Valve

Hello everyone,

We have a maintenance schedule for server update.
Maintenance Schedule:
March 12 01:00 PST – March 12 01:30 PST

Scheduled Task
- Database maintenance work

The game servers will be closed during the maintenance.
We’re sorry about the down-time and will do our best to reopen the game servers as soon as possible.

- GunZ Team

Watch it here: http://youtu.be/4yurWwQebTE

Over 2000 requests for Steam keys have pounded our email server into submission. But don't worry - if you asked for one, you will receive it by tomorrow morning (March 12, Eastern daylight time). Keys for new requests usually go out every weekday afternoon (again, Eastern daylight time).

Today, the grab power and the dash were made more powerful. Also, we're trying out a new wider test map. To try this new version, press i then 3 (Create Game) then 7.

Play with Spearhead Games and other dedicated players every weekday at 7PM ET and chat with the devs at http://www.twitch.tv/spearheadgames. Post your comments and feedback on the Steam Community Board.

I've just finished uploading new test beta 0.985b, which includes new content, a new faction, and several fixes. I've also promoted the previous 0.984b test build to default build status.

The build is available to anyone who owns the beta at bluebottlegames.com, or on Desura and Steam. Desura (and therefore, Groupees) users can use Desura Connect to gain access here, or even get their Steam keys and try it on Steam.

To access the test build on the official site, simply visit the beta page, and click any of the download links below the usual Windows, Mac, and Linux buttons.

Steam users can access the test build by opting into the beta for it. To do so, open up your Steam client and:

• Right-click on NEO Scavenger in your Steam library
  
• Choose "Properties"
  
• Choose the "BETAS" tab in the resulting dialog box.
  
• In the drop-down, select "public_test."
  

Choose the "public_test" option on the "BETAS" tab in NEO Scavenger's properties.

Following the above steps will begin downloading version 0.985 immediately. Just click "Play" when it's done!

Updates Included in the Test Beta

Test beta 0.985b includes the following changes:

• Added new major encounter/location in wilderness.
  
• Added new faction with wandering creatures.
  
• Added new faction equipment.
  
• Added new hex art for Allegan, Isotope Mine, Zom Zom's, and Strange Forest.
  
• Added encounter illustration by Max Antonov for Haggerty Health Clinic.
  
• Added combat ability DMC guards to summon sniper.
  
• Added code to strip all passive moves from AI choices when target is an enemy. (Prevent stuck AI from randomly choosing passives.)
  
• Added crawl towards and away moves, for when AI is crippled and fallen, and tends to choose passive when it shouldn't.
  
• Added code to anger AI if player is ignoring talk and ceasefire offers.
  
• Added code to show 0.1% item condition when low enough to round to 0.0%.
  
• Added code to prevent "delete" and "use" cursor modes on crafting screen.
  
• Added code to hook up spacebar to crafting clear button.
  
• Added code to message player when hiding changes campsite.
  
• Changed Merga Wraith to disappear when talisman removed, and will not linger and fight if talisman restored.
  
• Changed Merga Wraith AI to always attack player if it can, exit if it can't, and despawn if player is invalid target.
  
• Changed AI's method of selecting random move to be weighted by priority, rather than just ranked.
  
• Changed well-fed condition to hunger sated.
  
• Changed well-hydrated condition to thirst slaked.
  
• Changed value of tannin tea to be more than pure water (Since it acts like pure water and antibiotics combined.)
  
• Changed NPC battle move icon to be mirrored in battle, for clarity (charge/retreat).
  
• Changed arrow degrade rates to be slower.
  
• Changed DMC Guards to start with fresh equipment.
  
• Changed medium campfire to always produce 4 ashes when extinguished.
  
• Changed small parts and similar items to have shorter names.
  
• Fixed a bug in AI faction standings save data, which caused strange AI behavior in battle.
  
• Fixed a bug in the despawn code. Now despawn completely and immediately.
  
• Fixed index out of range bug in random move selection.
  
• Fixed a bug that allowed reinforcement battle move to break local population caps.
  
• Fixed a bug that caused wound to be "null" in message log.
  
• Fixed a bug that failed to clean and dress wounds when purchasing said service at HH.
  
• Fixed missing wounds in crazy random encounter.
  
• Fixed empty travois image to have less wasted/empty space.
  
• Fixed a bug that caused AIs to badmouth player to each other when sharing faction standings each turn.
  
• Fixed a bug that caused mirrored slots to re-mirror image when emptying containers.
  
• Fixed a bug that caused stacks to overlap in take/drop when partial stack space was available.
  
• Fixed a bug that caused infinite scent in hexes.
  
• Fixed bug that caused slot-swapping to equip water on wound instead of use it.
  
• Fixed a typo in cryo encounter.
  
• Fixed a bug that prevented dropping wheelless cart in battle.
  
• Fixed a bug that allowed TAB to exit encounters and combat prematurely.
  
• Fixed a bug that caused scavenging to cut short if exit chosen with optional skill/tool.
  
• Fixed a bug that caused scavenging bars to update incorrectly when exit chosen with other skills/tools.
  
• Fixed typos in Food Truck encounter near Concrete Apts.
  
• Fixed balaclava art to fit hoodie and armor better.
  
• Fixed missing shadow in human and melonhead creature sprites.
  
• Fixed a bug that caused AI to constantly switch between two similar attack modes.
  
• Fixed a bug that allowed creatures to continue to attack after falling unconscious against more than one target.
  
• Fixed a typo in locked storage shed scavenge encounter.
  

