Empires of the Undergrowth News

In this optional beta update, we're introducing Remix - a new game mode accessible from the Arcade menu. With it, you can play almost any level in the game (from the campaign documentary missions, extra levels and demo levels) with almost any combination of ants or termites. The possibilities are nearly limitless!

[h3]This optional beta is for Windows 64 bit systems only. [/h3]

We're also introducing two new savannah-themed custom game maps - Grasslands, and Drive Them Back (custom game version). As far as the latter goes, this is something that has been requested for a whole and we've been meaning to give it a go. If it goes down well, we might make custom game versions of other campaign levels in the future. On both of these maps, you will spawn in a termite mound if playing as termites, and the remaining termite mounds will spawn non-colony fodder termites (as long as at least one Matabele colony is in play).

Finally, the long-awaited tier 5 & tier 4 challenge mode achievements are fully implemented and activated. You'll be able to earn these achievements on Steam immediately if you participate in the beta, but please report any issues you encounter with them to us on the discussion boards.

[h3]Code: balanceandchanges[/h3]

If you would like to join the beta, the code is balanceandchanges. If you don’t know how to join a beta and would like to, follow the instructions below:

1. Find Empires of the Undergrowth in your Steam library, right-click on it and choose "Properties"
   
2. Choose the "Betas" tab
   
3. In the box titled "Enter beta access code to unlock private betas", enter balanceandchanges
4. After the "Access code correct" information appears, make sure you've chosen "Open beta" from the "Select the beta you would like to opt into" drop-down menu
   
5. Press close - the game will now update to the beta branch.
   

• New game mode - Remix
  • Can play almost any level with almost any combination of ants or termites
    
  • Custom colonies will adopt the feeding habits of the selected queen
    
  • Accessed from the Arcade area of the main menu
    
  • Some combinations disallowed for technical reasons (ie, no Matabele medics in leafcutter colonies)
    
• New custom game maps - Grasslands & Drive Them Back (custom game version)
  • If playing as termites, will spawn in mounds otherwise in regular nest entrances
    
  • Non-colony fodder termites will otherwise spawn from unoccupied mounds if Matabele ants are in play
• Tier 5 & Tier 4 Challenge Mode Achievements
  • 8 new achievement for tier 4 levels with challenge mode
    
  • 45 new achievements for tier 5 levels
    
  • Can now be achieved and earned on Steam from this beta
    

[h2]Additions & Changes[/h2]

• Custom colonies now display the appropriate graphic for their chosen workers
  
• Custom colonies now just say "worker" and "queen" rather than gene thief
  
• Dead fish landmark replaced with map-appropriate large food sources
  
• Large food source landmark will spawn opposing ants that are map-appropriate
  
• Added Aloe version of aphid plants for savannah custom games
  
• Added an extra harvesting slot for woodlice
  
• 5.3 challenge scorpion no longer gets its abilities back when it respawns or moves underground (abilities that happen at 25%, 50% and 75% health)
  
• 5.3 challenge scorpion will no longer attempt to walk away when it performs a ground thump
  
• 5.3 challenge scorpion will only run away if engaged underground; if on the surface it will continue to fight so long as there are enemies to fight
  
• 5.3 challenge scorpion now only escapes when termite sun damage is in progress
  
• Fixed an issue that could cause an aphid to be deleted if a new aphid was taken to an occupied aphid slot on a plant
  
• Custom colony setup now has an "OK" button instead of a "Close" button for player assuredness
  
• Updated Strawclutch thumb to show alternate nests
  
• Updated the Slug Disco logo on the main menu
  
• Many localisation updates
  

[h2]Fixes[/h2]

• Fixed leafcutter colonies in a Skirmish game spawning as basic ereptor colonies
  
• Fixed termites, leafcutters and BHA major soldiers not harvesting the correct resource type when in a custom colony different to their usual feeding habits
  
• Custom Matabele colonies in custom games are now only given soldiers if they have them available
  
• Fixed custom AI leafcutter colonies building a media chamber even if they don't have them
  
• If the 5.3 challenge scorpion is killed on the surface its dialogue no longer plays on defeat (as it mentions being killed underground)
  
• Fixed a crash related to titan climbing
  
• Fixed a lignocellulose landmark issue
  
• Pheromone markers in enemy nests now respond to the smoke visual option
  
• Fixed remaining tile materials
  
• Prevented destructible barriers from being inspectable
  
• Fixed an issue where freeplay games would always assume 4 colonies in description
  
• Colony creatures other than leafcutters now make cutting sound when cutting leaves instead of digging sound
  
• Tug of War 3 text label fixed
  

Greetings, colony caretakers!

