Brigand: Oaxaca News

Wrote an article on why I went with a chapter system for Warlordocracy instead of making it true open world: https://blancaster45.blogspot.com/2023/09/chapter-system-vs.html

Been almost a month since I cross-posted for Warlordocracy. Did tons of work on the pathfinding recently. Still not perfect, but improving. Also made AI scripts have archers change to melee weapons when close to target, added a couple new abilities (Analyze Character, Leadership), status effects (Inspired, Resist Pierce), and reputations (Krug Slayer, Smuggler).

Also, there's a new character screen that displays all stats+inventory at once, and you can now drop an item on a party member to give it to them. There is now a centralized encyclopedia so the save files don't have to repeat object descriptions over and over for each instance. Tons of other fixes.

I've been distracted by other shit, but Chapter 2 should be out by Halloween. Here are some videos on the progress, followed by a complete list of changes:

Pathfinding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_RB_ZKOgHk
Catacombs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx8_gasgNN8
Giving Items: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoifECbp51U
Character Screen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49_D0Wsf6wA


EARLY ACCESS 8.8:

-Improved pathfinding checks for cutting corners across blocked tiles.
-Fixed combat checks for travel and rest, beds now also check for combat.
-Interacting with a hostile now automatically attacks.
-Fixed music repeatedly restarting when changing maps.
-Fixed bug where AI would attack massive bones.
-Fixed sound effect when dropping/giving items.
-Fixed pathfinding around blocking map tiles.


EARLY ACCESS 8.7:

-Doorways are no longer automatic AI waypoints (fixes double door pathfinding bug).
-Added waypoints over every door in Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, and some extras in narrow corridors.
-Fixed bug where waypoints wouldn't work if destination is immediately south of blocked tile.
-Fixed bug where crates did not have a proper use script (now useExam).
-Improved a couple maps in Chapter 1.
-Updated manuals.


EARLY ACCESS 8.6:

-Improved waypoint AI (doorways and invisible waypoint markers).
-AI path check now also checks to make sure mobile can't cut across impassible corners.
-AI now checks two paths: diagonal movement first and diagonal movement last (greatly improving pathfinding).
-You can now set objBlock to 4 to make blocking object ignore pathfining checks (unlocked doors).
-New script commands: "objMobEquipMelee" and "objMobEquipRanged" to switch weapons.
-AIUseItems.wsl script now switches between melee and ranged weapons.
-Gave melee weapons to most archers and hunters in Chapter 1.
-Max movement speed is now 6 (up from 4).


EARLY ACCESS 8.5:

-Fixed bug where party members would auto-switch targets when attacked, even if they already had a target.
-Two new reputations in Chapter 1: Smuggler (do Brayna's quests), and Krug Slayer (kill Gug).
-Increased max encyclopedia entries from 999 to 9999 (currently over 650 entries).
-Updated Mr. Beaves tutorial text, improved some Ch.1 dialogue.
-Updated Player's and Builder's Manual.


EARLY ACCESS 8.4:

-Added status effects: Inspired, Resist Pierce.
-Added abilities: Analyze Character, Leadership.
-Confused status effect now prevents characters from using abilities.
-Looms now let you craft with fabrics using the Naturalism ability (and only looms).
-Encyclopedia searches now automatically remove articles and "bottle of" prefixes to entry titles.
-New achievement script commands: "achieveTag", "achieveName", and "achieveDesc".
-Changed "steam" script command to "achieve" and added in-game achievement list.
-New objects: dungeonB3+4 (catacomb inlets), doorAncient (Hargate), sarcophagus.
-Character screen now displays encyclopedia entry and equipped item.
-Improved lots of encyclopedia entries, added main characters.
-Fixed Pocket Sand ability script.


EARLY ACCESS 8.3:

-Dropping an item on a party member now gives it to them (tooltip now "Drop/Give").
-Inventory and character windows don't show unless you also have a character selected.
-New script command: "objMobCharScreen" to show full character screen of current mobile object.
-New script command: "storyDemo" to delete all maps after given map ID (to easily make demo versions).
-Command resets to Interact after using abilities or dropping items (so you can see the game messages).
-Fixed bug with leftover text after closing character screen, removed arrow buttons if character is not in party.
-Fixed bug where changing volume in journal settings wouldn't immediately change volume.
-Fixed major bug with "objPos" command fucking up object positions when changing maps.
-"ObjMobPlayer" script command must now be set to 0 or 1 (0 cancels player).
-Added inventory load info to character screen.
-Added dog bark sounds to AI script.
-Updated Chapter 2 Demo.


