V0.7.9.E - Skippable fight intros and more bug squishing
Hey gladiators - firstly, a mighty greetings to all new players who have joined during the Steam Autumn Sale. Great to have you aboard, you have my thanks! This is just a small maintenance patch today to fix some bugs that were reported over the weekend.
I've also added a button on the Fight Selector Screen to either view the usual 'head to head crest' WWE style battle intro, or to skip it. Let me know in the forums of any other quality of life improvements you'd like to see in the game.
V 0.7.9.E (Nov 24-25 2022):
--- NEW FEATURES ---
Added a button to the Fight Selector screen to allow you to skip straight to the fight and skip the battle intro
--- MISC FIXES AND CHANGES ---
Unlimited Days mode now shows the current day in the overland info panel.
Fixed a bug where alignment icons and the 'always spare' button still appeared if you lost a battle
Fixed a bug where clicking the Doomtrek Portal still showed the regular town buttons too
Fixed a bug where the Delay minigame ended after 2 attempts
The first round of the Delay minigame now starts at 2 notes
Patch v0.7.9.A - Guitar Artwork + Balancing. (Plus a sneak preview of dungeons!)
Greetings, gladiators!
This is just a minor patch while I work on the big dungeons update. In today's update, I've added in the last remaining guitar artwork for the game ( meaning all weapons and armour are now in the game, at long last! ). I've also increased the amount of attempts at Observatory minigames to 5 (up from 2) to make it easier for players struggling with their complexities. There's a few other small balance fixes too, but my focus this month has very much been on the dungeons!
I'm estimating that I'm about 60% of the way through this patch - it's pretty huge in that it adds a full new game mode to the game - I'll explain more about this in the next update. The major dungeons patch will probably ready around the week of 10-17 December, so stay tuned for that. I'd like to share with you today a sneak preview of the first images from the dungeons. Here they are!
I'd like to take this opportunity to also welcome all new players to the game, I truly hope you enjoy what you're seeing so far, and if you are, leave a review and some feedback for me!
Until next time,
Oliver Joyce Whiskeybarrel Studios
V 0.7.9.A Patch Notes
--- NEW FEATURES ---
Added final guitar artwork. All weapon and armour artwork is now in the game
--- BATTLE CHANGES / FIXES ---
There is now a 50% chance gladiators will not celebrate after a hard fought victory (just for variety).
Reduced the damage output of the Salute of Honour
--- SHOP FIXES CHANGES ---
Fixed a bug where selling items when you have the Mercantile talent would actually make you less profit
Reduced the amount of gold you receive from selling old gear to 20% of the item's original value ( to combat the amount of gold the player gets throughout the game )
--- MISC FIXES AND CHANGES ---
Moved the location of Observatory 1
You now get 5 attempts per observatory to use your Stellar Crystal (up from 2)
Hid the dungeon icons on the overworld map until dungeons are ready.
V 0.7.8.E : Switching shops instantly plus a fix for enchanted weapons bug
Hey gladiators, just a small patch today with some quality of life improvements and bugfixes - the main one being a new button in shops that allows you to instantly switch between shopkeepers without having to exit back to the battle caravan menu.
Cheers, Oliver Joyce Whiskeybarrel Studios
V 0.7.8.E (Nov 7 2022): --- NEW FEATURES --- • You can now swap between shopkeepers instantly from the new 'Switch Shop' button in the shop panel
--- BALANCE CHANGES / STAT FIXES --- • Using the 'delay' option at the Observatory now sets the Starbound gladiator back by 25 days instead of 20. • Weakening the Starbound Gladiator now lowers their stats by 7% per use, down from 8% • All steeds have been *slightly* slowed down, making travel time a little slower.
--- BATTLE CHANGES / FIXES --- • Haxxapods will no longer see the 'spare/slay' panel as they automatically must kill enemies
--- MISC FIXES AND CHANGES --- • Fixed a bug where unequipping some enchanted items would transfer that enchantment to another item • Added extra ++ text to show difference between attack and other stats for hit chance
V0.7.8 : Halloween ends, but the adventure continues!
Morning gladiators ! Today's small update marks the end of the Halloween event - but I've added it back in as a triggered event between days 150-200 of the game, for those who want to relive it with their gladiators.