Quite a few surprises await you in 0.985!

One of the highlights in this update is the new faction. You'll find a new location in the wilderness, which is home to a new faction of wandering creatures. It also has some information to discover, and services in which to partake.

Furthermore, many of the special hex encounters how have their own hex art. And Haggerty Health clinic now features an illustration by Max Antonov.

0.985b should also include a fix to the AI standings bug we saw in 0.984b. In particular, DMC guards shouldn't attack the player without provocation any more. Quite a few other improvements were made to the AI, too. And there were some specific changes to the DMC guard and Merga Wraith AI. Guards can now call on sniper support when needed, and the Merga Wraith will appear and disappear more accurately based on the player and talisman. It will also focus solely on the player when possible.

Overall, another big batch of fixes, and quite a bit of content, too! As always, let me know what you think of the changes, and if any new bugs arise!

Sea Legs

• Added intro cutscene
  
• Replaced initial stealth segment with new objective
  
• Added new objectives while on deck of the boat
  
• Replaced end encounter challenge
  
• Additional voiceovers
  

Silent but Dadly

• Replaced gift shop room stealth segment with new objective
  
• Added more solutions to stealth segment in entrance area
  
• Added new, guided objective to replace final stealth portion of the level (previous path still exists)
  
• Changed tie location to account for changed objective
  
• Additional voiceovers
  

Hot Concessions

• Added cutscene for respawning in rafters
  
• Reduced likelihood of glitches when in rafters
  
• Improved camera placement
  
• Replaced instant loss hit within final challenge to be force + suspicion
  

Other Levels:

• Wedding Bells - Added additional checkpoint after leaving reception room
  
• Gervason’s Grocery - Changed Soda City layout, added new cameras to freezer section, added additional animaton for Chef
  
• Shark Naked - Added loss animation, changed music, additional rumble
  
• Improved performance for World of Kelp, Aquatic Fun Center, Silent but Dadly, Hot Concessions
  
• Various other level design bug fixes
  

Other:

• Ability to toggle audio output between mono, stereo, 5.1 surround, 7.1 surround
  
• Reduce access to save file, create additional backups to saves.
  
• Resize fullscreen resolution down if desktop resolution is smaller than 1280x720 (or game resolution)
  
• Tutorial notifications now change instantly based on dominant device
  
• Linux uses CLOCK_MONOTONIC_RAW now instead of CLOCK_MONOTONIC.
  

Editor

• Fixed an issue with fog settings affecting multiple tabbed levels
  
• Fixed an issue where attributes would not properly show up when creating an object
  
• Added link to wiki in Help menu
  
• Log when end level event occurs
  

Why did you make significant changes to some of the levels in the later part of the game?

Many players found these levels to be a significant departure from the earlier levels because it too heavily relied on stealth as a game mechanic, which did not work out too well. These levels did not get as much iteration and playtesting as the earlier levels did.

How does this affect speed runs?

Most of the original paths still exist, but there is an emphasis on the new objectives/solutions for typical players to complete.

We wanted to let everyone know that we have added some graphics options to the main menu of the game. We also made a few changes with the A I as well.

Amongst the annals of the Imperium, few warriors have reached higher honour than the Wolf Guard of the Space Wolves. Devastatingly ferocious in attack, immovably resolute in defence, these savage warriors have broken many foes down the long millennia.

You can now command these fierce warriors and take on hoards or Genestealers with bloody results.

The Space Wolves Chapter DLC pack comes with new features and a new campaign, see the details below:

- 3 mission campaign, Fangs of Fenris
- 11 unique Wolf Guard terminators
- New weapons and new rules
- New frost themed environments
- All campaigns playable with all chapters
- Rune Priest with new abilities

We have updated the Steam build of 7 Wonders 2 to V.1.0.30.

This allows compatibility with Windows 8, as well as a few bug fixes. We apologize for any saved games that are lost, but feel the update is necessary to keep the game on Steam.

Happy Gaming!

Later this evening we expect to update the Rising Storm beta application with the Universal Carrier and SDKfz troop transports for the Russian and German factions. Along with their inclusion comes the updated Barashka, Arad 2 and Rakowice which have been configured for their use.

We hope to playtest these updated maps and the gameplay of the troop carriers themselves tomorrow and Friday. We will schedule these test events via the Official Game Group event system here: http://steamcommunity.com/games/RO2/events/ When they go up the event time will be indicated in your local time zone (but usually they are around 3 PM EST, -5 GMT).

We also have updated Maggot Hill with some minor gameplay changes as well as continued tweaks to the Search and Destroy maps.

As a heads up, this version of the SDKfz is still limited to 4 passengers in the back. We are still looking into how much time it would take to switch it to 6 passengers and if we will be making that change for this update.

Environmental Traps are a fun new feature in Dungeon Defenders II, and one that we’re continuously fine-tuning as we create new levels. When we first started building levels for DD2, we wanted to provide interesting motivations for players to move around the map during combat. We also wanted to think about how players could place defenses that synergize with the maps. We decided to try out a concept of traps built into the level’s construction that players could use to their advantage.

Traps that are pre-built into the maps:



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It's time again for the Pirate Census!

Every so often, we put together a survey to gather information about the interests and preferences of the Puzzle Pirates community. The results of the survey remain anonymous. We use the information to get a better idea of who is spending their time sailing our seas and to help us decide what kinds of future projects will be of interest to the community.

The survey will be available through Monday, March 24th, so please take a few minutes to help us build a better Puzzle Pirates by filling out the survey right now!