Jul 23

Marvel Rivals Version 20250724 Patch Notes

Marvel Rivals - Marvel Rivals

Greetings, Rivals!

We're thrilled to announce the upcoming patch drops on July 24, 2025, at 9:00:00 AM (UTC)! This update will be deployed seamlessly, with no server downtime required! Simply log in after the update and jump right back into the action.
Here's what's coming in this patch:

New In Store

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Costume Series Debuts!

Available from: 25/07/2025, 02 : 00: 00 (UTC)

New Additions and Optimizations

1. New Team-Up Ability - First Steps (Human Torch & The Thing):
Johnny is the Team-Up Anchor and can lift The Thing into the air. Then, at the perfect moment, hurl Ben to the ground, dealing damage, launching enemies, and creating a zone that disables mobility abilities.

"You know what time it is, Ben?"

2. We've increased the rate at which Accessory Points can be earned:
Quick Match: Now grants 15 per match. Practice VS. AI: Now grants 10 per match. This change takes effect after the Accessory Point limit resets on July 25 at 09:00 (UTC).

Fixes

All Platforms

1. Fixed an issue where there was no background music in the lobby transition for Psylocke's Breezy Butterfly costume. Now, you can enjoy those mutant vibes in style!

Heroes

1. Spider-Man's Web of Woes: Fixed a bug where Peter's selection box could get tangled and display incorrectly when both a Spider-Tracer and Burn-Tracer existed at the same time. Now Spidey's marks display correctly, no more sticky situations.

2. Phoenix's Fiery Focus: Corrected a minor scaling error in Phoenix's hero select display. Jean's presence is now as balanced as the Phoenix Force itself.

3. Black Widow's Red Room Reboot: Addressed an issue where if Natasha was launched up during Edge Dancer, it could disrupt the subsequent multi-stage ability logic. The Black Widow Program taught her better - Nat's moves are now flawless.

4. Rocket Raccoon's Ravager Revival: Fixed a glitch in Rocket's B.R.B., where, when reviving a teammate, it would sometimes incorrectly display in the top right that it revived 2 teammates. Even Rocket can only make one miracle at a time, folks!

5. Cloak & Dagger's Shadow Shuffle: Resolved an unintended crossover where Cloak & Dagger's Ultimate Ability could be affected by another teammate's Cloak's Dark Teleportation (such as a shapeshifted Loki). The Darkforce Dimension is invitation-only!

6. Phoenix's Frame-Rate Phoenix Down: Fixed an issue where Phoenix's turning mid-air during her Ultimate Ability was affected by frame rate (lower frame rates made her easier to control). Now, Jean's fiery flight is smooth at any speed. Rise again, Phoenix!

The Marvel Rivals universe is ever-evolving, and we have plenty more surprises and updates on the horizon. Stay tuned to our official announcements for more!

Jul 23

Creating No Strangers 2.0 From Scratch

NO STRANGERS - Xeirel

Hello,

You may know me as Xeirel. Today, I’d like to share my thoughts with you not just as a game developer, but also as a fellow player.
This post is packed with updates and details — but most importantly, it’s about how I’ve started rebuilding No Strangers from scratch.

🎮 The First Birth of No Strangers

Originally, No Strangers was a test project I started during university. I had some experience with Unity, but I had never developed a multiplayer game before. Back then, although Mirror Networking was easier to learn, I chose to use Unity’s Netcode for GameObjects.

Throughout development, I tried to learn, experiment, and implement features by trial and error. Unfortunately, over time this caused the project to become overly complex and nearly impossible to maintain. Looking back at my old source code... I often can’t even tell what I was thinking 😅

Thankfully, I’ve gained a lot of experience since then.

💼 Other game: Digital Market Simulator

During this time, I began working on another game called Digital Market Simulator with two close friends. Because of that, I couldn’t focus on No Strangers for a while.

But now I’ve created a new project and officially started working on No Strangers 2.0 from scratch!

To summarize, here are the main differences between the old version (No Strangers 1.0 - Legacy) and the new one (No Strangers 2.0 - WIP), including added and planned features:

✅ NEW FEATURES

🌍 Multiple playable maps
👤 Custom player models can now be loaded (Steam Workshop support is planned)
🧭 Revamped UI system — Main menu and pause menu are now unified
🔒 Advanced authentication system:

Players who fail Steam authentication
Players who don’t have the server password
Banned users from streamers
Players you personally block
→ All of them are strictly denied access. A highly secure system is in place.

🚶‍♂️ Client-Side Prediction Movement
Player movement is simulated both on client and server, then synchronized.
→ This prevents speed hacks and unfair lag-related issues.

