Today, we're releasing our first major update - Chapter I: The Endless Saga! Let's take a quick peek at our updated roadmap, then dive into what The Endless Saga has in store!


The content of this first Chapter was heavily influenced by community feedback over the last month since launch, as well as discussion in the few weeks since we dropped our first Interlude Patch: Duels & Demise.

Looking at the roadmap above, you'll see we also moved an extra Spell to this update - so we're adding both a new Spender Spell and Movement Spell!

In addition to the major features of Chapter I, we've made sure to hit some special extra content pieces - including a much-requested "Apply Previous Bindings" button and a rework of the Yellow Signature Spell.

We're eager to see how you fare against the Torn in Chapter I: The Endless Saga - so let's get started!


It's time to test the true might of Ink!

Once unlocked (after your first game with Bindings), you'll be able to Face the Appendices when defeating a boss at the end of a Tome!

You and your fellow Scribes will be presented a difficult choice: pick 1 of 3 Appendices - randomly rolled groupings of Bindings! Beat the next three Chapters (2 standard, 1 Boss), then pick from additional Appendices and keep the run alive - if you can!

When all the Ink has been researched - the cycle of Scribes will continue! Reaching Ink Level 30 unlocks the ability to Ascend - granting a new cosmetic and emblem to show your status as Ascendant.

You'll then get to start your Scribe journey anew! You'll keep Cosmetics, Gildings, and Codex progress. We've also added the Lifetime Quillmarks tracker in the Codex for all Scribes, regardless of Ascendant status.


Blossom is our first melee Spender Spell - coming fresh off the heels of Foil and a lot of feedback of "now let us blast the area around us".

Blossom spends 2 Mana to create a field of flowers, dealing a burst of damage to nearby foes in an area centered on the caster.


Ghostwrite, our first new movement Spell, allows Scribes to become incorporeal for a brief moment - taking reduced damaged and knockback effects.

With this new Chapter, we're reworking how Yellow's Signature Spell behaves. It will now guarantee ALL your spells Flourish for the next 3s, as well as adding an extra 50% extra damage on top of the existing Flourish bonus. We think this will be an easier iteration to get good, predictable value from!

We have a few Quality of Life features we're sneaking into this update as well: an "Apply Previous Bindings" button, The Codex Lifetime Quillmark Tracker, and a clearer sequence when auto-reviving!

The Endless Saga introduces new Pages of Power: a selection of new pages for the two new spells - as well a several pages related to movement spells and invoking signature inks.

Balance and Tuning wise, we've adjusted the way defensive damage reduction is calculated - and have also brought Varnish down a bit in overall effectiveness. Additionally, with the introduction of Endless, some effects that could previously scale indefinitely now have caps.

We've adjusted Inscriptions to accommodate these changes overall, as well as adjusting two of Blue's first row options.

Our sincerest thanks to you all for your continued feedback; knowing what is important to you is important to us.

See you in the Library - and the Endless Appendices beyond!
- The Vellum Team

Endless Appendices
-- At the end of a Tome, Scribes can choose to delve into the Appendices to continue the fight against the Torn - but face increasingly dangerous choices.
Ascendant Prestige System
-- At Ink Level 30, Scribes can become Ascendant - restarting their Scribe journey and awarding a new cosmetic and emblem. Scribes keep their Cosmetics, Gildings, and Codex progress when Ascending, but will reset all other progress. [/quote]
Blossom
-- Cost: 2 Mana
-- Damage: 75
-- Call forth a Meadow of flowers to thrash nearby enemies.
Ghostwrite
-- Cooldown: 4s
-- Take on a Spectral Form for 0.85s, gaining increased mobility and immunity to damage and knockback effects.
Yellow Signature Spell rework
-- Enlighten your Spells for 3s, making them all Flourish and deal +50% Bonus Damage.

