Soulmask News

[h2]Hello, chieftains![/h2]

Remember what we talked about yesterday? In addition to the improvements we have confirmed, we will also provide a unified response to all the issues mentioned by the chieftains!

Let us dive right into it:

[h3]Q:The mineral on the server still won't refresh!
[/h3]
A:We have completed the repairs and it has been fixed in today's update!

[h3]Q:All of my tribesmen have entered a combat state, what is going on?
[/h3]
A:We are aware that this is a bug, and similarly, today's update will resolve this.

[h3]Q:Even if my tribesmen can be revived, their talents will be gone forever! And the cycle to cultivate a tribesman from scratch is terrifyingly long![/h3]

A:Losing your best tribesman is definitely hard to take. Next update in the week, a "Perfect Revive for Tribesmen" option will be added for solo and private server modes, allowing your tribesmen to be revived directly in their optimal state!

[h3]Q:The solo mode is too difficult![/h3]

A:In Soulmask's private server, Solo mode, and Co-op mode, we suggest adjusting all the multiplier , especially the damage/defense data as recommended by Peter, to enhance the gaming experience!

Additionally, in our advanced settings, we have some convenient toggles, such as not dropping death bag upon death or disabling decay feature, which greatly facilitate a more relaxed adventure for solo players!

Of course, in the future, we will gradually adjust the corresponding indexs for each difficulty level to make the experience more smoothly.

[h3]Q:Can't we search the contents of the box at the Work Benches?[/h3]

A:We are a game that prides itself on realism, but we understand the needs of our players. We are considering the specific adjustments.
For now, you can temporarily use your tribemen to complete crafting tasks. You can learn everything through This article; your tribemen will find the necessary materials themselves and complete whatever you need.

[h3]Q:The game's distant view is too blurry!
[/h3]

A:Soulmask actually enhances the environmental layering through atmospheric effects and volumetric fog, which is a unique representation of the rainforest style in Soulmask.

However, we also take into consideration the preferences of some players. If you find the visuals too blurry, we recommend trying to disable DLSS, enable FSR, and turn off depth of field effects. This should provide a sharper image quality.

[h3]Q:The respawn of barracks/forts is simply unreasonable. I have no idea when suddenly a large group of Barbarians will spawn![/h3]

A:Due to the special tribal replenishment mechanism in our barracks and forts, the barbarians need to respawn on a set schedule based on the in-game time (defaulting to midnight every night). In the past, on PVE servers, players intentionally or unintentionally lingered in the camps, preventing the barbarians from respawning. To address this situation, we modified the monster respawn mechanism. This could explain why you are seeing the barbarians respawn right in front of you.

However, we acknowledge that the lack of transparency in the respawn time is something that needs improvement. We plan to provide chieftains with ample reminders before respawns in future updates. We are also considering adding coefficient settings for respawn times.

For the time being, aside from preemptively knowing the respawn times and avoiding them, players in the single-player version have another temporary solution:

• Click on "Continue Game" in the main menu.
  
• Click on "Advanced Settings."
  
• In the toggle buttons on the right, enable the "PVP Options" and enter the game.
  

By doing this, as long as the player's character is still within the barracks/fort range, the barbarians inside will pause respawning until the player completely leaves the barracks/fort area.

[h3]Q:I entered the official server on the first day of the game's release, and now it's almost full![/h3]

A:We understand everyone's frustration, but this issue is complex. The number of players on the server will fluctuate based on factors such as time, new server availability, and player count. We are closely monitoring the server entry situation for each server and planning how to address the problem in a better way.

[h3]Q:Alligator/Panther killed me 100 times in the early stages![/h3]

A:Soulmask is a realistic survival game, and the difficulty can be quite hardcore. If you find it exhausting to play, you can choose a lower difficulty or adjust combat-related parameters to familiarize yourself with the combat mechanics of Soulmask before seeking further challenges.

Speaking of alligator and panther, these two new player killers may seem extremely ruthless at first encounter. However, once you become familiar with their movements and have tribesmen with stronger talents and specialized skills, they will no longer be a threat. For example, the slide attack skill with a great sword is very effective. As you master everything, the difference between predators and capybaras may not be that significant...

Oh, by the way, there are community players who have become proficient at killing any enemy. You can join our Discord server to seek more help, and many enthusiastic players will be happy to assist you.

[h3]Q:When can we expect to support Steam Deck?[/h3]

A:Currently, due to compatibility issues, we strongly advise against playing Soulmask on the Steam Deck. It will take some time to improve and fully support it.

[h3]Q:Picking up the death bags after respawn is too cumbersome, and the campfire does not work well on rainy days. Why can't there be at least one respawn point in each area?[/h3]

A:Regarding the issue of respawn points, we will make adjustments in the near future. You will see more respawn points in the future!

