The Volcano is finally out, and with it, Act 1 of the story is done! To support it, we've added a ton of new mechanics. New guns, new abilities, perks, enemies, music, world events, and more! This patch is so big, we're finally moving the price of the game up to the full $20 after the sale.
Also a heads up - we have not yet updated the trailer with all this new stuff, but the demo is now updated!
Volcano
We've got a giant new zone fully implemented! The volcano fortress of an eccentric tech trillionaire, packed full of monuments to his success and corporations mining their IP. Continue unraveling the conspiracy with Anima as you wade through the miners' mischief and plenty of lava.
The volcano offers multiple pathways through the caverns, and triples the game's quest content, with new missions utilizing new mechanics like one-to-many server links to untangle, servers to defend, laser and lava hazards to dodge, and secrets to find. All of this culminates in a leap of faith and a boss fight with a new enemy - the Mother of Spiders and her many eggs. Be careful you though - along the way, you might get ambushed by a corp trying to take revenge in one of the new random world events.
New Items
Get ready for even more build options and replayability, with over a dozen new unique items and about 10 new normal item classes as well. Hand Cannons are a new base weapon type - close range burst damage, utilizing a new reload-style mechanic. Not shocking enough for you? How about Chain Lightning? SMGs? Smartguns? And my personal favorite, the Pinball Launcher.
We've also added a Grappling Hook and a Glide Jump, to give you even more movement options to master, complete with new perks to complement them.
New affixes? Tons! Off the top of my head: shield piercing, cooldown speed, charge speed, extra projectiles, aim assist, health/ram on kill, crit kill explosion, shatter frozen enemies, double/half projectile speed, spread vulnerabilities, and more!
Multiplayer Customization
Mako is finally showing her face in multiplayer, fully modeled and animated! You can set up a unique look, changing her suit, skin, and hair colors to whatever RGB value you prefer. Personally, I think you can't go wrong with magenta and cyan. Additionally, you can customize her jacket with a bunch of great icons (some from my friend's games!).
You can even mod your own icon in extremely easily - just put a .png in a folder. (Modding in general is easier with a new in-game debug display). If you don't want to see other people's icons, just uncheck "Allow custom content" in the game options, password protect your game, and kick anyone that crosses you.
And don't worry, if you miss the old pill models, you can still do that too!
More!
I'm very excited to announce that we have over 24 minutes of excellent new music from V-Axys! The music system is now location-specific, so for instance, the Volcano has a different feel than other places. And what's also location-specific? Spawn points. So if you die in the volcano, you get to go right back.
We've also added a new Recycle Bin mechanic, which lets you reroll 3 items into a new item which will be different from those three, of average item level, and of at least the rarity of the minimum one - so you can reroll 3 uniques into a new one!
We overhauled the Scorporation firing pattern which is much easier to predict and track while still being very challenging, and the Webcrawlers can now dodge! You'll notice this right away, it's a big change.
Also! Six new perks, Encrypted Server Security, better bounties (simpler, with in-game tracking and the option to reroll), and enemy path jank reduction. Of course, we've done tons of bug fixes, including a truly MASSIVE amount of optimization, resulting in a gain of *40* FPS, even on some low spec systems!
We hope you like all the new stuff! If you do, please feel free to leave a review and let us know on the discord.
Thanks for playing, and Happy Hacking! superdupergc and Nonadecimal
Major Patch: Volcanyon
Like a fancy cake, we're adding more layers to Black Ice. We added rewarding Bounties, the expansive and vertical Volcanyon (with missions!), and both Grenades and Launchers! Read on!
Bounties
First off, we've got bounties now! Bounties are nice little side objectives which grant rare or better loot in return. In-universe, Ouroborous, the famed hacker who made your deck software, is the one paying you to do these bounties. More on him in later patches!
There are about a dozen bounty types, with several subtypes each, which can combine into hundreds of variations. Unlock more as you hack higher level servers! You'll be tasked to with things like killing enemies with a specific weapon types, or Exploit enemies, or hack difficult servers while taking no damage. There's even a chance you'll get an extra hard bounty with a Choice Cube!
