Did another 10 patches for Warlordocracy. Chapter 3 is now packed with quests and finished, for a while at least. Eventually I'll go back and add another map or two to each chapter along with sidequests, but not until I'm done with the main story. Framerate has been improved, as well as ability scripts and evasion animations. Tons of bugs and typos fixed thanks to Badger and Macabre.

There are also now 4 complete minigames: translation (hangman), persuasion (word scramble), lockpicking (L/R memorization), and music (guitar hero). I plan to add one more minigame for gambling at taverns eventually (not Chinese Dice).

Updated Shrouded Arts doc with spoilers for patrons: https://www.patreon.com/lcsoftware


Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1748160/Warlordocracy/


Itch: https://itch.io/s/124620/warlordocracy-the-story-so-far


Thanks to Sonic Kitchen for the new Warlordocracy theme. He's converted to the Old Amish Order of Anabaptists and deleted his online presence, but I am forcing him by contract to continue working on the devil's machinery to compose for Warlordocracy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-dI0fIupSg

Gonna take a break from Warlord for a couple weeks to do another Brigand patch or two in time for the anniversary next month.


Complete list of changes:

EARLY ACCESS 16.0:

-Added all planned gemcracks (21 usable gemcracks total).
-New option in settings to swap left/right mouse buttons.
-New sound: objective.wav (when you get a new objective).
-Using the closed city gate and keep gate now examines object.
-Fixed major script bug where locked reinforced chests weren't opening.
-Fixed bug where party members got deselected after choosing target for ability, item, etc.
-Cannons now have a 20% chance to backfire and cause a blinding flash unless you have Mechanics.
-Crocodile AI script now changes selection and collision size depending on direction.
-Placed Sunburst Sword in Port Moonshade watchtower, updated Foremost Delivery text.
-Added Officer's Journal text to Ch.3, detailing all magic items found in jungle.
-Updated Shrouded Arts PDF for patrons (magic guide with spoilers).
-Updated theme music again (thanks to Sonic Kitchen).
-Updated all manuals and in-game encyclopedia.
-Dabi now has Naturalism ability from start.
-Replaced font options (10 fonts total).


EARLY ACCESS 15.9:

-New original title track thanks to Sonic Kitchen!
-You can now add as many fonts as you want to the fonts folder (added 4 fonts).
-Removed lots of unimportant objects and walls from Ch.2 market maps to speed up framerate.
-Gave potions to Oke and Lars shop inventories in Ch.3, including Cure Potions for jungle disease.
-Party now randomly gets diseased on jungle maps in Ch.3 if they are hungry.
-Improved a LOT of dialogue (Dabi, civilians), new text about spiders.
-New objects: manorTower2+3, roofAddon, meatRack, labEquip2.
-New sound: mosquito (from Brigand).
-New tiles: roofD (multiple).


EARLY ACCESS 15.8:

-Fixed Pocket Sand ability script.
-Fixed lots of bugs related to game messages.
-Fixed a ton of typos and minor script bugs, thanks to Badger.
-Beefed up Commander Durolo and Stormeye a bit in Chapters 2+3.
-Flash effects now deal 5 heat damage just to cause retaliation.
-Party is now fully healed when travelling on wagon in Chapter 1.
-New script command: "partyHeal" (also removes all status effects).
-Rearranged Brayna's shop and Lying Flute Tavern (Ch.1).
-Improved soldier AI in Lockdell Market (Ch.1).


EARLY ACCESS 15.7:

-Sped up sprite lighting change (greatly improving framerate).
-New object command: "objMobLowAI" to improve framerate (ignore waypoints, shorter target selection).
-Set most animals and civilians to low AI in INI scripts and story files (framerate should be improved).
-Fixed interacting with inventory and character windows on touchscreen mode.
-Fixed problem from a recent patch with game speed option.
-Fixed Port Moonshade map collision at inn stairs (Ch.3).
-Fixed Sattie's damage sounds in script (Ch.1).
-Disabled keyboard input on Steam Deck.


EARLY ACCESS 15.6:

-Mobile sprites now briefly move on successful evasion.
-New status effect: Regeneration (heals you over time, mostly from food).
-New script boolen: "if_objDefaultFacing" (test if object is facing default object).
-Food now grants regeneration status effect instead of healing instantly (potions heal instantly).
-Bandaging with Naturalism ability now requires spirits, and only heals one party member (but much more).
-Setting faction string to "objFaction" in "factionReact" commands now uses current object's faction.
-Fixed bug where lots of merchants were set to player faction (from editing their inventories).
-Daximo will keep buying batches of 5 moonlight flowers from you after his first quest.
-Improved Pickpocking ability script, checking for witnesses and distractions.
-You can now get quests to recruit Shale, Stringer, and Dustbiter (Ch.3).
-Updated manuals and in-game encyclopedia (850 entries).


