Marche
Heyho friends! π
Today is the 28th November. In other words: ANARCHY 0.1.3 is live! The update itself has been covered in this week's devlog, but we'll also have a proper look at the most important features right here.
En avant! π±βπ€
As mentioned in the preview, Marche aims to shake things up. It is all about movements involving characters, enemies and you.
In addition to a completely new Fragment and another quest segment for ParAdise, there's big improvements to ExcommunicAtion's dialogue, more abilities, patrolling Battle Triggers, interaction prompts β and last but not least β vastly improved camera systems.
A long time AGO
Ten years before the events of AUTONOMY, two sisters from the countryside moved into a city. Not just any city, though! We're talking about the capital of a continental great power known as Ionia. The city, going by the name of Aion, is home to almost a million people. You'd think it's comparatively easy to disappear in a city like that β if you can keep your mouth shut.
FAR away from home
Unfortunately for everybody involved, Lorna isn't good at keeping secrets. It takes a whopping two lines of dialogue for her to blurt out something she shouldn't have. Her older sister, Ekaterina, is understandably concerned.
She and her most trusted confidante β Cleopatra Antioka β moved mountains so the three of them could live a steady, quiet and seemingly comfortable life. Of course, there's bigger things at play. But it's at least a bit of slice-of-life before it all comes crashing down.
ExCommunity
If you ever wanted to step behind the curtain, you're not alone! Throughout TRACHI's history, there have been numerous attempts by people to see their world for what it really is. ExcommunicAtion marks the most daring adventure of that kind.
As the characters begin to understand the gravity of their circumstance, it's only fair that you should be in on it, too! To better reflect that, the dialogue has been polished comprehensively β including a couple of rewrites here and there.
Identity
Speaking of rewrites: There's a whole new chapter to the main story quest. In ParAdise, there's people. And when there's people, there's rules. Not everybody can go everywhere β at least not without giving something in return. Sometimes you have to pay a little toll, fill out a couple of forms β and sometimes you have to provide proof of who you are. Thankfully, Lorna has a service card. At least she used to have it, somewhere.
Atlantis
Between 1918 and 1919, there was a series of similar incidents. Lorna lost her service card, and so she asked someone for help. Fortunately for her, she had the right kind of questions for someone who knows a lot of things. Even though he himself might not always have all the answers, he's very good at pointing in the right direction. Hopefully, he can help her in this case, too.
InterAction
Just like Atlas helps Lorna, I'd like to help you learn more about the worldas well. There's approximately five to ten new interactions, ranging from triggering Fragments to making dog go woof. πΆ
Previous iterations of the Interaction HUD only provided you with context-insensitive information. Going forward, interactions will be further classified into the categories Read, Open, Talk and Examine. Some of these also already state the object you're about to interact with β aka individual Fragments and/or NPCs.
Catalyst
Depending on your situation, you might not want to interact with everything. However, you don't always have a choice. Battles in ParAdise β for example β trigger upon collision with a Field Impostor. The battles themselves are a lot more varied with 0.1.3, bumping up the amount of regular field encounters to a total number of ten.
As for the impostors: most of them remain static, but one of them has learned to move. It's a big step towards creating a dynamic world with enemies that patrol, flee β or even chase.
Manipulation
If you happen to trigger a battle, you'll find that you now have an extended range of tools at your disposal. A new ability named Knockback allows you to push an enemy back by one tile β or alternatively bump it into another enemy to cause 150% damage to both entities.
This particular ability marks the introduction to a set that hopefully at some point constitutes a full arsenal. The goal is both for your enemies and you to exert control not only over your own respective crews, but your targets as well.
MOVement
In regards to general status values, the movement range of combatants acting on a battle grid has been streamlined into an overarching stat called MOV. Each point of this value enables you to traverse the grid by one tile.
Next to already existing (de)buffs such as Slow or MonoFast(), certain equipment pieces also modify this particular value. One of these is Ganymede's pistol First Response, another example would be an accessory going by the name IONIA.
Viewport
Barring the occasional line of dialogue, the player (you) is mainly represented through the actions of the characters. But there is another, much more prevalent element connecting you to the world of TRACHI. Something that neither you nor the character's directly perceive. But whenever there's you, it is also there.
The camera is the primary component responsible for helping you keep track of things, and it's only right that you should in all cases get a proper view. To this end the camera system has been fully reworked, especially in regards to battle segments.
CRASHI
Around 2 1/2 weeks ago, a friend approached me with reports of regular crashes occurring in ANARCHY. Unfortunately, I couldn't reproduce them on my end, so me and my good Friend Sereon spent between 10-15 hours trying to isolate the issue.
In the midst of troubleshooting we also came across some inconsistencies regarding achievements. Most importantly, Broken Wings didn't fire correctly. We've applied a couple of fixes regarding the achievements and also managed to make the crashes disappear. If you should run into any issues regardless, please get in touch with me. π
Cotext
Marche was a first attempt to tie a patch together thematically. It was born out of necessity due to extraordinary day-job commitments forcing me into isolated development sprints. For all intents and purposes, it was the first time since February that I felt even remotely disconnected from TRACHI.
Given these circumstances, I'm incredibly relieved that 0.1.3 turned out so well. However, cuts had to be made somewhere. Contrary to what was announced in the preview, Marche will not feature a new achievement. Instead, we'll extend 0.1.2's challenge to 0.1.3 and ship both the upcoming challenge and the corresponding Variation with 0.1.4 on December 28th.