Volcanyon
A dense new zone, called the Volcanyon, is now available. This area is targeted at levels 5-15, with dozens of new servers layered in a very vertical environment. There are several new quests to complete here, in addition to all the fun new servers to hack - all leading up to the Volcano, which we are working on next!
Will you hack Machiavelli's Pizza, up on the cliff while watching out for the lava, or will you go straight for the gold and take out WeCare, the insurance company that has been denying your friend's daughter the medicine she needs?
Grenades
Make room on your deck, because you're going to want one of these! We've added not just throwable grenades, but also grenade launchers, in a bunch of different variants. Want to set enemies on fire? Sure! Want to stick an aimbot right before it groups up with its friends? You can! There are even a few unique grenades, like the Vortex Grenade, which pulls enemies and then explodes.
More!
We also did a ton of things you might not notice at first glance, but you'll love! We made it so AI can use booster pads. We upgraded the main UI, so that you can see more at once. We added quest indicators in the world, so you can see where you need to go. We added new affixes, which can show up randomly on weapons, but you can also mod in, like Chance to Pull. And of course, tons of bug fixes. Full details here.
We hope you like all the new stuff! Let us know on the discord.
Thanks for playing, and Happy Hacking! superdupergc and nonadecimal
Quick Bugfix Patch - 0.8.170
Hi everyone! I just did a quick bugfix patch that was on the indev patch, but I figured y'all would want on live. I say it's a bugfix patch, but there are some nice quality of life improvements and a couple of new item variants too. Check it out!
Next up, we're working on bounties! We've got them mostly working on our development version and hopefully we'll have something to test on indev in a few weeks.
Added some fire-based executables, with punny names. I won't tell you all of them here!
Added a new unique EMP, Halt and Catch Fire
Sniper weapons now have a wider range of firing rates (some are slower now)
Fixed several bugs in the overpass area (thanks o-goncho and others!)
Minions now prioritize the player's damage taken over their own when deciding aggro
Dark enemies now have a grey outline to differentiate them more when highlighted
Fixed an issue where Remote exploits would not properly detonate
Aimbots now have
much* faster projectiles at high level, (15 scaling to 50 in NG++)
Spidermines should properly reacquire targets if their first target dies now
Reduced Mine damage
Servers leveling up from killing players or other servers is now called Upgraded and can spawn in the world as a regular security affix. Level is +3 on top of the sector's max level instead of server level
Fixed Upgraded server not removing skulls when taken over sometimes
Hostile takeovers can no longer be from one server to that same server
Fixed an issue where ranged enemies could get stuck and ignore things when not finding cover positions
NOW FOR THE MOST REQUESTED:
Escalating servers now cap out at 5x power
Scopes now reduce aim sensitivity when used
ESCALATION Patch Notes + SALE!
*checks notes* Yep, Biggest Black Ice Patch Ever. Everything is getting bigger and better, which is why this patch is called Escalation. Also, the game is on sale for the Steam Summer Sale, so jump in!
It's been a while since I've updated the live version of the game 😅, but don't think that we haven't been hard at work! We've actually done over 45 weekly patches of the game on the Indev version, and now it's time for everyone to see all the new stuff! First, a preview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S-kbHAvhz4
A Whole New World
We've overhauled the entire world, adding new areas to the Supermesh, starting with a central hub called The Arcade. Explore intricate new combat areas like the overpass, alley and scar sections, as well as traversal areas like the Forest. And we're not done yet! We'll be adding stories, servers, and scorporations (and other enemies) into many of these areas soon!
Not only are there a lot of new places to see in the world, there's also a new event that happens periodically as you wander around. Corporate servers will try to perform a Hostile Takeover and hack another server! Will you choose to swoop in and clean up both servers, or will you let them fight and watch as one server takes the other over, gains an ally, and grows more powerful in the process?
