Cross of Auria News

I think it's safe to say the flurry of small updates is over for now. Some major issues were detected and fixed. Most notably: a switch activation was changed due to an entaglement with a bug that prevented entrance to Frost Forest. I've been keeping debugs safely tucked away with the Delivery Boy for several months now, but I was not able to do so with this one. So, for anyone who has reached the Meeting Hall scene - return to the meeting hall and open the chest. The combination is "18242369". This code will activate the appropriate switches allowing re-entry into Frost Forest for players who have no yet accessed the second world map which will be released alongside The Orc War update.

Additionally, the details of Founder's Pack II have been filled out and are ready for launch following the release of Founder's Pack I next Monday. While FP1 adds weapons and skills for Ruby, FP2 adds these for Miles with a focus on poisons. The creation of FP2 adds a new poison mechanic to all of Revan: increased probability. The short version is - for each longer duration poison you apply to an enemy, even longer poisons have a better chance to take hold. The poison dot featured in FP2 for Miles is a character specific attack based damage formula rather than a fixed value or a percentage. TLDR; The higher Miles's ATK, the more damage the poison will do each turn. Just like burns from FP1, longer duration poisons can not be overwritten by shorter duration ones. But most importantly, this new method of burn and poison will be used moving forward in the base game for everyone, not just DLC owners!

Final note for this update - This update will serve as the most current update for MAC users and MAC will officially be re-added to the supported list of platforms on the CoA Steam Store (provided no other crippling issues arise).

Full patch notes for 3.2.3.4 & all 3.2.3.3.X found here:

3.2.3.4 [Build #78, Release Date: July 29, 2020] MAC:
- This build serves as the most current MAC build at the time of its release.
Fixes:
- Fixed triggers for NPCs in Castle Grounds East, a result of a bug presented in 3.2.3.3.9.
Changes:
- Removed cast animations from all non-magic skills.
- Removed data for unused skills.
- Freeze now may occur for 1-2 turns, down from 1-3.
- The “Slow” status can no longer stack and lasts for 3 turns.
- Rabbit’s Foot sidequest now requires 20 Preserved Snowflakes (down from 50) and accurately removes them from the player inventory.
DLC:
- Changed some information in the Seraph’s Guidance and Seraph Strike skills.
- Added detail for Venom-Coated Strikes.
- Added detail for Basilisk Fangs.
- Added detail for new Poison system.
Known Issues:
- Players with save files after the Meeting Hall scene but before the Frost Forest entry will have to return to the Meeting Hall to trigger debug code which will allow Frost Forest entry.




3.2.3.3 [Build #77, Release Date: July 25, 2020]
Fixes:
- Removed the unfinished skills ‘skulltest’ and ‘Skullbolt’ from Ruby’s tech tree. During debug check points, this will be removed from game files who already have it learned.
Fixes (3.2.3.3.1)
- Removed an audio issue on the entry tile to the Frostbrood area of Den An’ura.
Fixes (3.2.3.3.2)
- Added an audio checkpoint to the large area of Frostbrood Lair to clear the missing audio prompt. Saving then reloading once a new zone theme song starts playing will prevent more audio load errors from appearing.
Fixes (3.2.3.3.3)
- Inserted Dungeon6 files back into the game and added audio checkpoints in each of the downstairs An’ura zones, which should resolve persisting audio issues.
New (3.2.3.3.4)
- Details filled out for Emberstrike, Vaporstrike, Firebolt & Waterbolt.
Changes (3.2.3.3.5)
- Changed Firebolt & Waterbolt to Magic.
- Set cast animation for Emberstrike & Vaporstrike to none.
Changes (3.2.3.3.6)
- Added icon for Tomes.
- Added temporary animations for Tier 1 Flasks.
- Added detail for Seraph’s Guidance.
Fixes (3.2.3.3.7)
- Fixed an issue which allowed entry to Frost Forest early. This issue can no longer be seen in new files and will be resolved in most cases by leaving the area.
Changes (3.2.3.3.8)
- Reduced the number of required Minor Health Potions by the Rabbit’s Foot from 50 to 20.
- Added a mixing station to the first instance of the Rabbit’s Foot.
Fixes (3.2.3.3.9)
- Fixed an issue where players with save files from before 3.2.3.3.7 that occurred in between entering Frost Forest but after the meeting hall scene could not enter Frost Forest.
Changes (3.2.3.3.10)
- Hell’s Gate field mechs now trigger battle on contact.
- Added rear blockers for the party split in Auria first visit.

Over the last few days, several bugs were detected and reported by players and promptly addressed. If you have discovered a bug or something out of place or that just does not make sense, please report it asap as a comment to this here on steam or @ www.facebook.com/CrossOfAuria.