EARLY ACCESS 8.2:

-New complete character info screen, accessible from the journal settings menu.
-New encyclopeida feature and script so object descriptions don't repeat and inflate save file size.
-Added script commands: "encycTitle", "encycTopic", and "encycText" to edit encyclopedia entries.
-Gave bonuses to certain weapons in Throw Object and Whirlwind abilities.
-Fixed bug where weather text wouldn't appear in journal window.
-Improved INI file and included labels for each setting.
-Added settings option to adjust HUD transparency.
-Invisible AIBlock2 objects now have separate name.
-Party no longer has to be gathered to travel.
-Updated Player's Manual.


EARLY ACCESS 8.1:

-AI now prioritizes closer hostile mobiles when looking for targets, also optimized AI framerate.
-If Party AI is set to advanced, party now targets hostiles up to 4 paces away (first checks 2 paces away).
-Closed doors are now excluded from obstacle avoidance checks (so pathfinding will open closed doors).
-New invisible AIBlock object that blocks non-combat pathfinding checks (behind windows, etc).
-Fixed waypoint detection along the wall while south of doorways (all doorways are waypoints).
-Empty bottles are now throwable like stones, vases, and plates (glass now deals less damage).
-Properly fixed priority of world editor item selection (items on tables vs. in containers).
-Option to forget an ability and regain 2 Karma if you already have 10 abilities.
-Shop window now displays merchant respect at top.
-Fixed minor flaw in obstacle avoidance function.
-Fixed bug with Confusion wandering effects.
-Fixed script bug with wagon scene art.


EARLY ACCESS 8.0:

-Leaving quantity blank when getting/dropping items now means all.
-Accuracy decreases when shooting targets moving at normal speed or higher.
-Now impossible to position objects out of map bounds with "objPos" command.
-Fixed bug in alchemy script from previous guano patch with brewing major bombs.
-Fixed error messages about "hostile" faction in globals script (must start new game).
-Fixed major bug from last patch where giving/recieving items in dialogue would fuck up.
-Fixed problem in scripts and code where concealed mobiles would reset status every time map is loaded.
-Updated Chapter 2 demo map (Foreign District), further separating bandits and militia HQs.
-Changed some confusing Feluco dialogue about faction respect and joining the party.
-Doorways now have blockFly=1 to stop birds from entering houses.

Minor update, fixing some world editor bugs I missed while making a series of tutorial videos for the world editor. Also, I included those 15 videos in the COMMUNITY DLC (275mb).

Tutorial Video Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFCx-dLWR2s

Complete list of changes:

SOURCE CODE:
-Decreased AI darkness range by 200.
-"NewStory" command now calls the globals script.
-Fixed bug where opening manuals in the F1 world editor wasn't working.
-Fixed bug where new R-Click object adjuster tool in World Editor wasn't updating object collision.
-"DeusEx" god mode command now sets flying and aquatic to 1 as well.

RESOURCES:
-(EXTRAS) Added 15 tutorial videos for the world editor to the Stuff folder in EXTRAS DLC.

Added smokes into BRIGAND - NIGHTMARE DLC thanks to Quadrajet's scripts. Also fixed a problem with skeleton arms attacking, where they were testing collision between people's legs and missing the crotch entirely. Final update of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRnwu2aNBs0

Complete list of changes:

SOURCE CODE:
-Added script command: "deusEx" to max out a sentient object's skills, abilities, and resistances.
-Fixed broken attack code for very short attackers (currently only skeleton arms).
-Fixed menu messages when changing game speed.

RESOURCES:
-SkeletonArms now spawn higher on the Y axis in INI script and have 50 Stealth (plus a face image).
-Updated object and added use script: vendorCig.
-New object and icon: cigs.
-New face: skeletonArm.

STORY FILES: (requires starting a new game)
-(NIGHTMARE) Updated cigarette vendor scripts and placed a couple more in NIGHTMARE and NIGHTMARE (ES) story files.

Finally got an alpha version of Chapter 2 DLC up on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/warlordocracy-2-87985246

Warlordocracy link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1748160/Warlordocracy/


New art for character creation screen by Staginski (straginski.newgrounds.com):



Starting a day job tomorrow, but next weekend I'll try to improve pathfinding again. Long list of changes below.


