RailGods of Hysterra News

Hail Dreamers,

As the engineers work on the Endless Railways, the RailGod has announced that she will test out her new powers.

A rift shall open to the Dreamlands, and with it, reality shall be rewritten for a while.

[h3]Steam Summer Sale[/h3]
A sale shall take place, from June 26 to July 10, RailGods of Hysterra will be 15% off, letting more Dreamers return to the waking world and take on the role of a Conductor with their own RailGod!

RailGods of Hysterra will be discounted during the Steam Summer Sale!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3201910/

If you have not yet heard the call of the RailGod, now is the time to listen.
If you were waiting for the RailGod to call you, now is the time to answer.

[h3]Dreamers, Conductors, and all you who follow the RailGod,[/h3][p]It has been a while since we've published an official update on what we're doing, what we've been doing, and what our plans are, so it's time for us to break the (mini) silence and go over all of this with you.[/p][h2]
Teasers[/h2][p]Let’s start this news blast with a teaser to soothe your nerves, yes, we have been working on the game, and yes, an update is just around the corner![/p][p]Interest? Here are some teasers, just make sure to read on to get all of the details.

[/p][p][/p][h2]The Story So Far[/h2][p]On May 7th, we launched Early Access, and since then, we've been focused on all of you - our players - listening to everything you've had to say about the game. The feedback was immense, and thanks to you, we were able to update the game multiple times with bug fixes, balancing fixes, new features, and more. [/p][p]
To put the number of suggestions/requests that we received into figures, between our Discord and Steam, we had over 200 different ideas/suggestions in the short period since the game launched.[/p][p]
It's always been our desire to respond to everyone individually, something that we're very proud to have (mostly) been able to do, and looking back, it was a truly fun and intense period.[/p][p]
If you want a recap of the hotfixes and patches, check them out here:[/p][p]Hotfix 1[/p][p]Hotfix 2[/p][p]Hotfix 3[/p][p]Hotfix 4[/p][p]Hotfix 5[/p][p]
And our latest update was a bigger one:[/p][p]Patch 1[/p][p]
A note from our text writer:[/p][p]I want to thank everyone who commented and encouraged me to write the patch notes in the stylized version. It started out as a small experiment, and I was unsure whether or not anyone would actually enjoy it, so seeing people pick up on the references and directly comment on the way that it's written is really fun, so thank you!!
[/p][p]If you look at the dates that we released the updates, you'll notice that we pushed out an update pretty much every day for a week after the launch (and we did push out a few silent updates as well when more serious situations arose). The best part was that it was not just bug fixes; new features made their way to the game as well.[/p][p]
With that said, we did notice something important. Though the steady stream of hotfixes and patches was great in reinforcing the view that we were here, active, and listening to our community, the rate at which we pushed these updates out was unsustainable. Some of our community members noted that sometimes, bugs that we fixed in a previous update would return with the next update.[/p][p]
Luckily, these were usually minor issues (magnifying glass icon, we're looking at you), but it gave us pause to think. So, after much debate, we decided to shift our focus away from daily updates to releasing larger updates but spread out a bit more.[/p][p]
We decided that this was the best course of action as, by the time the first major patch was released, the game was a lot more stable, and the new features that we added fixed the major quality-of-life issues that were reported.

[hr][/hr][h2]The Plan Going Forward[/h2]Our plan going forward is simple:

• [p] Larger updates[/p]
• [p] More content per update[/p]
• [p] More time spent per update[/p]
• [p] More news from us, so you don't have any more "silent" times.[/p]
• [p] Better testing to improve the quality
  [/p]

That last point is an important one as it takes us nicely to our next major announcement, the launch of a special playtest, and we want to invite you, our early access community, to help test the features coming to the game.

[hr][/hr][h2]Playtest - What to Expect[/h2]Let's not beat around the bush here. The two main features of the test server are:

• [p] Gamepad Support
  [/p]
• [p] An all-new Building/Construction System
  [/p]

And of course, there will be a lot of bugfixes/quality of life improvements as well.
Check out these fun teasers!


Because these two features are extremely important to the game, we need to properly test them, and that is where the playtest comes in!

The Playtest will begin on June 19, 21:00 CET, and we will share all of the information about the playtest/how it works/how you can get it/what we need, on that date, so keep your eyes on us!

[hr][/hr][h2]In-Game Information[/h2]Probably one of the biggest areas of the game that we need to improve is the information given to the players when in-game. We’ve heard you all and we’ve been hard at work re-designing the in-game compendium so that it is a true information source for everything that you need.