👀 Spectator Mode
You can now join ongoing games as a spectator.

🎮 GameMode System
Create your own game modes with unique rules.
Adjust spawn behavior, movement types, and more.
→ You’re no longer limited to classic No Strangers gameplay — sandbox and experimental modes are now possible!

🎙️ New Voice Chat System

Old system used Steam’s voice infra and RPC for transmission (which caused delay and lag).

Now:
Audio is captured directly from the device
Noise is reduced using rnnoise
Encoded via Opus
Sent in packets, decoded by recipients
→ In testing, performance was very close to Discord (even better with lower latency 💀).

🔜 PLANNED FEATURES

🔧 Mod API
The game source will remain closed, but I plan to offer a Lua-based custom API for modding.

🎒 Advanced inventory system
Items, clothing, weapons, and more can be stored.
Can be disabled depending on the game mode.

🤖 AI Players
Both offline and online AI players will be supported.
They can act as teammates or enemies.

🚀 Optimization
Better 3D models, more efficient occlusion culling.
→ Strong focus on performance.

📢 ABOUT DEVELOPMENT

This time, I’m not rushing anything. I want to build a solid and scalable foundation for the game.

I’ll share screenshots and videos occasionally, and I plan to do community polls to collect feedback on specific features.

👉 You can join our Discord server or follow my upcoming Patreon page for updates and behind-the-scenes posts.

I’m not a millionaire, nor a famous developer. The only way I can be heard... is with your help.
I’d love to see you in our community. 🙏

🧪 BETA TESTING
As development progresses, we’ll begin a beta testing phase.
I’ll be inviting volunteer testers from the community.

Super excited for this part! 🧡

❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Q&A)

Q: Will it be released as a separate game?
A: No, it will be released as an update. You’ll still be able to play the legacy version via beta branches.
Q: Will it still just have the classic mode and map?
A: No. Thanks to the new GameMode system, new modes and maps will be added over time.
Q: Will there be Steam Workshop support?
A: Yes, it’s one of my goals and I plan to implement it.
Q: Will the classic “Who is the Killer?” mode change?
A: Yes. New roles and gameplay mechanics will be introduced.
Q: Can I play solo?
A: Yes. Single-player compatible modes and AI players will be supported.
Q: When will version 2.0 be released?
A: I can’t give a specific date, but some of the core systems are done. I’ll keep sharing updates on Discord and Steam.
Q: Will cosmetic DLCs still be usable?
A: Yes.
Q: Will the game’s atmosphere change?
A: Yes. Graphics, sound, and ambiance will be more immersive. I want players to feel like they’re part of the world.
Q: Will system requirements change?
A: No.
Q: Will it support Steam Deck and Linux?
A: Yes, it will be playable on platforms like Steam Deck and Linux.

Q: Where the hell are the Discord Server and Patreon links??
A: Right here Discord Server and Patreon 🥀

Jul 23

Naica Online - Patch #3 | Class Balancing and Open World PvP

Naica Online - D1nosaur

Class Balancing and Open World PvP

Here is what you can expect from this Patch:

Class balancing across the board
New targeting system
The introduction of opt in World PvP
Addition of duels
Item drop balancing
Bug fixes

Gameplay Changes:

Changed targeting system to make using abilities more fluid and logical
- Abilities now won't automatically turn the character if the target is in a direction the player is not facing
- Cone and line abilities are now aimed where the player is facing
Disabled opening player interaction UI when in combat to prevent unnecessary opening of the menu
Added new visual for AOE effects
Changed ability cooldown visual to add decimal points

Introduction to PvP:

Implemented the option for players to opt into open world PvP currently named War Mode
You can activate PvP by talking to a pile of bones named "Bravados" in any NPC hub to enable or disable war mode
- Anyone who opted in to the system will be able to PvP each other anywhere in the open world apart from "Safe Zones" which are NPC/Quest hubs like the various towns and camps on the map
- You will not lose experience if you die from player damage, but you do get experience for eliminating other players
- Healing and Mana regeneration is lowered in PvP scenarios to prevent drawn out combat encounters
Added Duels
- When out of combat, click on a player and you will see the Duel option
- After initiating a duel, a flag will be dropped between the players which is used as an anchor for the duel
- If you move too far away from the flag you will be prompted to return with a 5 second timer, if you do not return you will lose the duel
- You do not have to have PvP enabled to engage in Duels
- The duel ends when one of the players reaches 1% HP - you get a small boost of health and all damage over time effects are removed immediately
Future of PvP
- Currently we are working on a reward system for PvP which will include PvP exclusive gear
- Abilities are still balanced around PvE encounters, but with the new gear system we plan to add this would alleviate that issue
- When this new system is implemented, if you PvP with normal PvE gear you will deal significantly less damage unless you're wearing PvP gear which you will be able to buy from an NPC
- You will be able to target each gear slot as you wish, where when you buy the item it will drop with a random assortment of stats (like PvE gear, but from a vendor), it will always include PvP power and PvP defense though

