FIXES
Enemies:
- Further fixes to address crashes after slaying an enemy.
Tallowmere 2: Curse of the Kittens
Version 0.3.7g
Version 0.3.7f
FIXES
Zaeries:
- Fixed a crash that could happen after slaying a Zaerie.
Version 0.3.7d
– Chris
FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS
Gameplay:
- The "Auto-equip Loot" option is now disabled by default. You can still manually equip loot using Quick Swap, Weapon Selector, or Inventory menus.
- Fixed a bug with Bloat explosions and "From the Grave" grenades.
Online Co-op:
- Fixed and improved various health-related number issues. Healthbar numbers and health syncing should now be more robust.
- Fixed an issue with the Magic Mirror where health would become out of sync after changing characters.
- Fixed a memory error crash that would occur after a party died and returned to Tallowmere's Keep.
- Fixed a memory error crash that could occur if the game disconnected unexpectedly.
UI:
- Added an effects option: "Menu Animations". Enabled by default. Disabling this option will reduce certain animations when using the menus, such as tab animations and text animations.
- The Blessings, Core Attributes, and Journal categories now resize their content to fit horizontally if needed.
- Improved handling when using the Grid layout for the Weapon Selector.
- Refactored some of the UI pooling systems to improve performance on low-end devices. Some single-frame quirks may be present.
- Fixed an issue when viewing Achievements where the right panel would not scroll enough.
- Fixed an issue in the Advanced Options category where the cursor would reset to the first item after toggling an option.
- Fixed an issue where menu tabs could become clipped. Tabs now resize to fit.
Internal:
- Adjusted startup loading sequence to reduce amount of time spent looking at a blank screen on low-end devices.
- Adjusted how audio files are loaded to resolve performance hiccups on low-end devices.
- Fixed an error when dying with the Inventory menu open.
- Fixed various transaction bugs related to integer integrity.
0.3.7a
FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS
Leaderboards:
- Fixed an issue that could prevent scores from being uploaded to the leaderboard server.
Online Co-op:
- Added a flag for the new server in Ukraine.
Miscellaneous:
- Fixed a memory error regarding character levels.
0.3.7
– Chris
FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS
Steam:
- Created a EULA regarding the Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) system being utilized.
- The Account tab now states the status of the Valve Anti-Cheat system.
- Clarified in-game text if a user has a VAC ban, even if from a different game.
Miscellaneous:
- Added checks to the Inventory and Merchant menus to ensure items are refreshed properly.
- Enabled Unity's "incremental garbage collection" setting to try and resolve stuttering issues.
- Improved integrity of certain integers.
- When using the main menu, corner info is now hidden if post-processing effects are disabled.
- When using the Dev Bar, updated text to say "Dev mode enabled" rather than "Cheats enabled".
0.3.6b: Loadout tab fix
FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS
Loadout tab:
- Fixed an issue where weapon slots would not appear.
Now available on iPhone, iPad, and Google Play
Tallowmere 2 is now available on iOS and Android:
Cross-platform online co-op is supported between all platforms.
Further details:
Version 0.3.6a
FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS
Gameplay:
- Fixed an issue where the Stone of Diashan could appear multiple times in a room.
Online Co-op:
- Improved flow when loading a saved game that is already running on a server. The client now gracefully connects to the game automatically, rather than being disconnected.
- Fixed an error that could cause servers to become unstable.
- Repeated errors now cause the server to crash, rather than filling up the hard drive with ginormous log files.
- Improved handling of errors and alerts if network connections fail.
Steam:
- Improved clarity on Account tab if account was banned by VAC.
0.3.6: The Integrity Update
THE INTEGRITY UPDATE
Leaderboards:
- Leaderboard score entries are now uploaded to the tallowmere2.com web server, and then submitted to Steam afterwards.
- Entries now contain extra debug info, including a copy of the saved game before death.
- The server will retain the extra info for the best scores, in case investigation needs to be carried out later on.
- If an entry fails to be submitted (due to network issues or other errors), the entry will remain within your account file. The game will attempt to upload again when available.
- The server will reject entries from accounts that have received a ban.
Rulesets:
- Ruleset 0.3.6 is the new default ruleset. There are no gameplay changes from the previous Ruleset 0.3.1 – this is just for the sake of clarity with the new Leaderboard process.