EARLY ACCESS 15.5:

-Picking locks during combat now has a 20-second time limit.
-"DialogTimer" script command now works for lockpicking minigame if you want a time limit.
-Music and lockpicking minigames now bring framerate down to 60 if game speed is set to fast.
-Lock strength while lockpicking now determined by both Cunning and Mechanics ability.
-During combat, you can no longer read books, translate gemcracks, fish, or dig.
-Summoning henchmen with contract now displays character screen.
-Nordus now gives lock sequence, more shop inventory (Ch.1).
-New rep in Ch.3 for completing quest: Anuli's Friend.
-Added 9x9 map commands (tile, block, etc.).
-Added moonlight farms to Berindal's Refuge.
-Locked more doors in Ch.2.


EARLY ACCESS 15.4:

-New minigame: Lockpicking ("if_minigame3").
-Implemented locking minigame in door and chest scripts.
-Improved Party AI indicator in HUD (only displays when game is paused, top-right corner).
-Improved playing instruments for gratuity (now shows who gives you coins, 50 times/chapter limit).
-Booleans that check if objects are nearby now measure from parent if object is being carried.
-Changed "musicString" command to "minigameString" (also used for lockpicking).
-New "seed" parameter for "minigameString" (random lock based on object ID).
-Unlocking doors now also unlocks any adjacent door (for double doors).
-Temp.par party file is now hidden from import party list.


EARLY ACCESS 15.3:

-New minigame: Playing Music ("if_minigame4").
-New script command: "musicString" (sets music string for music minigame, notes are 1 to 9, 0 skips a beat).
-New script command: "choicesParty" (sets the dialog window choices to main party members).
-Fixed major bug where party dialogue scripts weren't updating after beating Chapter 1.
-Fixed major bug from recent patch where shop inventories were not being drawn.
-Fixed script bug where Gibbous Glow beds didn't cure Fatigue in Ch.2.
-Fixed script bug with Milphio in Ch.1 when you have Krug Slayer rep.
-Instrument scripts now working (flute, horn, lute, harp, piano).
-New item: horn (instrument).


EARLY ACCESS 15.2:

-New script booleans for minigames: "if_minigame2" to "if_minigame5" (only first two done).
-New minigame: Word Scramble (used for Bluffing, Streetwise, and Sophistication abilities in conversation).
-Added another ambush to Ch.2 (right before Peace Festival).
-Updated manuals and encyclopedia (now 800 entries).
-Updated civilian and noble dialogue in Ch.3.
-Added more Bluffing options in Ch.3.


EARLY ACCESS 15.1:

-Expanded scope of Badlands overworld map (Ch.4), updated manuals.
-New scripts that charge magic weapons in sunlight, darkness or water.
-Weapon charges no longer drain on attack unless stated in attack script.
-New magic weapons: Everfrost Sword/Axe, Sunburst Sword/Axe, Stun Mace/Spear, Corrosive Mace.
-If mobile is knocked unconscious in attack script, attack no longer immediately cancels status.
-If "stopCombat" command is called or faction becomes non-hostile in attack script, AI no longer retaliates.
-When player uses ability while moving, character position is now reset to original tile for targeting.
-Fixed Ch.2 pitfighting scripts, party members now get knocked unconscious instead of dying.
-Fixed script bug with splash effect extinguishing fire (when using buckets of water).
-Gave Mantios a Stun Mace in Chapter 3.

Chapter 3 for Warlordocracy has been released, and tons of new features have been added. The plan is to now have only 5 chapters in the main story then leave early access. Later I'll make Chapter 6, set 25 years later, and your entire imported party will look older and have -1 on all skills but Education.

Finished party banter and romance since Ch.3 released. You can now have sex without paying for it! There are now 34 achievements total, playable instruments (WIP), and 8 new spells.

Next plan is to implement a bunch of minigames. Currently I have the following planned: lockpicking, musical instruments, gambling, persuasion, and translation. After that I'll playtest the first 3 chapters, then work on another Brigand patch in about a month.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNTLoh7Vm7o


Warlordocracy: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1748160/Warlordocracy/
Chapter 2: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2498110/Warlordocracy_Ch_2/
Chapter 3: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2498120/Warlordocracy_Ch_3/

Release date for Warlordocracy Chapter 3 is now 16 May, to celebrate the start of Comrade Mao's Cultural Revolution. Eat your teachers, everyone.

