Jan 4, 2019
Slay The Spire dooms us all by adding official mod support
Slay the Spire - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (Alec Meer)

Oh, great. The very last thing I needed was another reason to play Slay The Spire every day for the rest of my life, forever and ever and ever and ever. On the other hand, perhaps I can finally fulfil my dream of replacing The Time Eater with a GIF of Jareth the Goblin King, which I’ve just decided I’ve wanted since the day I was born.

Yep, Spire mods – via the doughty Steam Workshop – are very much go. Let’s all look forwards to this perfectly-honed machine becoming a big ol’Katamari of madly conflicting ideas.

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Jan 3, 2019
Weekly Patch 54: Loop
Slay the Spire - Dinosaurs

Happy New Year!

This week's patch brings Steam Workshop support, bug fixes, and a few touch-ups here and there.

Steam Workshop
Utilizing and keeping up-to-date with community-made mods are now easier as we're enabling Steam Workshop support today.

Have you wanted more cards, relics, characters? Many hardworking players have been modding Slay the Spire for quite a while and they can now be easily accessed through the workshop. Check them out here!

Browse the Workshop page, subscribe to some mods, and upon launching the game, choose the "Play with Mods" option.

Now you are a professional mod user

For support and info on installation, bug reporting, or creating mods, join the modding community at our Official Discord channel at #modding. We want to play your mods!

Community Fan Art
Some excellent renditions to kick off the year


The Ironclad by nathanj


The Silent by u/khazan0


The Defect by @Nicxan

Patch Notes

Hotfixes
  • Fix for Card Reward screens sometimes not dismissing, causing duplicate card selection issues.

Gameplay and Balance
  • A Note For Yourself event is now available if you aren't playing your highest ascension AND the ascension level is 14 or less.
  • If you have unlocked The Ending achievement, you can now enable the final act in custom mode.
  • Stone Calendar relic damage buffed 40 -> 50.
  • The Specialized Daily Mod now allows Alchemize (was restricted because the mod Brewmaster used to exist)

UI and Effects
  • Improved controller navigation of Rest Site options when there are 5 options.
  • Recall option now appears in Run History screens when hovering a rest site room node.
  • Removed flame VFX that appeared when Reptomancer was defeated.
  • Smiling Mask relic stops flashing if Card Removal Service has been utilized.
  • The Input Settings menu button now utilizes a different image.
  • The Standard play menu button now utilizes a different image.
  • Updated relic asset for Blood Vial.
  • Credits updated and improved timing for the Thanks for Playing message.

Bug Fixes
  • Adding a check for a Cancel button (Safer for Modders!)
  • Adding a check for a potential game exit crash instead of returning to menu.
  • Adding logic so Beyond elites score increments more accurately in case of future/custom Acts.
  • Blight rolling now increments relic rng seeds correctly (consistency on save/load)
  • Fix Run History corruption due to save/load (again).
  • Fixed card randomization inconsistencies caused by save/load.
  • Fixed events which sometimes rerolled when loading a save after an event-based combat.
  • Fixed instances where certain screens could be opened while on that screen, causing visual issues.
  • Fixed issue where a non-dismissable Map could be dismissed by navigating menus in a specific order.
  • Fixed issue where Blood Potion wouldn't heal the player if used immediately after combat.
  • Fixed issue where City and Beyond Elites killed score bonuses weren't showing up if you won/lost in The Ending.
  • Fixed issue where Entropic Brew did not give players potions if used post-combat.
  • Fixed issue where opening deck/map/settings and returning would enable cancelling out of certain screens (like choosing cards for bottles).
  • Fixed issue where opening deck/map/settings during Card Removal Service caused the card to not remove unless you access the shop again.
  • Fixed issue where potion seeds weren't persistent on save/load.
  • Fixed issue where Toy Ornithopter relic wouldn't trigger outside of combat.
  • Fixed issues where navigating from screen -> map/deck -> settings would dismiss some screens such as Sealed Deck.
  • Fixed issues where some monsters dealt the incorrect damage with Philosopher's Stone on turn 1.
  • Note For Yourself event no longer crashes with modded cards.
  • Opening Settings during Draft mod now properly hides the top banner.
  • Potential fix for Prismatic Shard returning duplicate cards on rare occasions.
  • Prevent Run History corruption when loading saves in Event rooms.
  • The Specialized Mod now gives you 5 of a random card and works with mods Draft and Sealed Deck.
  • Tingsha, Sword Boomerang, Bouncing Flask, Rip and Tear, Thunder Orbs, Havoc, and Juggernaut now utilize seeded enemy target randomization.

Performance
  • Reduced some unnecessary saving when encountering bosses.

