Brigand: Oaxaca News

Ugly. Confusing. Mechanically unintuitive. Designed by a madman. These are the comments I've received on Hinge dates, but they're also how I'd describe Brigand: Oaxaca , a baffling but brilliant immersive sim from 2017 whose emphasis is on "total freedom of action" and murdering you repeatedly. It's hard, and has an uncompromising old-school design approach that demands you spend a few doomed playthroughs figuring out its character build system before you can really progress past the early game...
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Early Russian translation is now included in the free EXTRAS DLC. Set Charset to Russian in the game launcher and select BRIGNAD - OAXACA (RU) from the story list.



Included new script commands to save game/story as plain text, so you can edit the file with notepad, then change the extension back to .GAM and drop it back into the Stories folder. Plain text versions of every story are now included in their asset folders for translators or modders.

There are new commands to translate the rest of the HUD labels ("Chapter", "Respect", "Info", and "None"). Another new command to search for objects of given name on all maps. And there is now a separate section for documents in the Main Menu Settings.

Also a ton of minor bug fixes, mostly thanks to IntoxicatedHyena again, and also the people doing the Chinese translation (the next translation in progress).




Complete list of changes:

SOURCE CODE:
-Script command "resetStats" now resets object properties to init scripts on all maps (instead of just current map).
-New script command "saveGameTxt" to save in plain text format, so it can be edited with notepad, then loaded again.
-New script command "findObj" to find and list every instance of object with given name in current story.
-New script commands to change HUD labels: "chapterName", "infoName", "respectName", "nullName".
-Main menu now has a separate Documents section so you can view these updates.
-Fixed bug from last patch where 6 objectives wouldn't save at end of list.
-Saving now displays "please wait" message.

SCRIPTS:
-Updated all globals.bsl files with new label commands.
-Zac no longer teleports at sundown if he is a corpse (fixing error message).
-Using beer, beans, etc. now drops empty tin can at your feet (so it won't get stuck in walls, etc.).
-(PANAMA) Fixed bug with Samuel in PANAMA where he would train to max skills after finishing his quest.

RESOURCES:
-Updated Builder's Manual.
-Moved all menu images for OAXACA into DEFAULT folder.
-(EXTRAS) Included Russian translation in the EXTRAS DLC (thanks to JeRaff).
-(EXTRAS) Included plain text versions of all story files in their assets folders, updated Modding Guide.

Bug in stable branch: ITIC cribber and ghoul refugee quests don't show text in Objectives screen.

Bug in test branch: autosaves immediately after creating character won't load. All other saving work fine tho, along with Russian translation.

On bus now. Will fix the test branch bug tonight after my day job, please no negative reviews or I will crush you.

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.

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.