- Lifetime Quillmarks Tracker is now available in the Codex
- There is now an "Apply Previous Bindings" button when setting up Tomes
- Movement keys are now able to be customized
- The Last Stand mechanic now has a limited number of times it can be used in Solo play (still iterating on this - let us know how it feels!)
- Scriptorium Revives have a new UI icon and visual sequence when activated in combat
- When reviving, there is now an additional immunity period (extended by Ink Level bonuses)
- Cooldown reductions now respect minimum cooldowns
- Torn Page: Takedown is now capped at 10s
- Torn Boss: Golgor will no longer hit nearby Scribes with multiple sword projectiles at once
- Torn Elite: Mummy's tethering ability can now be broken via line of sight
- Tome Mechanic: Waves Upon Rock now stacks up to 500
- Status Effect: Varnish is now capped at 65 (was 80)
- Red Signature Ink now properly leeches for 5% of damage taken by Tethered foes
- Blue Inscription: Wicking now displays a 15% chance of double Blot damage
- Blue Inscription: Contagious gives Blot damage a 10% to Spread
- Page of Power: Mana Back Guarantee now has adjusted clarity and rarity
- Page of Power: Genesis now activates on hit, not damage done
- Page of Power: Oversharer explosions will no longer crit
- Page of Power: Undertow now affects Bosses correctly
- Page of Power: Shared Pain now deals damage split amongst all tethered foes
- Page of Power: Block Quote now lasts for 1s (was 2s)
- Page of Power: Blood Shield effectiveness reduced while above 200 Barrier
- Page of Power: Barred now tagged as "trade-off" (will not drop from Elites/Bonus Objectives)
- Page of Power: Aftermath detonates after 1s (was 1.5s)
- Page of Power: Writer's Flock is now capped at 200% bonus damage
- Page of Power: Ephemeral Rush will now infuse Movement Spells with effects from Signature Ink Mana if they deal damage
- Page of Power: Torn Asunder now has an upper limit of 50,000 (was uncapped)
- Page of Power: Plot Armor now has an upper limit of 30s (was uncapped)

- The Library's Spell selection book now shows damage numbers
- The Library's Spell selection book is now decorated appropriately
- Floating Combat Text is now more organized
- Cryosleep Pods and Restorative Waters have improved healing effects
- Added extra VFX on select Book cosmetics
- Sound mix adjustments to the Library
- Sound Effect improvements to Rattlespikes, Huntsman, Lizards, and Spiders
- Physical status effects on Dire Zombies should now be more visible
- Binding: Amorphous now shows the 'applies to boss' icons on all applicable Torn Pages
- Torn Page: Dogwalk visibility improvements
- Torn Bosses: Golgor & Harvest have visibility improvements for several abilities

- Yellow Signature Ink should now properly behave when used with low-cooldown Generator Spells
- Green Signature Ink should now properly behave with multiple Green Scribes in the same game
- Scribes should no longer find themselves in a strange Tome called "Fast Test"
- Torn Boss: The Council should no longer refuse to summon more Elites
- Torn Boss: Harvest's Death Winds will now dissipate after being defeated
- Torn Boss: Harvest has performance improvements
- Fixed several status effect icons to match their source Pages
- Fixed floating combat text rendering through geometry
- Leaving during chapter transition should no longer break the camera
- Fixed an issue with Scriptorium audio persisting when closing
- Various fixes for errant teleports/bonus objective spawns
- Various typo and text fixes

Hello, Captains of Fortune!

I'm finalizing the latest implementations for the last big news before the final release, namely the introduction of the Adventure mode (or Career, or Story, it doesn't have a specific name).
In this mode, the game will transform (roughly) into a sort of RPG, roguelike, "extraction shooter," top-down, bullet hell, shoot 'em up, "looter shooter," and others.
On the other hand, my games often blend multiple video game genres to be different from the crowd.

This big fat update should be out within a week.

A few weeks will follow, during which I will fix the bugs and try to implement the ideas you gradually propose to me.

If all goes well, MOTK:FB should be released from Early Access between May 14-24, 2024.

I still have several very nice ideas to add, but I'm waiting to fix the main bugs of version 1.0

I dedicated 1 year to this project, and I hope you enjoy it :)


FACE THE HORDE, GRAB THE LOOT, CROSS THE PORTAL.

BUG: When saving a map manually, it always gets stuck in the prompt information interface.
BUG: When editing the map, the minimap preview is not refreshed synchronously.
BUG: When using a newly created map, the editing operation does not take effect.

Introducing the new Shipyard, Tech Tree, and Forge. The new update includes full controller and Steam Deck support, along with many other exciting features. The Subspace Pioneer will soon be replaced by a monthly game time.

New players will start right away with the new system, while existing players will be migrated and receive compensation to rebuild their ships.

Additionally, the season transition will no longer leave your custom ship behind; this area is being reworked.