Localization
  • Adding shop assets for EPO.
  • Updates for EPO, DEU, DUT, EPO, FRA, ITA, KOR, SPA, UKR, ZHS, ZHT.
Jan 2, 2019
Best PC games of 2018
SpyParty - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (RPS)

The doors have been opened, the games inside have been devoured, and now it’s time to recycle the cardboard. Below you’ll find all of our picks for the best PC games of 2018, gathered together in a single post for easy reading.

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Dec 26, 2018
We asked developers: what would you gift the games industry?
Kenshi - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (Brendan Caldwell)

We ask the tough questions here at RPS. We re like Jeremy Paxman but in a very long bear costume. We once asked 15 developers what they d do if they were stuck in a room with a clone of themselves. This is important stuff.

Today, we ask another question: What would you gift the games industry for the holidays? We put this query to a bunch of game artists, writers and designers to see how charitable they were feeling. Today, you get to open these presents. Happy holidays!

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Dec 20, 2018
Weekly Patch 53: Blizzard
Slay the Spire - Dinosaurs

Happy holidays!

While things are slower due to winter festivities and gatherings, we're pushing ahead with bug fixes and visual improvements! Steam Workshop support is almost ready but we're taking a few days off for the holidays.
The next patch will be on January 3, 2019.

As a reminder, there will be a price increase after the current Winter Sale as detailed in last week's patch.


Beaaaaam

Community Fan Art

Praise Snecko by @Albino_bat


Ironclad by /u/khazan0


a Sandy Stormfield Defect by @Koda_Ellipsis

Patch Notes
UI and Effects
  • Updated relic asset for Bird-Faced Urn.
  • Updated relic asset for Eternal Feather.
  • Adding a VFX for Entangle by Red Slaver (NON-Fast Mode only)
  • Adding a VFX for Sweeping Beam card.
  • Busted Crown relic now flashes when its effect is triggered.
  • Hovering over an icon in the Map Legend now highlights all rooms of that type on the map.
  • Made in-game tips pop in from the bottom instead of just being there so it's slightly more noticeable.

Bug Fixes
  • Ascension 20 achievement not unlocking if you die on Act 4 on A20.
  • Beat of Death Power now damages you after a card's actions completely resolve.
  • Clicking two cards quickly when choosing one to discard will no longer discard the wrong card.
  • Crash fix when looking at Deck, Map, or Settings after getting Pandora's Box at Neow.
  • Fix for Egg relics causing an issue with cards in the Library event screen.
  • Fixed issue where a pre-battle action would sometimes not trigger when continuing a run.
  • Fixed issue where evoked Dark Orbs wouldn't switch targets if the first target died when multi-casting.
  • Fixing black map bug when pressing ESC in certain situations.
  • Invincible Power tooltip now correctly matches the icon and shows the correct amount.
  • Opening map/deck/setting on certain screens no longer forfeits an upgrade, boss relic, or blessing.
  • Spire Spear was incorrectly buffed on Ascension 17 instead of 18.
  • Timer no longer stops at the end of Act 3 if you meet the conditions to reach Act 4.
  • You can no longer Toke bottled cards.

Localization
  • Updates for DEU, EPO, ITA, SPA, and ZHT.
  • Updates for DUT and credits updates for DUT.
Dec 14, 2018
Slay The Spire shuffles out of early access in January
Slay the Spire - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (Alice O'Connor)

Splendid deck-building roguelikelike dungeon-crawler Slay The Spire will leave early access and launch in full on January 23rd, 2019, developers Mega Crit Games have announced. If you’ve foolishly been waiting for the full launch–it’s been one of my favourite games of the year for months so holding off is daft okay–there you go. Mega Crit also note that they’ll bump the price up a touch before launch so look, get it now and start scaling that tower of oddities.

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Dec 14, 2018
Slay the Spire gets an update and a release date
Slay the Spire

Slay the Spire will leave Early Access on January 23, developer Mega Crit Games announced in a weekly update. Trading cards, Steam Workshop support are on their way, along with a price hike after the Winter Sale. 

It’s a roguelike adventure up a magical—and extremely dangerous—tower, with cards representing your character’s combat and adventuring skills. Each character has a unique set of cards, and you can pick from more than 200 while trying to create your deck. You get these cards from killing enemies, mostly, forcing you to improvise instead of creating a deck at the start. 

These cards define your character, so you’re essentially building a class as you ascend the tower, with cards standing in for the gear and magic an adventurer might find in a conventional roguelike dungeon delve. And then you die, a new tower is generated and you can start building a new character with a new deck.

It’s a novel system and Slay the Spire has had a pretty successful Early Access, garnering quite a bit of praise. Check out our Slay the Spire preview from last January, and keep an eye out for our review next year.

Today's update is a small one that fixes some bugs and adds a bit of polish. Read the full patch notes here.