[h3]Q: I wasted too much time on running from this point to that point, is it really necessary to run for so long?[/h3]

A:Although we have locations for mystical portal for regional teleportation, it seems that it's not enough. We will develop more ways for fast travel in the future.

[h3]Q:Construction system is indeed cumbersome! Not to mention, there's no specific construction mode, making it nearly impossible to complete the roof capping.
[/h3]

A:We actually have a "Construction Hammer" that simplifies the building process, but it appears many chieftains are not aware of it. As a result, we're considering introducing information about it in the tutorial and other parts of the game.

Regarding the roof capping issue, we will resolve it in the next update as quickly as possible, and you'll see the improvements soon. For now, you can use the "floor" building elements to cap the roofs.

[h3]Q:Why doesn't the game support DLAA?[/h3]

A:Support for DLAA and DLSS-FG is already in the works! You will soon be able to enjoy it!

[h3]Q:Is the end-game numerical design in the game a bit too exaggerated? My friends and I have been fighting for a long time, yet we barely deal any damage to the boss?[/h3]

A:Of course as for the solo mode, you can adjust settings related to damage received and defense, but regarding the numerical values, ZIMA believes an explanation is necessary:

Soulmask is a game with complex character growth. Factors such as the rarity of tribesmen, their talents, proficiency caps; the pairing of masks with crystals, weapon proficiency along with corresponding masteries, the material of equipment, food, and mods—all these elements, when used and combined strategically, can greatly affect a player's combat power. The disparity among these factors can be several times over!

Therefore, when you feel like you are struggling, manage your territory well and try everything to strengthen yourself. We have compiled a reference list of technology corresponding to levels:

• 1-10: Linen Gear
  
• 11-20: Beast Bone Gear
  
• 21-30: Bronze Gear
  
• 31-45: Iron Gear
  
• 45-55: Steel Gear
  

The above responses are only for the first round issues - yes, we do have many issues that need to be addressed. Within 48 hours, we will release the next FAQ document. Please stay tuned. See you soon!

Community Manager, Peter
Chief Producer, Zima

Join discord: https://discord.com/invite/4G2K7FDbtp

Dear Chieftains,

To provide a better gaming experience, the server will undergo maintenance. It will be temporarily unavailable starting from June 4, at 7:00 AM UTC, with an expected downtime of 30 minutes. This update includes a client update, and chieftains will need to update their client to enjoy the game normally. We are very grateful for your understanding and support.

The update details are as follows:

[h2][Game Optimizations][/h2]

Added Deter protection; activating Deter no longer inflicts damage on either side.
The production of advanced wood also yields additional logs alongside the hardwood.
Adjusted the Stone Barrier's model to eliminate collisions with its bottom protrusions.
Optimized the attack range of the Butcher's Knife to prevent missing resources from small animals.
Map mark function now accepts space inputs.
Being infected with the plague will no longer result in death; it will only progress to a state of near-death at most.
Adjusted the consumption speed of Bee-drawing Syrup; for every additional bee, the cost of Bee-drawing Syrup is reduced to two units.
When placing a bonfire, the system checks for terrain obstructions to prevent getting stuck in rocks upon respawning.
The load no longer affects the rolling speed and distance, as long as Max Load is not exceeded.
Improved connection stability in online rooms for a smoother multiplayer experience.
Rainforest Flint bosses (including those in mangroves), Claw bosses, and Fang Barracks bosses on the hill now guarantee deerskin as a drop.
Punching with bare hands can now inflict damage on trees.
Reduced the durability drop speed of weapons and gear.
Increased the crafting EXP earned for certain items.
Adjusted the materials required to craft a Water Bucket, replacing Copper Wire with Copper Ingots.
Fixed the issue where tribesmen would behave abnormally in water-related works in homes without a well.
Added a command "ResetOneFrontNpc" for solo play and friends mode to reset humanoid NPCs unintentionally trapped within walls back to their spawn locations.

[h2][Sound Effects Related][/h2]

Fixed the issue where ambient sound effects might not trigger.
Fixed the issue where some players experience a halt in background music upon entering the game.
Lowered the volume of sounds associated with enemy alert and being spotted.
Lowered the volume of sounds associated with crafting and logging activities.

[h2][Keybinding Settings Related][/h2]

Added a keybinding setting for "Press and hold to switch to other styles" to fix the conflict between the Construction mode and movement commands on French keyboards.
Added a keybinding setting for "Keeping running".
Added a keybinding setting for "Call mount to follow."
Players can now press the subtract (-) key on the numeric keypad to open the game console.

[h2][Quests Related][/h2]

Fixed the issue preventing completion of the Alpaca quest in specific scenarios.
Optimized the quests that require placing various constructions; now, interacting with existing crafting tables suffices for quest completion, eliminating the need for placing multiple identical constructions within a guild to meet quest requirements.
Fixed the crafting quest for Beast Bone Weapons where weapons crafted by tribesmen did not contribute to quest completion.
Tutorial quests can now be skipped using the PageDown key.