EARLY ACCESS 7.9:

-Chapter 2 Alpha on Patreon: patreon.com/lcsoftware -New art for character creation screen by Straginski.
-Up/Down keys can now select choices in dialogue windows.
-Giving orders while inventory, character, or journal is open now does interact command (not move).
-Fixed bug where sprites standing in slow tiles (sand, water) were scissored wrong when zoomed out.
-Fixed priority when selecting objects in world editor (mobiles are top priority, objects with drawPri "bottom" are bottom priority).
-Game now automatically deletes "Chapter X Demo" stories if the full story is found in the list (where X is 1 through 6).
-"PickName" script command now avoids main player object (because player name can be anything).
-Edited Lockdell Market and Tuskwood maps so party AI doesn't get stuck as easily.
-You can no longer talk to mobiles that are unconscious, confused, or berserk.
-Fixed bug where most mobiles would be facing north after loading a map.
-Added combat music when fighting Ralo or Murag in Chapters 1 and 2.
-Fixed bug with positions when importing party.
-Corpses now automatically cancel targets.


EARLY ACCESS 7.8:

-Map step sounds no longer play if character is concealed.
-Using inventory items that are not usable will automatically examine them.
-Set caltrops and bear traps are now concealed (and type "usable" so concealment works properly).
-Fixed bug where party members would change direction when new effect objects like waves were created.
-Fixed bug where saved game speed settings wouldn't take effect when launching game (now 94 FPS, not 100).
-Changed "Resist Mind" status effect to "Self-Attuned" (now resists mind+body damage).
-Improved color of blue Meta bar on party member panel (easier to see).
-Added status effect: "Insulated" (resist shock and mind damage).
-Alchemy now lets you craft boomdust from guano with 7 Education.
-Added items: guano, potionAttune, potionInsulate, potionFocus.
-Changed Streetwise ability icon.


EARLY ACCESS 7.7:

-Crafting scripts now take time (for hunger, etc.).
-New setting to double game speed outside of combat.
-Game now keeps track of number of combatants (for speed setting).
-New script boolean: "if_numCombat" to check number of combatants.
-You can now drop items directly at your feet without being blocked.
-Fixed bug where party HUD sprites wouldn't appear for a second after changing maps.
-Fixed bug where teleporting mobiles to other maps would turn some sprites on current map invisible.
-Fixed bug where "factionReact" command would screw up default's target for "pickTarget" in scripts.
-Pressing SPACE, ENTER, or ESC picks choice ending in "(Cancel)", "(Done)", "(Back)", or "(Continue)".
-Trogs now slowly regenerate health in checks scripts.
-Added new text to book script: Berindal Company.


EARLY ACCESS 7.6:

-Ratfolk is now a faction.
-No more tooltips for concealed objects.
-Camera now only centers on party member selection on a double click.
-Scouring ability now makes feather.wav sound effect (same as prowling).
-Script command "mapStepSound=none" now works to cancel map step sounds.
-Party destinations now more lenient, cancels if adjascent and blocked by party.
-Fixed bug from last patch where HUD would temporarily fuck up when party member died.
-Fixed bug where character sprite wouldn't show in dialogue window if standing in water/sand.
-Removed duplicate sprite assets (may cause old saves to crash, contact me).
-Added main characters: Stasimus, Panos, Roach.


EARLY ACCESS 7.5:

-Fixed party select sound echo when selecting from map.
-Fixed major bug where passable floor traps like caltrops wouldn't trigger.
-Fixed bug where a random object collision script would run when colliding with blocked map tiles.
-Added a frame PNG for full-screen images like chapter screens, etc.
-Added main characters: Lara, Stormeye.
-Updated logo tune with coyote sounds.

You can now use R-Mouse in the F2 world editor (or select the option in the F1 GUI editor) to easily adjust the target object's position, angle, and scale. Also listing some other recent fixes thanks to Discord.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Complete list of changes:

SOURCE CODE:
-Added slider option to world editor for position, angle, and scale (menu option in F1 editor, R-Click in F2 editor).
-New logo music track with coyote overlay.

SCRIPTS:
-Fixed major hunger problem with main character while controlling other party members in all stories.
-Fixed error message when playing insanity sound in bed script.
-Fixed sound effects with Bone Blast spell, now insta-kills skeleton arms.
-Removed lots of "YO!" messages in scripts that were left over from old debugging.
-(BATTLES) Removed armor from Rains Through Roof's shop at Junkfort (fucked up player skin).

RESOURCES:
-New music: logo.mp3.
-(EXTRAS) Added new HUD compass for axis directions.