[h2]Thank you to our Community[/h2]We want to end this news blast with a big thank you to everyone in our community. The feedback that you’ve given us has been fantastic, and we hope that the work that we put into the game to update and improve it will show you that we’ve listened to you all.

And perhaps most importantly, to all the players who jumped in to help others, to those who essentially covered for us when it comes to making sure that players knew what to get, where to get, and how to play, and enjoy the game, you are the best. You’ve directly helped the game to grow and be a success, so we cannot thank you enough![/p]

[h3]The Corpse Preserved Beneath Rhan-Tegoth’s Frozen Patience[/h3]
Once, even in death, Dreamers were denied stillness, gnawed by timid beasts while the RailGod slumbered, their remains scattered by idle chaos.

But now, beneath the glacial vigilance of Rhan-Tegoth, the deathless idol entombed in ancient ice, the cycle comes grinding to a halt.

The fallen forms of the Conductors shall remain untouched, preserved in the hush between heartbeats, while only the meek creatures retreat.

[h3]The Sigils of Difficulty, Bestowed by Azathoth[/h3]
From the throne of screaming void, Azathoth stirs, no longer content with a single game mode. And so, the very fabric of reality twists to his will. Hosts may now summon forth trials of varying torment:

• Easy, where the horrors linger yet strike softly,
  
• Normal, the current balance of Hysterra,
  
• Hard, where death lurks in every encounter,
  
• Custom, a favourite of Azathoth, and a gift to humanity, allowing them to choose their fates.
  

[h3]Sharing a Meal with the RailGod[/h3]
The panting hunger of Conductors has long echoed through the steel corridors. But now, a sacred blessing arises: a new GodKeeper skill has been created for the Conductors to fight off hunger for good.
While you dwell within the belly of your RailGod, hunger shall not find you.

[h3]The Hymn Endures Through Stillness[/h3]
Music, divine and eternal, now lingers even in frozen time.
The sacred Pause menu no longer silences the hymn, let it be known that the RailGod sings on, even as you rest.

[h3]The Forgotten Hint Restored[/h3]
Once, a sacred truth was whispered: Spacebar may be used in place of Middle Mouse when transferring items. However, as the Dreamers departed the Dreamlands and returned to the Waking World, this was lost in the shifting of realms. Luckily, the RailGod has rediscovered this knowledge.

The hint returns. Share it with those still fumbling in the dark.

[h3]Juk-Shabb Shares[/h3]
Where once your strikes landed with muted consequence, now they resound with power.
Each blow now sings a violent hymn that resonates beyond the veil, for Juk-Shabb feasts upon sensation, and demands you feel it too.

[h3]Studied Ultrawide Sight from Nodens[/h3]
From the luminous shores of the Dreamlands, where silver seas lap against the bones of forgotten titans, the ancient god Nodens, Lord of the Great Abyss, has stirred.

Witnessing the RailGod’s defiance against Nyarlathotep, whom he has long opposed, Nodens reached out to the RailGod, offering her a unique opportunity to master her developing powers.

In a secret corner of the Dreamland, he taught the RailGod the ancient technique of Ultrawide Sight, allowing her to gaze beyond the mortal frame.


[h3]Summary[/h3]

Whispers from the Server Depths
The RailGod has evolved and her powers have expanded. Upon inspection, we have found new settings to fine-tune her performance.
Server Options have made their way to the game. By manipulating these options, the Conductor may use their RailGod's power to manipulate the laws of Hysterra. For now, only one option exists, to control Satiety Depletion Time. From a mere 10 minutes for the truly brave to 25 minutes for those too faint-hearted to endure longer.
Though called server options, this is available for both Single Player and Multiplayer.

Recovering More of Humanity's Languages - Polish
After successfully establishing a connection to Türkiye and Korea, the maintainers of the Endless Railways set their sights on Poland. There, creatures known as Shantak, allied with the Outer God Nyarlathotep, were actively oppressing humanity, giving the RailGod an excellent opportunity to test her new abilities.
With the ferocity of the Hussars of old and the power of the RailGod behind them, the remaining Polish people the Shantak were defeated. Throughout the campaign, the RailGod mastered the Polish language and spread understanding of the language to all of her stations across the globe.

Sprint’s Tenuous Grip
The Sprint - a new power recently granted by the RailGod - now carries a deeper weight. The impact of sole on earth strikes harder and the effects are more pronounced, letting the sprinting Conductor know that they are running on firm grounds.

A New State of Mind
As a connoisseur of food, the RailGod understands the necessity of knowing - without any doubt - when one is hungry. Therefore, she has gifted a new ability to her Conductors. Those who have not been fed enough will see a Starving mark upon them if their Satiety drops to 0.
Should the Conductor attempt to move with haste, the burden of hunger will become a cruel weight, symbolized not only by the icon but by the cruel text above their head.