Dec 13, 2018
Weekly Patch 52: Release Date & Price Increase
Slay the Spire - Dinosaurs

Hello everyone,

This week's patch brings further visual polish and improvements to controller support while we continue work on Steam Trading Cards and Workshop support. We also have some announcements!

Release Date
Slay the Spire will be out of Early Access on January 23, 2019.
We'll reveal more on the future of Slay the Spire and Mega Crit Games on release.

Price Increase
Anybody reading this probably owns the game. With the upcoming full release, there will be a price increase shortly after the upcoming Winter Sale so if you were planning on buying or gifting, it's a good time to do so!

Community Fan Art


The Defect by @MoronisMcDude


These excellent monster drawings by @RedDyeNo5


The Silent facing off against The Guardian by Marce Ricardo

Patch Notes
Balance
  • Maw Bank relic will no longer spawn at Shops.
  • Enchiridion relic now triggers earlier so its card is prioritized over some other relics.

UI and Effects
  • Updated relic asset for Ancient Tea Set.
  • Updated relic asset for Pandora's Box.
  • Updated relic asset for Red Skull.
  • Updated relic asset for Regal Pillow.
  • Updated relic asset for Strange Spoon.
  • Updated relic asset for Sundial.
  • Updated relic asset for The Specimen.
  • Updated relic asset for Toolbox.
  • Updated relic asset for Tough Bandages.
  • Adding VFX for Clash card.
  • Adding VFX for Feed card.
  • ESC button can cancel out of several screens again.
  • Twitch integration icon moved to a location that does not overlap the Timer.
  • Adding support for LS, RS button assets when remapping controller inputs.
  • Adding support for Right Stick up down left right assets when remapping controller inputs.
  • Inputs that have crossover between keyboard/controller can now be remapped without crashing.

Bug Fixes
  • Duplicate cards will no longer appear on reward screens with Prismatic Shard.
  • Fixed crashes when reassigning various hotkeys.
  • Fixed issue that allowed player to throw Smoke Bomb in some rooms to no effect.
  • Fixed issue that caused Frail and Dexterity to inconsistently interact with each other.
  • Fixed issue that caused Shovel, Girya, and Peace Pipe to incorrectly spawn when they should not.
  • Fixed issue where Beta Art toggle sometimes appeared in the incorrect spot.
  • Fixed issue where Beta Art toggle was available for cards which did not have Beta Art access.
  • Fixed issue where cards from Unceasing Top were offset on the far left if using a controller.
  • Fixed issue where highlighted room in map screen changed if you scrolled up using controller.
  • Fixed issue where navigating up/down on the dungeon map using controller can move your cursor out of the game window.
  • Fixed issue where Pandora's Box relic couldn't transform cards to Rare.
  • Fixed issue where Save & Quit via controller also ended the turn if you were in combat.
  • If you Save & Quit then immediately continue using a controller, the audio no longer bugs out.

Localization
  • Updates for DUT, FRA, IND, JPN, KOR.


doot doot
Dec 6, 2018
Weekly Patch 51: Recursion
Slay the Spire - Dinosaurs

Greetings,

This patch brings some balance tweaks, visual flourishes, bug fixes, and support for Dutch!

We're also working on Steam Trading Cards and Steam Workshop support but they aren't ready just yet.


The Beyond's background now has some animated objects

Community Fanart


Various silly enemies of the Spire by @RedDyeNo5


Defect lost in thought by @BlueStorm4WG


The Silent taming a beast by @noestringfound

Patch Notes

Balance
  • Ascension no longer increments if the run was seeded.
  • Writhing Mass enemy's attacks deal slightly less damage.
  • Darkstone Periapt relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Dream Catcher relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Egg relics no longer spawn beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Girya relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Juzu Bracelet relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Matryoshka relic no longer spawns beyond floor 40 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Maw Bank relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Old Coin relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Omamori relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Peace Pipe relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Potion Belt relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Prayer Wheel relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Preserved Insect relic no longer spawns beyond floor 52 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Question Card relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Regal Pillow relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Shovel relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Singing Bowl relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Smiling Mask relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • The Courier relic no longer spawns beyond floor 48 (excludes Endless mode).
  • Tiny Chest relic no longer spawns beyond floor 40 (excludes Endless mode).