We’re excited to share the latest developments for Empires of the Undergrowth, including updates introduced in the optional beta for custom games. This update brings the highly anticipated Custom Colonies feature, enabling players to create unique colonies combining unit types in new ways. Additionally, Empires of the Undergrowth is part of the Hooded Horse November Publisher Sale, offering 50% off until November 23rd.

See other Hooded Horse games in our publisher sale.
Hooded Horse November Publisher Sale 2024

[h3]Recent Highlights: Custom Colonies Beta[/h3]
The optional beta introduces the Custom Colonies feature, allowing players to mix and match different ant and termite units to create their dream colony. This new system provides a fresh layer of strategy and creativity, enabling colonies to adopt unique feeding habits and abilities based on their chosen queen. While some combinations are restricted for technical reasons, most options are available.
Alongside Custom Colonies, several gameplay adjustments and fixes have been implemented:

• Balance Adjustments: Updates to lignocellulose nodes, termite spawn rates, and unit abilities refine the strategic flow of custom games.
  
• Fixes and Improvements: Lighting corrections, texture fixes, and updates to underground levels enhance the overall experience.
  

[h3]Learn More[/h3]
As a reminder, Empires of the Undergrowth is part of the Hooded Horse November Publisher Sale at 50% off until November 23rd.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the optional beta. Join the conversation in our forums or on Discord, and let us know your feedback!

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/463530/view/6706514098924945207?l=english

Until November 23rd, Empires of the Undergrowth is available at a 50% discount as part of the Hooded Horse Publisher Sale.

Command an ant colony and wage strategic battles in the insect kingdom. This ant-based RTS challenges players to build, defend, and expand their colony, using unique pheromone strategies and powerful warrior ants to survive against formidable foes.

See other Hooded Horse games in our publisher sale.
Hooded Horse November Publisher Sale 2024



https://store.steampowered.com/app/463530/Empires_of_the_Undergrowth/

Congratulations, Microids and Tower Five, on the Empire of the Ants launch! We're excited to announce that we've created an ant-credible bundle featuring our games to celebrate this fantastic release. Lead your colony through the perils of the forest in this groundbreaking, photorealistic RTS, where you command insect legions in epic battles.

Experience an epic microscopic world with our special bundle featuring both games.

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/47006/Empire_of_the_Ants__Empires_of_the_Undergrowth/

This update to the beta has a new feature for custom games - custom colonies! Using it, you can create an entirely unique colony for your game that mixes-and-matches many different unit types - for instance, you can have a Matabele colony with leafcutter majors and termite soldiers in it. Find the option in the colony setup section of the custom game launch menu. There are also further balance changes and fixes - see below for full notes.

If you're not currently participating in this optional beta and would like to, see the previous post for details on how to join it. The password is balanceandchanges.

[h2]Additions & Changes[/h2]

• New custom game feature: custom colonies
  • Allows colonies to contain virtually any ant or termite in the game
    
  • Can be selected in colony setup
    
  • Colony will adopt the feeding habits of the selected queen
    
  • Workers will match the queen
    
  • Some combinations are disallowed for technical reasons (eg: Matabele medics cannot be included in a leafcutter colony)
    
• Black ants in custom games now have armour (0/1/2, up from 0/0/0)
  
• 3 lignocellulose nodes per landmark will spawn at a time instead of 1
  
• Limited lignocellulose nodes per landmark to 15
  
• Increased time between termite spawns on the lignocellulose landmark (now every 6-30s, up from 4-20s)
  
• If a lignocellulose landmark has no mulch, termites spawned to harvest from it will despawn
  
• Big-headed ant major Adrenaline ability duration reduced to 20s (down from 40)
  
• Adrenaline ability now uses the same visuals as the fire ant Vigorous ability
  
• Fire ant Vigorous ability damage reduction buff is now 15% (down from 25%) in custom games
  

[h2]Fixes[/h2]

• Loading screen corrected for several extra levels
  
• Undergrounds of The Culling and Hibernation now use the rotting log environment
  
• Fixed lighting on multiple extra and demo levels
  
• Victory music for the Festive Spider seasonal level now works
  
• Fixed tunnel exit textures in Hibernation extra level
  
• Creature stats in the build menu will now use the ones currently in use, not just the story ones
  
• Moved some unharvestable leaves in 3.2 to be reachable
  
• Fixed an issue where saving and loading would cause the wrong egg type to appear on some termite tiles
  
• Attempted to fix a Cold Blood crash - please report if you are still getting crashes on this level