Monomyth
Hotfix EA1.0.0e
Someone pointed out to me that their static containers were corrupted.
When I looked into the issue, I realized this bug only appeared if you loaded a save state from a previous version and saved/overwrote it. It would only affect static containers that had items in the lower half of their inventory space. I fixed the bug and it shouldn't be happening anymore.
Player inventories were unaffected. Here are the full patch notes:
* Fixed an internal patching process that would corrupt static containers
* Adjusted price for empty flasks
Best wishes,
Michael
Hotfix EA1.0.0d
I just moved the latest hotfix to the default branch. Here are the full patch notes:
* Added gamma/brightness options
* You can now exit the Chapel of Incarnation from the inside
* The player character's torch should be less blinding now
* Added store signs (also for currently closed stores)
* You can no longer enter the mysterious ankh room by corrupting your save file with invalid characters
* Harold will now accept your money if you come back for the deal
* Fixed some character names
As mentioned, there might still be some inconsistencies between the brightness in the heartlands and the rest of the game. If you are experiencing any other issues, please let me know!
Best wishes,
Michael
Hotfix EA1.0.0d now on Public Testing Branch
I just uploaded the latest build to the testing branch. Here are the first patch notes:
* Added gamma/brightness options
* You can now exit the Chapel of Incarnation from the inside
* The player character's torch should be less blinding now
* Added store signs (also for currently closed stores)
* You can no longer enter the mysterious ankh room by corrupting your save file with invalid characters
If you are experiencing any problems, please let me know. The Heartlands base lighting is a little too dark and corrected via post-processing gamma at the moment. You might see some incoherence between it and the other areas if you turn up the brightness. This will be fixed with the next lighting update.
Best wishes,
Michael
Hotfix EA1.0.0c
I just uploaded the latest hotfix to the default branch. The focus was further balancing enemies and spells, having the blacksmith repair your items, improving performance, and fixing the mouse skipping. Here are the full patch notes:
* Map pins should initialize correctly now
* Lowered vitality of Piscoids & Water Elementals
* Adjusted intelligence requirements for some spells
* Bounty hunters are now a separate faction
* Fixed notes on runeplates
* Rodri the blacksmith can now repair all your equipment
* Added a hint for the expanding orb puzzle
* Added a flag to turn off frame-adjusted mouse data
* Slight performance improvements in the heartlands
I had to rebuild the lighting in the heartlands so the patch size is a bit bigger. Sorry for that. Performance should be a bit better as well. Please let me know if you have any further issues with mouse skipping. The frame-adjusted mouse data (which causes the skipping on some systems) should be off by default.
Best wishes,
Michael
Hotfix EA1.0.0c now on Public Testing Branch
I just uploaded a new hotfix. However, it is not on the default branch yet. I have created a new beta branch called "testing" to stage the latest builds of the game and optimize newly implemented features for deployment if necessary.
If you'd like to take a look at it, you can access the testing branch by right-clicking on your Monomyth Steam library entry and opening the properties. Under "Betas" select the "testing" branch in the Beta Participation dropdown menu.
Once you are done testing, be sure to switch back to the default branch (None).
Here are the current changes for EA1.0.0c:
* Map pins should initialize correctly now
* Lowered vitality of Piscoids & Water Elementals
* Adjusted intelligence requirements for some spells
* Added option to turn off frame-adjusted mouse data
* Slight performance improvements in the heartlands
For the moment, frame adjustments are turned off by default (unlike in EA1.0.0b). Please let me know if you experience any more severe mouse skipping or other issues. If not, this will become the default setting in the future.
The hotfix is a little bigger because I had to rebuild some lighting. I will write another update with the final patch notes once the build goes live on the default branch.
Best wishes,
Michael
Hotfix EA1.0.0b
the latest hotfix is live! The focus was on early spell balance, lockpicking, and item durability.
* lifedrain/soul surge effect increased
* arcane dart cost lowered, damage increased
* lesser lightning damage and focus cost adjusted
* flaming hand damage and focus cost adjusted
* requirements of lockpicking adjusted in the heartlands & serpent's bastion
* lock complexity is now implied by the lockpicking failure message
* impact of dexterity on lockpicking increased
* blacksmithing sound effect adjusted for volume
* blacksmithing/repair efficiency increased
* equipment durability damage decreased
* kicking won't hurt your toes anymore
Casters should have a slightly easier time now.
More fixes and adjustments to come!
Best wishes,
Michael
Official Early Access Release
I'm happy to announce that Monomyth has officially launched into Early Access on both Steam and GOG!
Thank you all for your great support and patience throughout these past years. This wouldn't have been possible without you!
I'll be back soon with updates on the latest changes and future content. Until then, have fun in Lysandria!
Thank you once again, and best wishes!
Michael
Early Access Release Date Announcement
It is finally time for the project to enter its last stage of development.
Monomyth's Early Access phase will start on October 3rd, 2024.
