VALHALL: Harbinger News

[h3]News update on next patch - own bot squad and more coming![/h3]

We are working on a huge patch that implements the mechanics of recruiting and controlling your warriors by giving them different commands.

Also, we are preparing a new map for the Survival game mode. Part of it could also be used for a BR for the first time.

Here are some gameplay footage of how orders work. At the moment, the following commands have been completed and are in the testing stage (searching for bugs, polishing): Charge, Follow me, Stay here, Switch to fists fight, and Auto mode.





The list of these commands is not exhaustive - Shield wall, Switch to bow/melee weapon, more to come.

As you may know, part of our team is based in Ukraine. We keep working and try to release the next patch in March, but right now some of us have to take care of life first.

Skål!
Blackrose Arts

19.03.22 Update: The patch was planned on March, but some things are still WIP. We aim at 7-16 April now. Thank you!

Skål!
Dadskil

[h3]Pre-Beta 0.8 patch has arrived![/h3]

Today's patch brings a lot new, fixes and improvements. Let's see what's there:

• New water
  
  You can enjoy the new water on the Weapon test map! It is part of a new comprehensive system including boats and swimming.
  
  
• Boats and swimming are here! & New Weapon test map
  
  Now you can test the boat and swimming features on the new Weapon test map. They are WIP and will be improved in the course of development (both logic and effects).
  
  
  
  Swimming allows you to swim not only on the surface of the water, but also underwater as long as you have air.
  
  
  
  To board the ship you will need the ladders located at the bow of the ship and use the rudder located at the stern of the ship.
  
  
  
  The boat has several movement modes - use W (once & twice) and S for speed and A/D for turning.
  
  Important note: all of these features (the new water, boat and swim system) only work on the Weapon test map because the current Survival map is just a testing ground in the current development phase. And these systems require a lot of work with the landscape. That's why we decided to implement them already on the new Survival map, which is currently in development. More information will be in the next updates - about the upcoming new map and the start of Beta testing, when there will be enough mechanics and content to ensure a playable and enjoyable game state.
  
  
• Adjusted the stamina cost for various weapon items
  
  Now each type of weapon (1H, 2H, shields) consumes stamina more correctly and is blocked depending on the type of weapon.
  
  
• Archers (bots) inventory improvements
  
  Archers now have only a small amount of arrows in their inventory.
  
  
• Improved AI logic - bots can now switch weapons between melee and ranged weapons
  
  Basically, this logic is prepared for future mechanics and content, when the player will be able to control his own warriors...
  
  
• Adjusted bot spawn randomizer
  
  Now it is configured correctly and raid bots appear in a random number.
  
  
  Additional work has been done based on community feedback since the previous patch:
  
  
• Different accuracy of archer bots depending on the time of day
  
  Archer bots now have significantly reduced range and accuracy at night to avoid unbalanced combat during this period.
  
  
• A new block system and fine-tuned balance between different types of weapons and an increased value of shields in combat.
  
  Players can now hold a block instead of briefly blocking on each press. This will allow melee warriors with shields to gain more protection from arrows. It makes sense to use a shield more often. Removed weapon block (swords and axes) against arrows.
  
  The balance will also be reached by turn cap (when you can't turn quickly while holding block) and the additional stamina cost from hitting.
  
  When the shield's durability reaches 0, it will be destroyed.
  
  
• Balanced too many raid bots at the start of the Survival map
  
  Now bots will raid your base not at the very beginning :)
  
  P.S. We always keep an eye on your comments under updates. Main polishing work will take place closer to Beta and farther tests. But feel free to share your thoughts at any time. We are very grateful for your feedback!
  
  
  Bug fixes:
  
  
• Fixed visual bug with hotbar at the moment of death
  
  
• Fixed an annoying weapon swap bug
  
  
• Fixed disappearance of the character's body when approaching a dead body
  
  
• Fixed item management bugs
  
  Incorrect position of the item icon when moving with LMB and incorrect work of fast transfer with RMB

[h3]Main known issues:[/h3]

• Loki's maze Deathmatch servers may have connection issues during the next 2 days.
  
