Forts News

After a restful end-of-year break, the EWG team has been back at work with improvements and bug fixes. Highlights include dragging the mouse when placing weapons to set their direction, two new menu backgrounds have been added, and the stuck loading while joining bug has been solved. Our many Ukrainian players can now enjoy reading their native language. For Modders there are a few new functions, including the powerful SnapToWorld, as well as DeleteBlock and DeleteBlockVertex for manipulating terrain during gameplay. If you encounter players you would rather not engage with but don't want to report, you can click on the frowning face button next to them in the Lobby to silently avoid them in future. There's also a new screen to remove players from avoidance. Further details and the full change list can be found below.

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[h2]Drag Weapon Direction[/h2]
Clicking and dragging when placing a weapon now sets its direction.
[hr][/hr]To help streamline the controls, and reduce friction in the heat of battle, we have added the ability to drag left or right when placing a weapon to set its facing. This makes it quicker and easier to determine which way to shoot when it matters most. Of course, if you're happy setting the direction with the classic HUD buttons, those are still available. The feature can be toggled in Options > Game > Enable Drag Weapon Facing.


[h2]Menu Screen Update[/h2]
Updated front end screens.
[hr][/hr]As some of you will have noticed, a while ago we freshened up the Steam store and social media channels with a fresh lick of paint in the form of new key art. Now that the paint has dried, we are adding it as the default menu background.

If you're a fan of the previous menu background art, these can be selected from the options screen, with the vanilla version select-able under the Classic title, with the Tons of Guns version also available.


[h2]YouTube Tutorial Playlist[/h2]
Click on the Sal Vaux news item in the Forts main menu to start watching!
[hr][/hr]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU-ooQwdpC4&list=PLawv6P6HClHkd3-WThaiY0b05CISVrYCO&pp=gAQBiAQB
New to Forts? Maybe you want to take your play to the next level? Either way, check out the tutorials playlist on our YT channel for tips and tactics to up your game. Selected from Forts content creators new and old, the subjects covered range from the very basics of base building, to advanced tactics like tier 3 cannons.

If you've seen a tutorial video that we've missed, be sure to put it in the 'Suggestions' channel on the Forts Official Discord.


[h2]Change List dlc2 31 r15673 [/h2]
Add: Classic and Tons of Guns menu skins
Add: Drag weapon direction (Option > Game > Enable Weapon Drag Facing)
Add: Script functions DeleteBlock and DeleteBlockVertex
Add: SnapToWorld script function to quickly find nearest ground, link, node, device, etc.
Add: frowning face buttons in lobby to avoid players for 30 days
Add: UI to edit avoidance lists
Add: Ukrainian translation

Balance: increase runway and runway2 reload times from 0.7s to 1.05s (+50%)

Fix: (GetStructureInWater) typo in documentation
Fix: (Hungarian) some strings are not exported to game
Fix: (Loading screen) crash setting random tip when none are found
Fix: (Sandbox) with a weapon selected, selecting joints or struts of another team doesn't switch to that team
Fix: \reload_textures can be used during multiplayer matches
Fix: AI causes exception calling non-existent function GetStructureHasFoundation
Fix: blocks are not deselected when deleted using \sweep_blocks
Fix: crash when rope is detached during BreakStructure
Fix: CreateBlock assigns the local player's team as the owner of the block, causing desyncs
Fix: cursor doesn't snap to nodes when a device is selected except for the first type
Fix: data desync when mods use base textures as projectile sprites
Fix: device preview snaps to vertical struts when tech is missing
Fix: editing terrain isn't correctly supported on Vulkan
Fix: ground edges are not recalculated when block vertices are modified
Fix: ground nodes are not removed from selection when using \sweep_blocks
Fix: holding the 'zoom selection' key and dragging the mouse only pans the view
Fix: if AI creates a strut and then deletes it, the strut becomes stuck
Fix: incorrect error is shown when trying to place a device at population limit
Fix: Nighthawk bombs don't ignite fire when colliding with devices
Fix: OberverCustomiseScreen crash after changing keyboard layout
Fix: players are sometimes stuck at loading screen while joining
Fix: remote/replay cursors flash distractingly
Fix: shield deletion is cancelled by repair station
Fix: the Leviathan boats are bouncing at the beginning of the game.
Fix: unnecessary script events are called before SystemLoad and Load events
Fix: Workshop mods can be updated mid-match when a client with a newer version joins the lobby

[h2]Change List dlc2 31b r15681[/h2]

Add: (FORTS-856) Devices.Drag.MinDistance and Devices.Drag.FacingStartTime to db/constants_user.lua

Improve: (FORTS-856) short delay before drag facing functions to allow rapid placement without changing direction

Fix: Phantom context button move button creates a new device instead of moving
Fix: Phantom move ability doesn't work

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[h2]Make Sure To Join Our Discord[/h2]

If you haven't already, join our Forts Official Discord server to connect with other players, share strategies, create maps/mods, and receive advance notice of upcoming events.

