DarkDIRE News

Version 1.99 is now released finishing up The Dagger From The Next Dimension series. This release contains all the updates and bug fixes done to the game in 2023. Here is a recap of the changes:

• Adding mechanics to support a future 3D version of DarkDIRE:
  
  • Land elevation mechanics.
    
  • Climbing and falling.
    
  • Support characters facing 360 degrees. (Not noticeable in the 2d version)
    
  • If your playing a character that can fly, double tap forward (like your are jumping) to fly up a foot. Double tap back to fly down a foot. If you stop flying in mid-air you may fall to your death.
    
  • NPCs can now spawn flying high in the air. They will appear as shadows on the ground.
    
  • Siege hammer can now lower ground elevation when striking dirt. Using dirt on already existing dirt will raise the elevation of the ground.
    
• A new hint system.
  
• The Empyreans of Wintenydd will now be seen invading the lands. The Empyreans are from another plane of existence and have a different culture than the current nations of the game. They have a unique character skill system with 5 unique classes.
  
  • Gallant (Strength-Based Damage Class)
    
  • Duelist (Dexterity-Based Damage Class)
    
  • Shield-Bearer (Tank Class)
    
  • Seer (Magic Class)
    
  • Oracle (Healing Class)
    
• Added a new quest line in Swampstone focusing on the Empyreans.
  
• The game expanded to many new types of Aleya Wisps (one for each damage type) as originally intended.
  
• Menu text updated.
  
• Chat bubbles will use different fonts of text depending on the language being spoken.
  
• Windows client will now be 64-bit (Requires a 64-bit OS).
  
• Adding different skin colors for races.
  
• NPC Appearance will always spawn the same.
  
• Bug fix with boats.
  
• Reproducing livestock.
  
• New AI mode that makes character move and talk more. Currently only two characters are in the game using it, Aden the Guard Command and Crazy Pete just outside of the City Clerk's Office in Swampstone.
  
• Added some insects: butterfly's, dragonfly's and bees. Butterfly spawn in nature biomes. Dragonfly's spawn in swampy biomes. Bees are rare (they like roses).
  
• Certificates of Pardon are now a thing. This item can be used to be pardoned of your crimes.
  
• A magic reflecting effect can be added to shields. Time your block just right and you can reflect direct damage spells back at the caster. Doesn't work with AOE spells.
  

Please report any bugs found so I can quickly correct them.

Many ages ago in the heart of a small kingdom, a shadow loomed. A fearsome dragon, known as Zygycrynth, had taken residence in the ancient ruins on the outskirts of the land. Its fiery breath scorched the fields, and its roars echoed through the valleys, striking terror into the hearts of the people.

Word of the dragon's reign of terror reached the ears of Lady Pallas, the enigmatic paladin in gleaming plate armor. Known for her skill in battle and unmatched valor, she set forth to put an end to Zygycrynth's reign.

Gathering a group of Paladins, each devoted to the teachings of the Goddess Juno, they set out towards the ruins. The moon hung low in the night sky, casting an eerie glow upon the ancient stones.

The Paladins followed Lady Pallas with unwavering trust. They admired her unwavering dedication to their shared cause and her fierce determination.

As they approached the ruins, the earth trembled beneath their feet, and the ground shook with the dragon's approach. Zygycrynth emerged, scales gleaming like molten gold, eyes burning with fiery intensity.

With a commanding voice, Lady Pallas rallied her comrades, urging them to stand firm against the formidable foe. The Paladins drew their swords, their hearts filled with courage, and they charged towards the dragon, their armor clinking with each resolute step.

The battle was fierce and unforgiving. Zygycrynth's fiery breath lashed out, scorching the earth, but Lady Pallas and her Paladins fought with unwavering resolve. They moved in unison, striking with precision, exploiting every opportunity to pierce the dragon's scales.

Lady Pallas, wielding the magical "Sword of White", danced with grace and power, striking blows that echoed with the strength of a goddess.

As the battle raged on, Zygycrynth's roars grew weaker, and its movements sluggish. With a final, mighty blow, Lady Pallas struck true, piercing the heart of the dragon.

The once-terrifying Zygycrynth fell to the ground, its breath fading into silence. The Paladins, weary but victorious, gathered around their leader, their hearts filled with gratitude and awe for Lady Pallas's leadership.

In the quiet aftermath, Lady Pallas approached the spot where Zygycrynth had met his end. She knelt down, her gauntleted hand pressing against the earth. With a surge of divine energy, she left a rune, glowing with a brilliant light, marking the ground as a symbol of their hard-won victory.

As the newly forged rune cast a gentle glow upon the battlefield, one of the Paladins approached Lady Pallas. His eyes locked onto her "Sword of White", and a spark of recognition ignited within him.

"Recalibur," he murmured, his voice filled with wonder. "This is Recalibur, the legendary sword forged from the shard of Calibur, the magic spear of The All-Father."

The realization spread through the Paladin's eyes, widening with astonishment. He looked up at Lady Pallas, his gaze meeting hers, and in that moment, he understood.

No words were spoken, no revelations made, but in that silent exchange, the truth was known. Lady Pallas was Juno, the goddess they had sworn to serve.

Lady Pallas of Victory long ago left runes to mark her many victories. These runes still exist today and can grant enchantments. There are three different types of enchantments:

• Pallas Victory Enchantment of Defense
  
• Pallas Victory Enchantment of Damage
  
• Pallas Victory Enchantment of Attack
  

These enchantments are designed bless those who fight against the odds, those who are outnumbered. Every time you get a kill you will gain an action point (up to 5 max). Go 15 seconds without a kill, you will loose an action point. The more action points you have the stronger the enchantment gets. If you allow your action points to fall to zero, these enchantments have no effect. Just defeat another enemy to reactivate it again.