Online Co-op:
- The game now checks account status with tallowmere2.com and VAC upon startup.
- For Steam, servers now check with VAC to ensure players are in good standing.
- Servers will reject connections from banned or unverified players.
GAMEPADS
macOS:
- Improved gamepad support with macOS 12.5.
- Upgrading to macOS 12.5 is recommended, as 12.5 fixes many Bluetooth gamepad issues.
- InControl Native is now the recommended controller API module again.
- For Steam, before launching the game, adjusting Tallowmere 2's properties to force Steam Input as "Disabled" is also recommended.
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller:
- Improved button glyphs.
- Fixed an issue on macOS where the AB and XY buttons were backwards.
OTHER FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS
Inventory and Merchant menus:
- Fixed a caching issue.
Bug reports:
- Improved debug logging.
Still preparing for mobile
Since then, I've been working on getting version 0.3.6 ready.
Here is the current state of things.
MOBILE
The mobile version is working, including cross-platform online play. Big thank you to all testers involved.
Touchscreen and gamepad support is done. The game is playable.
However, there are a couple loose ends I am fixing to get full approval from Apple and Google before the mobile launch can happen.
GOOGLE PLAY:
- For the game to be fully compatible with Android TV, I need to improve menu support when using a TV Remote. Almost done.
- I've also added rough implementations to allow the game to be fully playable using a TV Remote, but not sure if this will make it into version 0.3.6 or not. It's not a huge blocking issue, so might come later, but keen to get it done.
iOS:
- The current menu flow with Game Center and purchasing the game's single "Core Supporter Pack" in-app purchase needs some tweaking to get approved, so I am fixing that soon.
Once the fixes are done for upcoming 0.3.6, I will submit to Apple and Google again, and we’ll see if the fixes get approved. More issues might arise after that – time will tell.
Once Apple and Google have approved everything, I will announce a release date.
STEAM
Third-party cheats (which taint the Steam Leaderboards) and pirate copies (which taint the Online Co-op experience) have unfortunately become a thing.
To address such issues, I am working on the following for upcoming 0.3.6:
ONLINE CO-OP:
- Server-side, I am implementing Steam session authorization tickets, and fully utilizing Valve's VAC bans and game ban systems, to make Tallowmere 2's servers prevent bad actors from playing online.
- Additionally, I am implementing similar methods for the servers to verify iOS and Google Play players – validating customer receipts and such. It’s a slightly different beast compared to Steam, but I am matching things best I can.
LEADERBOARDS:
- For 0.3.6, I am making the game submit all Steam Leaderboard scores through a Tallowmere 2 secure server first, rather than having clients submit to Steam’s servers directly. This will help prevent illegitimate scores from being added.
- I will clean up the 0.3.5 leaderboard scores where possible once this fix is in for version 0.3.6, and the next wave of bans will be issued.
- I am adding additional methods for detecting external cheats to make things more robust, but I don’t want to disclose too much.
macOS GAMEPAD SUPPORT:
- Apple recently released macOS 12.5, which fixes a lot of Bluetooth gamepad regressions they introduced earlier in the year. I've implemented some additional compatibility improvements, which will come in version 0.3.6.
ROLLING THINGS TOGETHER
All the above will be rolled into one version, because there are so many things intertwined.
It's been taking time, and will still take a bit more time. Version 0.3.6 will be done when it's done, all in an effort to improve the dungeons.
Client coding, game server coding, website coding, learning and implementing APIs, and dealing with plugin upgrades along the way...
This is the joy of multi-platform software development, especially when dealing with submissions that can be rejected, all in the name of walled-garden quality assurance and adhering to guidelines. But we’re getting there.
I will announce dates for the mobile release when dates are ready to announce.
Work on the Nintendo Switch version will continue after all the above is sorted.
Thank you for your patience.
PERSONAL NOTE
Alongside my psoriatic arthritis, it seems I've also been suffering from sleep apnea.
Over the past week, I've been using a CPAP / APAP machine for the first time, and it's been noticeably helpful for having more energy during the day – and less brain fog – which is a good thing. Still get tired when my immune system flares up, but having better quality sleep is a big improvement.
Let's hope development speed increases.
– Chris