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Author Topic: AoD August Update  (Read 80088 times)
Oscar
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« on: August 10, 2011, 11:00:49 am »

A new month, and lots of things to talk about in this update!

First of all, we've been hearing your feedback about the updated GUI, especially regarding the looks and feel it has, and we've been working on improving. Our artist did an amazing job on them, and I believe it fits the style and look of the game completely. Here are the new inventory, character and crafting screens:






Also, we took this opportunity to improve a few things regarding the crafting system. Here is how it works: You start by selecting a schematic from the list, once selected a partially transparent preview of the item shows in the slot with its base stats underneath. Next you select the material you want to forge the item with. The material types which don't have enough ingots will be faded and unable to be selected. Then, once you select a material, the preview will be updated and the stats adjusted to the type of metal you chose. Next you can select up to two techniques. One is unlocked at the start, the ability to add a second one comes at crafting level 50. To select them, click on the slots, and a list with all the known techniques that can be applied and their effect appears. The effect is dependent on your crafting skill, of course. When everything is final you click on the forge button to craft your weapon or armor. At this point the weapon/armor becomes fully opaque. So when you are finished you then manually drag the weapon/armor into your inventory (or it gets added automatically when you exit the screen). The forge button also doubles as the melt button when an item is placed in the slot. The forge button will display "melt" which you can then melt an item and receive its base material.

So, the system is very similar to what we had, with the only difference that the number of techniques that can applied to the items is limited. Also, you can't "upgrade" a weapon/armor. What you can do is melt it, and forge a new one with the techniques you want. Now, you may notice that we mention "schematics". Basically, they are the schematics of the different base items we have, that allow you to create a particular item. You can buy them at a shop, but don't get added to your inventory list (to avoid clutter). You buy them, and you get the "knowledge" of it, getting added to a schematics tab in the journal screen. The same goes for the techniques, they don't get added to your inventory but instead you gain knowledge of them.

Apart from this, we finished optimizing the character models and improving their looks, but weren't able to get it inside the game for this update. We also implemented the new critical hits system, expanded the dialogues with many NPCs, and of course, general bugfixing and polish.

On some other news, we created a new official ITS YouTube account, which will hold our videos from now. So head over there and subscribe to it right away! The old one won't be used anymore for hosting AoD videos (it was my personal account).

http://www.youtube.com/user/IronTowerStudio

Also, don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for instant updates on the game progress!

http://www.facebook.com/IronTowerStudio
http://twitter.com/IronTowerStudio
« Last Edit: August 10, 2011, 11:02:42 am by Oscar » Logged

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sporky
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« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2011, 11:11:58 am »

Looks good and functional! Nice contrast, yet fitting with setting.
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« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2011, 11:14:29 am »

Good stuff.
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Vahha
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« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2011, 11:16:17 am »

The interface looks great, and this one is distinct indeed  Approve Approve Approve

Apart from this, we finished optimizing the character models and improving their looks
That's a really awesome thing to do!

Quote
The old one won't be used anymore for hosting AoD videos (it was my personal account).
You will keep the old video there, or will the account only feature salsa videos from now on? The links to it are very much spread over Russian internets  Tongue

On crafting techniques, I wonder about the math. Like, you melt a 5-iron ingot armor and you get 4 ingots? Or 4.5 ingots?
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Oscar
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« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2011, 11:21:36 am »

You will keep the old video there, or will the account only feature salsa videos from now on? The links to it are very much spread over Russian internets  Tongue

The videos will be unlisted, but still accessible through links. Listing salsa videos sounds like a good idea... Tongue
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« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2011, 11:31:11 am »

Very nice Approve

So is this new interface customisable?
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« Reply #6 on: August 10, 2011, 11:40:12 am »

So we don't get the free 5 HP anymore? I thought that was a good idea.
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« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2011, 11:41:17 am »

the interface looks fantastic  Approve
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gotta get some action... now!
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« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2011, 11:48:27 am »

BTW, where is remaining HP/Max HP indicator?

And, "Arena Champion" trait... so, arena fights will also be present in the real game?

Reg. Max HP decrease by 5 points, that really adds extra value to Con stat, and that's another kick into balls  smug
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Oscar
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« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2011, 11:59:22 am »

Guys, it's a mock-up, not using the current stats. Jeez Smile

So is this new interface customisable?

There never was too much customization planned to begin with. Some textboxes will change size, the item list will expand depending on resolution/ratio and some minor things like that.
« Last Edit: August 10, 2011, 12:05:01 pm by Oscar » Logged

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« Reply #10 on: August 10, 2011, 12:14:24 pm »

That looks FANTASTIC. *applauds*

Any chance we'll see the UI screen we get when we're not doing anything? (I forgot what it's called, the one on the bottom)
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Oscar
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« Reply #11 on: August 10, 2011, 12:17:31 pm »

Sure, when we the artist is done doing it. Like I said, this is not implemented yet, we are still creating mock-ups of it, seeing how it looks and feels and when we are happy with it we'll implement it. In this moment exactly Nick is fully implementing the new dialogue GUI (with portraits and everything), will show it when it's done.
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« Reply #12 on: August 10, 2011, 12:41:13 pm »

Nice update...

Regarding forging (it might need a separate thread) :
What are the benefits to forge ?
Can you forge weapons that cannot be bought/acquired otherwise ?
Are the forged weapons better then one you can buy ? (same class and skill)
Can you make business selling forged weapons ? (in Gothic2 you could make a fortune from the start with this skill).
 
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« Reply #13 on: August 10, 2011, 01:06:56 pm »

Some interesting quotes reg. crafting here:
http://www.irontowerstudio.com/forum/index.php/topic,2010.msg65328.html#msg65328
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Oscar
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« Reply #14 on: August 10, 2011, 01:12:21 pm »

Nice update...

Regarding forging (it might need a separate thread) :
What are the benefits to forge ?
Can you forge weapons that cannot be bought/acquired otherwise ?
Are the forged weapons better then one you can buy ? (same class and skill)
Can you make business selling forged weapons ? (in Gothic2 you could make a fortune from the start with this skill).

The main benefit to forging weapons is the flexibility of being able to have the weapons tailored to your build. You can buy or find pre-crafted weapons (they use the same system), but the techniques they have might not suit your character. For example, you are a sword user and find a masterwork axe. You can melt it, and create a masterwork sword (with perhaps another technique added). To summarize, they are not objectively better than the ones you can buy/find, but you can craft weapons that are better suited to you.

I wouldn't say that you can make business, but yes, it's cheaper to craft them yourself and crafting add an added value that can be beneficial to character with good trading skills.
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