Cheers,
EWG

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Are you ready for Season 3 of the Forts Pro League? We certainly hope so because we're throwing things wide open this season and merging the leagues. Everyone can sign up for the FPL group stage and registration opens today! Register your team on Challengermode and Discord following the instructions below.

Teams will be seeded into groups of 10 where they will face each other in a round robin format, with one match being played per week. Teams may schedule their match at any time during the week, but if they have not played by Saturday at 8pm utc they must contact a league official on Discord and make themselves available to play their match at this time. Any team not present will forfeit the round. At the end of this stage, the teams with the most points in each group will qualify for the playoffs, where the ultimate winners will be decided.

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When is it going to happen?

Signups for the FPL begin now and end on February 21st at 8pm utc. Opening day is February 24th at 8pm utc. The playoffs (tentatively scheduled for May 25th 8pm utc) will be held once the round robin stage has concluded.

How to participate?

Everyone is eligible to sign up for the group stage of the FPL this season!

First, see the Forts Pro League Official Rules

Then form your team of two and meet the following requirements. Player names must be clearly readable and match on Discord, Steam and Challengermode. The maximum length is 16 characters for players and teams. Players are expected to use this name when playing all of their matches. Offensive player or team names and profile images will result in disqualification from the league. Players currently under ranked or multiplayer bans are also ineligible to compete.

Team tags must be 3 characters or less.

Team logos should be 128x128 pixels. Offensive images will result in disqualification.

How to join the Forts Pro League:

• Click on the Challengermode link;
  
• Click 'Join Tournament' (you must have an account on Challengermode);
  
• If you already have a teammate, click 'Join with Team';
  
• You will be asked to create a team if you do not have a team yet
  
• Close this window and invite your teammate (Click on your team name on the right side of the window to invite them);
  
• Return to the FPL Season 3 page;
  
• Click 'Join Tournament' once again;
  
• Choose your lineup and click 'Join';
  
• Message @42scientist on the Forts Official Discord with your Team name, roster, team tag and logo. Also include the Discord and Steam ID's of you and your teammate.;
  
• You are now officially registered in the Forts Pro League!
  
  

Team Capacitor
[CAP] Fred
(Link to Fred's Steam profile)
[CAP] Max
(Link to Max's Steam profile)

Sample entry with Team and Logo



What are the prizes for Pro League?

• 1st place: $100
  
  
• 2nd place: $50
  
  
• 3rd place: $20
  

Prizes will be split equally between team members and distributed as a Steam gift card.

[h2]Where?[/h2]

• FPL Season 3 at Challengermode
  
  
• The Official Forts Discord

[h2]Rules[/h2]

For more information on rules and match scheduling please read the Forts Pro League Official Rules

Earthwork Games reserves the right to make changes to this event as needed

[h2]Streamers[/h2]

Project Incursus

Salzwerk

Communauté Forts FR (Gusteagle & Pile Rouillée)

Cheers,
EWG

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Congratulations to team Boat Cannoneers, winners of Tournament XXVII!

EtaN, Taichu, and Tar set sail and dominated the High Seas with their offensive and defensive prowess. They did not emerge unscathed though, with both BOGships and MotoPinderCircus taking them to sudden death in their best of 3's.

Eagle Eye's AA miniguns can't help now, will this Orbital strike home?
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In second, team MotoPinderCircus were not content to play it safe. Gusteagle, Karaba, and pile rouillée showed absolute commitment with several high risk, high reward strategies. Producing one of the most memorable first strikes ever seen in tournament Forts.

2:15 into the match, Team MotoPinderCircus introducing Team Green Leaf to Mortar o'clock
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And in 3rd place, team Green Leaf skillfully employing proven strategies and consistently making deep runs in tournaments. How much longer can the veterans fend them off before they claim their first title?


Team Green Leaf's Deckguns doing the talking
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[h3]1st Place - $150 in Steam Gift cards[/h3]

Boat Cannoneers

• EtaN
  
• Tar
  
• Taichu
  

[h3]2nd Place - $75 in Steam Gift cards[/h3]

MotoPinderCircus

• Gusteagle
  
• Karaba
  
• pile rouillée
  

[h3]3rd Place - $30 in Steam Gift cards[/h3]

Green Leaf

• Dranistian
  
• Robostos
  
• Vykro
  

Prizes split equally between teammates

[h2]Challengermode Bracket[/h2]
Tournament XXVII Bracket

[h2]Replays & VODs[/h2]

Thank you to hosts and casters Project Incursus, Salzwerk, and GoldSpammer

Tournament replays will soon be available in the Featured tab of the Replays menu in-game, and tournament videos are available below.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]



German cast with Salzwerk and GoldSpammer
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h2]Make Sure To Join Our Discord[/h2]

If you haven't already, join our Forts Official Discord server to connect with other players, share strategies, create maps/mods, and receive advance notice of upcoming events.


