Swords 'n Magic and Stuff News

Happy Friday, Friends!

Normally I wouldn't do a dev digest in the same week as an update, but we're already making headway on new things, so I didn't want to wait to share!

One MUCH needed feature was the ability to track more than one quest. You can now track up to THREE!



Next to do with the quest tracker is making them different colors so when you look on your map, you can see which is which.

While typing this up, Michael did this:



Next most requested feature is being able to see when an NPC has a quest for you. We wanted to make sure this stayed very immersive. Michael came up with this solution: any NPC that gives you a quest will have a little quest icon next to their name like this:



The key here is that you'll know they have a quest for you, but you might not be able to do it yet. These are quests that are specifically in your log when you get them, not secret ones. Once you've done all quests available from the NPC, the little chalice will be removed. Places like the Eyre where you need reputation first, you'll see the chalice, but will need to increase your reputation before being able to do those quests.

Lastly, with the sneak peek of skill trees being put into the game (and then removed with the next patch), Michael has been streaming development of the different trees. Here's the Warrior's tree (icons still a WIP):



This tree is complete along with mage and hunter and now just needs our dedicated testers to test it. We're still working on half of the mystic tree, druid tree, and rogue tree. They are getting closer!

I've also been working on more of the decor in Delver's Pass. We've been so excited about all of the new things coming so we've just been bouncing around and getting things done.

If you want more sneak peeks or to just chat with Michael and I, join our Discord! We're in there daily!

Thanks for all of your support!

-Janna & Michael
Kindred Games

Hey guys! This update handles a bunch of bugs that I may have accidentally introduced in the last couple patches. Sorry about that! I think we've caught all the nasty ones now, and if not, please report anything you can find so I can get them knocked out!

[h3]New Version Number[/h3]

Moving on, you may have noticed that I've changed the build version structure a bit. In case you're interested, we're doing this so I can introduce smaller patches without calling it a full update. The structure works like this now:

In our current version number, 1.7.18.4, we have:
1. - Game Version (in this case, beta)
7. - Major update (a massive overhaul, new system/features or a new zone)
18. - Minor update (a minor update. Minor features or systems, new content, quality of life changes)
4 - Patch or Update Revision (a minor minor update that fixes bugs, corrects an issue, balances content, etc)

This will allow us to better identify which version caused issues and allow us to keep pushing out smaller, more frequent updates without skyrocketing our version number.

Keep in mind that this also means you won't see many of the versions that go out. Each time our testers get a version, the number will keep counting up behind the scenes and you'll only see the ones that go public. Because of that, the version numbers may skip around a bit and hopefully that's not too confusing.

[h3]Updates[/h3]

Anyway. This update also introduces a few new things, such as a search function in your inventory, bank/storage containers, and the crafting window.

I'm going to get back to working on skill trees and other fun content updates, so stay tuned!

[h3]Patch Notes[/h3]

New:

• Crafting window search bar
  
• Inventory search bar
  
• Container/Bank search bars
  
• Map Markers now show your friend’s names
  
• Can now cycle forward and backward through loadouts using X and Z respectively (Keyboard only, but keybinds available for gamepad)
  
• Added a keybind for opening chat (Unbound for gamepad, but available if you want to sacrifice something else)
  
• Fixed an issue with splitting stacks into merchant sell windows
  
• Added a magnifying glass to the buy confirmation page to indicate that you can mouse over the name to inspect the item
  
• Two new mid-game staves (craftable from carpentry)
  

Fixed:

• Fixed some weirdness with the auto deposit button, specifically with multiplayer (to prevent issues, the deposit is recursive now and does take a bit of time, during which time, you’re locked out of interactions so you don’t lose items. Looking into a more instant option for a future update)
  
• Amber at the Astral Portal in Farmlands was locking players out of the Bandit Betrayal quest when they were on another quest with her. We explained politely that she could do two quests at once and she’s cool with it
  
• Setting Max FPS to OFF now properly unlocks your framerate
  
• Placeable mirrors will no longer vanish in multiplayer and should correct themselves automatically
  
• Placeable mirrors now properly show dismantle progress bar when being picked up
  
• Fixed an issue with gamepads being stuck in a “look” state when first launching the game
  
• Improved furniture and plant placing system to hopefully prevent being able to stack multiple items in the same spot
  
• Fixed some weird bugs with new loadouts (Loadouts with identical names are not possible, so rename any you may still have around)
  
• Fixed a typo in Xanthus’ dialog
  
• Fixed an issue with weapons being stuck in the sheathed position
  
• Fixed an issue with having multiple weapons equipped in the same slot at one time due to loadout shenanigans
  
• Can now properly complete Sendu’s Mask related quests, even if you’ve stored your mask in the wardrobe
  
• Withdrawing more gold than you have will no longer give you an empty bank note
  

Improved:

• Sent Skeletons to minion training camp and they came back smarter and hardier
  
• Made some slight changes to Xanthus’ dialog
  
• Bought Xanthus a gym membership and he’s getting a bit buffer
  
• Redesigned the Stolen Cap quest from Katherine. She now asks for a McGuffin belt item so you can keep the cap, guilt-free
  
• When purifying corrupted weapons, their quality and enhancements now carry over
  
• The stock in the bomb shop in Ramshackle was greatly increased
  
• When creating a new loadout it duplicates the currently selected loadout to save time setting up a fresh one
  
• Launch spell reduced from 16 magic to 5
  
• Gold withdrawal pop up now explains that you’re going to withdraw a bank note for players who missed the tutorial all about that
  

Hey guys. This fix addresses a major issue we had with the client not properly connecting to Steam and thus locking you out of hosting multiplayer games as well as accessing your in-game properties.

