h2][h2]When does it expand? [/h2][p]Very soon! The system is ready, but new content will arrive alongside the Nesoi Island update and the introduction of difficulty selection. The goal is by year’s end — and with December just around the corner, it’s closer than ever.[/p][p][/p][h2]Other Work [/h2][p]Alongside today’s feature — which changes the rules of play — I am also working on:[/p]

• [p]Nesoi Island — major changes coming soon[/p]
• [p]Audio system — the new engine version requires revisiting many previously polished areas, while also unlocking new possibilities for full audio control[/p]
• [p]Difficulty selection — testing and integration in progress[/p]

[p][/p][h2]Closing Signal [/h2][p]See you in the next issue of The Ahra Prime Times. Carry out your tasks faithfully — even the test ones. XP is always useful, and the Stranger’s favor may be the key to survival.[/p][p]— Author[/p]

[h2]Recent Changes & Updates[/h2][p]A lot has changed since last week’s issue—some updates went live without announcements. Below is a curated summary of what’s new.[/p][h3]🏆 Steam Achievements[/h3][p]Many achievements needed fixing, likely due to engine changes. Most now work correctly. Some hidden ones (like Such a Perfect Week!) may activate after today’s update. New achievements will arrive with the next major update, but no additional ones are planned for the Demo.[/p][h3]☣️ Chronic Diseases[/h3][p]Acute Radiation Syndrome has been in-game for a while. Now, chronic food poisoning joins the roster. It’s up to you: risk eating spoiled food or stick to fresh, safe sources—found mushrooms, hunted meat. Water purifiers help, but even clean water and food degrade over time. Food now spoils primarily in the world (soon also in containers). More diseases are coming. This is just the beginning.[/p][h3]🎚️ Difficulty & Disease[/h3][p]Players seeking challenge will find it. Disease mechanics will scale with difficulty—above Wayfarer (easy), they’ll have real impact. Currently, difficulty is averaged, but the system already accounts for it. Diseases may be disabled entirely for Wayfarer. Focus remains on higher tiers. Guides will expand soon. For now, Discord is the best place for questions.[/p][h3]🏃 Movement Speed[/h3][p]Movement has been tweaked—slightly faster overall, with terrain slope now affecting speed both uphill and downhill. This system will evolve and tie into:[/p]

• [p]Difficulty selection[/p]
• [p]Character progression[/p]
• [p]Future support modules[/p]

[h3]🧪 Demo Update Incoming[/h3][p]The Demo hasn’t seen updates in a while, despite major game changes. A cumulative update is planned this week. I’m considering new Demo limitations—possibly save restrictions. While Early Access will soon expand beyond Nesoi, the Demo will remain there.[/p][h3]🔜 What’s Next[/h3][p]Recent changes lay the groundwork for major gameplay shifts. Coming soon (order not final):[/p]

• [p]More threats and enemies (some already added to Nesoi)[/p]
• [p]Difficulty selection[/p]
• [p]Environmental changes on Nesoi, followed by a new Early Access location[/p]
• [p]First quests and tasks—leaving Nesoi will require completing them[/p]

[h3]🛠️ Stability [/h3][p]The new engine resolved most crash issues. Still, HIRAETH pushes next-gen GPU features hard. If you experience crashes:[/p]

• [p]Check GPU usage (WindowsKey+Alt+G via Game Bar)[/p]
• [p]If near 100%, lower Epic settings, max FPS, or resolution[/p]
• [p]Ensure proper cooling—overheating causes crashes[/p]
• [p]Optimization doesn’t depend on scene complexity; I explained this last week[/p]
• [p]For freeze/crash issues, this registry tweak may help: Epic Games GPU crash guide[/p]

[h3]🎮 Gamepad & Third-Person View[/h3][p]I’ve explored gamepad and third-person support, but feedback and polls show it’s not a priority for most players. These features are paused for now—focus remains on core gameplay.[/p][h3]🌍 Language Support[/h3][p]Localization is important, but delayed due to engine migration. Supported languages were removed from the Steam page (only active ones can be listed), but plans haven’t changed. German and French lead the wishlist, but Steam Workshop will open translation opportunities for many others. The game’s main font will stay—it’s modern, readable, and safe for special characters across all future languages.