Corporation Updates
Corporate security has had a huge upgrade. Not only can Swarm and Dark servers be found anywhere, but also there are now Evading, Escalating, Regenerating, and Explosive servers - a dozen security types in all! And if you thought I'd go easy on you and have only one security type per server, they definitely stack. Have fun with that Ice + Mines + Swarm server. :webcrawler:
To help you prepare for the new servers, the info terminals have been updated to corporate logos, color commentary from Ouroboros (written by Nonadecimal). The terminals even include which types of items that server is more likely to drop, which is great for when you need to upgrade that one piece of software.
Items
Speaking of upgrades - I have so many new items for you to hunt for! Details:
Pulse Rifles, which are a fourth modular weapon type which can use the dozen or so modular projectiles
Executables, spell-like abilities with longer cooldowns that can be used instantly to fire a burst of projectiles without swapping to the item, allowing for a new type of build we call "Wizard"
Exploits, a subtype of Executables that have a bonus ability that triggers when they hit debuffed enemies - like a huge explosion, a burst of projectiles, or calling in a mortar strike
Barriers, which are tough summonable shields to defend from projectiles
Specialized Mods and Scopes, which focus specific stats
Micromissiles and Seekers, which are new types of projectiles with wobbly and homing behaviors
On top of that, I've got more than a dozen new Super Duper unique items to find and create new character builds around, all with punny names because, well, a good pun is its own reword. :LazyThunk:
Weapons and gear are more variable and interesting than ever, with new six new bonus affixes and more affixes in the new customized drop pools. These pools ensure that items don't drop with affixes that don't apply to them, which results in more power for you! Additionally, I've added an important new item mechanic called Charges, which allows items like Executables to store up multiple uses over time.
All these new knobs to create items are accessible to players with the updated modding support, which makes it easier than ever to create and share new items with your friends. The tutorial is built into the csvs, which are now included with every patch in a built in Mods folder! It would actually be possible to enable Steam Workshop support for these types of item mods, so please let me know in the comments if you'd like me to enable that!
One more little thing that I love: dead enemies no longer block shots, which means that a single shotgun blast can take out a whole group of enemies. As you might expect, this feels AMAZING. See below:
New Builds
As always, I am focused on enabling more ways to build your character. To that end, I've added a new perk - Braincase - which heals the player for a percentage of their max health every time they get a headshot.
On top of that, I've overhauled six of the perks which were previously locked you into specific weapons. Now, these perks still apply to those weapons - but also to *all* of your weapons. This means you can now use the Double Data Rate perk which doubles projectiles with a machinegun, or the Aimhax homing perk with a pulse rifle - or both! "I Expect You To Die", the lasgun piercing perk, now adds piercing to *all* weapons, which can be fantastic if you are also running Drunken Master with its dizzy ricocheting projectiles.
Clever Girl...
Enemies now understand how to find cover positions, which means that ranged enemies will climb up on servers to snipe at you, while the melee enemies come at you from all directions. This has a huge difference on game feel!
Polish
And now for the lightning round, a huge list of other small things that we've worked on to improve quality of life, many in response to player suggestions (so keep suggesting things please!)
Tons of new sounds, including unique sounds for each enemy and item rarity on pickup
The Hack Radius has been completely redone - it animates and reacts to what you're doing. Gorgeous, if I do say so myself.
UI updates, including a death report, fancy damage numbers and chat, and inventory updates
Visual upgrades including Fog, Depth of Field, and Camera Tilt when strafing
Explosions now show their radius, to help aim
Players can now change their name and color in multiplayer, see allied players through walls, and share full XP
And of course, we've spent a ton of time on bug fixes and performance improvements
Thanks for reading all that. We've been working extremely hard on the game, and we're very proud of what we've accomplished. Looking ahead, I'm planning on working on Bounties next, while Nonadecimal will be working on stories and new areas! Let me know what you're excited about, either here or on the discord.
And then only 🐱?! Console jockeys, you'd better investigate!
Winter Sale!
Hi everyone! Super Duper Garrett Cooper here. Just wanted to let y'all know that Black Ice is 25% off for the Winter Sale, including the 4-Pack and the Soundtrack! Now's a great time to tell your friends about the game!
We're working on some awesome new stuff, like a Volcano zone and a bunch of new hack types - which you can preview on the Indev build right now!