There may be another hotfix later in the week to address any other minor issues that pop up.

Thanks so much for your patience!

You asked and we listened. This update is a nice quality of life update that introduces some much needed polish and highly requested features to make your adventuring just that much more frictionless.


[h2]Wardrobe[/h2]

The most notable feature in this update is the ability to store your clothing, hats and masks in a permanent "Wardrobe" by simply clicking them from your inventory. Once stored in your Wardrobe the style is permanently unlocked for all characters on your account. Find a mirror at any tailor shop, barber shop and in most inns to change your style from all options in your wardrobe. If you really want to change your style on the go, search out a rare and luxurious hand mirror. (Hint: It's somewhere on Azura and costs a good chunk of gold)

WARNING: Existing placeable mirrors on your plots must be dismantled and placed back down before they'll work! Sorry about this inconvenience!

[h2]Augment Stone Crafting[/h2]

We also added the ability to craft augment stones up to Masterwork quality using Augment Shards, a new item obtained by smelting down augment stones. This is useful to turn a bunch of standard stones into a few higher quality ones.

[h2]Inventory Improvements[/h2]

This update also introduces a bunch of much-needed inventory tweaks, like a better stack splitting feature, the ability to split stacks into other inventories, and a button to deposit matching items into an inventory, saving you tons of time when dropping off loot after an adventure.

[h2]New Loadout System[/h2]

I also took some time and completely overhauled the loadouts and gave players the ability to create as many loadouts as they wish as well as rename them. This works hand in hand with the wardrobe system, so you can still have a custom style for each loadout, without needing to carry around all the cosmetic items in your inventory! But this did mean we had to wipe everyone's loadouts to do it, so we apologize for that. I think you'll find the updates to the system worth the growing pains though!

In addition to all these updated features we've also fixed a whole bunch of bugs and rebalanced a ton of loot to drop more augment stones and less fishing rods. Yay!

[h2]Demo[/h2]

Finally, we also released a long-awaited demo! Your friends can now check out the game for free and see if it's something they're interested in picking up to play with you. The demo DOES support multiplayer but you cannot play with players in the full game. Our save system works the exact same in the demo, so while we don't recommend it, you can try copying over any characters made in the demo to the full game once purchased. Head to our Discord for more information about how to do that.

[h2]Sale[/h2]

Lastly the game is on sale right now for the Steam Farming Fest until May 6th, for our BIGGEST sale ever. 50% off! Now is the VERY best time to pick up Swords 'n Magic and Stuff, so don't miss out!

Thanks for all your continued feedback, bug reports and support through Early Access! We couldn't have done it without our loyal fans and insanely dedicated playerbase. We love you guys and can't wait to bring you even more content soon!


[h2]Patch Notes[/h2]

[h3]
1.7.16 Quality of Life Update [/h3]

New:

• Loadout System: Create as many loadouts as you want, rename and delete them
  
• Shop items now warn you if you’ve already collected a style, discovered and item, or know a recipe
  
• You can now hover over the name of an item in the buy confirmation to see all of the item’s details
  
• Wardrobe System: Interact with mirrors to update your look (outfits, masks, hats)
  
• Interactable mirrors around the world
  
• Placeable mirrors are now interactable
  
• Hand Mirror item
  
• Collections no longer store items (Weapons can still be withdrawn, but not deposited)
  
• Stack Splitting in inventory overhaul
  
• Augment Stones can now be smelted into Augment Shards to be use at the alchemy station
  
• Augment Shard item
  
• Trash can option in the inventory used to drop items easier
  
• New “Deposit Matching Items” button in containers to make dropping off loot much easier and faster
  

Fixed:

• Tools no longer have enhancements show on them
  
• Multiplayer planting/farming issues
  
• Someone taught Kristen how reading works
  
• Kristen has misplaced her glasses once again
  
• Various collision issues
  
• Pottery debris no longer interferes with all of the loot goblins around Tirawyn
  
• No longer lose seeds and other small objects when looting dirt piles in Windless Woods
  
• Can no longer obtain multiple Staves of Overgrowth
  
• All staves now have the correct range
  
• Various Typos
  

Improved:

• Barber Shops character placement
  
• Suspicious looking chest no longer wants fed even if it’s empty
  
• Antivenom potions now sold in Sleepy Haven
  
• Updated icons for the equipment panel
  
• Unlocked recipes and skill level pop ups no longer stack on top of each making them difficult to read
  
• Major chest and pot loot rebalance