The warclaw mount has long been a favorite in the World vs. World (WvW) community, but with its recent revamp, this agile mount now roams the open world, thanks to the release of Guild Wars 2®: Janthir Wilds™. What started as a support-focused mount has evolved into a fast, versatile companion for exploring all of Tyria. Today, we'll give you an inside look at how the warclaw made its leap from WvW exclusivity to open-world adventure (with some help from some feline friends, no less).
A Shift in Design
When the warclaw mount was first developed, the goal was to create a utility-based mount that provided a tactical advantage in World vs. World. While it served its purpose well in that game mode, as player feedback came in, the team's vision began to evolve. Over time, as we refined our approach to mount design—especially with the success of the skyscale in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure™—we saw an opportunity to do something similar for the warclaw in Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds.
Looking at the warclaw, we noticed it was underutilized and had the potential for significant expansion and improvement. We started exploring how the warclaw could navigate the open world of Tyria; the idea was that it would no longer be confined to WvW battlefields, becoming a key tool for players in dynamic events and pivotal story moments in Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds.
Leaping into Player vs Environment (PvE)
Several factors were crucial in making the warclaw's transition into PvE a reality. The success of the skyscale and the lessons we learned from its implementation in Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure gave us valuable insight into how to repurpose existing mounts for new content. We took the base mechanics of the warclaw and, with feedback from multiple teams and the community, identified its growth opportunities and weaknesses. And of course, we can't overlook the influence that cats—our internet-favorite feline friends—had in shaping the warclaw's personality and movement. Who would turn down studying cats at work?
The main goal of revamping the warclaw mount was to make it feel like a living part of Tyria's world. We wanted to create a mount that had a lot of personality and was fun to move around the world on, while also helping players on their own journey. We leaned into capturing the essence of a cat's playful nature and incorporated feline behaviors into the mount's design. Watching how cats sneak, pounce, and explore places they shouldn't be in gave us the ability to make a mount that feels not only functional, but also full of personality.
As such, the warclaw was crafted to be the premier mount for Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds, offering a versatile, all-around experience. Unlike other mounts, which often excel in specific areas, the warclaw was designed to be more of a generalist. It features a dash, but not one as powerful as the raptor's. It can go vertical, but not leap as high as the springer. It's fast, though not as quick as the roller beetle. And while it can navigate aerial spaces, it's not as adept as the skyscale. While the team didn't set out to make a jack-of-all-trades mount, that's exactly where the design landed, and the result is an incredibly fun and adaptable mount for a variety of situations.
Given that the warclaw's movement was inspired by the mischievous nature of cats, it also made sense to grant it no fall damage. Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds has a lot of verticality, and this feature makes the warclaw a great choice for navigating dangerous drops. Just don't go testing your poor warclaw's limits too much!
Overcoming Design Challenges: The Double-Jump Dilemma
Designing the warclaw came with its fair share of challenges, and one of the trickiest was perfecting its abilities—especially the fan-favorite double jump. There was a series of prototypes and iterations, each refining the mount's abilities to match both the team's vision and player feedback. Using the ability in various environments and increasing its speed and turn rate to test how it performed was crucial in getting the warclaw to feel just right in a PvE setting.
The real breakthrough, however, came when the team decided to embrace the playful, exploratory nature of cats. Their instinct to sneak into places they shouldn't be served as inspiration for the mount's double jump and fluid movements. Never underestimate the power of researching cats!
In the spirit of transparency, we have to admit that, while cats played a big part in the design process, so did a bug we encountered early on. This bug allowed players to leap higher each time they connected with the ground, causing each jump to get progressively higher. While it wasn't intended, it sparked the idea to explore different jumping concepts. After several iterations, the team settled on the double-jump mechanic because it was both practical and easier for players to control. Of all the versions tested, it was also the most fun, capturing the core goal of warclaw's design and bringing the pure joy of movement to the mount.