  
• Customized weapon equip doesn't work correctly after the latest inventory rework
  
  
• Crouch is temporarily disabled
  
  
• Latency has a too big influence on the block (VFX could not work as well as block quality is not we are aiming for)
  
  
• In rare cases game process doesn't finish on its own for a long time.
  
  
• Characters don't play movement animations correctly. We need to fix upperbody bones rotation during movement animations

Important! Some bugs can appear due to conflict with temp / saved files of previous VALHALL versions on your PC.
If you meet an unlisted issue then:
- delete all game saves here: C:|Users|*YourName*|AppData|Local|VALHALL.
- uninstall the game through Steam
- delete manually game folder in your Steam folder
P.S. Keep in mind that you will lose progress in single player modes in case of deleting save files.

We have done almost all the work on the Survival servers. They are still undergoing maintenance, but will be back to life soon with the next patches. Now you can try it under the Singleplayer tab. Loki's maze Deathmatch servers are on now.


Skål!
Blackrose Arts

We wish you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone!

[h3]Pre-Beta 0.7.8 patch has arrived![/h3]

Improved bot logic for Loki's maze Deathmatch

As you probably know, before the bots participated only in combat and did not challenge you to save points by activating the Runestone. Now bots are also fighting for activation and can become great rivals.



Moreover, archers' logic was improved - now they notice obstacles (trees, stones, walls) during aiming and bypass them (previously they shot to obstacles if their target was behind the obstacle).

Ships & new water are almost ready and will be in the next update!

As we work on new basics, there are some changes that may cause bugs in previous saves. If you encounter one, please clear your save files C:|Users|*YourName*|AppData|Local|VALHALL

In the next patch, boats will be presented by one type - Karvi. Drakkar (Busse) and others will be added later.







Each type of ship has its own characteristics that affect how it is controlled, how it interacts with water and with other ships in accordance with the physics of the game.

For example, a larger ship will deal more damage to a smaller ship in the event of a collision, and its momentum at the time of collision will depend on the masses of both ships. Another case is if you stop your ship - it will sail slowly due to the physics of the waves.

[h3]Main known issues:[/h3]

• Weapon swapping bugs in rare cases. Reconnect to fix.
  
  
• Customized weapon equip doesn't work correctly after the latest inventory rework.
  
  
• Crouch is temporarily disabled.
  
  
• Latency has a too big influence on the block (VFX could not work as well as block quality is not we are aiming for).
  
  
• In rare cases game process doesn't finish on its own for a long time.
  
  
• Characters don't play movement animations correctly. We need to fix upperbody bones rotation during movement animations.

Important! Some bugs can appear due to conflict with temp / saved files of previous VALHALL versions on your PC.
If you meet an unlisted issue then:
- delete all game saves here: C:|Users|*YourName*|AppData|Local|VALHALL.
- uninstall the game through Steam
- delete manually game folder in your Steam folder

Survival servers are still undergoing maintenance. You can try it under the Singleplayer tab. They will become available again in the next patches (Loki's maze Deathmatch servers are on now).


[h3]The future patches bring:[/h3]

• Boats.
  
  
• New items and gathering options.
  
  
• New characters and equipable armor.
  
  
• Bots logic upgrades.
  
  
• Combat improvements and bug fixes.

Our team sends you the warmest holiday wishes!

Skål!
Blackrose Arts

[h3]Vikings![/h3]

Thanks to your feedback, we have discovered one major bug that has appeared in the game with the latest patch.

The fix arrived along with some other game improvements:

• Fixed constant short freezes.
  
  As you may have noticed since the last patch, from time to time the player character freeze while moving. We found out the reason and improved the new part of AI logic added in the last patch. It should now play smoothly.
  
  
• Fixed cases where the arrow was not visible in the hands of the bot.
  
  
• Fixed sometimes the number of arrows was shown incorrectly after looting bots.
  
  
• Fixed with a two-handed axe lost stamina too quickly and stopped attacking.
  
  
• Fixed dead bots keep breathing.
  
  
• Fixed missing arrow whistle sound during flight.
  