The initial Early Access version will feature two major areas, a central hub, and several smaller dungeons. All character skills and side features, including blacksmithing and fishing, have been implemented. The game's data includes several spells and weapons. Numerous enemy types, puzzles, and environmental challenges are already in place.
I want to stress that this is not a final release! The goal of Early Access is to receive feedback and ensure that all systems are interacting correctly. Player testing will help fix subtle design flaws and make sure that the game runs efficiently on a wide range of machines.
I plan to introduce three additional major areas during the game's time in Early Access. Two of these areas are already in their refinement phase, one is still in its design phase.
I also plan to improve the combat and AI systems further. The full version is intended to offer a wider selection of spells, weapons, and enemies. Additional quests are planned as well.
The game will remain in Early Access for approximately six to twelve months.
See you in Lysandria!
Best wishes,
Michael
Monomyth - June Update
It's time for another project update! We're getting closer to the early access release. But before we can get there I must address a few remaining issues. Both the "Search" skill and the fishing feature have been on my to-do list for quite a while. You can find out all about it in this month's video devlog:
As always, you can find the transcript below.
Best Wishes,
Michael
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Hi dungeon-crawling fans!
A lot has happened over the last month. Monomyth received a new demo and plenty of new features have been implemented since then. We’re getting closer to the Early Access release date, and you can expect a release date announcement very soon. So, let’s take a look at the latest improvements!
During Steam Next Fest, I uploaded an entirely new demo featuring a new area with new enemies. This area will be added to the beta branch later. The next beta patch will include various combat improvements made for the demo. Combat is now more challenging and interesting, with enemies using magic more frequently and gaining the ability to dodge player attacks. There are three new enemy types: Skeleton Warriors, Bone Mages, and Necromancers. The latter two extensively use magic to weaken the player and summon support.
After receiving feedback during Steam Next Fest, I adjusted some enemy behaviors and their spells. Originally, the Bone Mages could hit trace your character with the ensnare spell. This is no longer possible as the spell has been changed to a projectile. Additionally, I reduced the splash damage on the fireball spell. Combat will continue to improve throughout Early Access.
I also created a new undead enemy type that didn’t quite make it into the demo. The Wraith supports other enemies and casts negative status effects on the player. It has the highest physical damage resistance among enemies. You can probably guess how it can still be damaged, but I won’t spoil anything. I also added some objects useful to warriors in such situations.
After Steam Next Fest, I finally had the time to implement fishing, one of the most popular side features from Ultima Underworld. Monomyth’s fishing mechanic is relatively simple: you throw out the bait, wait for a fish to bite, and reel it in at the right moment. Depending on the rarity of the fish, you have to react faster. The real motivation lies within the meta game. There are several types of fish, each with different positive and negative effects depending on how you prepare them. It’s generally recommended to grill the fish before eating them, but it’s not necessary. Some fish have simple regenerative effects, while rarer ones have utility effects. The type of catch depends on various factors, and each fish has a specific probability of being caught. Some fish only appear in certain regions or specific waters within these regions. So, there are specific fishing spots for specific fish. Additionally, in certain areas, you can reel in special items that can only be caught once. I hope fishing serves as a nice, little distraction from your dungeoneering adventures and provides useful items that will integrate well into your playstyle.
Lastly, I added the search skill. This skill must be used actively by the player to highlight objects and secrets in the world. The higher the skill, the more secret elements it can detect. It works within a certain radius depending on the skill level and also helps with seeing in the dark. However, it costs a high amount of focus, the stamina equivalent for magic. Players can only activate the skill if their focus bar is full.
I will probably update the demo one more time to add the search skill and the Wraith. There are no bodies of water in the demo, so, I’m afraid, you’ll have to wait for the Early Access version to try out fishing.
I also sent out emails to choose the GOG version of the game. If you want a GOG key, please fill out the form linked in the email. The GOG site will be up shortly.
And that is already it for this month. There might not be an update next month, as I may already be very busy preparing for Early Access at that time. However, I will give you a quick note before locking your beta access and sending out your final game keys. Until then, I’ll keep you updated and see you soon!
Steam Next Fest Demo (June 2024)
Just a quick note to let you know that Monomyth received a completely new demo for the June 2024 edition of Steam Next Fest!
If you haven't checked out the last demo, you should definitely check out this one!
In case you have checked out the last demo you should check out this one even more!
Not only is it completely different in terms of content, but several issues from the last version have been ironed out.
Some of the highlights of this demo:
* New Map
* New Enemies
* Reworked combat
* Better combat sound effects
* Reworked (aggressive) enemy behavior
And much, much more!
One small warning: Since the last demo took place in a different area, you will likely plunge into the abyss if you load an old save state. Just like during the previous Steam Next Fest, I will be active in the community hub and probably upload a few hotfixes over the week.
Have fun and enjoy the new demo!
Best wishes,
Michael