There are a few other quality of life improvements, balances and bugfixes today too. The main work of course this week is on the Dungeons section of the game, which is in its infancy - I hope to have it ready by mid December.
Have a great weekend all!
Oliver Joyce Whiskeybarrel Studios
V 0.7.8 (Nov 4 2022):
--- NEW FEATURES ---
The Halloween theme and title screen is now complete, but the All Hallows seasonal event will remain in the game forever! This event will trigger at Day 150 of your quest and end at Day 200, meaning you have 50 days to find and defeat all four special All Hallows champions.
--- BATTLE CHANGES / FIXES ---
Gladiators no longer lose alignment points for kicking enemies off the edge of chasms
--- SHOP FIXES CHANGES ---
Increased the amount and range of available items the shops will produce each 3 days
--- MISC FIXES AND CHANGES ---
Reward items gained from defeating champions or quests will no longer auto-equip.
Minimized stat penalties from unsuccessful adventures to -1 lost stat point.
Hey gladiators! This is just a small balancing patch that hopefully addresses a few issues some players have had with the game.
This week work started on dungeons, and that will take me quite a while - easily through til mid December, if not longer. Looking forward to showing you guys more once I have something to show.
Cheers, Oli
V 0.7.7 (Nov 2 2022): --- NEW FEATURES --- • Added in all remaining bow artwork to the game
--- BALANCE CHANGES / STAT FIXES --- • Added more energy to Stellar Beam in the Asteroids minigame • Doubled healing /essence regained from potions
--- BATTLE CHANGES / FIXES --- • Doubled healing /essence regained from potions • Fixed a bug where shields disappeared when wielding a one handed gun (phaser/laser)
--- SHOP FIXES CHANGES --- • Added warning text to the Enchant / Forge panels if you try to enchant items with lower level runes ( because they will actually lower the level of your weapon/armour.) • Added high level runes 6,7,8 to shops and increased cost of runes • Increased item level of blueprints to support higher levels • Increased rate at which runes and blueprints appear in shops --- MISC FIXES AND CHANGES --- • Allowed music to keep playing after Asteroid minigame has completed • Potential fix for reloading characters experiencing strangeness with their campaigns ( ending early etc) • Fixed an exploit where time would not pass after successfully completing a survival series
Look to the skies - Observatories have arrived!
Hey gladiators, at long last, the Observatory Update has gone live!
For as long as the game has been in Early Access, observatories have been on the world map. Little radar tower icons our gladiators were told about but could never visit - until now. Whenever you defeat a Grand Champion, take a stellar crystal to one of the five observatories on the world map!
So, what are these observatories? Set up by the benevolent robotic Automatons, these radar towers can be used to weaken or delay the arrival of the evil Starbound Gladiator. Use your Stellar Crystals here and you can potentially change your destiny. There are two minigames you can play , one to weaken the Starbound Gladiator's stats when they finally arrive, and another to delay their arrival and buy yourself crucial time.
In addition, you can challenge one of the five Resident Observer Automatons to combat, potentially winning powerful new gear!
Also in this patch, I have attempted to streamline the game a bit by removing the Loading Screens by default. If you have an older machine and / or you find the game now feels 'choppier' when you switch between screens, this is the reason why. You may prefer the smoother fades between areas while the game loads more data - if so, you can certainly turn Loading Screens back on in the Settings Menu, and I recommend you do if you are having any issues at all!
I really hope you enjoy the Observatories update. From next week, work finally begins on the last major section of the game ... Dungeons! ( Well.. the last other than Multiplayer which is being developed concurrently by another skilled dev ) .
Until next time, bye for now!
Oliver Joyce Whiskeybarrel Studios
V 0.7.5.A (October 28 2022) Patch Notes:
--- NEW FEATURES ---
Added five Observatories to visit ( They require Stellar Crystals which you can gain via defeating Grand Champions)
Visiting Observatories can now weaken or delay the Starbound Gladiator on their journey ( Player choice )
Added five new Automaton Champions to challenge
Added two new Observatory minigames to play
*NEW* Loading Screens are now disabled by default to create less fading to black between screens. You may experience a bit of stutter when you go between screens while data loads … if this is too noticeable (especially on older screen) or you prefer the old, smooth fade transitions, you can set Loading Screens back to ON in Settings.
