You asked for better camera motion. So here you go!
With some key insights from a couple players the rotation mechanics of the camera have been altered. The camera no longer rotates around its own axis. If a unit or building is selected the camera will rotate around the selected object. If no unit is selected the camera will rotate around the object in the center of the screen.
Feedback also suggested that the camera motion did not feel smooth. So! Camera motion now includes inertia which significantly smooths out the motion and rotation. Feels buttery smooth.
Couple other bits to note
Vertical rotation can be enabled in the settings menu, but needs refinement with the new rotation mechanic - use with caution.
The issue where the camera bottoms out on the terrain or other obstacle and does a herky-jerky dance upwards still exists - this issue is most pronounced when using the mouse scroll wheel.
Feedback
As always your feedback is needed and is crucial to the development of FTF. So let’s hear it! How does the new system feel?
New worker System & Optimization - Version 1.1.0
New Worker System
Version 1.1.0 brings the new worker system and worker menu. This new system was the result of player feedback and the desire to minimize micro management.
The new system is request based. Players can now place requests for workers at individual buildings or via the new worker menu. When workers are available they will fill the requests in the order that they were placed. There is a basic 3-tier priority system to let players fine tune the assignment of workers - highest priority requests are filled first. It’s also worth noting that recruits such as swordsman now also work on the request system - recruits are given further priority over other jobs.
This also means that if workers are killed a request for a new worker will be placed. So keeping your economy balanced is quicker and easier. This also goes for workers reloading siege weapons - each siege weapon can have up to 5 workers - with the intention of effectively “shortening” supply lines.
At this time there are no known major bugs with the worker system - which means you guys will probably have plenty of feedback shortly… As always bug will be fixed and addressed as soon as possible.
New Worker Menu
As the worker menu serves now as more of a management tool it can be open while other menus such as the build menu are also open. The worker menu can be moved by dragging the top panel. The worker menu can be toggled off by the button under the minimap as before as well as using the escape key (twice).
I would love to hear feedback on this style of menu and if the build menu should follow a similar style
Fixes and Optimizations
Significant optimizations to the workers have been made. Testing shows the frame rate to be stable with 200+ workers and two players. See the change log for more details.
Mini map optimization - should have no noticeable visual effect but some users may notice a FPS improvement.
Issue where some players were stuck on the starting menu for multiplayer games has hopefully be resolved or reduced in frequency.
By player request: Catapult range was reduced (by 20%)
Text Showing As Strings of Numbers
In several cases FTF is showing text as strings of random text. This is true in the tech tree as well as some of the URLs to feedback and bug reporting - irony if there ever was any! This is seemly caused by the game engine.
I am working on a new more stable solution to prevent this from happening again in the future. I apologize and thank you for your patience. A fix should be coming soon.
Text Showing As Strings of Numbers
In several cases FTF is showing text as strings of random text. This is true in the tech tree as well as some of the URLs to feedback and bug reporting - irony if there ever was any! This is seemly caused by the game engine.
I am working on a new more stable solution to prevent this from happening again in the future. I apologize and thank you for your patience. A fix should be coming soon.
First Stretch Goal Reached!
After the one week of being on sale Fracture the Flag has reached its first stretch goal!
Reaching that goal means a third multiplayer map will be added to FTF. The map will take a couple weeks to finish and polish. So what better time to get input from you the player? What do you want to see in the next level? It would be amazing to see drawings, 3D models whatever it takes to express your ideas let’s see it!
The intention was to add a “seismically active” level that would include a volcano that erupts fiery balls of magma raining down onto nearby settlements, earthquakes that alter the landscape, hillsides lit by the glow of lava flows while the sun sets over the ocean…
Got an idea? Let's hear it.
Resolved: Directx10 Related Crashes
Some users have been experiencing crashes when FTF loads. These crashes occured while the splash screen was displayed.
The apparent cause was non-compatible shaders when played on machines with Directx10. The game engine seemly did not compensate. The offending shaders have been removed. This does alter the appearance in minor ways. Tweaks to colors and other images effects to compensate will come later - first priority was to stop the crashing.
A test machine that was running Directx10 and crashing on load is now playing FTF successfully! Please let me know if this solves - if not I will continue to dig deeper.
Thanks for your patience.
Private Multiplayer Games - Build 1.0.2
The newest FTF build is now live. The most notable change addition is the ability to create a "private" multiplayer game. The functionality needs wider testing.
When selecting a multiplayer map you will see a new "private" toggle. Checking the box will change the buttons on the menu. Pressing "private game" will bring up a UI that will let you name your game.
To have your friends join your game simply give them the exact name of the game. Should be that simple. Love to hear feedback on this new feature.
Fracture the Flag is Now Live
Version 1.0.0 of Fracture the Flag is now live and available for purchase as an Early Access release.
After two years working my spare time as a solo developer release day is finally here! Thank you to all the testers and community members whose suggestions helped improve the look and play of the game. May there be many more improvements!
Download Getting Stuck?
If you are having trouble downloading FTF or other games you aren't alone!
It would appear that Steam is having some difficulty mainly with European servers/regions. If you have a download that is getting stuck an easy solution is to switch servers.
To Switch Servers
Under the Steam menu on the top left of the Steam Client click on "Settings"
Select the "Downloads" tab
Under "Download Region" select a different region - Canada has been working for many.
As a game developer all I can do is point you to a temporary solution, but I do want to know if you are having trouble downloading the game.
FTF: Video Review
The first video review of Fracture the Flag has been posted by eNtak. The video walks through many of the features of FTF and plays a little of a single player challenge.
Stop taking the developer's word for it, take a look at what over folks have to say about Fracture the Flag!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH-6WhQYof0
[H1]Because it needs to be said...[/H1]
There is no personal, business or other connection between One Wheel Studio and the eNtak YouTube channel. The channel was given steam keys to grant pre-release access to FTF and in no way was bound to review the game let alone give a favorable review.