[h2][Combat Related][/h2]

Fixed the issue where certain skills (such as Dual-blade leap attacks) could pull the player back to the original position after execution.
Fixed the persistent spawning issue of NPC invaders.
Optimized the attack method of the Battering Ram, which can now deal damage to constructions above it.
The recovery period following most attack skills has been minimized, facilitating easier cancellation through jumping, moving, weapon switching, defending, or other skill actions.
Reduced the hitching/stuttering frames to prevent movements from seeming unsmooth during periods of low server frame rate.

[h2][UI Related][/h2]

The right-click menu will now automatically close after an action is performed.
When igniting facilities that require Fuel, a corresponding prompt message is now displayed.
Parrots are now configured by default to send alerts when constructions are being attacked.
Optimized the rules for tribesmen work assignment to prevent misunderstandings during certain operations.

[h2][Bug Fixes][/h2]

Fixed the issue where killing monsters in solo mode and exiting the game immediately would cause abnormal monster movements upon re-entering the game.
Fixed the potential loss of AI for scout NPCs when a Bonfire is put away.
Fixed the issue of resources not respawning after a server crash.
Fixed the issue where using Bandages while mounted would not instantly update the status icon.
Fixed the issue with the Throwing Knife crafting recipe producing flying Spears instead.
Adjusted the frame rate limit settings (vertical sync is now off by default and is no longer dependent on whether the game is played in fullscreen).
Fixed the issue that prevented some players from joining tribes, with an error message indicating that "cannot perform in cross server".
Fixed the issue on ultra-wide screens where players were unable to pick up bags.
Fixed the collision issue with palm trees that would trap players.
Fixed the issue where tribesmen would enter battle status (pacing around frequently) for no reason.
Fixed the issue where backstabbing barbarians would not enter combat.
Fixed the abnormal flickering issue with fireflies.
Fixed the issue with bees exhibiting an abnormal growth Speed.
Fixed the issue where adjustments to the quality multiplier for barbarians and animals had no effect.
Fixed the issue where Uncrafting Beast Bone Bows and Great Beast Bone Bows would yield Leather Rope.
Corrected the EXP gained from watering farmland.
Fixed the issue where some Bonfires would not increase the Comfort level.
Fixed the issue where crops planted at the edge of farmland were getting deleted.
Fixed the issue where tribesmen recruited during Babarian Invasion would disappear after some time.
Fixed the repairability issue affecting some gear.
Entering a near-death state while climbing will now result in falling to the ground instead of remaining suspended in mid-air
.......

Thank you very much for your support and understanding. More optimizations and updates are on the way.

Join discord: https://discord.com/invite/4G2K7FDbtp

Dear Chieftain,

Soulmask is very concerned about the fairness of the game and is fully committed to creating a favorable playing environment. Our operations team will review violations and take necessary measures.

If any player is found to have violated the rules, we will take actions such as issuing warnings, imposing speech bans, or even banning accounts.
If you encounter any violations in the game, we strongly recommend that you report the offending player in the game or inform our administrators through the community, so that we can address the violations as soon as possible. We hope you have a pleasant experience in the game!

Below is a list of players who have been banned permanently or for a short period of time:

[hr][/hr]

Hello, Chiftains:

The last 72 hours have been our most intense days: enthusiastic feedback from you all has poured in like a tide. This has made us realize that no matter how prepared we think we are, we are never truly ready.

And yeah, from the very first second Soulmask was released, you all have been involved in the making of this game. This is the essence of Early Access. Therefore, we must develop on a daily basis, improving the quality of Soulmask based on each and every suggestion from you.

Hence, we are eager to show you our improvements. After internal testing, these improvements will be available to everyone within 3-4 days. There's no time to waste, let's race against the clock!

[h2]The issues that concern each of you the most:[/h2]

● We have adjusted the default option for vertical sync, which can now resolve the frame rate limit issue for many players. We all know the frustration of not being able to fully utilize our computers' performance, and now we no longer need to modify configuration files.

● We have fixed the issue with ambient sound effects and music stopping playback. Sound effects are crucial in any game, and we have significant room for improvement in this area. We decided to first fix the most serious issues, but we won't stop there. With each update, you will see our improvements in this aspect.

● The bug with completing the alpaca mount guidance has been resolved. We believe that every baby alpaca is inherently fair.

● We have optimized the co-op mode connection mechanism, which should address some of the connection failures. We hope the Chieftains have smooth adventures with their friends

● We fixed the issue where some players couldn't join tribes, receiving the message "cannot perform in cross server". This mysterious phenomenon had been affecting some small tribes, but now it won't disrupt their growth anymore!