A New Standard for Mounts
In the end, the warclaw transformation is a testament to the power of player feedback and the collaborative spirit of the development team. The transformation from an underutilized mount to one of the community's most beloved companions has been very rewarding for the Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds team. Experiencing the joy of movement is what makes a mount truly special, and whether you're tearing across the WvW battlefield or leaping across Tyria's vast landscapes, the warclaw is there to make every journey a little more thrilling. Just don't forget to visit your feline friend in your homestead from time to time for scritches!
We are very excited and equally nervous to let you know our first demo for Pit of Goblin will be available today as part of the Scream Fest!
We hope you have an absolute blast exploring this early taste of what’s to come! This demo is just a glimpse into the world we’re building, and we’re bursting with ideas on how to make it even better.
In our brand new demo you’ll get to:
Explore 3 different locations
Try to avoid 3 different enemies
Feed an ever-hungry King
Torches to light your way and a few other items in the shop
Loot you’d have to discover
Play online with up to 4 players and use voice chat but you can also explore on your own
We are eager to hear your feedback, please join our Discord and follow us on X or TikTok to be notified about with our upcoming content updates.
Once again, thank you for playing and we’ll see you in The Pit!
Following the release of the Urban Onslaught Challenge missions, we've been hard at work on the next content updates for Starship Troopers - Terran Command. While we're still finalizing the release timeline, we’re excited to give you a preview of what’s coming next.
New Game Mode – Beta Sign-ups Open Now!
First up, we’re introducing a brand-new game mode focused on replayability. In this mode, you’ll take on the Arachnids, battling for territory points using the full power of the Mobile Infantry. Progress through each battle tier as you fight against all the different Bug units. The improved Arachnid AI reclaims player territory and can create a wide variation of unique threats and challenges. With new maps, units, player tech upgrades, and the new Arachnid AI, every playthrough will feel both challenging and unique.
We’re releasing the game mode in stages so you can jump in early and start squashing bugs. The best part? It’s completely free! Beta sign-ups are now open, so don’t miss your chance to join the action.
We’re also developing an exciting new DLC: This will feature a mini story campaign, new player units, new Arachnid enemies, and a brand-new planet with a unique environment. In addition, the DLC will offer extra content for the new game mode, giving you even more to explore and conquer.
More Details Coming Soon!
We’ll be revealing more about both the new game mode and the upcoming DLC over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for all the details! In the meantime, keep killing those Bugs and prepare for what's coming!
The servers of NARAKA: BLADEPOINT will be suspended for maintenance from October 30th, 2024 at 23:00 (UTC) to October 31st, 2024 at 04:00 (UTC). We suggest you log out in advance and enter the game again after the maintenance. The details for this update are as follows:
Brand New Content
I. New Hero: Cyra
The chief Divine Healer, the Saint of Dawn. Cyra was widely considered a Lunazran treasure. Yet her former glory and good name were lost, replaced by biting criticism and cruel rumors. Some named her a heretic, others merely considered her insane. She cared little since the Light's blinding rays would dazzle them so. Cyra is ready to do whatever it takes, entirely unwavering in her quest to champion the Light.
II. New Casual Mode
The new Hungry Dragons mode is now available! Use whatever means you have at your disposal to defeat your opponents and make your dragon the longest one!
Rules: You can queue for this mode Solo or as a Trio, but this mode is always a free-for-all, with a maximum of 12 people.
Earn points by collecting Dragon Orbs (EXP items), defeating opponents, leveling up, and attacking opponents' tails.
Attacking tails degrade the level and grants Dragon Scales (Upgrade items).
EXP items provide EXP for leveling up and additional Rage. Reaching a higher level increases your maximum Health and Ultimates' attack range.
Periodic AOE attacks will be triggered by mechanisms in the scene. Use Jump or Crouch to evade as appropriate.
Winning Conditions: Players are ranked based on their total scores at the end of the match.
Small Dragon Orb: +1; Large Dragon Orb: +3
Defeating a player: +15
Attacking the tail once: +5
Each level at the time of settlement: +10
In the event of a tie in final scores, the winner will be determined by comparing the players' Kill Score, Level Score, and Item Score in that order.