New Ch.3 Alpha on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lcsoftware


Thanks to Badger for the hours of playtesting: https://www.youtube.com/@badger7676


Warlord Ch.3 Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2498120/Warlordocracy_Ch_3/


Latest Patch Notes: https://steamcommunity.com/games/1748160/announcements/detail/4202497395524494140

New command for modders to play with, "deathScript", that allows you to set a script to run when player dies instead of going to gameover screen. Should be useful if you wanna make a VR hacking system or something, as I believe somebody is doing on Discord.

Also, made the FORTRESS challenge map harder by making the Android "Sabotaged", meaning you need the Master Techie ability (same as in the 4th BATTLES map). All story files have been updated to fix an inconsistency with the Lawbringer 44 damage (should all be 14). I hate updating story files because they are so big, but I went through all the maps and they're solid. Fixed a few other bugs.

Discord Invite: https://discord.gg/PWN7SdSYkQ

Complete list of changes:

SOURCE CODE:
-New script command: "deathScript" (set script to run on player's death, instead of going to gameover).

SCRIPTS:
-Master Techie ability now displays a dialogue window after repairing Sabotaged Androids.
-(NIGHTMARE) Fixed faction of Arachno Demon spawns in finale map.

RESOURCES:
-Updated Builder's Manual.
-(EXTRAS) Removed difficulty selection from PANZY character creation (now always Wimpy).

STORY FILES: (requires starting a new game)
-Changed Android to Sabotaged Android in FORTRESS challenge map (now requires 50 Hardware as well as Software).
-Fixed inconsistency in Lawbringer 44 damage (default damage should always be 14 before upgrades).
-(NIGHTMARE) Fixed faction of Widow Demon in finale map.
-(NIGHTMARE) Fixed voodoo sound in NIGHTMARE scripts.

Time for more patch notes for the sake of record-keeping. Most of these have already been patched on the hush-hush, thanks to lowkeymischief21 and Balto for the bug reports. There were some files missing from NIGHTMARE when I stupidly deleted redundant resources and didn't realize the duplicates weren't in DEFAULT (they were only in OAXACA assets). Fortunately, it didn't ruin anyone's save.

Put the PANZY story in the EXTRAS DLC for losers with families and/or day jobs (achievements disabled). Other minor improvements listed below.

Complete list of changes:

SOURCE CODE:
-You can now use the "all" parameter for the "resist" command to set resistance to all 7 damage types.

RESOURCES:
-Updated Builder's Manual (moved "resist" command from sentient object section to basic object section).
-Fixed Bartender's dialogue in FORTRESS (no longer says you're in Pochutla), removed outfits in FORTRESS.
-(NIGHTMARE) Included Sub, Manhole, and Junebug folders in DEFAULT assets, fixing major bugs in NIGHTMARE story from v13.6.
-(EXTRAS) Included BRIGAND - PANZY story+assets in EXTRAS DLC (easier version of main story, no Steam achievements).
-(BATTLES) Improved Ballistic's dialogue in Watering Hole challenge map.

STORY FILES: (requires starting a new game)
-Disabled Android in FORTRESS is now usable type, so player can read description.
-(PANAMA) Changed cliffs near chemical storage in Deep Canal so player can't jump over and skip to Lago Miraflores.

Too lazy to copy/paste the last 10 updates here, but tons of new improvements in Warlordocracy Early Access (v13.B). Got new versions of Ch.3 Alpha and Patron Stories on Patreon, introducing cannons, swimming, weak walls, jungles, tons of new baddies, and more. Chapter 3 still set to release 30 April.

Warlord Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1748160

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lcsoftware

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKBZ64uJTGo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlqvqN2dxIU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpZTtCJozUU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLtsyjeHMTk&t=3s

Fixed a major oversight from v13.6 where I deleted redundant object files from NIGHTMARE assets. Forgot there was no Subz Juicer object in the DEFAULT assets, so they weren't appearing in the story and it was causing crashes. Thanks to PhenomD.

Also since the last post, I fixed some cliffs in the Deep Canal map in PANAMA that you could jump over and skip a chapter.

Gonna put Brigand on the shelf for now (please, for the love of Satan stay there), and get back to work on Warlordocracy Ch.3. You can get the alpha on my Patron, along with Patreon stories, dev notes, and other shit. Gonna post there every Monday.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lcsoftware


Edit: Also uploaded an easier version of Brigand, called PANZY, which you can get from Nexus: https://www.nexusmods.com/brigandoaxaca/mods/16


When I do come back to Brigand in a couple months I'll add another two challenge maps to BATTLES, try to bypass the corruption caused by anti-virus program when saving your game.

To-Do List:

-Fix shock damage from leaf, heat damage from coins.
-New BATTLES maps from Panama w/ new demons+eggs (raise DLC price).
-New script command to set player death script (instead of gameover screen).
-Trick anti-virus programs in saveGame function.
-Variable speeds on gunshot sounds?
-Place rats in NIGHTMARE/PANAMA?