The current patch notes are listed below. However, I will not post further updates about minor fixes until the next bigger update even if I must continue to release them at this rate. The next larger maintenance for updates and changes is scheduled for this Friday.

3.2.3.3 [Build #77, Release Date: July 25, 2020]
Fixes:
- Removed the unfinished skills ‘skulltest’ and ‘Skullbolt’ from Ruby’s tech tree. During debug check points, this will be removed from game files who already have it learned.
Fixes (3.2.3.3.1)
- Removed an audio issue on the entry tile to the Frostbrood area of Den An’ura.

Fixes (3.2.3.3.2)
- Added an audio checkpoint to the large area of Frostbrood Lair to clear the missing audio prompt. Saving then reloading once a new zone theme song starts playing will prevent more audio load errors from appearing.

Fixes (3.2.3.3.3)
- Inserted Dungeon6 files back into the game and added audio checkpoints in each of the downstairs An’ura zones, which should resolve persisting audio issues.

New (3.2.3.3.4)
- Details filled out for Emberstrike, Vaporstrike, Firebolt & Waterbolt.

Changes (3.2.3.3.5)
- Changed Firebolt & Waterbolt to Magic.
- Set cast animation for Emberstrike & Vaporstrike to none.

Changes (3.2.3.3.6)
- Added icon for Tomes.
- Added temporary animations for Tier 1 Flasks.
- Added detail for Seraph’s Guidance.

Fixes (3.2.3.3.7)
- Fixed an issue which allowed entry to Frost Forest early. This issue can no longer be seen in new files and will be resolved in most cases by leaving the area.

Changes (3.2.3.3.8)
- Reduced the number of required Minor Health Potions by the Rabbit’s Foot from 50 to 20.
- Added a mixing station to the first instance of the Rabbit’s Foot.

In-Progress
- DLC 1 "Founder's Pack I" is scheduled for release on August 3rd. This $0.99 pack gives Ruby access to a new skill via the Accessory equipment slot in addition to other goodies such as gold, essences, and tomes. To clarify for anyone curious, the contents of this pack are not needed to progress the main story nor does this pack contain any main or side story content. Specifically, this pack allows access to one of the chests in the basement area of Ruby's house. If missed the first time passing through Lvell, you will have to wait until the return to Lvell sidequest in order to claim the box. Additionally, this pack may be claimed once per save file so long as the DLC is installed.
- DLC 1 Extra: The skill Seraph Strike will receive an action sequence update, but this update may release after the DLC launches.
- As it has been for a while, the Orc War questline is still in development with dev time being slowed due to a new baby.
- The An'ura Recon questline is currently paused at the first time seeing the mysterious archer. There is no bug - the next step is on its way soon!
- Founder's Packs II, III, & IV featuring similar content as #1 will release periodically over the next few months or so. Each one will feature a new accessory for one of the party members who has not yet received one from the packs.
- Scarlet Fire side-questline DLC (which is effectively a story-driven test DLC) is still in pre-planning stages. This will expand upon the Pit for all players and add a Colosseum event for DLC owners.

3.2.3.3 [Build #77, Release Date: July 25, 2020]
Fixes:
- Removed the unfinished skills ‘skulltest’ and ‘Skullbolt’ from Ruby’s tech tree. During debug check points, this will be removed from game files who already have it learned.

Edit:
Fixes (3.2.3.3.1)
- Removed an audio issue on the entry tile to the Frostbrood area of Den An’ura.
Fixes (3.2.3.3.2)
- Added an audio checkpoint to the large area of Frostbrood Lair to clear the missing audio prompt. Saving then reloading once a new zone theme song starts playing will prevent more audio load errors from appearing.
Fixes (3.2.3.3.3)
- Inserted Dungeon6 files back into the game and added audio checkpoints in each of the downstairs An’ura zones, which should resolve persisting audio issues.

This patch is released for me to test functionality of DLC, which I sadly cannot do outside of the live environment. Many background systems and extra data have been added to prepare other upcoming releases. As of writing this patch note, I do not yet know if DLC in the way I imagine it will be possible for Cross of Auria. The result of this test will decide this game’s future.

On a more personal note, our baby is just over one month old - so I am sorry about the delay between the last few patches. Realistically, I don't have much new ready to put out right now other than background data. However, I have added two learnable skills for Ruby to be found in the houses at the main Lvell city area. Usually I wouldn't say anything and let you find these on your own - but I felt a gift necessary for the delay.

There's so much more I want to say, but I'd rather save the surprise for the update launches. See you out there! Don't forget - if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me @ www.facebook.com/CrossOfAuria, or on my personal discord @ https://discord.gg/j4pZKuv.