Other Rules:
Characters gain new powerful Ultimate Moves at Lv. 9 and Lv. 17.
Hitting a mechanism in the battlefield with an Ultimate Move triggers resonance, causing an AOE attack.
III. Season Exclusive: Aurora Treasure
The Aurora Treasure is priced at 360 Gold. Open for a chance to obtain rewards like Cyra's Extreme Outfit [Wings of Light] and the Fan's Extreme Skin [Koi Flow].
While wearing [Wings of Light], there will be a Shining Wings effect when you defeat enemies. While standing still and not in combat, a special effect will trigger - Six Wing Splendor. This effect cannot be Imprinted.
Equipping [Koi Flow] changes the special effect of Quick Dash Horizontal Strikes and Souljade [Soulshatter]'s attack. Flowing water and fish effects will appear while charging attacks.
Minimum Guarantee:
Players are guaranteed to receive at least 1 Red (Extreme) reward during the process of opening at most 100 Treasures. This can be triggered multiple times. Red (Extreme) rewards will not repeat until all of them have been obtained.
Legendary Cosmetic Minimum Guarantee: Within the first 25 Treasures opened, you are guaranteed to get either a Hero Outfit or a Weapon Skin. Subsequently, within every 25 Treasures opened, you are guaranteed to obtain a Legendary cosmetic that you have not yet unlocked. This guarantee can be triggered up to 14 times.
Wishing Legendary Reward: If you draw an Extreme cosmetic, you can set a Legendary cosmetic which will be guaranteed when you draw a Legendary cosmetic next time. Times of guarantee can stack, but you can only set 1 cosmetic each time. If the Legendary Cosmetic Guarantee and Wishing Legendary Reward trigger simultaneously, priority is given to the Wishing Legendary Reward cosmetic and will reduce the number of remaining times that the Legendary Cosmetic Guarantee can be triggered by one.
Aurora Treasure 50% Discount Voucher The first 10 Aurora Treasures that you buy will benefit from a 50% discount. This discount cannot be stacked with discounts from other discount vouchers. After 10 Aurora Treasures have been purchased, subsequent Aurora Treasures will return to their standard price.
IV. Limited-time Event
1. Aurora Treasure with bonus Star - Collections Event Duration: Oct. 31, 2024 Update – Jan. 22, 2025 00:00 (UTC).
Event Rules
When opening Aurora Treasures, there is a chance to receive the Extreme Outfit, [Star - Autumn Tale] and the Legendary Outfit, [Star - Twilight].
When you open an Aurora Treasure, there is a chance to obtain them as an additional reward. This chance increases as you open more. The Maximum chance is 100%.
The chances for the 2 Star-Collections are calculated separately and do not impact each other. After getting a Star-Collection, the corresponding chances will then reset.
Each account can receive a maximum of 10 [Star - Autumn Tale] and 2 [Star - Twilight].
The number of Star-Collections granted through Aurora Treasures is limited and available while stocks last.
Specific cosmetics from before Righteous Season are now returned with a 50% discount at most. Zai Legendary Outfit [Creatures Myth·Deity of Winter], Valda Cui Legendary Outfit [Pearled Maiden], Tarka Ji Pose [Advance] and other gorgeous cosmetics await! (Renewal Voucher can be purchased in the Item Store.)
Open Stashes in the Survival modes, participate in Showdown or Hungry Dragons, or join the Dance Parties in Fairyland Penglai to earn Spooky Hats. You can collect up to 40 Spooky Hats from matches and 30 Spooky Hats from Dance Parties every day. For more details about getting Spooky Hats, visit [Get Spooky Hats] on the event page.
The Dance Parties are held at Fairyland Penglai - Pantheon - Music Zone. To join in a Dance Party, dance to the beat in the dance area, and you will get Spooky Hat*3 each time you participate.
Any participant can play their favorite songs at the Music Zone to become a DJ. Once a DJ has chosen a dance via the Radial Menu, other players can join. A DJ will get Spooky Hat*10 per Dance Party.
