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Brigand: Oaxaca News

Epiphany (and new test branch version)

Just had a major moment of realization thanks to the people doing the Chinese translation, and it might fix this ancient problem with anti-virus programs corrupting saves. I was saving variables as both strings and binary to the save files (*GAM), depending on variable type. This made it impossible to open saves with notepad.

The latest test branch now saves and loads everything as a string, and the saves are now plain text that can be edited with notepad. As a bonus, somehow the files are smaller. I used to think notepad couldn't open saves because they were too big and notepad was too stupid. Now I know better, and I'm gonna update Warlord with this soon also.

I still haven't had time to install anti-virus programs and test if they still fuck it all up, but I do know that now translators and modders can edit the *.GAM save files with notepad and search+replace whatever words or item descriptions they want.

I also included 4 new commands to edit the HUD labels for "Chapter", "Respect", "Info", and "(none)". All the globals.bsl scripts now have those 4 extra commands to set the HUD labels.

Gonna keep this update in test branch for another week or so to make sure nothing gets fucked up. To opt in to the test branch, right-click Brigand in Steam, go to Betas tab, and choose "Test" from Beta Participation. If you have a save that you are working on or attached to, back it up or just don't opt in to the beta.

It does take a couple extra seconds to save and load (because it has to convert variables to strings and back), but it makes modding so much easier, and I have a food feeling anti-virus programs will not fuck with my game or my brain anymore, so it's worth it.

Warlordocracy Early v18.2 to 19.0

Been a month since the last cross-promo. Lots of progress on Warlordocracy. There are now inventory pets, including a parrot that you can command to take a shit on people. Greatly improved stealth mechanics and balanced combat. Also there are new sprites, objects, sidequests, and bug fixes. Still working on Chapter 4 -- should be done by New Years.

Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1748160/Warlordocracy/

Itch Page: https://blancaster45.itch.io/warlordocracy-early

LCSoft Page: https://laughingcoyote.net/warlord





Complete list of changes:

EARLY ACCESS 19.0:

-Updated all chapters with new objects and wheat tiles.
-New objects: pallet, crane, craneTop, waterWheel2, waterWheel3, gearBig, gearBig2, holeMassive.
-New script command: "findObj" to find map and position of all objects in story of given name.
-New script boolean: "if_objCountForces" to test for number of mobiles of given faction name.
-New trog character: Cliffdancer (ambassador outside Jawala's Tower in Ch.4).
-Fixed cliff section on Drumwave Peak that wasn't blocking movement in Ch.3.
-Fixed crossbow hit script so Woodcraft now gives bonus damage (like bows).
-Trog and ratfolk AI scripts no longer conceal or burrow while in combat.
-Confused and Unconscious status effects now cancel evasion and parry.
-Confused status now causes mobiles to change direction constantly.
-Improved some dialogue, books, and signs in all chapters.
-Bone Dagger must now recharge with blood to leech health.
-New magic sword: Parched Throat (also leeches, for Ch.4).
-New sprite for leech animation effect.
-Lots of Ch.4 progress.


EARLY ACCESS 18.9:

-New cliff color alternatives: cliffB (changed Nightsteam Reef tiles).
-Removed ".png" file extension in sprite variables and saved games (making file size smaller).
-Wealth and inventory now contribute very slightly to party level (every 1000 wealth increases level by 1).
-Raft now positioned farther north on Berindal Beach in Ch.3 to avoid an immediate fight when travelling there.
-Fixed strange party import bug where final inventory slot of final party member had a blank item.
-Blunt weapons now have a chance of knocking target back (higher chance with more damage).
-Script boolean "if_damage" can now be used in weapon use and mobile attack scripts.
-Updated all demos, encyclopedia, Player's Manual (weapons section).
-Lots of Ch.4 progress.


EARLY ACCESS 18.8:

-When Spotting, you can now detect concealed mobiles behind you up to 5 paces away.
-Caltrops, clamp traps, and tripwires no longer get triggered by same faction (set trap factions in all chapters).
-Crippling Strike now has a range of two, and attacker jumps one pace toward target (similar to Dirty Tricks).
-New parameter for "factionReact" and "objMobSkill" commands: "all" (to set all factions or skills).
-New script command: "revealAll" (reveals all concealed objects on map regardless of LOS).
-New Master Neuromancy spell: Omniscience (reveals all concealed objects for 1 minute).
-Fixed script bug where party fatigue dialogue complaints weren't working.
-Party starvation/fatigue dialogue now resets when fed and rested.
-Map scripts now do not spawn waves while party is waiting.
-Switched up weather directions in Chapters 3+4.
-Lots of Ch.4 progress, updated all manuals.