Conclusion
The previous month might not have been all sunshine and roses. However, Marche still doesn't shy away from a comparison with its predecessors. Having to put a bigger focus on content rather than infrastructure not only made me appreciate the fruits of the work done through September and October, but it also predesignated the primary goal for December.
As a little teaser, let me reveal to you the major system I want to work on for 0.1.4 (VarietΓ©). As the tagline suggests, I'll finally sit down and extend the existing character Variations to a full system incorporating Steam Inventory Items as a means to customise your party's visual appearances using a dedicated slot in the ingame Equipment menu.
Outlook
Hopefully, Variations will not only constitute one of ANARCHY's biggest features, but also serve as an incentive to participate in early-access playtesting β and last but not least: open up ways of monetisation so I can work on TRACHI while also keeping every other element of it 100% free.
Either way, I'll be back in two weeks with a little sitrep including a preview of VarietΓ©. Until then, please enjoy ANARCHY 0.1.3 and all its additions to your heart's content. And of course, feel yourself hugged and appreciated for your gracious and irreplaceable support! π
Big hugs and kissies! π₯°
much love
nory
AUTONOMY-friends recognize the place. In 1913, Lorna, her sister and a close friend of the family are about to start a new life. And we'll be right there! We'll get to witness them settle and adapt to a space they'll call home for the next 5-6 years. You can imagine that there's a lot of excitement, but a fair share of anxiety too.
The entire segment will eventually become part of ParAdise's intro. We'll kick our journey off in familiar places and subsequently tear down the world's tapestry bit by bit. Large parts of it are still conceptual, but I think you can see big efforts to bridge Old and New-World content.
Speaking of new worlds: ParAdise's main quest received a bit of love. Previously, players could go north after a short conversation with Ganymede. A semi-friendly NPC now prevents her from progressing in that direction unless she can deliver proof of her identity. Thankfully, there's a special fragment that holds a special item β and Lorna's name is written all over it! π³
Experimental abilities are ideally prototyped in a safe environment. And since I was planning on reintroducing a very important character anyway β I wanted to give you a little peek at something cool. It's a while off, but there's definite plans to celebrate 0.2 next February by adding an extra chapter to ExcommunicAtion. In ExtrapolAtion, you'll get to join team ATLAS and teach both Ganymede and Daph a couple of good reasons not to play with fire. π₯
Last but not least, 0.1.3 also comes with a special variAtion for players that completed 0.1.2's challenge. There will probably be another temporary achievement β at least until the Steam Inventory System is fully hooked in. As for the variAtion itself: I'm still bouncing between a couple of candidates. Here's one of them:
On a related note, all stats have been carefully readjusted for each individual phase. Attacks feel a lot more deadly and the phases themselves flow a bit quicker. Naturally, this also has an effect on ParAdise. Enemies generally live longer, but Equipment makes a much bigger difference now.
To kickstart Lorna's adventures, she'll now receive a weapon through a little event just a couple of steps away from the initial spawning point. And since Lorna's story is all about taking matters into her own hands, she now gets to wield a very special axe. πͺ
In addition to an overall stats and loot table reworks, a tribe of Goblins intend to cause big trouble in little ParAdise. They're not all too clever, yet. But word on the street is, they'll learn to coordinate, soon. Until then, feel free to hack away at them as much you please. Though be advised that they're already a lot stronger than the other enemies you've faced.
The tiles of Paradise's first map have been massively reworked. Hilltops now have their own distinctive color and the ground is in general is much less busy on the eyes. Trees have been repositioned to allow for smoother movement across the map. Next to a lot more props all over the place, the outside parts of a toll-house now overlook the river separating north from south.
If you've been looking for a way to spend your Polygons, Ari's got your back! From consumables to starter equipment, she loves nothing more than sorting you out. There's rumors she even temporarily got her hands on some special stuff. π
Oftentimes in history, we see the past only through little fragments here and there. It's for us to connect these bits and pieces in an effort to make sense of it. Although the old word is lost, it's not forgotten. On the contrary! Like a present, it's waiting to unwrap itself in front you.
Interacting with Fragments triggers an old world memory. Players get to witness a moment in TRACHI's history, currently represented by a collection of InvAsion scenes. They offer a snapshot of a moment in the character's previous lives. The characters get to remember, and you get to find something out about them. And maybe, you get to keep a little souvenir.
Sometimes things don't go as planned. Sometimes you'd rather be somewhere else. Going forward, you can return to the Start Menu (almost) whenever you please. As a bonus, the chapter selection has also received a slight visual rework.
They say: "Clothes make the man". Does that go for fictional people, too? In ANARCHY, characters are represented as base classes with a whole set of different VariAtions. At the moment, the system itself is mostly used within Fragment Scenes. Though I'd love for you to have additional options for customization, too!
As a thank you to the absolute awesome bunch of people that invested their valuable time to overcome ExcommunicAtion during 0.1.1, a new skin is now available for Daphne. Going forward, I'd like to at least include one VariAtion per patch. These will be tied to a monthly challenge represented by a special achievements.
If you like what you see and haven't completed ExcommunicAtion yet β don't worry! There'll be plenty more opportunities to grab this cosmetic down the line. Beyond potential reruns, there are also plans to couple VariAtions with Steam's Inventory System and thus open the door for trading, buying/selling on the market and/or purchase the item as a DLC.