Major fuckin update. Got two new baddies in the NIGHTMARE DLC: Widow Demons and Arachno Demons. There are also demon eggs that you can throw to spawn friendly arachnos (vids below). I also have rats now as an object for modders, but I'm hesitant to include them in the official DLCs. They run around and you can whack them for raw meat (type "make=rat" in the command prompt).

Game should no longer crash if it fails to load a sound. I'm gonna try running it on Linux without Proton again in a second. Lemme know your experience on Linux also.

Also fixed tons of bugs (especially in Spanish translation), added some new commands (for rat and arachno demon AI scripts). Added a clue on McVannon's desk texture.


Widow Demons:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNqZylab4q4

Demon Eggs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON_p5hj5lEY


Complete list of changes:

SOURCE CODE:
-If a 3D sound fails to load, game will no longer crash.
-New possible sentient animations: misc, misc2, misc3 (played with the "task" script command).
-When sentients with no grip limb use items on the ground, attack animation now plays (hounds eating meat, etc.).
-New script commands: "xDestChange", etc. to set destination relative to current position (for random movement in AI scripts).
-"If_sentientNear" boolean now ignores objects with the same name.

SCRIPTS:
-New object scripts for rat (creature you can kill for meat or possess with voodoo).
-New object scripts for demonEgg (item you can throw to spawn a friendly arachno demon).
-New object scripts for demonArach (jump attack), and demonWidow (spawn arachnids, poison).
-Hooker dialogue now displays player's jink (for 5 jink healing smooches, now also improves Charisma).
-Fixed Boris dialogue bug when he gives you the shop deed and your inventory is full (deed appeared somewhere else).
-Updated Fearomone script so that Rekindled Ghouls, Neuro Demons, and Widow Demons are also now immune.
-Updated Eyes of the Beast script so you can possess arachno demons and rats now as well.
-(NIGHTMARE) Aracho Demons now spawn at night in some areas after certain chapters.
-(NIGHTMARE) Fixed tons of script bugs in the Spanish translation.

RESOURCES:
-New creature: rat.
-New item: demonEgg.
-New demons: demonArach, demonWidow.
-Added modding license to Docs folder.
-Added carved clue to McVannon's desk texture (oldDesk.dds).
-Removed a ton of redundant model files from story assets (X and DBO files are now only in DEFAULT assets).

STORY FILES: (requires starting a new game)
-(NIGHTMARE) Added rats, widow demons, arachno demons, demon eggs, and new book to NIGHTMARE story.

Finally worked up the balls to update the story files so I could fix a few things. You can no longer get stuck on that rock in the Toxic Caves river, you can now reach the grenade on McVannon's dresser, plus a couple more changes. Tested the integrity of story files and it's all good.

Fixed a few script bugs as well, and made it so you can't use medkits or bandages while swimming.

Complete list of changes:

SOURCE CODE:
-Fixed target window closing animation, fixed world targeting editor info bug.
-Fixed inventory tutorial popping up twice in prologue (one saying you can only carry 8 items).
-You can no longer use abilities underwater.

SCRIPTS:
-Medkits and most abilities can no longer be used while swimming.
-Fixed bug where Carmen would keep turning hostile if UBNS is hostile in Ch.8 after recruiting her with Born Leader.
-Prevented going north from Freeway 200 during flood in Ch.8 (possible to get stuck on wrong side with no medkits).
-Increased skills of Ozee and UB Elite in init scripts for all stories so they can use all their abilities.
-(PANAMA) Fixed bug where dismissing Mabel from the party made her wait in Gamboa instead of outside tunnels.
-(BATTLES) You can now use Born Leader to recruit Osito for free in dialogue in BATTLES DLC.

STORY FILES: (requires starting a new game)
-Increased skills of Ozee and UB Elite in all story files.
-Changed polycollision of cave wall in Toxic Caves so player can't get stuck in underground river.
-Moved loose dirt up in Broken Tooth Pass so you can't target tome through it, fixed nearby rock collision.
-Moved grenade atop McVannon's dresser on the Polyphonic so that it's in reach.

Pretty sure I improved the framerate a bit by streamlining the HUD text commands (I use a plugin because it's faster than the default text commands). The best solution would be to use images for text, but I'm simply too lazy right now.

Gonna be focusing entirely on Warlordocracy Chapter 3 now until it's finished, hopefully by Hitler Suicide Day (4/30). I'm working double hours at the day job now, so I won't have as much time till summer.


Complete list of changes:

-Improved framerate by streamlining HUD text plugin commands.
-HUD now shows while zoomed in with scope, exit message now shows in top right corner.
-Removed "HUD hidden" text while HUD is hidden.
-Fixed default Steam Deck controls.