Cheers,
EWG

G'day Forts fans!

Happy 2024! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. And to kick off the new year we're announcing our next official tournament. XXVII will be held on the High Seas January 20th at 7pm UTC. This event will be 3v3 Team Death Match with up to 8 teams competing on a variety of maps. Each round will be a best of 3 matchup with the winner advancing and the vanquished sinking to the depths. There will also be a bronze match to decide 3rd place.



Registration will open at 8pm UTC today. In order to register, team captains should message 42scientist on the Forts Official Discord server with their team name (16 characters max), team logo (128x128 pixels), team tag (3 characters), and team roster including the Steam ID of each team member.

Hosts:
Project Incursus Salzwerk

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On to the details.


When will Registration open?

January 6th at

• 12pm PT (West Coast USA)
  
• 3pm ET (East Coast USA)
  
• 8pm GMT (London)
  
• 9 CET (France, Germany)
  
• 8am January 7th QLD (Brisbane Australia)
  

Entries submitted before this time will not be accepted. Once registration has opened the first 8 teams to submit a valid entry will be admitted. Valid entries must fulfill the requirements listed below under How do I join?


How will teams be seeded?

Seedings will be based on past results in official events and ranked seasons.


Prizes?

The prize pool is as follows:

• 1st place $150
  
• 2nd place $75
  
• 3rd place $30
  
  

Prizes will be awarded in the form of Steam digital gift cards, divided amongst teammates.

If you have any additional questions please contact us on Discord.
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[h2]How do I join?[/h2]

In order to participate, you must do the following...

• Join the Official FORTS Discord
  
• Your names on Discord and Steam must match and include your team tag (see below)
  
• Inappropriate competitor or team names and logos will not be accepted
  
• Send a message on Discord to 42scientist with your team name, tag, roster, and logo
  
• Team names should be 16 characters or less
  
• Team tags should be 3 characters
  
• Team rosters should include links to each player's Steam profile
  
• Team logos should be 128x128 pixels
  
• Registration will not open until January 6th at 3pm ET (8pm UTC)
  
• Maximum of 8 teams
  

Team Capacitor
[CAP] Fred
(Link to Fred's Steam profile)
[CAP] Max
(Link to Max's Steam profile)
[CAP] Sal
(Link to Sal's Steam profile)

Sample entry with Team and Logo

• Tournament XXVI starts January 20th, 2024 at...
  
• 11am PT (West Coast USA)
  
• 2pm ET (East Coast USA)
  
• 7pm GMT (London)
  
• 8pm CET (France, Germany)
  
• 6am January 7th QLD (Brisbane Australia)
  

• The FORTS Tournament lobby
  
• The Official FORTS Discord
  
• Challengermode Bracket

• 3v3 Team Death match
  
• Single elimination via best of 3 rounds
  
• 20 minute time limit
  
• High Seas enabled
  
• Moonshot enabled
  
• Tons of Guns enabled
  
• Portals enabled
  
• Commanders enabled
  
• No Commander bans! All commanders reporting for duty!
  
• Draws decided by core damage inflicted (total damage if core health is equal)
  
• Maximum of 8 teams
  
• Check-in on Discord starts 1 hour before tournament
  
• Late or absent players forfeit their matches
  
• Use of exploits or bugs for self-charging or any other purpose is strictly forbidden.
  
• Earthwork Games reserves the right to make changes to this event as needed
  

Project Incursus Salzwerk


Including but not limited to:
Chasm
Dark Shoals
Fracked
Hillboat 4v4
Stormy Waters
The Leviathan
Three Frigates 3v3


Cheers,
EWG

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Forts festive cheer is here!

The holidays theme is now live! Along with features from previous years such as the themed front end, holiday jingle and baubles, decorations for tech buildings and snowball ammunition; we've also dressed the reactor. Land a critical hit on that over-sized bauble and enjoy the snowflake cloud and enchanting sounds effects!

Holiday themed reactor and effects.
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Snowball ammunition.
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And why not spread some seasonal cheer among your friends and family by taking advantage of the Steam Winter Sale discounts and gifting them some festive Forts goodness from across the entire catalogue?

https://store.steampowered.com/app/410900/Forts/

Happy holidays from the whole EWG crew, and we will see you in the new year!

Cheers,
EWG