3.2.3.2 [Build #76, Release Date: July 10, 2020] New:
- New NPCs continue to arrive in Lvell. Save restrictions have been lifted from their houses.
Founder’s Pack I (Preparation):
- FP1 brings a new type of Burn. If the tests go well, other damage and heal over time statuses will conform to the new structure.
-- Flamestrike now has a chance to inflict 1-5 turn burns. Each # burn is a separate state which gives immunity to the other burns while active. Example: it will not be possible to apply a 2 turn burn over a 5-turn burn. However, it will also not be possible to apply a 4-turn burn over a 3-turn burn which only has one turn remaining. This should give a bit more predictability to the way HoT and DoT states function, resulting in less sad moments where stronger DoTs are overwritten by weaker ones which currently happens both by player characters and enemies.

Changes:
- Flying and levitated enemies are now damaged more by weapons and skills with Bird-Killer.
- Flying and levitated enemies are now immune to Earth damage.

Other:
- Base data has been added for a new wave of player elemental attacks. These will be fully tuned and released in future updates.
- Background data has been added for the Founder’s Packs.



Edit @ 7:28PM - Good news. It works. =D

Since the last update, there haven't been any changes to the game world itself.. however, I am excited to announce that a new species is in development as both friend and foe. With a touch more detail, a long time twitch/youtube viewer of mine who dabbles in pixel art has decided to make some new assets for the generator of the engine along with some other odds and ends, such as minor tiles and new animations. Additionally, I have personally taken a crack or two at making edits to some of the onboard tilesets which will find their way into the game at some point in the future.

But onto some fun news! We here at the hardytier household are welcoming Player 4 into the mix next Wednesday! This pretty much sums up why development has slowed down for the time being. Ideally this will pick up after birth.


Since I don't have any new patch notes for you, I'll give you an update on the short to mid-term goals. Keep in mind that this does not detail the when of the releases. What I can say up front is the Orc War and An'ura Recon events will be in game and completely concluded before Scarlet Fire or any other "content" DLC are made.

Short-Mid Term Goals [Build #??, Release Date: ?? ??, 2020] New:
- Kenmono cat creature NPCs find their way to Revan.
- Two more quests will be added to The Phoenix Ash.
- Bookcases in various homes across Revan will now contain helpful information about the game.
- The exit tiles of the Auria entrance zone will trigger the next step in the Orc War quest line. During the Orc War scenario, it will not be possible to return to the majority of previous zones in their current condition. A "passage of time" mechanic is currently in development to be a clear line as to when sidequests at hunter lodges can be completed.
- A new race of friend and enemy has found their way to Revan.

Fixes:
- Quest Log dialogue and plugin commands will be completely removed from the game.
- Bugs will continue to be fixed upon their detection and rolled out immediately to Windows users. Mac users will have to wait for the next moderate update to receive these fixes. (This is because as far as I know, there are no active Mac players. If you are an active Mac player and need a fix for something, please reach out to me immediately as a comment to this post or on facebook @ facebook.com/CrossOfAuria )

Changes:
- Gazer battlegroups will appear on the field.
- Wolf battlegroups will appear as wolves on the field.
- Misc. Lvell structures with save blocking will be detailed with the save restriction removed.

An’ura Recon:
- The Delivery Boy has a message for Ruby.

DLC: Scarlet Fire:
- Details for Scarlet Fire DLC are being figured out. The "An'ura Recon" scenario is meant to serve as a taste for what to expect from Scarlet Fire and future DLC. (This is why An'ura Recon content is notated separately in patch notes)
- Upon release of Scarlet Fire, the base game will be updated to contain additions to both versions of The Pit in Agartha. However, the Scarlet version of the Colosseum will be for DLC owners only.

DLC: Other
- Founder packs are in the process of being created. These packs will serve as minor item boosts such as Flasks and Item Enchantments. Additionally, a single skill per character is being considered. This skill, while useful, will not be game-breaking or required by the main story for completion.
- Scarlet Fire is currently in the planning stage. DLC of this nature will contain roughly 3 hours of story content and potentially new party members. Scarlet Fire in particular will contain one new party member. SF will add a new dungeon on the field and a changeable Colosseum variant in Agartha.
- A Frost Forest, Frostbrood, and Hell's Gate DLC are also in pre-planning stages. Each of these would also add a dungeon and a Colosseum variant. Their play time will be similar to SF when it releases.

Alpha Ruins:
- New field spawn enemies will be on the prowl in Alpha Ruins.
- A commotion can be heard coming from beneath the Black Forest (level 8+).

Obscurite:
- A commotion can be heard coming from Obscurite, the Dusk Kingdom (level 8+).
- Other uses for the inner city section are in the planning stages. Some of it is already detailed and in game but not yet accessible.