0.8.119 Patch Notes - What better time than now?
I wanted to wait until we got the volcano done, but I figured y'all would want all these other fixes I've been working on since February. So without further delay,
Enemy Upgrades
So above there - you can see the new Mor.tar.gz enemy, who denies a big area for several seconds. They're pretty easy to take down at close range, but they can ruin your day if you're not paying attention. The Popup also has a whole new look, and the Aimbot is actually animated now. Additionally, all enemies now can be staggered by doing enough damage to them, which allows for some great close-ranged gameplay.
Also: CC resistance, smoother pathing, minion following improvements.
Item Upgrades
One of my goals is to encourage people to play multiple characters with different builds. To that end, I've created a cross-character Hacker Cache, placed near shops throughout the world, which allow you to easily transfer items between any of your characters. You can also upgrade their storage size with bitcreds. In your inventory, you can now mark items as Favorite to exempt them from the "Sell All" button.
Choice Cubes are a new mechanic, which offer a choice of three items when opened. They drop from Arena servers like Portcullis, and can also be purchased from shops. They can contain unique items!
Also: Self-damage on explosives, new uniques for disc and mine, new EMPs/Discs, ChanceToDebuff affixes.
Perk Upgrades
A full FIVE new perks, with all sorts of new combinations! Also - Aimhax has been changed to affect machineguns instead of snipers, to reward accurate sniping. Sniper rifles can still drop with Homing on them, however!
Performance
You should see a *huge* increase in framerate in this patch. I've updated through two major versions of Unity, added Occlusion Culling, and now de/respawn enemies/powerups with distance.
Please let me know if you like all this stuff. We've been working really hard on it, and we've got some Really Neat Stuff coming very soon (Volcano/Arcade/etc!) Anyway, go have fun!
(Full detailed notes for 0.8.102 - 0.8.119 are here)
What's next for Black Ice?
Hi there! Super Duper Garrett Cooper here - I'm the main dev of Black Ice. I just thought you might like a sneak preview of what's coming in the next big patch. Nonadecimal and I have been working very hard on the game this year, putting out an indev branch patch on average about once a week. (Patch notes for the indev version are here!).
Just real quick off the top of my head - a new enemy (the Mor.tar.gz), HUGE performance improvements and bugfixes, five new perks, new animations for all enemies to allow a new combat mechanic (staggering), a debuff revamp, cross-character item stash, new types of EMPs/Discs, new uniques, lots of balancing, and enemies are even better at finding and killing you. All of these upgrades are actually accessible on the indev version right now.
Coming up after that, I'm working on crafting a new volcano zone, as an upgrade of the current lava zone. Our focus has been on creating new types of experiences within Black Ice! Nonadecimal has been working on a hub area called The Arcade, which be varied area with jump pads and tunnels - great for PVP!
Anyway - if you're new, welcome! If you're an old (black) hat - there's never been a better time to jack in to Black Ice :webcrawler:
Black Ice "Firepower" Patch Notes - 0.8.100
Hi everyone! I'm super proud to finally launch the "Firepower" patch - with gun models, a lava zone, completely overhauled enemies, and the start of the mission system! My buddy Nonadecimal has been helping me out with the missions, corp names, and other cool stuff.
Weapons!
Check out these sweet gun models (created by Ethan Redd, and animated by yours truly, the weapon models represent a huge change in Black Ice. Not only do they look great, they actually change the functionality of the game. There are about a dozen new weapon models, each coming in several colors. You can only use one gun at a time, but I've rebalanced enemies to compensate.
Enemy Overhaul
Enemies are now even better at coming to kill you! Aimbots now fire Imp-style projectiles, Gitsfish charge at you, and Scorporations now snipe from long range, from behind a shield. Enemies gib or disintegrate depending on how hard you've just killed them. More than one enemy can climb the same wall, and all enemies are now much better at predicting where you'll be.