General Updates
• [new] New setting to adjust the UI size.
• [new] Option to set the maximum framerate (e.g., 60, 90, 120, 144, or unlimited).
• [new] Option to disable v-sync to reach the maximum frame rate of your hardware.
• [new] Tooltip when hovering over objects (let me know if you like it!).
• [new] Added custom mouse cursor, replacing the Windows standard cursor.
• [tune] Game settings have been reset to reflect the last month’s changes.
• [tune] Tech Tree UI cleanup.
• [tune] Ship Access menu shows more details for the current ship in addition to technology levels and progression.
• [tune] Polished hit point bars and player name overlay.
• [tune] Player’s name will now fit correctly onto their base, and the own base is highlighted in corp space.
• [tune] Scrolling windows with mouse wheel improved.
• [tune] Improved workshop look and navigation.
• [tune] Corp member list remembers the last time a member played.
• [tune] Optimized entity drawing.
• [tune] Localized more text entries, preparing for upcoming full localization.
• [tune] Improved mail layout.
• [tune] Added more item tooltips and repositioned them.
• [tune] Targets are now highlighted if cursor hover or active.
• [tune] Added hint text if building a base module at the current location is not possible.
• [tune] Mails can be partially picked up, even single item rewards, and a message is issued if the storage is full.
• [tune] Personal inventory can now be compressed, removing empty entries (happens during migration from v1 to v2).
• [tune] Mouse wheel and virtual mouse improved for different screen resolutions and sizes.
• [tune] Improved local database cache for new installations.
• [tune] Patch Notes in the main menu now transition correctly at the start.
• [tune] Technology improvements are now percentage-based, rounded up.
• [tune] For chat translations, English is no longer automatically added as a secondary language. English is only set automatically if the native language is not supported at all by the translation system.
• [tune] Ultrawide screen support improved.
• [tune] Added tooltips to the completion queue (e.g., unread messages or completed buildings).
• [tune] Adjusted Windows message handling to prevent overflow. @--__--
• [tune] Updated FreeType font engine.
• [tune] Added a hack to estimate the actual screen size if playing on an external monitor or TV.
• [tune] Reduced sound effect combat volume if voice overs are playing.
• [tune] ‘A’ key opens the last page in the ship access menu.
• [tune] Combat experience and weapon calibration balanced and overhauled.
• [tune] Buildings show a completion checkmark if upgraded or a research completed, even in corp subspace.
• [tune] Technology enhancements like damage or speed will show the gain before researching it.
• [tune] Changed window layout to provide more space and become more structured.
• [tune] Windows reduce their content width if scroll bar is shown.
• [tune] Improved look of research bars and adjusted tutorial.
• [tune] Improved camera zooming while the camera followed the ship’s movement.
• [tune] Improved world text tooltip scaling, @Valens Rahl.
• [tune] Systems Menu now shows the current and maximum hitpoints.
• [tune] Shortcuts work now even if menus are open (unless you type inside a chat, I hope…).
• [tune] Added player online counter to full-screen chat window.
• [tune] Corrected corporation list, leaving text was overlapping with the list entries.
• [tune] Shipyard now also takes resources from the Spacecraft if it’s docked, @--__--
• [fix] Fixed potential issue of hulls ending up in the module storage.
• [fix] Corrected asteroid clipping from the last version’s change.
• [fix] Settings menu corrupted text corrected, @Torac.
• [fix] Enemies can be targeted and seen through the fog, @Sakuya.
• [fix] Typing in the chat preview no longer blocks using keyboard shortcuts like skill.
• [fix] Experience progress for v2 tech is now correctly calculated.
• [fix] Endless loop of death fixed: players were attacked repeatedly in home subspace. @Swampor
• [fix] Added a workaround if ships can’t move due to leftover docking state; the actual bug remains elusive.
• [fix] Fixed invalid inventory updates with datacores, preventing items in the personal inventory from vanishing (client-side only).
• [fix] Creating your own corp and leaving it no longer results in a Subspace where the Subportal is not tracked, allowing you to build on top of it. (@Swampor)
• [fix] Power-saving mode is now correctly saved even if it was set to disabled. @Valens Rahl

Steam Deck:
• [tune] Steam Deck now automatically sets the screen refresh rate to 90Hz.
• [tune] Improved virtual keyboard handling on the Steam Deck.
• [fix] The new player name dialog is no longer hidden under the virtual keyboard of the Steam Deck.