[/p][h2]Closing[/h2][p]The next Ahra Prime Times and Hiraeth devlog will arrive next week—let’s see what changes this week brings to the game![/p][p]Stay safe, survivors! Author

[/p]

[p]We’re closing in on key gameplay changes, and health monitoring fixes remain important. Current changes are universal; once difficulty tiers are introduced, availability will depend on the selected difficulty. For example, tougher modes won’t auto-interrupt sleep/wait on risk, and detailed disease info will require the Medic skill and/or access to the health monitoring module (coming soon).[/p][h2]Versioning update[/h2]

• [p]Version: Updated to 0.9.8.19 #3[/p]
• [p]Note: Keeping 0.9.8.2 reserved for an upcoming larger update[/p]

[h2]Operator tab — chronic disease visibility[/h2]

• [p]Added: Chronic disease information in the Operator Tab[/p]
• [p]Risk note: Chronic conditions can be dangerous even at low progression and were previously easy to miss[/p]
• [p]Icons:[/p]
  • [p]ARS: Acute Radiation Syndrome icon now live[/p]
  • [p]Food poisoning: Icon now live[/p]
• [p]Resolution behavior: Icons disappear after successful treatment[/p]

[p]the danger icon appears even at a minimal stage of disease development. Remember that ARS is a disease that occurs when you receive the full allowable radiation exposure.[/p][p][/p][h2]Sleep/Wait interruption changes[/h2]

• [p]New trigger: Sleep and Wait are now also interrupted when any chronic disease is active[/p]
• [p]No other changes: Existing triggers (health loss, thirst, hunger) remain as before[/p]
• [p]In progress: Expanding interruptions for other accelerated-time actions (e.g., crafting, breaching). Some exist already; full coverage requires comprehensive validation[/p]

[h2]Difficulty-dependent behavior (preview)[/h2]

• [p]Harder modes: No automatic sleep/wait interruptions on risk[/p]
• [p]Detailed health info: Gated by Medic skill progression and/or the health monitor module (planned feature)[/p]

[h2]Near-term roadmap[/h2]

• [p]Health monitoring module: Integrating access and UI[/p]
• [p]Action interruptions: Auditing and extending coverage across time-accelerated tasks for consistency and clarity[/p]

[p]Yesterday’s silent fix addressed several achievement issues. Today’s update brings the following changes:[/p][h3]🕒 Time tracking display[/h3]

• [p]Fixed incorrect playtime (days) display across different parts of the game.[/p]
• [p]Resolved inconsistencies when viewing playtime in various UI locations.[/p]

[h3]🛠️ Tinker Skill Progression[/h3]

• [p]All repair actions now grant XP to the Tinker skill.[/p]
• [p]Tinker-based tasks will soon become significantly more important.[/p]

[h3]💧 Water Filler (Charger)[/h3]

• [p]The Water Filler now instantly purifies and fills with fresh water.[/p]

[h3]🏆 Steam Achievements[/h3]

• [p]Several achievements have been fixed.[/p]
• [p]A few remaining ones are still in progress.[/p]
• [p]Achievement descriptions updated on Steam (and in your Steam client).[/p]
• [p]New icon added for ‘Armed and Lost’.[/p]

[h3]⚠️ Health Risk Interruptions[/h3]

• [p]Sleeping and waiting are now interrupted if health is at risk — especially useful for initially symptomless conditions like AR Syndrome or Food Poisoning.[/p]
• [p]Added a short delay to the interaction button after death. Previously, it was possible to skip the summary screen too quickly and return to the main menu without realizing what happened.[/p]

[h3]🔥 Cooking Fix[/h3]

• [p]Fixed a bug where newly added food would instantly burn if placed on a cooker after a previous item was overcooked.[/p]
• [p]Improved texture handling for newly added mushrooms during cooking.[/p]
• [p]Updated descriptions for mushrooms that are now only edible when cooked.[/p]

[h3]🧬 Other Adjustments[/h3]

• [p]Slight increase in creature and enemy density.[/p]
• [p]Removed Ferret from broken drone loot (still craftable).[/p]
• [p]Ferret crafting battery now correctly displayed as a Resource.
  
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[p]Survive! Author[/p]