I promised you new details about our art in Chicken Nuggets, and that's what we're talking about today.
You've probably seen the Chicken Nuggets pre-alpha trailer, it looked pretty average graphics-wise... that's all changing. We're at the point where we can get serious about how our game looks and we want it to look amazing!



The look we're going with is inspired by hand-painted watercolour illustrations. The colours are simple and natural, with an aesthetic that fits nicely with the agricultural environment we're creating. Our creative director Maddi compared it to the classic illustrations of E.H.Shepard in the classic Winnie the Pooh books.

What does this look like in practice? Here are some of our new concept art from Maddi:



These are hand drawn to guide how we make everything in 3D. This keeps the game looking and feeling consistent.



These comparisons have our 'pre-alpha' style assets. Done in a style that is quick to make, while still looking unique. The new models have the new style: everything is cleaner, less 'bubbly' but still simplified to match the concept art.





What do you think of this style? I'd love to hear your thoughts, we'll be back with more details soon!
   Matt


P.S.
We're in the middle of updating the Steam page right now! If you haven't wishlisted Chicken Nuggets, now is a great time: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1807020/Chicken_Nuggets/

If you want these updates directly in your inbox you can actually join our mailing list here: https://chickennuggets.doublemdigital.com/

Ranked Battles offer the most competitive mode available in Conqueror's Blade. We’ve always strived to have players feel and experience their own development as they climb the ranks, and for each rank to be seen as a milestone of that growth.

Our long-term goal is to make Ranked Battles into an experience that revolves around competitiveness and cooperation. We have developed plenty of changes, big and small, in previous Seasons, with the biggest coming in Helheim when we changed the previous scoring mechanic.

We received plenty of feedback from players throughout the latest Season, and your responses helped us realise the true competitive state of the new system, as well as areas for improvement.
We added star protection throughout the ranks of New Blood to Gladiator, but when we looked at the results, this protection did not enhance the experience of earlier ranks, and instead robbed players of a sense of achievement and competitiveness for ranks before Gladiator. A completely safe battle with nothing on the line is unfair to those who give their all in every battle.

This protection has also made it possible for players to reach the rank of Arena Hero where they would not have been able to otherwise. All in all, this has given the ranks of Arena Hero and Imperial Hero negative vibes. Those capable of reaching the rank on their own and those who wouldn't have been able to otherwise all made it to the rank of Arena Hero. As they clash, the latter is met with players of much greater power, while the former gets matched with weak allies.

Additionally, Arena Hero and Imperial Hero ranks gain as much from a win as is lost from a loss, which leads to frustration. As your stars are protected, players who are at just the right power level for the ranks fall into a never-ending cycle of win-lose.

The current state of the final rank, Grand Champion, is closer to what we want to see. However, one shortcoming is that the top players stop caring about winning and only about getting the MVP, so they stop working with teammates. This goes against our idea of Ranked Battles being a cooperative experience.
We are making big changes in the upcoming Season, Conqueror’s Blade: Colosseum, to try and improve Ranked Battles:

We're Removing Star Protection & Extra Score for Grand Champion MVP

We have thought long and hard about removing star protection, and we believe that it only serves to add more pressure overall. Removing this mechanic is important and we want to make up for this loss of protection in another way. Our goal with the MVP getting an extra score was that each player would give each game their all, and for there to be possible rewards even in defeat. The actual effect this system had was different from our aspirations, and we want to realise our initial goal in another way.

We’re Introducing New Rules: Points

Allow us to introduce the new Points system:

1. You will be able to earn Points by playing well in Ranked Battles and by raising your ranking. The top 5 players on the winning side and the top 10 players on the losing side will earn Points.
2. Points can be used when you lose a match to protect your stars/score. While at max Points, you also get an extra star. Players in the Grand Champion rank can use Points to protect their score.
3. The Points required to protect your stars/gain an extra star differs based on the rank, with the cost going up at higher ranks

Our goal with star protection is to improve the overall experience of Ranked Battles, and we'll be using Points to this end. Our first step in ensuring a better experience has been to give Points to the top five of the winning team and ten on the losing team. Players stuck in limbo with win-loss, win-loss in the Arena Hero and Imperial Hero ranks will accrue Points throughout this which they can use to raise in rank. The MVP will no longer gain extra points in the Grand Champion rank, but instead, the top five on the winning side and ten on the losing side will be rewarded. This will mean that each player will want to strive for the win, as opposed to getting the MVP.

These changes will speed up your Ranked Battles journey, which is why we've added new stars to some ranks to keep the pacing solid. We've added 1 star to the Rookie, Contestant, Brawler, Fighter, Slayer, Gladiator and Arena Hero ranks.

We hope that these changes encourage more players to join Ranked Battles, to fight tooth and nail, and help reduce behaviour that negatively affects the game, such as idling and throwing games.
We will continue to improve on Ranked Battles in the upcoming Colosseum Season and keep an eye on feedback from our community. We want to hear your ideas on how to improve Ranked Battles so that we can create a competitive, cooperative and rewarding experience, so please share your thoughts via Discord!

