New Features
- Added two new guild mission types

Changes
- Added more monsters to the "Population control" guild mission
- Renki has left the city and taken to other ventures
- Removed pumpkins from the character selection
- Sped up dynamic player character generation slightly

Balance updates
- Rebalanced "Population control" monster count to resemble the monster availability
- Guild mission rewards are now more in line with their difficulty
- After logging in/teleporting all skills start on a 25s cooldown
- When logging out while dead, you automatically "Respawn at start"

Bugfixes
- Fixed player characters showing without armor for one frame in some cases
- Fixed duel requests not being rejected correctly
- Fixed a server-side memory leak leading to periodic crashes

Oh, hi there!

Last week the team got into a discussion about the ways character progression works. There are 4 main ways characters become more powerful:

• Acquire new Skills
  
• Equip relics
  
• Buy gear upgrades
  
• Acquire new Spells

It was determined that the gear upgrades in the blacksmith shop weren't interesting enough and didn't present any choices. If you were presented a gear upgrade in encounters as a reward, it was a no brainer to take it, and the blacksmith came down to just choosing which class of units should be upgraded.

So Mat was tasked with creating a new proposal for how they might work. He came up with the idea of branching gear trees. After a few days of discussions and deliberations, we chose an approach, and set out to make it. Today i'd like to present how the system works, and show a screen of it.



We have defined that all upgrades will be separated into Styles. Each style would define the upgrades for every class (Fighter, Ranger and Mystic) and type (Weapon and Armor). Each one of these has a number of tiers defined that each provide the benefits of the upgrade.

We have also extended the capabilities the upgrades may provide, so now they are capable of giving direct damage modifiers, like you would see on some abilities (for instance, extra damage to unarmored, or less damage taken from large units). Mat has a large table of possible values, ranging from +1 to +9 Power for Rangers, and up to +30 Armor for Fighters.

One idea floating in his mind (and spreadsheets) is to name one of the Styles "Heavy". A Heavy Fighter armor would also inflict a penalty to Movement (to match the fantasy of wearing heavy armor). Currently he's done so for both Heavy Armor and Heavy Weapon for the Fighter, which can mean the Fighter that decides to grab both upgrades would have very low Movement.

Each time you get to a blacksmith shop, that blacksmith will only carry 2 possible Styles, per upgrade type. He might have Heavy and Light Weapons, but Balanced and Light Armor. It then becomes a choice for you which one you'd like to grab for your units.

Another big change is that all gear upgrades are now per character. Previously they were global per class, and you could buy upgrades for a class you didn't have. This is no longer the case. Each character now has their own upgrade values. The blacksmith will always offer you upgrades only for the characters you have in your party. You can then choose which character to upgrade, and whether you want to upgrade him with the same Style, or swap to a different Style.

Finally, we have discussed what happens if one of your heroes that you've upgraded dies. On the surface, it would seem that all the gold you've spent on his upgrades is now lost. We balance this by making new heroes you find automatically boosted to the same power level as your lost heroes. This guarantees that your power level doesn't end up in a negative feedback loop (new heroes having no upgrades, making them weaker by default, and meaning all your spent gold is truly lost). It also guarantees no positive feedback loops of exploits (as far as i an see): your new heroes aren't any stronger than your deceased heroes.

Since there is a UI redesign coming up, i haven't bothered to make the blacksmith screen look any prettier than it was before, but it does showcase the new layout and framing for that screen. All names are also probably going to be changed: treat this blog post as a preview of the system instead of the final product.

Thanks for reading! If you have any concerns or positive/negative feedback about this change, we'd be happy to hear it. Leave your comments on the Steam forums, under this blog post or join our Discord server to talk to us directly. We're there all the time during work hours, and i'm there always. Unless sleeping.

MarkoP

https://store.steampowered.com/app/600610/The_Hand_of_Merlin/

A number of frustrating niggles were found in the previous Wasteland Wreckers update, and since we would prefer to keep the game in tip-top shape for you we broke out our virtual brooms and showed bugs the door. While at it, we also threw in a couple of other improvements for the good measure. Please check below for a summary of items fixed or improved upon in this release.


Game version

PC: 1.267195

• A number of career special events can be now started correctly.
  
• Fixed a bug which caused tournament damage settings break after tuning the car in the pre-race screen.
  This specific bug made Score Streak and Rampage Rush events very tricky.
  
• Fixed misleading HUD info in the Wreck Hell and Ripper Raid events.
  
• Installing Bullet fender cuts now correctly removes front flares.
  
• Fixed clipping issues with Razor customization parts and added missing fender flares.
  
• Installing RoadSlayer GT large rear spoiler now removes the stock spoiler completely.
  
• Removed duplicate Sofa Car tailpipe.
  
• Improved Big Rig AI competitiveness.
  
• Improved Killerbee S AI competitiveness.
  
• Added "Random Large Special" AI Set.

Thanks for your support everyone, and happy racing!

Join the Escapist's Fall Showcase today from 4pm BST as Orthrus Studios' Director Oliver unlocks the kingdom gates & takes you through Ineron for the very first time!




In his exclusive interview, gain your first glimpse of gameplay as we showcase building designs, UI, landscape & so much more.