--- BALANCE CHANGES / STAT FIXES ---
The Urban hit chance / penalties have been reduced from 20% to 10% ( because there are so many Urban fights in the game considering champion bosses etc )
The first Arena Champion Huge Charles now has less health , making him easier to defeat
--- SHOP FIXES / CHANGES ---
Significantly increased the price and level requirements of all Steeds in the game. This is done to make them harder to obtain and increase the tension of the days as they count down to the Starbound's arrival
All Hallows Season is here, and the dead rise from the grave!
All Hallows Season is upon us and powerful new champions roam the world in the first seasonal themed event for Swords and Sandals Immortals!
In this update, our gladiators can now receive a special quest from the Enchanter when the reach level 15. Four spectral champions will appear on the map ( look for the pumpkin icons ). Defeat them all and return for a powerful new skill!
Also in this update, lots of new armour and weapon balancing and a bunch of bugfixes.
I truly hope you enjoy this themed update, it will run until November 7th and if it is a success I would love to do more of them.
Cheers and Happy Halloween to all!
Oliver Joyce Whiskeybarrel Studios
Version 0.7.4.A Patch notes
--- NEW FEATURES ---
Added new All Hallows Season theme. This will run until November 7th, so enjoy it while it lasts!
New temporary All Hallows title screen and music
New special Halloween Quest, get it from the Enchanter when you reach Level 15.
Added four new All Hallows Seasonal Champions to defeat
Added four new All Hallows Seasonal Arenas
Added new special skill gained when completing the All Hallows Quest. (Remember to go into your Skills Panel to add this skill to the battle bar when you receive it!)
--- BALANCE CHANGES / STAT FIXES ---
Upped the cooldowns on Colossus and Boundless Energy to 9 turns
Changed how power score is calculated ( more emphasis placed on character level
Guitar God buffed to 2% per point (up from 1%)
Virtuoso talent now maxes out at 3 points rather than 5
--- BATTLE CHANGES / FIXES ---
Fixed a bug where Bruce the Useless could yield to you and cause havoc
--- SHOP FIXES CHANGES ---
Helmet armour values have been recalculated
All weapon damage tables have been recalculated - I'll be keen for your feedback on this as to how it impacts the game, it may need further tweaking
--- MISC FIXES AND CHANGES ---
Fixed a bug where games would not save after 300 days in Unlimited Days mode
Fixed the title of the Training Dummy
Added the total days progressed number to the load panel of your gladiator.
Removed the ability to rename gladiators while in game ( as they are tied to the save system and it causes issues)
Added a Quest Items tab to the Misc Items section of your inventory panel ( to keep track of special quest items you may receive )
V0.7.3.H - Small Daily Patch
Hey gladiators, a small patch today just to fix a few issues that arose from this week's big Unlimited Days patch. This game is a hydra, you cut off one head, two more appear. Except the heads are bugs!
Thanks so much for your patience, Halloween patch coming soon then Observatories!
V0.3.H Patch Notes --- BALANCE CHANGES / STAT FIXES --- • Increased the damage done by Gaseous Wind
--- SHOP FIXES CHANGES --- • Per'Senet's alchemy exchange rate in Unlimited Days mode is now tied to your character level ( lower the higher your gladiator's level)
--- MISC FIXES AND CHANGES --- • Fixed a bug where the buttons did not show when entering a new town • Fixed a bug where sometimes the wrong town background showed at a town • Fixed a bug where the game could still sometimes end in Unlimited Days mode Fixed a bug where the game would sometimes crash at the Fight Selector when fighting in Team Battle mode
V 0.7.3 - Unlimited Days Mode, New Art For Every Homeland
In this week's big 0.7.3 patch for the game, I've included an Unlimited Days game option. Next time you create a new gladiator, you can choose this option to play the game as long as you wish without the 300 Game Days doomsday countdown clock.
Of course, the intended game experience is the 300 days, to create that tension of the Starbound Gladiator's impending arrival - but some may wish to play the game at a more leisurely pace and as a game dev, I want to be able to let people have the game experience they want. So here it is!
Also in this update, I have replaced every single homeland and town piece of art in the game with newer, higher quality art that I believe better represents the world around you. I hope you enjoy visiting each town and seeing these, as I think they convey a much greater sense of wonder, of the scope and breadth of the Brandor, and of the incredible journey your gladiators are on.
