Cross of Auria News

Good evening everyone! I just wanted to take a moment to let you all know that as of a few minutes ago, Cross of Auria is officially free to download the entire base game on the Steam Store! For those of you who have already purchased the game, I will be including something with the 5.0 update for you exclusively - the details of which I'm not entirely sure yet. When that exclusive content becomes available for download, you'll the details posted in the corresponding patch notes and it will probably be in huge letters and in the title.

Anyway, if you're wondering why I decided to make the base game free to download... well, it's simple really. I originally was going to do the game as a series with episodes, with each game being about 6 hours of play time and costing $0.99 to buy. After much research, I finally came up with a way to expand the back-end limitations of the engine so I no longer have to worry about things like amount of enemies, amount of battlegroups, items, events, etc. Basically, there was a hard cap of things I could make, but now there's not. Between my cap being lifted and me already passing where the original story ended, I want to put the game in as many hands as would be willing to play it. That's what is most important to me. I want you all to play and enjoy what I've made.

For those of you who have supported me so far by purchasing the game when it still had a price tag, you will not be forgotten. I have made this poll for you & others to decide what you should get: https://www.youtube.com/post/UgzPSFxLHyRjAtiPj-Z4AaABCQ


A quick note about the 5.0 development before I go -
It's coming along just fine. I'm going to begin deploying the first builds in the next week or two once the back systems are completely finalized. Once a forced new save file will no longer be necessary (relative to other 5.0 files), I'll make the process to getting on this version of the game clear. Once this version catches up to the current public version, it will take the place of the current public version. Keep in mind that if you do not opt into the 5.0 version now, you will still have to replace your save file with a 5.0 new game later. Better to do it sooner so that your progress between now and public launch isn't lost!

Happy gaming everyone. Goodnight :)

As some of you may know, I've been working on the 5.0 structures for a few months now, admittedly on and off, and I wanted to gauge interest on something: How would you feel about a separate app branch for 5.0 Alpha/Beta testing? Short explanation - you'd opt into the new branch using the same method we use to change game versions, make a new save, and play through what is currently available while reporting back and bugs or gamebreaking issues you may find. Save files will more than likely not be able to be preserved due to how some bugs require fixing, so using multiple save files and saving often would be advised. For instance: a save file just before talking to an NPC who bugged out would be safe after the bug fix, but a save file from after that same NPC would not. Basically, I won't add debugs the way I did with the meeting hall chest and the Delivery Boy, but instead would focus on hard fixes for when 5.0 releases publicly.

If you're interested in following 5.0 as it's being developed and participating in the Alpha & Beta testing of it, please join my Discord @ https://discord.gg/bMS9ktw. Cross of Auria channels are just after the specific game channels. Keep in mind that I use this discord for my youtube & stream adventure, so that's the bulk of the channels and discussions.

Some more specifics for this 5.0 development test:
• Areas and quests would be drip released in order of the in-game timeline / playability.
- Example drop order: The Veil (new intro) -> Lvell day 1 -> Lvell day 2 w/ Jack -> An'ura & return -> Scarlet & Black Forest -> Auria & Hell's Gate -> Auria main -> Rabbit's foot functionality -> Frost Forest -> Agartha functionality -> Orc war zones -> Release to public/main branch
• If a bug required the NPC to be replaced in order to be fixed, anyone with a save file after the bug was found would have to restart the file or revert to a previous save before the bug was encountered.
• If you manage to not keep saves past where bugs occur and only progress and save as they are resolved, you'll be able to keep this save file moving forward into the public version.
• The initial drop for the new veil intro will take the longest, since all of the back end structures have to be in place to prevent more forced game restarts. I currently have no timeframe for this, but the expected time to complete the entire 5.0 process is why I wanted to give everyone something to do in the meantime.

On top of all of this, I am still taking art submissions provided they fit the style of the game. If you or someone you know works with pixel art and you want to make something for CoA, stop by and talk to the two artists already working on the game! Artists who submit quality work get to work with me on adding their own questline to the game, provided it still falls under Revan's specific fantasy theme. For a frame of reference, the questline with Adrian, Ana, Ryan & Maya was created by one artist, and the battles for Headless Horseman and soul/void based enemies (Those Who Watch, Wretch) were created in part by the other.

Let me know what you think. It's likely that I will proceed with this method of 5.0 testing even if nobody openly says they're participating since it will be easier for me to manage.

One final note, there will be no more updates to the retail branch of the game until 5.0 is complete and goes live. I've tried to fix some issues with various game branches but the only true fix is to take them out and redo them altogether which will affect all current save files. In essence, this is the reason for the new save file requirement once 5.0 goes live.