EARLY ACCESS 18.7:

-Doubled speed of bow and spear animations (not actual combat speed).
-Woodcraft ability now gives 10% chance to deal extra damage while wielding bows.
-Player is no longer allowed to target concealed objects that haven't been spotted (also fixed tooltips).
-Must now be within 2 paces and facing to spot concealed objects that are not mobiles (still 5 paces for mobiles).
-New objects for Scouring ability: nest, stumpStash, shelfStash, dungeonStash (placed in all chapters).
-New script Boolean: "if_objOnTile" (check for first 4 characters of tile image name, ex. "sand").
-Changed "Pocket Sand" action to "Kick Dirt" in Dirty Tricks ability, must now be on dirt or sand.
-Burrowing ability now requires you to be on sand or snow tiles (not shallows).
-Trogs will now burrow during the day while outside and standing on sand.
-New horse sound effects (thanks to Sonic Kitchen).
-New desert objects for Ch.4: pillarDesert.
-Fixed Tycho Luzi's stash in Ch.1.


EARLY ACCESS 18.6:

-Player can no longer target concealed enemies (unless they have been spotted).
-Fixed bug where mobs wouldn't stay concealed if standing in slow tiles while loading map (sand, etc.).
-Added a swimming transition to Berindal Basement that leads outside to Berindal Refuge.
-New alternative tent colors for different factions in Ch.4.
-New alternative object sprites for Ch.4: blockB, tilesOldB.
-New map tiles for Ch.4: battlementsC.
-Lots of progress on Ch.4.


EARLY ACCESS 18.5:

-Fixed bug in combatSounds.wsl script where spears weren't playing sounds.
-Fixed bug in useItems.wsl AI script so AI no longer throws bombs at close range.
-Replaced Pocket Sand ability with new Dirty Tricks ability (list of actions, including Pocket Sand).
-New parameter option for "objMove" command: "forward" (move mobile in current direction).
-New parameter option for "objKnockback" command: "-1" (object is knocked toward target).
-New script boolean: "if_objLoadFree" to test for unused load in mobile's inventory.
-New script boolean: "if_objMobUnarmed" to test if object is not carrying a weapon.
-Fixed bug with obtaining pets without enough unused inventory load.
-Henchmen and pets are now forbidden from initiating travel.
-Improved "objKnockback" function to be more precise.
-New objects: treeApple, eggSnallygaster (Ch.4).
-New sound effects: bear, qwirl (Ch.4).
-New pet: qwirl (Ch.4).
-Updated both manuals.


EARLY ACCESS 18.4:

-Fixed bug with stacked magical jewelry in inventory.
-Fixed importing party with magic jewelry (for real this time).
-Fixed armor script (replaced old "light" damage with new "acid" damage type).
-Changed "Guano" item name to "Fertilizer", added fertilizer to horse and cow grazing areas.
-New alternative item sprites for desert stones (brown) and guano fertilizer (white).
-New usable objects: armor1, armor2, armor3 (unlocks player armor when used).
-Player now has the option to show Tycho Luzi's journal to Asemius in Ch.2.
-Added locked cell door scripts, locked cells in Berindal basement in Ch.3.
-Added lots of bloodstains, corpses, and coins to Berindal manor in Ch.3.
-Added obtainable leather armor to Berindal manor in Ch.3.
-Player now loses leather armor at the start of Ch.3.
-Added Note in Blood to Berindal Basement in Ch.3.


EARLY ACCESS 18.3:

-New pet abilities: Defecate, Fire Breath.
-Fixed bug with music script where you couldn't play for benefits.
-New Izari boss scripts for Ch.4: Ice Cleric, Fire Cleric, Wild Cleric, Dream Cleric.
-Party members can now talk to henchmen, just not the main party (so they can collect pets).
-Increased Hamchop's skills and base melee damage, changed encyclopedia description to say "expendable".
-HUD now displays "Inventory Disabled" for animals, etc. (instead of max load=-1).
-Fixed dropping pets from inventory (should run use script).
-Improved Ch.3 dialogue (Wahu gives hint about Bone Dagger).
-Feluco now goes auto-berserk sometimes if below 50% health.
-Berserk status effect now increases movement speed.
-Fixed Meta recharge from cancelling Defensive Stance.
-Reputation window now always displays player pic.
-Fixed bug with "objMissile" command.
-New pet sounds for parrot and cat.