IMPORTANT: This article is accurate as of the time of publication but may be subject to change. Please read the Colosseum patch notes throughout the new Season for the latest information!

Great fortune awaits in the Three Dynasties Limited-Time Event! From now until September 15 (with maintenance), take part in events and enjoy dynastic sales to claim new cosmetics inspired by China's Three Kingdoms era.

Claim FREE Golden Keys when you spend Sovereigns at the in-game Store before September 1 (08:00 server time), along with bonus items including an Emote and Avatar! If you dared to dive beneath the depths in the Spawn of Loki Fortune’s Bounty, then your good favour carries over. 

Check out the details below:
IMPORTANT: Sovereigns spent in the Spawn of Loki Fortune’s Bounty retroactively update for this event. For example, if you spent 40,000 Sovereigns in the Spawn of Loki event, you can claim the 40,000 Sovereigns reward instantly while the Three Dynasties Fortune’s Bounty is active. 
Collect Three Kingdoms-inspired cosmetics when you pick up the Three Dynasties Attire Chest before September 15 (with maintenance).

The noblest reward is the Ascended General Hero Attire, named for the legendary hero Wu Sheng who set out from his mountainous village to defend against a rebellion, saved the empire, and became the most honoured soldier in the realm. 

Three Dynasties Attire Chests have a chance of containing:

• Ascended General Hero Attire
• Peacemaker Hero Attire
• Five Passes Mount Set
• Honour Guard Unit Attire
• Lots more!

Enjoy the Three Dynasties festivities, including events until September 15!

Embark on quests, exchange drops for regal rewards, and uncover events and sales inspired by China's Three Kingdoms era in the Three Dynasties Limited-Time Event from now until September 1!
Complete Daily and Weekly quests from the Warden to receive Lesser Scrolls of Glory, Silver Stars, and more great rewards!

Silver Stars can be donated to rebuild the Colosseum in The Glory & The Grandeur Event, just in time for the Gladiator Games to begin…



The world's greatest amphitheatre lies in ruins, and the Colosseum must be rebuilt. Donate Silver Stars and Gold Stars to restore the arena, and earn rewards for you and your server!

Collect these Stars in Matchmaking Battles or by completing Warden Quests, then exchange them for personal and server-wide rewards. Server rewards include Silver Keys, Treatises, and Epic Artillery Selection Boxes, while your personal loot ranges from Golden Keys to Epic Mount Schematics and more!

Also, check out the Three Dynasties sales taking place during this event, and don’t miss out on Three Dynasties Attire Chests for your chance to claim new cosmetics like the Ascended General Hero Attire!

Dear lords,

To make sure the stability of the game operation and to improve the service quality and experience, Blood of Steel will be shut down for maintenance and update from 23:00 on August 18, 2022, to 1:00 on August 19, 2022, UTC. The game world will be closed at that time.

We will close the game match and the login entrance at around 22:45. The account database will be under additional maintenance and backup to ensure the stable and smooth operation of the servers!
It does not rule out the possibility of opening ahead of schedule or delayed due to specific conditions. Please arrange your time reasonably.

Patch Notes:

1. Brandnew Skilleffect System：Mary I - Nocturne will be available.



If you have any questions about the game, please contact us in discord or Steam community.

Greetings!

Last Tuesday's playtest showed terrific online numbers even at the end of the play session. Thus we are extending the today's playtest as well.

We start at 17:00 CEST (11am EDT) on Thursday, Aug 18, and finish at 8:00 CEST (2am EDT) on Friday, Aug 19.

Reporting in, Commander!

Summer months are coming to a close, but Heather invites you to explore her new hobby of surfing! It's not too late for a new sport! Feel the cool ocean and her warm skin as you learn together.
Don't miss out on Heather's summery sunshine outfit for limited time only!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1386950/Heavy_Metal_Babes/

Maintenance is done!

Please restart the client to download the update.

• Xiukai
  • Heavy Meal (W)
    • Damage 50/95/140/185/230(+Attack Power 60%) → 40/80/120/160/200(+Attack Power 55%)(+Skill Amplification 60%)
• Adina
  • Celestial Prophecy (R)
    • Star Conjunct Heal: 38/62/86/110(+Skill Amplification 30%) → 22/42/62/82(+Skill Amplification 6%)
• Fiora
  • Fente (Q)
    • Edge Extra Damage 40/80/120/160/200 → 40/80/120/160/200(+Attack Power 10%)(+Skill Amplification 35%)

• Dual Swords
  • Twin Blades
    • Recipe Change: Kitchen Knife + Rusty Sword → REMOVED
• Guitar
  • Starter Guitar
    • Recipe Change: Bamboo + Piano Wire → REMOVED
• Camera
  • Lens
    • Recipe Change: Glass Bottle + Surveillance Camera → REMOVED
  • Compact Camera
    • Recipe Change: Trail Camera + Lens -> Recon Drone + Lens
• Arcana
  • Glass Bead
    • Recipe Change: Glass Bottle + Lighter → REMOVED
• A Surveillance Camera is now granted to all players at the start of the game.

