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Pirate Code screenshot
Steam
Genre: Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Adventure, Indie

Pirate Code

Pirate Code 1.5.2 - The UI Update!


Pirate Code has new Combat User Interface!


Today's update actually features a range of improvements that center around controlling your fleet in battle. At the heart of these changes is a brand new UI that is sleeker, faster, and more functional than the old UI. I'll just point out a few highlights here. The official release notes are below.

UI Overview


First, the new UI get's rid of the tabs. The End Turn button is now always visible in the bottom right corner and ship stats are always visible with the rest of the ship info in the bottom left. In addition, anything affecting the ship's stats are displayed above the ship image. The morale bar has also been updated and is now always visible below the ship's life.

Rewards


The new UI also displays rewards better. It shows how much gold, experience, and liberty has been won in the battle along with items. Each of those can be buffed by bonuses that can now be increased by using Contraptions on clockwork ships. Status and items won when a ship is destroyed are now clearly displayed above the location of the destroyed ship.

Faster Actions


The ship's actions now have a slider that shows which action is armed. You can still hover an action to see information about what it does. Many of the actions also return control sooner. For example, previously if you used Victory Yell, you would have to wait almost 2 and a half seconds before selecting another ship. This would really slow down users who already knew what they wanted to do next. Most actions now complete in less than a second. This also speeds up the enemy turn.

User Requested Improvements


There's also a number of changes that were the direct request of users in the forums. For example, you can now press Tab to cycle through unused ships. You can also close the Victory Screen with the mouse. The camera has been reworked to smoothly scroll using the arrow keys. You can now flee from Swift Bill. There's more. Keep the feedback coming!

I hope you enjoy this update! As with any update, there's a chance that bugs were introduced so please report anything weird that you see to me in the Steam forums. Thanks!

Release Notes: Pirate Code 1.5.2



  • You can now hire crew from Haven without completing the first mission. The cost of one of these crew members has been decreased as well.
  • The designs for the Sea Dog are now unlocked at the start of the game. This allows you to purchase a fourth ship before completing the first mission if you want.
  • Swift Bill and other high value enemy targets will not appear until you have four ships or more.
  • You can now flee from high value enemy fleets like Swift Bill. You still cannot flee from story missions and challenges.
  • You can now close the Victory Screen using the "Continue" button at the bottom of the screen.
  • The chapter title screen now closes automatically after a few seconds.
  • The Combat User Interface has been completely redesigned.
  • Rewards and items won in combat are now displayed.
  • Life bars now include morale and appear for low morale or less than perfect life.
  • Font used in combat has a black border so it is easier to read. This font might migrate to other places if well received.
  • You can now use the Tab key or the on screen arrow button above the End Turn button to quickly cycle through available ships.
  • You can now hold the camera control keys to smoothly move the camera rather than move the camera in steps.
  • Victory Yell now returns control to you in 0.8 seconds instead of 2.4 seconds.
  • Mech Speed now returns control to you in 0.8 seconds instead of 1.6 seconds.
  • Auto Repair now returns control to you in 0.8 seconds instead of 2 seconds.
  • Double Load now returns control to you in 0.8 seconds instead of 2 seconds.
  • Extinguish now returns control to you in 0.8 seconds instead of 2 seconds.
  • Fire Shield now returns control to you in 0.8 seconds instead of 2 seconds.
  • Flash now returns control to you in 1.6 seconds instead of 3 seconds. Its animation has been toned down slightly.
  • Life Burst now returns control to you in 0.8 seconds instead of 2 seconds.
  • Moored Mine now returns control to you in 0.8 seconds instead of 2 seconds.
  • Submerge and Dive now return control to you in 1.6 seconds instead of 2 seconds.
  • Torpedo Boost now returns control to you in 0.8 seconds instead of 2 seconds.
  • Resurface now returns control to you in 1.6 seconds instead of 4 seconds.
  • Dynamos have been reworked. They now change the bonus percentages.
  • Mechanical Snatcher can now give a second item from a ship and applies when any ship is sunk.
  • Corrected the confusion between "Contraptions" and "Gizmos".

Sneak Peek for Update 1.5.2!


Update 1.5.2 is almost here!



The screenshot says it all: with this update the battle user interface (UI) for Pirate Code will be getting a major update! The old UI was criticized for being too big, hiding valuable information, and being difficult to work with. In fact, most of the feedback so far has been complaints about the UI!

So here's a new one!

Take a look at the picture above. The End Turn button is always visible and shows how many ships are left to move (in the spot that currently says "Done"). That arrow next to it will also select the next un-moved ship. You can also use the Tab button now to select the next ship.

The ship information in the left bottom corner got an upgrade as well! It now shows power, range, and speed whenever you roll over a ship. There's also a detailed message section above it that displays additional information about this ship. For example, it will show what bonuses a captain give it, or what has caused a ship's speed to decrease or increase. The life bar also includes a morale bar under it. These bars match what is displayed above each ship so you can see at a glance if a ship is getting close to surrendering.

The section in the top left is the part I'm most excited about. It displays how much gold, experience, and liberation you've won in the battle along with the items you've looted from enemy ships. Bonus percentages can be increased with the use of Dynamos (which become available in chapter 2) or by finding a golden ship. I'm also exploring other ways for you to push those numbers higher.

So when will this be ready? I don't like picking dates, but probably in a week or two. I want to address as much feedback as possible in this update without stalling it too long.

What do you think?

Pirate Code 1.5.1 Released!
This is a minor update to respond to user feedback at the beginning of the game. Most of the changes are geared toward keeping you on track in the first chapter. Here's the list:


  • Tightened the ship turn radius on world map for easier controls. The ship will turn much faster, but an instant U turn is still not possible.
  • Decreased cost of map locations for Haven Cove, Snake's Den and Hope island. The tutorial now forces you to purchase the first two of these to get you started.
  • Increased the tutorial to cover the Map Shop, the Inventory, missions, bounties, and ship ring colors.
  • Challenges are now hidden until the first mission is complete.
  • The mouse can be used to advance the dialog
  • Fixed the display of cost information when selling a single item.
  • Fixed a bug with the fishing contest on Haven that would allow ships to start on land.
  • Added a "Helpful Hint" that will give advice to players in the first chapter to keep them from getting stuck. The hint appears when arriving at an island and only appears if the game thinks you might need a little direction.


Hopefully these changes will keep players from getting lost at the starting line. If you already finished the tutorial but had trouble it might be a good idea to start a second game just to listen to the sage advice of Swanson.
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