Do not leave your game on 4.1.4.5.
- Fixes from 4.1.4.4 are also available with this build.

This unstable fix should resolve an issue where players who have the Missive I quest from the Rabbit's Foot are unable to progress the Hephaes, Lord of Flame quest from Ewynn. However, it may not resolve it in all cases until the 5.0 version is live.

To progress past this point naturally, complete the Hephaes, Lord of Flame library sidequest before accepting any Rabbit's Foot quests.

Bug details: Self switches were used to progress Ewynn's dialogue. Page 2 & 4 refer to the same self switch, with a difference of the Missive I global switch. With Missive I active, page 2 doesn't active which prevents self switch C from activating. Without switch C, the event's don't progress as intended. However, self switches can not be adjusted through outside methods. Since the event (Ewynn himself) is entangled with multiple questlines, it isn't possible to simply remove and replace him, which is the only way to reset self switches. This will be the method used for the full fix in 5.0. As of this update, page 4 looks for self switch C being off, then turns it on, which should allow the quests to progress as normal. However, if the book has been given away at this point back at the Rabbit's Foot, you won't have it with you to give to him, resulting in the same issue on your end that existed before.

Once again, this entire debacle will be resolved in 5.0 due to the requirement of new game files.

4.1.4.5 [Build #94-C, Release Date: March 19, 2021] Notice: Some structure has been implemented for the 5.0 update but is yet unfinished and therefore undocumented with this update. If you encounter any bugs, please report them ASAP using the Discord link above or via a post on the Steam Discussion tab. This build should be treated as unstable and used only to fix the specified issue. After resolving the issue, revert back to the default version of the game to avoid other issues.
Fixes:
- Created a branch in dialogue for Ewynn for players who acquired the Missive I quest from the Rabbit's Foot before turning in the Hephaes, Lord of Flame book to him. Please not that this will only fix some instances of the issue depending on how far the quest was taken before this resolve was attempted. The 5.0 update will prevent this issue from occurring again regardless of the order in which events are done.

4.1.4.4 [Build #94-B, Release Date: February 24, 2021] Notice: Some structure has been implemented for the 5.0 update but is yet unfinished and therefore undocumented with this update. If you encounter any bugs, please report them ASAP using the Discord link above or via a post on the Steam Discussion tab.
Fixes:
- Minor Revives now drop from overworld battles early in the game.
- The Elcott Mansion item pickups have been fixed. Players can re-loot the area if already looted.
Warning: This version of the game is unstable and should only be accessed to collect a minor revive for the early game Lvell quest. After giving the Revive to the fallen NPC, I strongly recommend saving and then reverting back to 4.1.4.3. The reason for this is there is a massive update going on with structures and systems within the game for 5.0 which is not yet ready. 4.1.4.4 will not be stable the further into the game you get.


4.1.4.5 update is only accessible via the following method:
Save on the world map.
Right click Cross of Auria in your steam library.
Open Properties, navigate to the Betas tab.
Enter beta access code: version4145C
Then in the drop down above, select the "version4145-c" and press x out that menu. That version should download very fast.
Try to complete the Ewynn questline, then revert back immediately. Please note that this fix may not work for players who have not progressed far enough or have progressed too far in his questline with the bug active. A complete fix will be released in 5.0.
To revert back to 4.1.4.3 Stable, select "Default" instead of version4144.



Using this version to fix these issues is optional and does not add anything for players who have already progressed past this point.

Do not leave your game on 4.1.4.4

Quick fix for those noticing the issue at the Elcott Mansion where items are inappropriately labeled. Right now, it says found Minor Elixir, but then gives a Mega Magick Potion instead for all instances of pickups. This update will allow players who have already looted the Elcott Mansion to go in and pick up the new items.

Additionally, this update changes the drop from worldspawn units from Revive to Minor Revives to help complete the Lvell Shoreline quest. Minor Revives can also be purchased from the item shop in Cafe Lvellan in this version of the game.

Please keep in mind that you should not stay on this version of the game after reviving the NPC with a minor revive. At that point, you should save, then revert back to 4.1.4.3 which is stable. 4.1.4.4 contains structure changes for the upcoming 5.0 update and will likely cause significant issues if you try to continue forward. Because of this, the 4.1.4.4 update is only accessible via the following method:

Save on the world map.
Right click Cross of Auria in your steam library.
Open Properties, navigate to the Betas tab.
Enter beta access code: version4144B
Then in the drop down above, select the "version4144" and press x out that menu. That version should download very fast.
Revive the NPC in game, then save either there or on the world map.
To revert back to 4.1.4.3 Stable, select "Default" instead of version4144.