With Patch Update 1.2 players now have new ways to play their game in their own style.

Now introducing in game skins/costumes that players can earn with in game currency and switch their appearance while completing the game. Players can select from 11 different costumes from the original, 8 costumes being color swaps and 3 costumes completely changing the appearance of the ninja.

Ranked Battle is the most competitive of the modes available in Conqueror's Blade. It has always been our goal to have players feel their own growth as they climb the ranks, and for each rank to be seen as a milestone of that growth.

It has been our long-term goal to make Ranked Battle into an experience that revolves around competitiveness and cooperation. We have tried plenty of changes, big and small, in previous seasons, with the biggest changes coming in the Helheim season where we changed the previous scoring mechanic into one using stars. We have received plenty of feedback regarding Ranked Battle throughout the season from the community and customer support among some. This feedback has been a great help for us to realize the true competitive state of the new system, as well as its many shortcomings.


We added star protection throughout the ranks of Corporal to General. Looking at the results, this protection did not serve to fully enhance the experience of earlier ranks, but also robbed players of a sense of achievement and competitiveness for ranks prior to General. A completely safe battle with nothing on the line is unfair to those who give each battle their all. While working toward a higher rank, no one wants to be matched with allies who care nothing for the results. Naturally, this new system has made it easier for those who don't care about the results to do just that.

Naturally, this protection has also made it possible for players to reach the rank of Captain-General even though they would not have been able to otherwise. All in all, this has given the ranks of Captain-General and Lord Commander a negative vibe. Those capable of reaching the rank on their own and those who wouldn't otherwise have been, all made it to the rank of Captain-General. As they clash, the former are met with players of much greater power, while the latter gets matched with weak allies. The results of a match are no longer decided by yourself, but are more likely attributable to luck. For most players want to be matched with better allies.

There's also another issue with the Captain-General and Lord Commander ranks: You gain as much from a win as you lose from a loss. And this naturally leads to frustration. And seeing as your stars are protected, players who are at just the right power-level for the ranks fall in a never-ending cycle of win-lose.

The current state of the final rank, Marshal, is closer to what we want to see. However, one shortcoming is that the absolute top players stop caring about winning and only about getting the MVP, so they stop working with teammates and that goes against our idea of Ranked Battle being a cooperative experience.


And so we are making fairly big changes with the Colosseum to try and remedy these shortcomings. We will be making the following changes:

We're Removing Star Protection & Extra Score for Marshal MVP

We have thought long and hard about removing star protection, and we believe that it only serves to make the competitiveness add more pressure overall. So, removing this mechanic is important and we want to make up for this loss of protection in another way. Our goal with the MVP getting extra score was so that each player would give each game their all, and for there to be possible rewards even in defeat. The actual effect this system had was different from our aspirations, and we want to realize our initial goal in another way.


First, allow me to introduce the Valor Points system:

• You will be able to earn Valor Points by playing well in Ranked Battles and by raising your ranking. The top 5 players on the winning side and the top 10 players on the losing side will earn Valor Points.
  
• Valor Points can be used when you lose a match to protect your stars/score. While at max Valor Points, you also get an extra star. Players in the Marshal rank can use Valor Points to protect their score.
  
• The Valor Points required to protect your stars/gain an extra star differs based on the rank, with the cost going up at higher ranks.

Our goal with star protection is to improve the overall experience of Ranked Battle, and we'll be using Valor Points to this end. Our first step in ensuring a better experience has been to give Valor Points to the top five of the winning team and ten on the losing team. Players stuck in limbo with win-loss, win-loss in the Captain-General and Lord Commander ranks will accrue Valor Points throughout this which they can use to raise in rank. The MVP will no longer gain extra points in the Marshal rank, but instead the top five on the winning side and ten on the losing side will be rewarded. This will mean that each player will want to strive for the win, as opposed to getting the MVP.

These changes will speed up your Ranked Battle journey, which is why we've added new stars to some ranks to keep the pacing solid. We've added 1 star to the Sergeant, Vanguard, Warlord, Captain, Cadet-General, General and Captain-General ranks.


We hope that these changes will make it so that more players join Ranked Battle with the intention of fighting tooth and nail and reduce behavior that negatively affects the game, such as AFKing, throwing games, etc.


We will continue to iterate on Ranked Battle in the Colosseum season. There might currently be too little incentive to continue your Ranked Battle journey after reaching the rank of Marshal, and we'll keep an eye on feedback and ideas in this regard to ascertain whether this is indeed the case. And if it is, we'll consider adding more incentive to climb the ranks after reaching Marshal, and make changes to previous ranks too if needed.

We'll continue to keep an eye on feedback from our community and customer support. We want to hear your ideas on how to improve Ranked Battle so that we can create a competitive, cooperative and rewarding experience.