Control Updates:
• [new] Context-sensitive controls have been introduced, by default for game controllers and for the mouse.
• [tune] Adjusted the tutorial to support different input devices.
• [tune] Controller virtual mouse movement sticky improved, and speed is now consistent across all screen sizes.
• [tune] Unified and improved controller icons.
• [tune] Adjusted the tutorial for the new control options.
• [tune] Improved drag and drop and cancel actions with the controller.
• [tune] The Shipyard can now be scrolled and zoomed using the controller.
• [tune] Many other controller improvements.

Monetization Update:
• [new] Added the Subspace License as a test for a new monetization approach. It costs a few cents and lasts only a few days, allowing for fast iterations. Purchases are made with real money, are non-refundable, and currently provide the same value as the Subspace Pioneer. Please help test it with and without Subspace Pioneer, try different durations, combinations, and let it expire to provide valuable feedback.
• [new] A purchase grants a reward to the player and all active corp members.

Prepare for battle as we gear up for Closed Beta testing of the Urban Onslaught DLC in the upcoming weeks. This is your chance to influence the future of Starship Troopers: Terran Command and help us test the quality and stability of new units, maps, and features.

If you're ready to join the ranks, sign up now using the link below.

https://www.slitherine.com/beta/starship-troopers-terran-command-urban-onslaught



https://store.steampowered.com/app/2139991/Starship_Troopers_Terran_Command__Urban_Onslaught/

Hello Heroes!

We are changing a few things today, related to the launch of Dwarves of Runenberg DLC:

• The omen "Omen of Many [Weapon]" now has two effects instead of just one: the weapon appear more often and its level of rarity will always be above common
  
• Added 4 new scrolls with the following skills: Moving Wall, Walls of Pain, Geo Cannon and Armageddon (DLC owners only)
  
• Added more race restrictions on portrait face assets

• Perfect Guard gain stacks during Heroes' turn

• Fixed enemies health bar, now when a poison Runestone is triggered, the ennemies health bar turn green
  
• Fixed the inability to hover the second row of medals in the metashop with a controller
  
• Fixed Glintfein start button not being clickable in 1024x720 resolution
  
• Fixed Heroes with "One armed" trait being visually generated with two arms despite the trait
  
• Fixed a bug where enemies hit by "Earthquake strike" would display a panic icon
  
• Fixed the magic circle seal color to orange to match Gildenberg

Join us on Discord, Twitter & Instagram to discuss with the team and other players!

Ready to witness the might of Alliance towers firsthand?

Don't miss out on this week's livestream with our devs! Tune in and be part of the action 🏰
Drop your questions in the chat and come Rush with us!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2849080/Kingdom_Rush_5_Alliance_TD/

• Team Decal Update

Hello everyone!

We are excited to announce the release of "Clash" on Steam this Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 9 AM PT / 4 PM GMT.

After addressing several bugs and enhancing the matchmaking system, we have balanced the champions and significantly improved the gameplay experience.
Additionally, we have decided to make"Clash" a free-to-play game, which will include the "Mutants DLC" at no additional cost.

This decision comes after multiple delays, and we see it as giving "Clash" one final opportunity to thrive on Steam.
The future support and updates for the game will depend on player engagement and feedback. If we see substantial traction and a growing player base, we will continue to provide updates and support.

Ultimately, our goal with this release is to honor the nearly five years of dedication and hard work that went into developing "Clash," and to reward ourselves and our players with a game that truly reflects our efforts.

Custom rooms, public matchmaking, and party matchmaking will be available, so gather your friends and teams, and let’s play "Clash"!
---
Free Mutant Pack DLC on release date:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1515130/Clash_Mutants_Vs_Pirates__Mutant_Pack/

Heroes of Sherwood,
From our 2 person team at CAGE Studios, thank you for playing.

All winners receive both a Sherwood Extreme t-shirt and mouse pad!

• 1st place - Highest cumulative leaderboard score
  
• 2nd place - 2nd highest cumulative leaderboard score
  
• Wild card - Random from top 100 of random level
  
• Creator - Most liked level editor map in workshop

Leaderboards have been wiped, the race starts now.

https://steamcommunity.com/broadcast/watch/76561198800790310

Join to meet the developer and send W in chat.

Follow us @cagestudios on all social media.

Thank you crossbow cowboys, parkour pros, and chicken chasers for being part of the Sherwood community! ❤️ Enjoy our game and please leave a review :)

With Love,
Salaar and Gabriel (CAGE Studios)