UI and Effects
  • Playtester Art toggle added in Settings menu (Accessible after "The End?" achievement is unlocked).
  • Adding beta art for Bane, Charge Battery, Fission, Choke, Corpse Explosion, and Equilibrium.
  • Updated relic art for Bag of Preparation.
  • Updated relic art for Mark of Pain.
  • Updated relic art for Orichalcum.
  • Updated relic art for Ring of the Serpent.
  • Updated relic art for Ring of the Snake.
  • Updated relic art for Whetstone.
  • Added a max cap of 2 for bg objects that float around in the Beyond.
  • Floating background objects in the Beyond are now animated.
  • Floating background objects in the Beyond are now colored similarly to the bg's color randomization.
  • Capitalization consistency improvements for messages when choosing cards from hand.
  • Capitalization consistency improvements for some run mods.
  • Capitalization fixes for Magnetism power description.
  • Courier relic description clarified.
  • Disabling particle effects now hides the runic objects in the Beyond.
  • Foreground elements for the Beyond's bg are now colored similarly to the bg's color randomization.
  • If a high res beta card portrait is missing, now the low res version is rendered scaled up in single card view screens.
  • Increasing distance between bonus label and its amount in score screen to accommodate wordier languages.
  • Minor text cleanup for Augmenter event.
  • Minor text cleanup for Face Trader event.
  • Minor text cleanup for Vampires event.
  • No longer rendering a relic's counter when viewing them on a Reward screen.
  • Plated Armor power wording improved when enemies have the power.
  • Removed extra space on flavor description for Eternal Feather.
  • Reworded Emotion Chip relic to be more accurate with its actual behavior.
  • Upon sorting by A-Z, the first click is now ascending order.
  • Wording improvements when relics or UI mention the Merchant.

Bug Fixes
  • Accuracy power now correctly works with Shivs played from the top of the deck via cards like Mayhem or Havoc.
  • Burn cards no longer trigger Time Eater's ability at end of turn.
  • Fix crash issue when viewing run history if a run utilized the the deprecated Colossus modifier.
  • Fix some situations where run history would display incorrect rooms.
  • Fixed a false Unlock option which appeared on death if Defect was not yet unlocked.
  • Fixed Corpse Explosion card's portrait using incorrect card type.
  • Fixed issue when Writhing Mass enemy would sometimes not change its intent when hit.
  • Fixed issue where Black Star relic was always returning two relics of the same rarity.
  • Fixed issue where Jaxxed achievement was obtained when enemies gained 50 Strength.
  • Fixed issue where stacked Thorns on Spiker enemies was not interacting correctly with relics and powers.
  • Fixed issue where starter cards weren't be marked as seen.
  • Fixed Panache Power not exhausting.
  • Fixed Self-Forming Clay relic triggering incorrectly off of prevented damage from Buffer power.
  • Fixing memory leak caused by undisposed textures for several VFX.
  • Medical Kit relic will no longer cause Slimed cards to glow as if they could be played when you have no energy.
  • Medical Kit will no longer allow the player to sometimes play Slimed when out of energy.
  • Muzzle blight was applying twice to Lizard Tail and Fairy Potion.
  • Negative Strength power typo fix.
  • Nloth's Gift was flashing at incorrect times.
  • Rebound card no longer puts Burns on top of your deck.
  • Reptomancer's Daggers and Philosopher's Stone relic now correctly interact.
  • Secret Portal event no longer says Ignored in run history. Run history rows capped at 20 elements.
  • Spire Shield's intent was incorrect for one of its moves. Attack -> Attack + Debuff.
  • Throwing a Smoke Bomb at the Final Act boss no longer crashes the game.
  • Typo fix in Augmenter event.
  • Wing Boot relics were still spawning beyond certain floors when they should not.

Optimization
  • Compressing a few card ui assets.

Localization
  • Adding Dutch language (DUT) + credits.
  • Portrait frames now dynamically resize if the card type name is long (affects non-English).
  • Updates for EPO, DEU, DUT, EPO, FRA, ITA, POL, RUS, SPA, UKR, ZHS, ZHT.

Announcement next week?!
Nov 26, 2018
Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2018: Best PC gaming deals
Counter-Strike 2 - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (The Dealer)

Is… is it over yet? Are the Black Friday and Cyber Monday PC gaming deals finally finished? Just a couple more hours to go now, you can do it deals herald, you can get through this. You’ve got a week and a half holiday coming up soon, just get through the afternoon and then you can go and lie in a dark room and not dream about Cyber Monday graphics card deals you might have missed for the seventh night running.

Ahem. Sorry, I don’t know what came over me there. Probably the Cyber Monday PC gaming deals fatigue settling in, or the Black Friday fever dream I seem to have been living this past fortnight. But your deals herald is stronger than that. Nay, THE DEALER is stronger than that, and with a renewed sense of vigor that may in fact be frenzied despair, I thus present to you the final monolithic installment of our Black Friday and Cyber Monday PC deals bonanza. Gone are the deals swept away by the ever-grabbing hands of internet shoppers. All that’s left is the best of the best that are still up for grabs, from graphics cards and monitors to SSDs, gaming headsets, CPUs and mice and keyboards and more. If you’ve yet to do your Cyber Monday shopping, act fast, as these PC gaming deals won’t be around for long.

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