Using this version to fix these issues is optional and does not add anything for players who have already progressed past this point. This fix will be included within the 5.0 public release.

I want to take a few moments here to outline some of the upcoming changes in 5.0 which will affect all save files and manage some expectations about the game world and updates moving forward.

Getting Ready for 5.0
First and foremost, there will be an announcement about a week or so before 5.0 goes live. At that point, all active players should make a new save on the world map or in the Auria Entrance next to the Delivery Boy. Due to the overhaul incoming, it will be in your best interests to accept the Delivery Boy's offer of starting a NG+ save. This will revert all characters back to level 1 and automatically remove (NOT sell) all held items. Weapons and armor which are not obtained through questlines will be excluded from this inventory clear-out (ex: the Bolt Cutter will be lost if it has been acquired, but the Sterling Sword will be kept). All quests and questlog data will be reset to 0 and all switches set to OFF. The only things which will not be affected by this change are chests which use the self switch function, as these switches can not be undone by global changes. However, many of these chests will be altered or removed, which may permit reopening. This will be a one time event - subsequent NG+ saves will not allow for these boxes to be opened again.
Please note that the Delivery Boy will be setup to permit exactly one NG+ function per save file and will only function with items currently programmed into the game (as of today). Returning to him in this Orc War NG+ state will not yield another option to do it again. This functionality may return at a later date.

The reason this NG+ setup is being added is to allow for some major front and back end changes. Most notably are the following:
• Certain maps will become Timelost and a new similar map will take its place. (For instance: Lvell may no longer use the segmented map style, but rather be one whole city map without transitions from zone to zone besides buildings).
• Some map timelines will be condensed, others may be expanded. As of right now, there are three world maps in the game - the one from the beginning which only houses the visible areas, the one from after the final inn scene where the map is greatly expanded but travel is only permitted on the Four Kingdoms area, and one final one which has blockades during the Orc War questline. It is likely the first one of these disappears. The same concept can be applied to Den An'ura, Frost Forest, Black Forest, and other zones.
-- The reason for this can be summed up as: I have learned a great deal since using the engine for the first time in 2017. Some of my earlier work needs to be completely redone.
• The Items back-end section is finally being streamlined. I've used Deprecated Item placeholders in the past, but all of them will be wiped out come 5.0. Additionally, items will be moved to more intuitive locations in the inventory. This will cause the item you own to change as well. At some point between now and 5.0, it is advisable to sell off your entire Item inventory. Keeping items you should not may lead to save file issues which will require a new save file altogether.
- A great deal of empty space will be left between item types this time. Because of this, this will be the final item restructure CoA undergoes in its lifetime. Items that overflow the current available inventory as of 5.0 will then be placed at the bottom of the back end list (and therefore appear at the bottom of the Items menu) even if logic would suggest they appear near the top or elsewhere.

What to Expect Between Now and the Release of 5.0
- Nothing. There will be no new patches or DLC until 5.0 is released. Please continue to report any bugs discovered either here on Steam or in my Discord in the #coa_bugreports channel. Fixes to all reported bugs will come alongside 5.0.

What to Expect From Game Version 5.0
- The NG+ function will be available one time in Auria at the Delivery Boy.
- Save files from before 5.0 which do not utilize the NG+ function will not perform as they did before 5.0's release. Debugs will not be issued to fix the corresponding issues. The debug is to use the NG+ function.
- The Delivery Boy will not contain any of the debug code he currently has because all players are expected to be operating from a New Game perspective.
- The Orc War storyline will be available.
- An'ura Recon event will be finished. This is the one that begins with Azrael's non-lethal battle in Den An'ura. The reward for completing this quest is Ares the archer.
- Level up skills for the main party will be completely finalized for their current classes and will be released in a post similar to the one about Amaya.
- Events from before Jack's departure will be extended. The goal here is to have Lvell feel more like home before being forced to leave so suddenly.
- The timeline will be more blatantly established. With this, some quests may become incompletable and marked as failed. You will not be timed or given a resource to spend which equates to time, but main story events will push the time forward. If quests are not completed on the 'day' they are received, they will be lost forever.
- The Pit (both versions) will extend to at least level 50. Back end troops have been set aside for a total of 5 battle configurations per floor up to level 120, for a total of 600 battlegroups across all floors once the pit is completely finished. Enemies in the pit are worth 1/4th their usual EXP value. Bosses in the pit are worth a higher custom EXP value.
-- These battlegroups may be used throughout the world at the appropriate level and may be changed or removed entirely if the need for troop space becomes an issue. There is a finite number of troops allowed within the engine which is 2000. The Pit troops take up #1400-#2000.
- An'ura Rifts Level 25 and 50 will appear in the Colosseum. With this, the Warden's vendor stock will be updated. This will finalize the An'ura version of the Colosseum. Planned DLC using hidden held items will act as the trigger for changing the Colosseum main lobby into a themed set of rifts based on the DLC. For example, holding the Scarlet Core DLC item will allow entry into the Scarlet themed Colosseum. More detail on this function later.
- A set of potential battles may occur on specific tiles throughout the world map.
- The way enemies appear on the field is undergoing a fundamental change. This should result in less instances of having the same unit trigger two battles back to back before disappearing.