● We optimized the detection accuracy of butcher knife, so it no longer only hits the air whilst swinging at turkeys and monkeys.

● The barbarians invading the camps no longer respawn infinitely. Some tribes had become extremely aggressive due to a mysterious unknown force, but now they are more obedient... relatively speaking.

● We added a series of "press and hold to swith to other style" key settings. We received a lot of support from European players, and yet in the past, we hadn't properly addressed keyboard conflicts with European layouts. We will continue to resolve this issue as a priority, and adaptations for other countries are still being researched!

● We have added a "keep walking" key configuration. Yes, we have designed an auto-walk feature! To ensure everyone is aware of this, it is now configurable.

● Guide tasks now support skipping by pressing the Page Down key. We're sorry for getting you stuck on some annoying tasks; now you won't have to repeat those meaningless actions!

● When chieftains build campfires on sloped terrain, the first vagrant can now approach normally. They can finally help the chieftains!

[h2]2. Server/Private Server Optimization[/h2]

Servers are one of our most important components. After some servers experienced resource refresh time issues on Saturday, we resolved this problem as quickly as possible.

We pay close attention to the issues of every private server player. Through collaboration with our suppliers, we have fixed the problems of resources not refreshing and save data loss on private servers.

If you are still experiencing these issues, you may need to restart your server to resolve them. Before restarting your server, we recommend saving your data using the following methods:

1.Enter your private server from the game client.

2.After entering the game, press ~ to open the console.

3.Enter gm key [password]. The password is the administrator password you set on G-portal.

4.Open the GM panel and enter the administrator password to become an administrator.

5.Press ~ to open the console again.

6.Enter: gm BaoCun.

7.Wait for 1 minute, and the save will be completed successfully.

8.It is recommended to shorten the save interval time in the G-portal backend to 120



At the same time, we have updated the latest version of the documentation on how to set up a private server. You can find steps for properly shutting down your server and other relevant information by checking here: Soulmask Private Server Documentation: How to set up a private server.


[h2]Other Updates: They may not catch your attention, but they are still very important:[/h2]

● When deterring a tribesman, you will no longer take damage, so you don't have to worry about being killed when you can't counterattack.

● Now, each time you chop a tree for hardwood, there is also a chance to get logs (we've heard that logs are the hardest thing to get in this world??).

● We have modified the stone wall models to remove some of the erratic parts. We hope our developers can be forgiven by those with OCD.

● We have optimized the parry sound effects, making them more pleasant to hear.

● We have added a key setting for "call mount to follow." The 'Z' key was handling too much...

● We have optimized the tasks for constructing/placing various buildings. Now, you can complete the tasks by interacting with the corresponding buildings, preventing the need for multiple identical structures within the same tribe to complete tasks.

● We have improved the task for crafting bone weapons. Weapons made by your tribe members can now complete this task as well!

● We have improved the movement models for some combat skills, such as the dual-blade jumping slash, which previously had a chance to snap back to the original position after being unleashed. We also dislike character displacement during combat, and this is our first step towards improvement.

● We have optimized the right-click menus. They will now automatically close after an operation, no longer occupying the screen.

All buildings that require fuel will now give a notification when they are out of fuel, ensuring there is no risk of any campfire going out

● Parrots will now default to giving warnings when a building is under attack. We hope you won't find these little guys too noisy. They're just trying to protect our home.

● Crops planted at the edges of fields will no longer be deleted, so your corn and cotton won't disappear without reason.

● When using items like bandages while mounted, you'll see a clear status indication now.

● When Chieftains craft throwing knives, the recipe was always incorrectly identified as a spear. This "bug" has now been fixed.

● Issue regarding Ultrawide screen players were unable to pick up death packages... We must fix this issue as quickly as possible, and more optimizations are on the way.

● Palm trees on the beach will no longer block everyone.

[h2]There's More to Come[/h2]

The above are just appetizers. We are well aware that there are still numerous issues that need to be addressed. Although we won't be able to solve many of them this week, we have noted them all:

DLAA not supported...
Distant views too blurry...
Early stage difficulty too high...
No respawn points...
etc...

At this very moment, our development team is still working hard to improve each issue and suggestion you have mentioned. Tomorrow, we will provide detailed answers to each question, so stay tuned!

Soulmask still has a long journey to go before it reaches flawlessness. This is true in every aspect.

That's why we need every one of you. Your suggestions and opinions can illuminate our path forward. Every chieftain is a developer we deeply respect.

We are not ready to stop yet! I am Maggie, always at your service. If you have any other suggestions for our game, feel free to leave a message in the comments or on our community Discord. See you in the next update!


Best regards,

Maggie
Community Manager

Join our official Discord server:



Join discord：https://discord.com/invite/eVsURRrKU3