Class Balance Changes:

Warrior:

Slash - No changes
Block - No longer reduces damage from enemies 6 levels above the player
Bleeding Edge - Now properly stacks bleed effects below and after Rank 5
Whirlwind - Reduced damage and increased cooldown to 5 seconds to compensate for Rank 5 effect being very strong
Crushing Blow - Reduced cooldown to 2 seconds, increased mana cost but increased damage slightly to compensate
Cleaving Strike - No changes
Wounding Strike - Now properly deals extra damage to bleeding enemies
Penetrating Strike - Now properly applies armor reduction debuff increasing overall damage
Sharp Block - Enemies only take 1 stack of bleed per shield activation to prevent fast bleed stacking
Explosive Block - Now properly stores damage and releases it when the effect expires
Retaliating Block - No changes
Bleeding Slash - At Rank 5 now properly consumes bleed stacks to deal extra damage (damage x bleed stacks) - example 100x5 stacks = 500dmg
Slam - Increased mana cost and increased damage
Piercing Strike - Reduced mana cost and increased damage, changed Rank 5 ability to now increase damage done by AOE spells regardless of how many enemies it hits

Mage:

Key change - separated Ablaze effects from Firebolt and other spells from Dragon Breath
- Firebolt - Separated Ablaze effect from Dragon Breath to deal less ticking damage
- Dragon Breath - Reduced initial damage, increased tick damage and enemies now properly explode when under the Dragon Breath Ablaze effect
- Arcane Spear - Reduced mana cost, increased cooldown to 5 but also increased damage
- Falling Elements - Changed from Fire to Frost damage with added new Frosted effect, also reduced mana cost
- Arcane Affinity - Now properly applies Arcane Bolt and Rank 5 passive that increases damage done based on how low your mana is, reduced mana cost as well as cooldown to 1.75 and increased damage
- Frost Affinity - Now properly applies Frosted effect, frosted effect slow reduced to 30%, reduced mana cost as well as cooldown to 1.75 on Frostbolt, slightly increased damage
- Critical Fire - Now properly applies to only Firebolt
- Shield Lens - Now properly applies critical bonus damage
- Frosted Shield - Now properly applies Frosted and Rank 5 effects
- Blazing Shield - Now properly applies Ablaze effect
- Arcane Nova - Slightly reduced mana cost and increased damage
- Greater Firebolt - Mana cost and damage reduced, Rank 5 effect now properly stacks damage
- Ice Knives - Increased range, reduced mana cost, and improved visual effect of the level 5 ability

Ranger:

Bow Shot - Reduced hit circle from 360 degrees to 180 cone in front of the player
Poison Arrow - Slightly increased mana cost, reduced initial hit damage, increased poison tick damage
Snipers Nest - Increased mana cost, increased cooldown to 7 seconds, increased damage and range
Fan of Knives - Increased damage and range
Weakness Poison - Now properly applies extra damage to Bowshot
Dagger Master - Increased Dagger attack damage
Patient Shot - Patient shot now properly applies aura, added a grace period of 3 seconds after moving where the effect doesn't disappear
Vial Break - Now deals flat damage instead of scaling damage
Block Wave - Now deals flat damage, and triggers animation/stun properly
Piercing Block - No changes
Crippling Arrow - At Rank 5 now properly consumes poison stacks to deal extra damage (damage x bleed stacks) - example 100x5 stacks = 500dmg
Behind You - Reworked ability, can now be casted from anywhere, but deals more damage if hitting an enemy from behind. New Rank 5 addition deals 20% extra damage to crowd controlled enemies
Arrow Rain - No changes

Bugfixes:

Fixed keybinds like Escape and Tab closing their associated menus
Fixed issue where certain crashes would not save character to the database properly leading to lost progress (if this issue affected you, please contact us on Discord so that we may at least restore some of your character progress)
Increased Manji wood drop rate - added it to PsyManji loot pool as well
You're only able to loot weapons related to your class to prevent inventory clutter
Fixed issue where in certain PvP encounters players wouldn't be able to move
Fixed Whirlwind consuming too much mana because of tick rate