Now that the game is in a good state and has enough content to properly show off and play, I have decided that I'll be releasing a demo for interested players!
The demo for Chaos Chain allows you to try out the life of a freelancer in the Slade City sprawl!
Specifics:
Features
Try out the game using the "civic" character background! (The full game has 7 backgrounds to play as!)
Play until your character reaches rank 7! (Rank 35 is the max in the full game!)
Access to all gameplay content that build 1.36.2 (2/4/24) has to offer! (A few hours of the main quest and over 30 side quests!)
Autosaves and the ability to sleep and save! (Buy the full version to save anywhere and anytime using memory chips!)
Save transfer capability (You can move your saves from the demo into the main game's directory if you end up buying it to continue where you left off!)
I decided that the above list of features seemed both reasonable and allow you to experience what the game has to offer without too many limitations.
I'll let everyone know once I have more info!
-Cryptic ːCStudiosː
2/4/24 - Chaos Chain Hotfix 1.36.2
Chaos Chain
Salutations, freelancers...
Here's a quick patch to fix a crash introduced by yesterday's update!
*Please note that these changes are not in any particular order.*
BETA Update 1.36.2 Changelog:
Bug Fixes:
FIXED a crash caused by using nourishment items after yesterday's update (Thanks to Ptolemai0s for reporting this!)
Please let me know of any bugs or issues you may encounter so I can fix them. This update will be available shortly.
That's all for now, enjoy!
-Cryptic ːCStudiosː
2/3/24 - Chaos Chain Update 1.36.1
Chaos Chain
Salutations, freelancers...
Here is the next update for the game. I've been releasing improvements and fixes all week, and at this point, all the problems that I know of with the game are FIXED!!! Woohoo! I was supposed to be on vacation but wanted to get these solved, so here we go. Starting this coming week, I'll be back to adding new content such as quests and areas! Check out the change log below!
*Please note that these changes are not in any particular order.*
BETA Update 1.36.1 Changelog:
Bug Fixes:
FIXED a few dialogue typos
FIXED some contextual action displays
FIXED consumable items (Drugs and nourishment items in this case - medical items worked a bit differently, not allowing you to select a companion to use them on with the keyboard or a controller and only working with a mouse)
FIXED Gutter Sludge Road Travel Event not working properly and never activating the battle associated
FIXED a really weird issue which caused certain items (Not ammo) to show their quantity being 1 higher than they actually were (Related to the ammo system)
FIXED a rare case which allowed states besides Shock to still be added even when the damage of an attack was 0 or less
FIXED Throw Debris skill not having the standard 10% base chance to add Shock
Changes & Additions:
Added battery packs to Akio's shop listings
Updated movement logic for some special effects when in large exterior areas
ALL consumable items have been updated so that they automatically refresh the target window for who you want to use them on (Previously, they did not always update the window until it was manually closed and then re-opened, this issue was present with nourishment and drug items)
Removed an error message popup that I added in one of the other recent updates as I confirmed yesterday the issue associated is fixed
A few other minor changes
Please let me know of any bugs or issues you may encounter so I can fix them. This update will be available shortly.
This is just an announcement to let you know that I've released a second cosmetic supporter pack for those of you who want to help me out and get some extra goodies in game!
Here is the next medium sized update for the game. Though the change log is not huge, this update brings some extensive improvement rewrites to the backend systems associated with the game, which means that the game should be noticeably smoother in larger areas and when a lot is happening on screen at once. Check out the complete change log below!
*Please note that these changes are not in any particular order.*
BETA Update 1.36.0 Changelog:
Bug Fixes:
Removed a leftover testing event
FIXED a broken dialogue loop (Caused by a typo)
Changes & Additions:
Disabled some engine-default stuff that isn't used in Chaos Chain
Converted the system which saves event locations from always running in the background to only running when a map transfer is requested (Improves efficiency and performance significantly - this allowed me to get rid of several background processes on ALMOST EVERY MAP and it improves FPS on large outdoor maps - it also reduces system memory usage tremendously)
Updated all maps and event saving processes to the new system (Detailed above)
Reduced the max weather sprites on screen at one time by 1 times the weather severity (1 for 1, 2 for 2, 3 for 3, and so on)
Slowed the rain drop splash effect rate slightly (Slowing this down made the system much more efficient and less prone to issues regarding performance)
A few other quick tweaks
Please let me know of any bugs or issues you may encounter so I can fix them. This update will be available shortly.
Calling all runners, anarchists, operatives, freelancers, and outcasts!