It's Getting Hot In Herre
Behind Portcullis, there's a new lava zone. The floor is literally lava, so fight across the rooftops, and dash across the new moving platforms into the Aimbot Fab, a new indoor arena with dozens of aimbots to dodge. It feels like a bullet hell! Check back in later - we have big plans for the lava ;)
Missons
Take up Mako's quest to save a little girl the corporations don't think is profitable enough to keep alive. In over her head from the first keystroke, Mako has to learn fast to navigate the rapid cycle of corporate espionage and payback that divides ultra-rich executives from everyone else. Choose carefully who to trust as the story begins to unfold.
Other Features
Exploding Barrels!
Tons of balancing changes - enemy speeds, attacks, hp, etc, weapon damage and RAM costs, and more!
New weapon recoil system, affected by the new reduced recoil/spread affixes on items
Sprint is faster, but you can no longer shoot while sprinting
Depth of Field and Fog video options, plus I fixed 1990 mode!
Enjoy! :webcrawler: And please take a second to review the game and tell your friends. It really helps!
Black Ice "Disconnected" Patch Notes - 0.8.036
Welcome to the Black Ice "Disconnected" Patch! I've got a ton of great stuff in this one, aimed primarily at making the world feel more alive, game feel, and quality of life. Check out the features below!
Roaming Enemies & Fort Servers
The Supermesh just got a lot more dangerous! There are now enemy ice patrolling the map, trying to protect their territory. Ambush them as they patrol, or sneak past them - just make sure you're safe before starting a hack, or they might sneak up on you!
Fort Servers are a new type of server which spawn enemies continuously to protect themselves. You can take out the enemies and get by, but in a minute or two, they'll be back. If you hack a Fort server, however, it will spawn friendly ice to help you fight in the surrounding area! It's like having a few extra minions! Look for the crenelations!
Shooting Feel Update
Who likes headshots? Enemies now have weak points which take triple damage from any hit. Additionally, they now have proper hitboxes, which means you'll be able to hit them in their legs or tentacles or whatever other creepy thing they might be crawling around on.
Player projectile speeds have also doubled, and the projectiles now hit things matching their visuals. The end result is that it's much easier to hit things accurately at range, and you no longer feel like you missed something by a few nanometers.
To balance all that out, your weapons now have an accuracy spread over time. This means that the longer you shoot, the less accurate your weapon will be, recovering over time. Snipers, of course, are the most accurate, but also take longer to recover their accuracy. Additionally, enemies move faster and have more hitpoints.
The end result? It feels even more awesome to kill things now.
New Enemy Variant
The Super Duper GITSfish now roams the world, and spawns from high level miniboss (light blue) servers. With massive stature and a frontal shield, he can be a beast to deal with. He's pretty slow to turn around, though, so you'd better hit him from behind!
New UI and Sounds
The UI has been completely overhauled for the inventory and shop screens, with gorgeous new icons for all items by James Hostetler. The new Virtual Cursor for controller users is particularly useful, as it's easier to understand and use. There's also a new comparison system, which will show the difference in *actual* end-result DPS and health for any particular item swap.
On top of all the new UI goodness, there are custom sounds for both the game and the UI. They were made by excellent sound designer Jocelyn Reyes, who also worked on Overland and Looty Dungeon. And she's not even done yet - there will be more sounds in the next few patches.
Other Features
New Perk! Double Barrel, which doubles your shotgun's number of projectiles at a cost of attack speed and accuracy
Map changes! There are new ramps and things all over the place, including in the arena server on the rim
Aggro! Enemies now have a proper aggro system, and will prefer enemies that have damaged them or their allies. Minions will attack enemies that attack you!
Minions now scale with player HP, damage, and attack speed (converted to damage)
Loot Find Buff! More better items faster!
Optimization! We converted the ENTIRE GAME from JavaScript to C#, added a bunch of multiplayer improvements, and enabled more enemy death particles to boot. Better framerate for everyone!
Bug fixes like you wouldn't believe.
Upcoming Features
As a special treat for reading this far, I'll tell you what I'm working on next. I've got not one, not two, but SIX new enemies planned for the next few months. They're being created by the radical Ethan Redd, and will have different move patterns and methods of attack. Additionally, we will soon be working on quests and plot!
Enjoy! :gitsfish: And please take a second to review the game and tell your friends. It really helps!