EARLY ACCESS 18.2:

-Finished Stormeye's quest in Ch.3 and added pet cat.
-You can now take Berindal's parrot in Ch.3 as a pet.
-Dropping pets from inventory now automatically deploys them.
-Changed tutorial messages based on whether touchscreen is enabled.
-New script Boolean: "if_touchscreen" to test if touchscreen is enabled.
-New script Boolean: "if_objLoadMax" (test for max load, -Door scripts now forbid mobiles with disabled inventories from opening doors (animals, etc.).
-Error window now displays when more than 19 scripts are loaded at once (instead of game crashing).
-New sprite: bird6 (pet parrot).
-Lots of progress on Ch.4.

Version 14.8

Save files are now 10% to 20% smaller, and there is a new option in the launcher to accommodate for multiple languages: Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Russian, Baltic, Greek, Turkish, Arabic, and Hebrew. Russian and Chinese translations already underway.






Also fixed a few minor bugs with volume settings and NIGHTMARE Spanish translation.


Complete list of changes:

SOURCE CODE:
-Completely reworked save files (smaller, more efficient).
-Included new language option in Launcher for future translations.
-Demo Launcher can now change all settings other than world editor.
-INI file now shows launcher options so it can be edited by hand more easily.
-Fixed bug with "giveToPlayer" and "giveToDefault" commands that would occasionally exit the current script.
-Fixed some minor volume settings glitches when loading maps and games.

SCRIPTS:
-(PANAMA) Fixed character creation screen background in SQUIRREL challenge map.
-(NIGHTMARE) Fixed voodoo AI and Steam achievements in NIGHTMARE Spanish translation.
-(EXTRAS) Buffed the character classes in PANZY story in EXTRAS DLC (to match custom class skill points).

RESOURCES:
-Updated all story files with new save format.

New Test Branch

Just streamlined the save files so they are about 10% to 20% smaller now. Old saves will still load, and they will be converted as soon as you save again. Also improved the INI file to include language support for Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Turkish, Greek, and a lot more. There may be more translations coming besides Russian.

To test the new build, right-click Brigand in Steam, choose Betas tab, then select "Test Version" from the drop-down menu. I want to be careful not to fuck up anyone's saves, so not gonna make the patch official until it's tested more.

Version 14.7

Fixed 3 script bugs with NIGHTMARE, including a major one with summoning Kalfu on bonus map, removed unnecessary skeletonArm.x files in PANAMA DLC that were causing crash on Steam Deck. Fixed bug with virtual keyboard keys 7 and 8. Launcher now detects if you're using Steam and hides Steam notes if not. Buffed Chilling Orb slightly, and prevented backtracking after talking to Marvin (he should never leave the underground).

Final patch of all time.


Complete list of changes:

SOURCE CODE:
-Fixed touchscreen keyboard keys 7 and 8.
-Launcher app now detects if Steam is open and displays Steam notes accordingly (for GOG).
-Fixed bug with "giveToPlayer" and "giveToDefault" commands that would occasionally exit the current script.

SCRIPTS:
-Fixed Detect Motive dialogue option with Zac.
-Buffed Chilling Orb from 6 to 8 damage (13 damage with 60 Voodoo).
-Loose plank in Toxic Caves now breaks when you talk to Marvin (Marvin isn't allowed to leave underground).
-(NIGHTMARE) Engineer now gets Woodcraft ability in character creation in NIGHTMARE (no Silencers ability).
-(NIGHTMARE) Fixed bug where smoking coca leaves would not recharge Meta in NIGHTMARE.
-(NIGHTMARE) Fixed bug with Kalfu dialogue in Shrouded Cove.

RESOURCES:
-(NIGHTMARE) Included missing Kalfu model in NIGHTMARE.
-(PANAMA) Deleted skeletonArm.x models in PANAMA, which were crashing game on Steam Deck (default DBOs used instead).