A few other balances, tweaks and fixes, as well as hopefully more streamlined loading between scenes. I'm of course hard at work on the Observatories too right now, they should be ready in a fortnight's time or so.
Please enjoy this new patch!
Cheers, Oliver Joyce Whiskeybarrel Studios
V 0.7.3.C (October 13 2022):
--- NEW FEATURES ---
New gladiators now have the option to select Unlimited Days as an option - meaning the Starbound Gladiator will not arrive until you are ready. This is off by default as it removes a lot of the tension and suspense of the game.
All new background art for every character homeland and town on the map. These will show when you first enter a town to help create a sense of the wider world around the gladiator.
--- BALANCE CHANGES / STAT FIXES ---
When used against Grand Champions or Arena Champions, Virtuoso will no longer insta-kill. Instead it will take off 20% or 30% of total health respectively.
The Starbound Gladiator is now immune to Virtuoso
--- BATTLE CHANGES / FIXES ---
Fixed a bug where you could not use bows in 'Non Melee' Arenas (bows are considered ranged, not melee, for the purpose of the game)
Fixed a bug where random rules could still apply during the Starbound Gladiator battle
Fixed a bug where players did not rejuvinate / reset after the Starbound Gladiator battle.
--- SHOP FIXES CHANGES ---
Improved chance of gaining more powerful gear at higher levels gear slightly
--- MISC FIXES AND CHANGES ---
Added option to skip "Bad Ending" Cutscene once you have already seen it once.
Redesigned the "New Game" challenge setup panel
Streamlined loading sequences to create less jitters between screens.
Changed Campfire wake up scene to show background picture of the current town you are in
New background pictures will also appear when you arrive at a town ( only if cutscenes are on in your game settings )
Unlimited Days Option! Plus, all new art for every single town and homeland.
In this weeks update, and by popular demand, new gladiators can now select the UNLIMITED DAYS game setting. In this game mode, your gladiator has as many days as they require to defeat all 12 Grand Champions and trigger the Starbound Gladiator fight.
This is of course not the 'default' game mode because by design, there should be some urgency to the game as the ultimate enemy races towards you. However, I believe players should be able to play the game they way they want, so I try to give as many options as I can. Just remember, you need to start a new gladiator to toggle this option on.
The other big update for this week is all about adding a little vibrance, atmosphere and imagination to the world in the form of all new background pictures for every single homeland and town location in the game ( over 50 ! ). I was never really happy with the murky, washed out homeland backgrounds before so I've gone back and redone them all.
I hope you enjoy seeing these pictures as you enter each town, to give you a little sense of where you are in your journeys through Brandor.
I've also been working on the Observatories update this week but that won't drop for maybe another week or two. I'll keep you all posted - meanwhile thanks to you all for the kind reviews and great feedback, it does not go unnoticed! As a solo dev, it really does motivate me to keep powering away at the game until the finish line.
Cheers, Oliver Joyce Whiskeybarrel Studios
Here are the full patch notes for this week's update.
V 0.7.3.A (October 12 2022):
--- NEW FEATURES ---
New gladiators now have the option to select Unlimited Days as an option - meaning the Starbound Gladiator will not arrive until you are ready. This is off by default as it removes a lot of the tension and suspense of the game.
All new background art for every character homeland and town on the map. These will show when you first enter a town to help create a sense of the wider world around the gladiator.
--- BALANCE CHANGES / STAT FIXES ---
When used against Grand Champions or Arena Champions, Virtuoso will no longer insta-kill. Instead it will take off 20% or 30% of total health respectively.
The Starbound Gladiator is now immune to Virtuoso
--- BATTLE CHANGES / FIXES ---
Fixed a bug where you could not use bows in 'Non Melee' Arenas (bows are considered ranged, not melee, for the purpose of the game)
Fixed a bug where random rules could still apply during the Starbound Gladiator battle
Fixed a bug where players did not rejuvinate / reset after the Starbound Gladiator battle.
--- SHOP FIXES CHANGES ---
Improved chance of gaining more powerful gear at higher levels gear slightly
--- MISC FIXES AND CHANGES ---
Added option to skip "Bad Ending" Cutscene once you have already seen it once.
Redesigned the "New Game" challenge setup panel
Changed Campfire wake up scene to show background picture of the current town you are in
New background pictures will also appear when you arrive at a town ( only if cutscenes are on in your game settings )
