Dev Log Update v0.23

August 23, 2024

New Boss Enemy & Hero Backstory

This past week, my focus was on integrating a new Boss Enemy into the game, which dovetailed nicely with expanding our hero's backstory. This addition has led to a richer narrative framework and has given depth to the gameplay experience from the very start.

New Introductory Scene

A significant addition is the new scene at the beginning of the game. This scene triggers right after character creation and serves as a bridge to the introductory dungeon. It features a 35-second cut-scene complete with voice dialogue and on-screen captions, setting the stage for the adventure ahead. The scene's purpose is to provide just enough context to intrigue players without giving away too much—maintaining an element of mystery that players can unravel as they progress.

Story Outline

The narrative begins in a ceremonial circle atop a mountain, overlooking the village where evil watchers gather as the Lich King attempts to resurrect his most loyal knight. Despite the knight's unwavering loyalty in life, his refusal to serve the Lich King in death leads to a dramatic sequence where he is burned and resurrected—only for the spell to fail spectacularly. Instead of a mindless servant, the knight retains his will, setting the stage for the game's beginning as the player takes control and flees into the dungeons below.

Gameplay Integration

Players start in control at the pivotal moment of resurrection, quickly learning that survival means escape. This introduces the immediate challenge of navigating the dungeons without gear, emphasizing stealth and quick thinking.

Bug Fixes & Other Game Enhancements

This update also brings a slew of bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements to enhance gameplay fluidity and user experience:

• Xbox Controller Compatibility: Improved Xbox controller support, including a key remapping of the crouch function—now, the crouch button does just that, rather than triggering the sneak action (which makes you look invisible by the way).
• Combat and Damage Mechanics: Addressed several issues affecting combat dynamics:
  • Reworked the interaction of all Payloads (arrows, bolts, orbs, rocks, etc) with targets to ensure they inflict damage as intended, enhancing the reliability of bows, crossbows, and ranged attacks from traps and enemies.
• Help Tips System: Overhauled the Help Tips system to fix numerous minor bugs and possibly eradicated a recurring error causing game crashes. This update aims for a more stable and informative gameplay experience.
• Gameplay Mechanics: Adjusted player actions to prevent blocking during mid-swing and mid-jump attacks, aligning defensive actions more realistically with player movements.
• Interface Usability: Disabled the Right Mouse Button Drag & Drop functionality after identifying an uncommon but impactful bug. This change aims to streamline control schemes and eliminate confusion.
• Character Equipment: Fixed a significant oversight where female characters could only access male armor from armor racks. The system now recognizes the player’s character gender and adjusts available armor accordingly, streamlining the equipment process and ensuring compatibility. (this only applies to Cuirass and Greaves)

What's Next?

Looking ahead, the next update will enhance the game's narrative delivery. I plan to introduce mechanisms that gradually reveal the backstory, answering lingering questions about the protagonist’s identity and the true antagonist. Additionally, after completing the fourth village quest, players will gain access to the Boss Battle Arena. Success here will not only advance the story but also unlock a return journey to the hero's homeland—a feature reserved for the full game release.

I am excited to see how these additions improve player engagement and deepen the game's world. Your feedback has been invaluable, and I encourage more as we refine these experiences together. Stay tuned for the next update, where I'll share more about our progress and new adventures awaiting in our hero's homeland.