The Forgotten Key
And finally, in the depths of the train, the Train Management Menu (J) has been made more visible. Use this option to utilize the powers of the RailGod to teleport you between carriages!

The Bounty Deepens
As news of the RailGod and her conductors spreads throughout Hysterra, hope slowly grows in the hearts of humanity. As such, you shall be paid twice the reward for all Side Quests from now on.

Carriages Reweighed
Madness has been found to infect those who set the prices of the RailGod carriages. 3x3 carriages were priced too cheaply, making the 3x5 carriages pointless. Therefore, the price of the 3x3 carriages has been increased.

[h3]Summary Version:[/h3]

• We have introduced "Server Options" for Multiplayer and Singleplayer.
  
• This is only accessible via the Menu when in-game.
  
• In Multiplayer mode, only the Host may modify these options.
  
• For one, only 1 option exists: to change the Satiety Depletion Rate
  Minimum 10 minutes (from 100 to 0)
  Maximum 25 minutes (from 100 to 0)
  
• Added Polish translation to the game.
  
• Improved the visual effects when sprinting
  
• New Feature: Status Icons.
  These are icons that appear under specific circumstances.
  The first status is "Starving".
  This appears when the Satiety drops to 0.
  If the player tries to sprint with Satiety at 0, the additional text "STARVING" will display above the player.
  Made the Train Management Menu hotkey (default: J) more visible.
  
• If no savegame exists, the game will use the Steam client's current language as the game language.
  
• Side Quests now give you double the rewards.
  
• The price of the 3x3 Carriages has increased.
  
• If no save game exists, the game will use the player’s Steam language as the game’s language.
  

[h3]The Sprint of the Dreamer[/h3]
For too long, your stride was tangled in the invisible nets of Yog-Sothoth, the Lurker at the Threshold, whose presence bends both space and time. Every movement echoed through warped angles, slowed by unseen doors and temporal distortions. The RailGod, being a fan of speed, countered the powers of Yog-Sothoth, allowing her conductor to sprint freely!

[h3]To run, please hold Shift[/h3]

[h3]The Crafting Paradox Unraveled[/h3]
Why forge twin relics when one is desired? As the RailGod and the maintainers of the Endless Railways inspected and fixed the workbenches, an answer was found.
Shub-Niggurath, The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young had infected some of the workbenches with her perverse nature, causing them to multiply their output beyond what was needed.
We mortals cannot comprehend the reason why this Outer Goddess involved herself in this way, but know that we have cleansed the workbenches of her perverse nature. You may now craft single objects and not be forced to deal with multiple.
What's more, you may now even cancel the process should you decide you no longer need what is being created.

[h3]Recovering Humanity - Localizations Unveiled[/h3]
As the Endless Railways spread throughout the world, more survivors have been found in the distant lands of Korea and Türkiye. These people bring with them a greater understanding of their languages, languages that the RailGod has mastered.

[h3]The Scholars Have Returned, Magnifying Glass is Repaired[/h3]
Studies have been completed on more items, The Magnifying Sigil shall now correctly display on items that have been fully studied.

[h3]Her Dark Gifts Strengthen[/h3]
The ‘Tidal Impetus’ - a Dark Gift - has been refined! Melee strikes shall land on target, and the creatures of madness shall no longer be able to avoid them with ease!

[h3]Feeding the RailGod![/h3]
Feeding the RailGod is the sacred duty of the conductor, yet overzealous Conductors oft-ignored the sacred limit of feeding her but three items at a time.

The RailGod may be fed three offerings at a time. No more, and if the RailGod had her way, no less (thou though may offer less if thy wish).

Three (3) shall be the number of offerings thou shall present, and the number of the offerings shall be three. Four shalt thou not offer. One and two may be offered, especially if thou then proceed to three. Five, is right out. Once the number three, being the third be reached, then thou shall inform the RailGod, and offer her no more until she accepts thy tribute.

The quick version of the update:

• Sprint mechanic added to the game - hold Shift to run
  
• You can now cancel the crafting queue at the workbench
  
• Workbenches no longer create multiple items needlessly - so no more 2/3/4x armour when you only need 1.
  
• Improved translations for Turkish and Korean.
  
• Fixed Magnifying Glass icon behaviour for various items that have been researched
  
• Fixed Melee Weapon hitbox after using the 'Tidal Impetus' dark gift (previously after using this ability, you could not inflict melee damage)
  
• Fixed resources transfer to RailGod feeder, a bug existed that allowed you to feed more than 3 items at a time.

[h2]Heed the whispers of the RailGods — your fate awaits![/h2]

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