Soft Reset, Hardline Engage
[p]Hello hackmudders![/p][p][/p][p]We've been hard at work hacking stuff together and are thrilled to announce a major update! The centerpiece is the official launch of our Original Soundtrack Vol. 2, crafted by the amazing Ryan Ike. These new tracks, which have been in the works since 2018, join the iconic soundscape created for OST 1 by the legendary Lena Raine.[/p][p]This soundtrack is just one part of a major update that moves us closer to our grander vision for the game, deepens our investment in our community, and kicks off a surprise crossover event.[/p][p][/p][h3]The Sound: Original Soundtrack Vol. 2[/h3][p]After a lot of hard work and years, we are jazzed that we have finally finished the second volume of the hackmud soundtrack. This update adds a whole bunch of new music to the game, with a heavy emphasis on hardline tracks. Alongside these new additions, we have also brought the original OST 1 hardline tracks back into the game, fully integrated with the new audio system.[/p][p]The Wait Is Over™–Hot off the digital presses, the 1-800-bangerz-only Original Soundtrack Vol. 2 is now available for purchase on bandcamp! If you love how hard it goes as much as we do, you should definitely explore more of Ryan Ike's badass discog on his homepage. The new soundtrack is also available on all major streaming platforms.[/p][p]At the same time, we're thrilled to announce that the legendary Original Soundtrack Vol. 1 by Lena Raine has been added to all major streaming platforms for the first time! You can also purchase it directly on bandcamp, and be sure to check out more of her iconic work on radicaldream.land.[/p][p]We've integrated these new tracks directly into the game's environment, where you will experience them through gameplay, and tracks are tied to the difficulty of content.[/p][p]For those who want more control over their audio experience, this update also adds cool new audio functionality inside the game. Individual tracks can be purchased with bits. Using the new `gui.tracks` command, you can customize your playlists. You can also assign your purchased hardline tracks to your loc using `users.config`, so other players will hear your track selections when they connect. It’s like jamming a mixtape into the boombox strapped to your loc's shoulder![/p][p]Get bits by purchasing them in the store or by trading GC and upgrades. Supporters get the best value: a bonus on all bits purchases and lower trade fees.[/p][p][/p][p]Get the Music: Play the game, find the OSTs on Bandcamp and your favorite Streaming Services: OST1 | OST2[/p][p][/p][h3]The Vision: A Retro-Futurist RPG[/h3][p]The new soundtrack is a huge part of the game's identity. Alongside it, we want to share how we are aligning the game with its true identity: a retro-futurist RPG.[/p][p]We took our latest big step with the marks system, and we continue today with the addition of priv_store. This acts as a personal safety deposit box for your GC, protecting up to 1B337MGC. The priv_store cannot be retired under any circumstances, so GC stored in your priv_store will be safe if you step away; come back anytime and you’ll have a nest-egg to get you started again. [/p][p]This change is part of a larger philosophy. We believe PvP and multiplayer are the 'danger spice' of hackmud's roleplaying-- but right now, that spice is too spicy, especially for players just starting out or returning. To that end, we have also begun making balance and quality of life changes at the lower tiers to allow people to get into the game with less friction. Some of these changes have already gone live, and we will continue developing the game toward this vision with your support.[/p][p][/p][p]Try it out: Log in now to check out priv_store and experience the new balance changes for yourself.[/p][p][/p][h3]The Community: Cultivating our Shared Space[/h3][p]It is Pride Month! hackmud is, and always will be, a queer-friendly community. To celebrate, we have been reaching out to underserved and underrepresented communities interested in tech, as well as engineers and professionals recently impacted by the current economic climate. At the time of this announcement, we have given away more than 200 free hackmud keys to awesome partners, local and global: Lambert House, transprogrammers, Hope Adongo School - Kenya, piratesoftware and more, and we are still going! [/p][p]We also want to formally recognize the players who make this community great. We have created the helperbot_v2 role to say “THANKS” to those who consistently help others, and create a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds and skill levels. This quarter's awesome helperbot_v2s are: gear, jumpsplat120, marto, sudonym, and zez! Hit 'em with a 🎉 emoji when you see them.[/p][p][/p][p]Get Involved: If you know of a community or organization that we should connect with, please reach out in our discord, or on LinkedIn and let us know.[/p][p][/p][h3]The Event: A Planned Coincidence[/h3][p]We're incredibly excited to announce our next event: an official hackmud game jam to support Coincidence (the artists formerly known as Zachtronics) with the launch of their new game, Kaizen: A Factory Story![/p][p]We’ve always been huge fans. The games they create strongly align with our own ComCODE mission, so we're hosting this jam right inside hackmud to channel that shared energy and build excitement for their launch.[/p][p]Remember the goal of our jams: "hacking together experiences and other cool stuff." And while community voting can be sweet, the real win is seeing a flood of new creations for everyone to enjoy. The point is to encourage building, sharing, and collaborating.[/p][p][/p][p]Stay Tuned: Follow our social channels (discord, steam) for more information on dates, the theme, and how to participate![/p][p][/p][h3]Support hackmud & ComCODE's Mission[/h3][p]We've been developing this game for a long time, and now, we're doing it as a non-profit: ComCODE. Supporting ComCODE directly fuels our mission and allows us to continue developing hackmud as a unique RPG that helps people gain skills which last a lifetime.[/p][p]As a supporter, you’ll help secure the game’s future and unlock awesome in-game benefits. Supporters get a bonus on all bits purchases and enjoy reduced trade fees, making it easier to build your collection of cosmetics like tracks, titles and ascii hats.[/p][p]Becoming a supporter is the best way to invest in its continued growth while getting more from the in-game economy. And since ComCODE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, your monthly contributions may be tax-deductible. If your employer offers donation matching, talk to us; your company's contribution can also unlock supporter benefits for you![/p][p][/p][p]Click here to become a ComCODE supporter[/p][p][/p][h3]Thank You![/h3][p]Thank you for your incredible support over the years. We can't wait for you to log in, hear the new music, and explore everything we've added. As the influencers say, “Let us know what you think in the comments!”[/p][p]See you in the MUD![/p]