Not only that, but anticipated game mechanics will be unveiled including quests, a tech-tree & totems...





So join us from 4pm BST today on the Escapist's YouTube or Twitch channel & chat with us on Discord too as this mystical new chapter in Distant Kingdoms' journey begins!

💚 1 days left 💚

You'll soon be able to get stuck on MO anytime, anywhere!






🔸iOS pre-order：http://short.rayark.com/mopreorder

🔸Android pre-registration：http://short.rayark.com/moprereg

🔸Official Discord：https://discord.gg/xmJmBuw

🔸Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/MOAstray

🔸Switch：https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/moastray-switch/

It’s Turkey-time! Prepare yourselves (and your stomachs) for the Thanksgiving Event, coming November 11th!



Happy Thanksgiving, Arks! It is time to show our gratitude for those who fight to protect others, and naturally that includes operatives. The Ship has been decorated, special treats will be offered, and new holiday-themed items are available! Without further ado, let’s get into the content of the THANKSGIVING EVENT, starting November 11th!


If you’re hungry for Thanksgiving décor, then you’re sure to be stuffed after visiting the Shopping Plaza of your Ship. ARKS HQ has really flown the coop with the Thanksgiving theme, and Rappy takes center stage (though in this case he’d probably prefer not to.) Oh, and the Medical Bay would like to remind operatives to not eat any of the display items, regardless of how good they look.

Begins: 11/11 (PST) (end of maintenance)
Ends: 12/08 (PST) (beginning of maintenance)



A situation has arisen where winged creatures and Falspawn are gathering en masse on the Floating Continent of Amduskia. Little do they know, this is not the best time to be encouraging an ARKS hunt, as Xia has quite a few mouths to feed for her upcoming feast. It may be a good idea to stop by and visit her in the Shopping Plaza before heading to the Gateway ship to take on this quest. Operatives are to head to the Floating Continent and determine the reason this flock is gathering. You’ll have 30 minutes to complete your investigation, and each enemy defeated will reward you not only with combat experience, but with points, with 1126 Quest Points being required for quest completion.

Due to the somewhat uneven terrain, ARKS HQ has deployed a few Catapults and Dash Panels that we had left over from the Summer training event. When at a Dash Panel, pressing “E” will temporarily enable high-speed movement to cross terrain. Touching another Dash Panel will extend the effect. You can jump or kick while under the effects of the Dash Panel, and the kick can be powered up 3 times by chaining the use of Dash Panels. Catapults will send you soaring in the direction indicated. Be sure to explore every inch, as some Catapults may take you to otherwise unreachable areas! So get out there and pluck some feathers so you can get your * TURKEY LEG weapon camo, which works for all weapons!




Occuld Diene | ★14, Sword


Occuld Fugit | ★14, Twin Machine Guns


Occuld Ogend |★14, Talis


* Turkey Leg | Weapon Camo, All weapons








Xia wants to make sure that those on Fleet Oracle feel appreciated during Thanksgiving, so she’d like to host a feast for all! The problem is, she’s a bit short on event staff, and could use an extra pair of hands. There are a few errands she’d like for you to run, and in exchange you’ll receive THANKSGIVING BADGE 2020, which can be used to purchase some fun Thanksgiving-themed items and RISING WEAPONS BADGE 4! These badges can be exchanged as currency for weapons and other items on the second floor of the Shopping Plaza. As if all this wasn’t good enough, Thanksgiving Badge 2020 can also be used to purchase Roasted Turkey! Roasted Turkey is a consumable item that provides a +50% Triboost effect for 10 minutes! Be sure to get your fill, because these items have an expiration date!

Begins: 11/11 (PST) (end of maintenance)
Ends: 12/08 (PST) (beginning of maintenance)


Turkey Rappy Mini | Outfit (Unisex, All Races)


Pilgrim Dress | Outfit (All Female Races)


Pilgrim Hair | Hairstyle


Pilgrim Hat | Accessory


Harvest Basket | Accessory


Giant Turkey | Furnishing


Autumn Wreath | Furnishing


Autumn Swag | Furnishing


Rising Weapons Badge 4 | Currency

Remember, in sufficient number, Rising Weapons Badge 4 can be exchanged in the Shopping Plaza for materials needed to create a ★15 weapon!



Rappy loves Thanksgiving too! Unfortunately, his costume reminds us that he is a feathered fowl. Those who enjoy the cuteness of Rappys definitely won’t be disappointed! Don’t let that cuteness stop you though, since these special Rappys have a chance to drop almost any of the Rappy Suit Mini outfits!

Begins: 11/11 (PST) (end of maintenance)
Ends: 12/08 (PST) (beginning of maintenance)






Rappy Suit Mini: Black | Outfit, Unisex, All Races


Rappy Suit Mini: Love | Outfit, Unisex, All Races


Rappy Suit: Summer Mini | Outfit, Unisex, All Races


Rappy Suit: Lantern Mini | Outfit, Unisex, All Races


Rappy Suit Mini: Lovey | Outfit, Unisex, All Races


In the process of completing campaigns or gathering materials, don’t forget to take a look at your ARKS MISSIONS List every now and then, but especially for this event. ARKS HQ has added a few extra objectives for operatives to complete, and the rewards range from some Roasted Turkey to Thanksgiving Badge 2020, which can be used to purchase items from Xia’s special shop. If you need a refresher on ARKS Missions, check out this article.