If you find one of these runes you must first draw your weapon out before trying to activate it, otherwise nothing will happen. They can only be used by characters set to "Player vs Environment" play style. Characters using "Nation vs Nation" or "Player vs Player" play styles cannot activate the runes. Use the rune again to remove the enchantment. Some character builds may want to remove the enchantments when not in use if they use action points for another skill or power.

Version 1.93 The Dagger From The Next Dimension is now available in the alpha build channel for Linux and Windows. This version is for alpha testing. I made lots of changes to the base code of the game, so let me know if you find any bugs.



List of Changes and Updates:

• Windows version is now 64-bit, requiring a 64-bit version of Windows. The stand-alone Windows server is also now 64-bit.
  
  
• Chat bubbles will use different fonts depending on language being spoken. The game's text was also updated.
  
  
• Types of Will-o-the-Wisps have been expanded from 3 to a total of 10:
  
  The Old Wisps:
  Edgealon Aleya: slashing-based lion protective spirit of nature.
  Massaear Aleya: crushing-based bear protective spirit of nature.
  Talondor Aleya: piercing-based eagle protective spirit of nature.
  
  The New Wisps:
  Howlaire Aleya: fire-based wolf protective spirit of nature.
  Fridgalk Aleya: cold-based elk protective spirit of nature.
  Stormalox Aleya: lightning-based fox protective spirit of nature.
  Mystialog Aleya: magic-based frog protective spirit of nature.
  Athenaol Aleya: holy-based owl spirit of nature.
  Slithenake Aleya: poison-based snake spirit of nature.
  Pesterod Aleya: disease-based rat spirit of nature.
  
  
• A Forgotten Culture added to the game. This will be the story behind the dagger from the next dimension. I will be updating the game to add content/quests for this next.
  
  
• Ground elevation added to the game for future 3d version. Up and down arrows will appear to lead the player up or down hills when elevation gets to steep. This arrows will only appear when needed.
  
  
• Character facing direction updated to 360 degrees instead of just north/south/west/east for the future 3d version. This won't be obvious in the 2d version of DarkDIRE. But you may notice jumping will now not always be perfectly "up and down" and "left and right" now.
  
  
• Push the "U" to go into climbing mode. This is incase you get stuck in a elevation hole and cannot escape. NOTE: For really high climbs, climbing works better when not wearing armor. Can also activate by typing the new "-Climbing" command. (case-sensitive)
  
  
• Characters can now choose shading when creating characters to give the appearance of different skin colors, per player request. Admin accounts can do custom shading.
  
  
• NPCs will have random shading for different skin colors.
  
  
• NPCs will now keep the same armor and clothes when they respawn, per player request.
  
  
• BUG FIX: The game will immediately save world map data when it changes, this may fix a bug with ships, per player request.
  
  
• New Hints System: The new hint system was originally going to be image-based, but I changed to a text-based hint system. This allows me to quickly make changes to the text if needed (which I seem to have to do a lot) but the trade off is they may not (depending on screen ratio) look as nice.
  

This version is only a sneak peek. I will be adding new content and quests before it can be pushed into a release. Also fix any new bugs that are found.

With version 1.90 currently released, I find that DarkDIRE is getting close to hitting version 2.0. Wanting to do something big with version 2, I decided what could be bigger than making a 3d version of DarkDIRE? This will be no small task, modeling and texturing all the assets of the current game alone is going to be a mammoth undertaking. I already have a rudimentary 3d version running with no 3d assets and characters with no animations. Once I have 1.92 released, I will begin the long process of creating 3d assets and textures for this version. I imagine this will take over a year. The game will be in a low 3d poly style.

FYI: The 2d and 3d games will be able to play on the same server. I will continue to maintain the 2d version here as it will receive updates the same time the 3d version does.



I am also working on version 1.92 The Dagger from the Next Dimension. This version will move the game toward 3d by adding elevation to the 2d game. Higher land than the land the character is currently standing on will have an up arrow and land below the character will have a down arrow. Character will not be able to move to ground that is too steep, or they will fall into ground that is too far below. These arrows don't show unless the elevation around the character is steep enough to warrant it.



Other Updates to be added to 1.92:
*The game will have a new hint system as shown in a previous update.
*The Empyreans of Tartarus will now be seen invading the lands. The Empyreans are from another plane of existance and have a different culture than the current nations of the game. They have a unique character skill system with 5 unique classes.

Gallant (Strength-Based Damage Class)
Duellist (Dexterity-Based Damage Class)
Shield-Bearer (Tank Class)
Seer (Magic Class)
Oracle (Healing Class)

*Added a new quest line in Swampstone focusing on the Empyreans.
*The game will expand to many new types of Aleya Wisps (one for each damage type) as originally intended.
*Menu text updated.
*Chat bubbles will use different fonts of text depending on the language being spoken.



*The game client will now be 64-bit (Requires a 64-bit OS).

Updates requested by players:
*Adding different skin colors for races.
*NPC Armor will always spawn the same.
*Bug fix with boats.

I have been busy adding new features for the next update: 1.92 The Dagger from the Next Dimension.

One of the new features will be improved in-game hints. No more simple icons floating above objects giving just a few words of information. Here is what I created so far:

(Note: These may change before release, and some information may not be correct for the current release)