What to Expect After 5.0's Release
- Bug fixes based on any reported.
- DLC in the form of character packs and themed events.
- Additions to the 'endgame' areas. I basically have two completely different minigames I want to inject into the game but will take a great deal of time to prepare, so I haven't messed with it yet.
- The potential formal discontinuation of the "main story questline" of CoA.

So, in the interest of transparency...
I've mentioned in the past that I have virtually no income from Cross of Auria. I went into this project by myself, and for the most part, I continue to work on it by myself. I have two volunteer artists who make enemies and icons sometimes, but the whole of the development falls on me. I have not taken a payout of any size from the CoA project since 2018, but I've still put in hundreds of hours of development time. I hope to see a return on that once the Orc War storyline is finished and I'm able to put out meaningful side-story DLC. Even when factoring in the Founder's Packs and the Headless Horseman DLCs, I'm currently at less than $0.20/hr income on development. That being said, I don't expect CoA to suddenly go viral or something, but I do need to diversify my time in other areas which may stand to bring in money. For those of you who don't know this about me, I'm 31 with two kids, and the whole "doing it for fun" isn't on the table anymore. I understand how some of you might feel reading that my focus is going to shift to paid DLC and other projects, but every game has a time when it needs to end. Realistically, I'd like to change my focus from CoA made on RPG Maker MV to CoA made on Unity. Before I can do that, I know that I owe it to you all to put some kind of cap on the current story of the game. It's something I still want to do, even though sometimes I don't have the motivation.

Before CoA is put to its permanent rest, there will be a handful of pricier DLC that goes live. There are two current ideas.
#1: Character Packs, which aren't as simple as paying for new party members. These packs will remove everyone from the party and take the player on a journey somewhere and sometime in the world of Isis to experience a story from someone else's perspective. The goal is to put out roughly four hour heavily story-driven events which end in Ruby obtaining the power to have the memory of the warriors whose story was witnessed fight by her side. Honestly, the success of this idea will determine the continuation of CoA-RMMV as a whole.
#2: Themed Events. For Halloween, you got a tiny taste of one themed event where a costumed-up Ruby & friends went to free a rift of the Headless Horseman's tyranny. This would be about the size of holiday themed events. However, the goal is to create something along the lines of having a small story (say roughly an hour or two) followed by the permanent unlocking of a Dungeon and a modified Colosseum. Dungeons are effectively heavily mechanic based challenge areas where saving is restricted to save points only. The Colosseum change would allow you to at-will change between the base theme (An'ura) to the theme of the DLC. Inside, levels 25-125 rifts would challenge and reward your team. So for instance if you purchased the Scarlet Fire DLC, you would be able to tell the Warden to change the rifts to Scarlet and then use those to cross into a specially redesigned Scarlet Cavern. The dungeon itself would appear in Scarlet's actual location by Lvell, somewhere deep within. For players without the DLC, they will see the entryway but be unable to pass through. DLC holders will see an entirely different area.

To sum up the future of Cross of Auria into one much smaller thought - the sales of the base game plus these planned DLC will determine if CoA (made with RMMV) has a life beyond 2021 or if this chapter is closed for good. CoA (made with Unity) on the other hand is likely to take root after the current planned "NG-" project going on in my discord comes to a close.



I know that was a lot, so thank you if you've made it this far. I'm going to go widen the gap between time spent creating and income earned on the project now until 5.0 is done. Realistically, you may not hear another update from me about 5.0 until May or later. Many of the things I want to do have no pre-existing bases to work off of.

That's it for me. Hardy out.

Discord invite link if interested in hanging out or using it to report bugs or participate in the "NG-" project: https://discord.gg/bMS9ktw