Forts News

No, this is not an April Fool! Update 1.25 has arrived on the first day of our bi-monthly cycle, a strategic manuever long intended and, at last, executed!

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[h2]Multiplayer Lobby Update[/h2]



In response to community requests, we have added extra features to the multiplayer lobby screen for extra ease of use and functionality.

1. Settings - Lets you change the lobby settings without the need to restart the lobby.
   
2. Options - Access the game options screen directly from the lobby.
   
3. Randomise Teams - Allows host to reshuffle teams with one click.
   
4. Sorted by Team - Teams are grouped together, and the host is indicated by the crown icon.
   
5. Team Selection - Instantly select the desired team instead of cycling.
   
6. Available Capacity - Shows when there is a surplus of players after a capacity reduction.
   
7. Force Start - Ignore players who are not ready when starting a game.
   

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[h2]Change List dlc2 32 r15978[/h2]

Add: "Nested" tag for workshop items that contain dependencies to other workshop items
Add: Mods can be dependent on other mods using Include table in mod.lua
Add: AddResourcesContinuous script function to contribute to resource rates
Add: Display an error message if a mod doesn't exist when trying to activate it
Add: Validation that all dependent workshop items exist when uploading an item to the workshop

Fix: (The Coming Storm) terrain over water
Fix: Weapon doors close prematurely while firing after 35 minutes
Fix: Weapons can't shoot devices that are very close
Fix: Overdrive can't downgrade without tech requirements of target
Fix: AI aiming can be incorrect for mortars where platform is sloped
Fix: Desync when joining in the place of an AI
Fix: GetStructurePos returns the incorrect position
Fix: Groups aren't updated when a weapon is moved
Fix: Collision after portal can be incorrectly handled as a reflection
Fix: Angled mortars have incorrect previous shot markers at some angles
Fix: Crash when reflecting shields are destroyed from projectile splash damage caused by the beam
Fix: Crash when starting instant replay and invalid devices exist in weapon groups
Fix: Crash trying to extrude or link a material with an invalid door target in front of a weapon_list.lua
Fix: Extruding a material with a recession target over a weapon doesn't recess it as is done with a single link
Fix: ExecuteInScript is unable to succeed when teamId matches the owner of the script, except for TEAM_ANY
Fix: AI and mission scripts are unable to call dofile
Fix: AI script ai/forts/hanging/long/fort-t1f1-TemplateHang-2.lua is unable to build or fire its lasers
Fix: Crash when using some terrain property keys with no terrain selected
Fix: First letter of Ukrainian language is not capitalised
Fix: Map Editor Save and Upload validates upload before saving map state, causing validation inconsistencies

Improve: When devices exceed population limits, they are now scrapped based on whether they are under construction, damaged, and how old they are
Improve: Bail out early with useful message when attempting to connect to an invalid Steam lobby id
Improve: Modifier keys can now be rebound through the options menu
Improve: Allow drag facing to work when moving a weapon via context menu
Improve: The options screen can now be accessed from the lobby (cog button)
Improve: lobby settings can be edited after starting the lobby (three lines button)
Improve: Can no longer report players who are on your friends list
Improve: Added a randomize teams button to the lobby
Improve: Show Cursor and Lock Teams moved to Lobby Settings
Improve: (Lock Teams) Allow new players to select their team when off
Improve: (Lock Teams) Prevents existing players from changing their team when off
Improve: Clients are sorted by team, and new popup for changing teams
Improve: New crown icon to indicate which player is the host
Improve: Removed the Player Details panel from the lobby select and expanded the server list
Improve: Added an icon on the lobby to show max player capacity
Improve: (ExecuteInScript) logs an error when the instruction causes an exception
Improve: add AI.AimingSpeedGraduations to constants.lua to increase aiming precision (at expense)
Improve: Environment mod and dependency upload validation
Improve: Generic workshop upload error message
Improve: jpg is attempted if dds, tga, and png extensions of a filename are not found
Improve: Map and campaign select screen mod download button placements for consistency
Improve: The lobby player panel has been reduced in size to make more space for the chat and mods panel

[h2]Change List dlc2 32b r16123[/h2]

Fix: adjacent mortars shoot each other
Fix: artificial host lag is stuck after being disabled
Fix: the 8th player can't be set to the observer team

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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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Congratulations once again to EtaN, champion of Season 27, whose list of accolades is far too large for this announcement to contain. In second place is Dranistian, backing up his Season 26 win with another stellar performance. And in third place Schuka achieves their first podium finish. Well done!

While the top 3 places receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze, every player finishing within the top 20 will receive a Season 2 Medal. Congratulations to all medalists as well!

Some Season 27 trivia:

• Precision targeting of weak points and wall foundations dominated top 20 matches, overtaking heavy weapon slugfests
  
• Eagle Eye early aggression builds are on the rise and making their presence felt
  
• The international Forts community had even more representation within the top 20 this season
  
• PSA: Just because you can swing your core on Pillars it doesn't mean you should.
  

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[h2]1v1 Leaderboard[/h2]

1. EtaN
   
2. Dranistian
   
3. Schuka
   
4. Malme
   
5. zebdww
   
6. 打帅币
   
7. [SUI]SaureDrops
   
8. 七神花露水
   
9. 籽岷妙妙屋
   
10. Armodillo
    
11. Not Poolboy
    
12. klaualles
    
13. 金凌Jin_Ling
    
14. Baumständer[OND]
    
15. Poolboy
    
16. [GG]David
    
17. juNyu
    
18. Vykro
    
19. neoboletus.erythropus
    
20. bilibili_模组小白
    

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[h2]Season 28[/h2]
Season 28 is already underway and will run through March 31st. This season's map pool consists of the following battlefields:

• Abyss
  
• Hang Time
  
• Ledge Grab
  
• Pillars
  
• Stalactites
  
• Vanilla
  

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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.


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Cheers,
EWG

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