Chaos Chain is 40% off this week to go with all of the recent updates and the DLCs are also discounted if you want to help us out and get some extra goodies!
There have been a bunch of updates over the past few weeks, so check out the news section!
Here is the next update for the game. Check out the change log below!
*Please note that these changes are not in any particular order.*
BETA Update 1.35.0 Changelog:
Bug Fixes:
FIXED a few dialogue typos
FIXED a caching issue related to the face background image (Circuitry) disposing
Changes & Additions:
Suppressed Status no longer has the same icon as Shock (It now has a unique icon image)
Cleaned up a few various icon images to be more defined
Added texture to the face border overlay images
Added handling methods for the Supporter Cosmetic Pack 2 DLC (Releasing in a few days - will be the same price of $3.99 as the first was and will offer the same things - 8 new exclusive skins, 10 cred, 1 memory chip - I gotta keep the lights on and keep adding content for everyone with the base game, so if you want to help me out, please do)
Added 8 new skins (4 Male, 4 Female) for the Supporter Cosmetic Pack 2 DLC
Deleted A LOT of unused and leftover assets that are no longer needed or used
A few other very small tweaks to some hidden values here and there
Please let me know of any bugs or issues you may encounter so I can fix them. This update will be available shortly.
New skins for the DLC:
That's all for now, enjoy!
-Cryptic ːCStudiosː
1/26/24 - Chaos Chain Update 1.34.0
Chaos Chain
Salutations, freelancers...
Here is the next small update for the game. It focuses on optimization. Check out the change log below!
*Please note that these changes are not in any particular order.*
BETA Update 1.34.0 Changelog:
Bug Fixes:
FIXED an endless loop that caused the rain drop splash effects to continue to appear even when disabling them from the menu (It wouldn't actually take effect previously until the weather changed or you transferred to a new area)
Changes & Additions:
Added error message display in the event of a super rare crash (I cannot get the crash to replicate but it happens EXTREMELY rarely at the beginning of combat sometimes - I have tried 50 times in a row at this point and no crash - if you see the error please tell me!)
Improved the cleanup process of rain drop splash effects (It should be a bit smoother now)
Updated stamina max handling to be cleaner and less redundant
Consolidated several very large events from having multiple pages
Rewrote a method for revived characters to apply hidden statuses related to cyware (Should be cleaner now)
Lowered the effect intensity of power surges when outside
Added a brief delay between process execution to the start of battles with a lot of background stuff going on
Deleted a lot of leftover code
A bunch of other tweaks and adjustments to improve performance and optimization
Please let me know of any bugs or issues you may encounter so I can fix them. This update will be available shortly.
That's all for now, enjoy!
-Cryptic ːCStudiosː
1/25/24 - Chaos Chain Hotfix Update 1.33.1
Chaos Chain
Salutations, freelancers...
Here is a quick hotfix update for the major update that came yesterday. Check out the change log below!
*Please note that these changes are not in any particular order.*
BETA Update 1.33.1 Changelog:
Bug Fixes:
FIXED a bug with entering a new Alias in the PDA which made the confirmation message appear 3 times
FIXED an encounter in the Industrial Zone not freezing the player immediately when it starts and thus leading to a hang up
FIXED Dr Cranlin's name not being highlighted while having her quest
FIXED several typos
FIXED some dialogue action text inconsistencies
FIXED a missing sound effect in Omari's intro
FIXED "A Real Meal" side quest not having a journal description (It was accidentally showing another side quest's description)
FIXED some text running off screen in a few quest related dialogues
Changes & Additions:
Added rags to Plug's shop (He should have had this)
Got rid of some old code that is no longer needed
A few other quick tweaks
Please let me know of any bugs or issues you may encounter so I can fix them. This update will be available shortly.
That's all for now, enjoy!
-Cryptic ːCStudiosː
1/24/24 - MAJOR Chaos Chain Update 1.33.0
Chaos Chain
Salutations, freelancers...
Here is the next update for the game. Check out the change log below!