Some bugs like tower with two stairs can occur due to conflict with temporary / saved files of previous VALHALL versions on your PC.
If you meet an issue:
- delete all game saves here: C:|Users|*YourName*|AppData|Local|VALHALL.
- uninstall the game through Steam
- delete manually game folder in your Steam folder

Skål!
Blackrose Arts

[h3]Vikings![/h3]

[h3]Pre-Beta 0.7.7 patch has arrived![/h3]



As we said in the Pre-Beta 0.6.1 update:

We are developing the core mechanics required for the different game modes while continuing to test new features in certain modes that have enough playability with their complex and current amount. This method helps a lot because it allows to build the global systems correctly, get more feedback in the process, tune them with testers and avoid extra reworks in the future.

It is worth noting that each next mode that enters testing receives many elements from the previous one. For example, the next testing mode is Survival. Then Battle Royale, etc. Our Viking BR includes gameplay aspects of Survival as well as its environmental stuff (animals, weather, biomes, etc.). Just like BR contains content from Loki's maze Deathmatch (rune stones activation, a dynamic maze, and others).

We are getting closer and closer to the complex unusual experience that evolves from medieval slasher-BR and survival. First, we finish the preparations, like ships and other coming elements. Your feedback in the future tests will be essential.

Meanwhile, today's patch brings:

• New wild animals - wolves and deer
  
  For wolves was also added new dodge logic, as well as retreat logic for deer. Their animations and logic will continue improving during development.
  
  
  
  
• AI logic upgrade
  
  Bots no longer disappear after you die (survival mode). They begin to patrol the area near the body of the player's character.
  
  
• Changed spawn points for mostly all wild animals & markers
  
  They are now grouped in different locations, with only a few individual animals crossing the map. These are the places (lairs) marked with a marker on the compass when you approach them at a certain distance.
  
  
• Added watch towers to build
  
  On the one hand, they can provide you with additional advantages in defending your position. On the other hand, do not forget that the bot can destroy them with fire arrows, and then you will fall
  
  
  
  
• Improved logic of raid bots and some fixes for existing ones
  
  Raid bots now correctly detect the state of the player's position (inside or outside in player-created buildings). If the player is inside, the archers will switch from a simple arrow to a fiery one and attack you with fiery arrows.
  
  
  
  In addition, their spawn logic has been improved to more successfully reach the player.
  
  
• The parameters responsible for thirst, hunger, cold and damage received from them have been balanced. The stamina loss was also balanced.
  
  Since the last update, we've received feedback on the weather being too harsh. All parameters have been balanced to improve gameplay.
  
  
• Improved animal movement logic
  
  Animals now become smoother when roaming.
  
  
• Improved watchtowers in the Viking camp
  
  Previously, in most cases, bots could not follow the player to the watchtowers and get to them - fixed.
  
  
• Reduced the player's backward walking speed
  
  
• Fixed cases where bots did not respawn on the test weapon map
  
  
• Fixed the logic of bots looking down after a player dies
  
  
• Improved the visibility of some user interface elements
  
  For example, the button for turning on the fire and fireplace - according to players' feedback.
  
  
• Fixed situations where bots (animals and Vikings) did not react to player attacks from a very long distance
  

[h3]Main known issues:[/h3]

• Weapon swapping bugs in rare cases. Reconnect to fix.
  
  
• Customized weapon equip doesn't work correctly after the latest inventory rework.
  
  
• Crouch is temporarily disabled.
  
  
• Latency has a too big influence on the block (VFX could not work as well as block quality is not we are aiming for).
  
  
• In rare cases game process doesn't finish on its own for a long time.
  
  
• Characters don't play movement animations correctly. We need to fix upperbody bones rotation during movement animations.

Important! Some bugs can appear due to conflict with temp / saved files of previous VALHALL versions on your PC.
If you meet an unlisted issue then:
- delete all game saves here: C:|Users|*YourName*|AppData|Local|VALHALL.
- uninstall the game through Steam
- delete manually game folder in your Steam folder

Survival servers are still undergoing maintenance. You can try it under the Singleplayer tab. They will become available again in the next patches (Loki's maze Deathmatch servers are on now).


[h3]The future patches bring:[/h3]

• Boats.
  
  
• New items and gathering options.
  
  
• New characters and equipable armor.
  
  
• Bots logic upgrades.
  
  
• Combat improvements and bug fixes.

Skål!
Blackrose Arts