Perhaps the most extreme Ultimate Quest that any operative can undertake, SURVEY: REMNANTS OF A PARALLEL WORLD is not for the faint of heart. Only senior-ranking Arks (those above level 80 on both Main and Sub – Class) should attempt this mission, as it is to be done solo. That’s right, on your own, as the area is too unstable to allow for greater numbers of operatives. Your supplies will be limited such that Scape Dolls or Half Scape Dolls won’t save you. When the 15 minute time limit is up, or should an operative become incapacitated, participants will be extracted and the quest will be considered a failure. You’ll have 10 attempts at this quest each day, with the counter resetting at 5:00 AM (PST). A successful quest still consumes one attempt. Remaining, unused attempts do not transfer over to the next day.

Your mission briefing is fairly simple. Leadership has received signals coming from this specific sector of Alternate Dimension: Omega, and their magnitude indicate that the entity responsible is equal to the strength of the Profound Darkness. Initial probes have shown that the area is layered, with a stronger enemy present on each successive level. You will not be able to traverse the levels freely though, as defeating the prime enemy on a level will result in an ARKS extraction for a medical evaluation, mandated by HQ.


The energy of the sector seems to have influenced the items available to those who explore it, and some cursory explorations have yielded the following.




Back / Mask of Vane | ★12, Unit



Ethan and Karen have taken their interplanetary patrolling to another world, and that’s not just a saying – they really did – since they wound up on Fleet Oracle. They’re going to need some assistance in finding a way back to their world, and so far they have no idea where to start looking. As they’re unfamiliar with the hazards of the ARKS sphere of influence, they’re going to need an escort, and you’re just the operative to do it! Not only will you have the pleasure of their company (permanently, as you can receive their Partner Cards), but you may also wind up with some weapon camos too! Check out what you’ll receive by completing their Client Orders!


* Giant Slicer | Weapon Camo


* Crea Doubles | Weapon Camo


* Dagger of Seraphi | Weapon Camo


That’s right, they’re here – well, at Zig’s Shop actually. ARKS HQ is proud to announce the availability of 3 types of ★15 weapons; the OPHISTIA SERIES, the TRAILBLAZER XION SERIES, and the ATLAS EX SERIES. In order to acquire one of these weapons, you have a short list of materials to procure, though some of the items may require an upgrade of their own. After all, in order to get something, you have to give something, and in this case it’s a template from which Zig can work. Each series requires the submission of one (or more) ★14 weapons from specific weapon series that are enhanced to +35 Enhancement Level. These Enhancement Levels were not achieved in vain, however, as the resulting ★15 weapon will retain them. For more information on the specifics of ★15 weapon exchange at the Zig Shop, check out this article.

We hope you’re as excited as we are to share the Thanksgiving spirt! So pass the Volcanic Caves Pumpkin pie and dig in!



- The PSO2 Team

Last chance to save Steam Awesome Autumn Sale
Only 24 hours remain! You can still save 30% when purchasing the Standard or Digital Deluxe Edition version of FAIRY TAIL in the Steam Awesome Autumn Sale.
Learn more about FAIRY TAIL on the official website: https://www.fairytailgame.com/

This classic fighter was first deployed in X3: Terran Conflict. Its design has recently been polished up and refreshed for its glorious return in X4: Cradle of Humanity, the second expansion for X4: Foundations, to be released in the first quarter of 2021.

But do you remember this ship's name?



X4: Cradle of Humanity is the second expansion for X4: Foundations and will be released for PC in the first quarter of 2021. We'll have more to share in the following weeks, including long awaited news on the public beta of the 4.0 update for X4: Foundations. Keep an eye on our news section to not miss a thing.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1288460/X4_Cradle_of_Humanity/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WWylkYpxmM

In addition to the four new rooms, there are some optimizations and the key finding part has been modified.

Hello there,

We're very excited to announce that Plague Inc: The Cure is coming to Steam soon! The major new DLC is big enough to be a brand new game and will be completely free for all Plague Inc: Evolved players until COVID-19 is under control.

We are working really hard to get it finished and we'll be sharing the release date in the coming weeks.


Created with the help of world health and infectious disease experts from all over the world including the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI), World Health Organisation (WHO) and Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), Plague Inc: The Cure sees players balance social, economic and global health factors in order to keep the disease under control whilst also maintaining public trust.

We worked very closely with CEPI, an international coalition accelerating the development of vaccines for COVID-19 and other emerging infectious diseases to produce a compelling and accurate strategy game of pandemic response.

Richard Hatchett, The CEO of CEPI:
“From contact tracing to vaccine development and manufacturing, Plague Inc: The Cure encapsulates the complexities of a global pandemic response and highlights how crucial international collaboration is needed to address such a threat.”
Learn more at https://www.cepi.net/plagueinc

We'll be sharing more closer to the release!

Stay healthy,
Ndemic Creations Team