*Please note that these changes are not in any particular order.*
BETA Update 1.33.0 Changelog:
Bug Fixes:
FIXED being able to access the PDA and companion dialogue hotkeys during the intro and character creation
FIXED amount text when Neko gives the player equipment in the beginning of the game to reflect the new amounts
FIXED some dialogue actions being the wrong text color
FIXED some dialogue typos
FIXED Spray Reaper Full Auto skill costing no AP
FIXED a few tileset pathing issues
Changes & Additions:
Added new Steam Achievements
Updated the code handling the splash screen and warning screen regarding epilepsy - the warning screen will only show if no save file is present in the game folder
Rewrote and reworded several parts of the intro (It sounds a lot better and more "together" than it did before)
Added one extra line of blank space between each major section of text in the intro to allow more time for reading the previous section
You can now quickly bring up the save menu (Quicksave) by pressing "Q" and this will allow you to save if you have a memory chip (Works just like saving regularly)
Updated Controls scene with quicksave menu keymap info (Q)
Increased the size of area transfer diamonds to be more obvious
Neko's shop is no longer a one-stop shop for all types of weapons and ammo (I've modified the weapon seller lists quite a bit with this update)
Added "Heavenly Gift" repeatable side quest
Added Reservoir Station 16 interior area to The Slabs (The area is not currently used for anything but it will be)
Added Warehouse Alley new subdistrict (Connects Ashen Row and Crescent Strip similarly to Smugglers' Bend - this district doesn't have a ton of stuff yet but I will add more to it in the near future)
Added Smuggler Storage Unit interior area to Warehouse Alley (New weapon seller - go see what he has - new stuff on the menu!)
Added an additional optional way of completing the "Rats Nest" side quest (Spoiler: It involves a molotov)
Updated The Slabs area with some redesigned buildings and some additional scenery
Added Smuggler character sprites
Updated list of possible danger / hostile names of character types in the environment to highlight in orange
Added Blowtorch exotic weapon (Can be used indefinitely as long as fuel is equipped, but isn't very powerful unless you use the special attack skill "Blowtorch Scorch" - increases damage and status effect chance but requires fuel to be consumed)
Added Flamethrower ordinance weapon (Light it up!)
Added Flamethrower animations, icon art, and default attack skill
Added Flamethrower Immolate special weapon skill
Added Blowtorch animations, icon art, and default attack skill
Added Blowtorch Scorch special weapon skill
Renamed Gasoline to Fuel
Low grade medical items have been doubled in loot drop chance for randomized containers
All guns and firearms in the game have been given designations in their name to make them stand out a bit more and feel more true to life
Added comments to several weapon descriptions
Added several new dialogues to existing characters
Added some new character graphics (Faces and sprites) for new unique characters
Added new flavor text to various locations for lore and world building purposes
Added sound effect feedback for opening and closing the world map
Cleaned up some icon art
Updated the active/inactive portrait overlay for the player character and companions
Improved shading surrounding the interface to look more transitional
Improved intro music fade between the soundtrack change
Added more "texture" to several wall surface tiles to make them stand out more
Added two new alternate title screen images with hue variations like the original
Added the new alternate images with variant resolutions to the Founder Pack DLC
Added new intro image 2
Added new intro image 3
Provoke now gives +150 initiative on use instead of only +5 (It didn't work sufficiently the way it was intended before)
Drone Medtech Treatment ability now heals 12 health instead of 18 (It was too overpowered for such a low cost of AP)
Drone Medtech Stabilize ability now revives for 15% health instead of 20% but now also recovers 5% Mettle
Chronic Illness Flaw no longer has x2 cost for condition healing, but has an extra 5% weakness against sickness and 5% reduced mettle (The x2 condition healing was a bit overkill in terms of difficulty)
Added some more NPC blockers to a few areas to help avoid frustrations
Added some more NPCs to a few areas
Updated several shop lists
Added unlockable titles PDA option
Added "Samaritan" unlockable title (Earn 15 Fame)
Added "Renegade" unlockable title (Earn 15 Infamy)
Added "Outlaw" unlockable title (Reach 5 Heat)
Added "Runner" default title (Usable by everyone by default)
Updated default title "?????" locked message with detailed info on how to use them (Example: "Trooper" is replaced by "Military Background Only" when it is unavailable to a certain character due to their chosen background)
Added more visual clutter decor to some areas
Added some more contrast to the font outline color to make the font "pop" a little more and look less like it's just blurry
Lowered the pitch of a couple of soundtracks that sounded too "happy" for Chaos Chain's intended theme and atmosphere
Improved movement/pathfinding on small/thin objects on the map
Added some new randomized background sound effects to both the indoor and outdoor lists
Significantly updated the world map image
Removed some bits of code here and there to optimize performance further
TONS of other misc tweaks and adjustments
Please let me know of any bugs or issues you may encounter so I can fix them. This update will be available shortly.
A gentle reminder: if you're enjoying the game so far or have critiques you'd like to share, please consider leaving a review for me. This not only helps with much needed visibility, but also gives me important feedback for the game to help it become a better final product. Also, if you have questions, concerns, or requests, please visit the official Chaos Chain Steam Forums or join the official Discord Channel!