Players will receive Invitations each day, specifying the dress code. Those who wear cosmetics matching the dress code will get extra Spooky Hat*7. In this case, a code-matching participant gets Spooky Hat*10 totally, while a code-matching DJ gets Spooky Hat*17.
Interact with the [Trick or Treat] Pumpkin Carriage on the event page to obtain Magic Candies. Each interaction costs Spooky Hat*4 and grants Magic Candy*1. Magic Candies can be used to redeem for event rewards.
After the event ends, expired Spooky Hats can be converted into Tae.
Complete Daily Quests to obtain Cyra Trial Vouchers and Golden Twigs.
Complete Event Quests to obtain Golden Twigs. A new quest can be unlocked only after completing the current one. Quests can only be completed when they become available.
During the event, 4 kinds of vouchers are claimable in the event page: Legendary Outfit 30% discount voucher, Legendary Weapon 30% discount voucher, Legendary Accessory 30% discount voucher and other Legendary Item 30% discount voucher. There are 2 of each voucher type to be claimed.
Use a voucher when purchasing the corresponding Legendary cosmetic with Gold, and you'll get a 30% discount. These discounts cannot be applied when purchasing gifts for friends.
Please note that vouchers are only eligible for the Legendary cosmetics from Season 10: Pioneer Season and previous seasons.
Vouchers are valid for a limited time only. Make sure you use yours before it expires.
VI. Fairyland Penglai Adjustments
1. Fairyland Penglai Permanent Feature: Stack Up High
Grab some friends and stack on each other in Fairyland Penglai!
Approach other players to interact with them and lift each other up, forming a tower.
The player that started the interaction is the tower leader, and controls its movement.
This is only available in certain zones. Pantheon nearby and Songbird Arena areas are not supported.
Stacks can have a maximum of 8 people.
2. Fairyland Penglai Brand-new Gameplay—Music Zone Enter the Music Zone, join the party, become a DJ and dance to your heart's content!
You can play music in the Music Zone to become a DJ.
After a DJ uses the Radial Menu to choose certain dances, other players can join.
The lights will change according to Trend Points. Send gifts and call your friends over to join the dance party. Let's all throw down together!
Friendly Reminder: Adjust your sound settings in Settings - Audio - Sound to get the optimal experience.
VII. New Function: Lobby Music Selection
1. Open the Lobby Music page via the button in the top-right corner of the Lobby to select music and set the playback mode. 2. Tap [Like] to add a song to [Liked Songs] and decide which songs to play as Lobby Music.
Hero Adjustments
I. Wuchen
1. Increased the damage dealt by the medium-sized spirit blades generated by the Ultimate [Tai Chi Teleport: Blade Storm] from 0.25 to 0.3 and reduced the knockback distance to enemies; increased the damage dealt by the large spirit blades from 1.8 to 2.1 and changed the hit effect from knocking enemies airborne to knocking them back. 2. Slightly reduced the teleport recovery frames for the skill [Spirit Blades: Swap] and slightly extended the duration of Golden Focus when teleporting.
In-game Adjustments
I. Feature Optimizations
1. Spirit Well Optimization in Immortal War Players can now view the highest capture progress of a Spirit Well while within a certain range of that Well.
2. Hero Alliance Adjustments Reduced the Dark Tide Coins required to start an Alliance from 7,500 to 2,500 and shortened the Alliance close time from 1,490s to 490s. (The Alliance will now close 10 seconds after the first Shadow Corruption Spread ends.) When the Alliance closes, players still in an Alliance will receive a refund of the Dark Tide Coins used to start it.
Out-of-game Adjustments
I. Hair Dyeing System Adjustments
1. New Mode: [Highlights]
Added the new Hair Dyeing method: [Highlights]. 24 Coloriums are required to unlock [Highlights], which can be applied to any hairstyle with the [Highlights] prefix.
When applying Highlights, players can customize the hair color separately for the parts to be dyed. [Flourish] and [Gradient] can also be applied to these parts.
8 [Dye Creams] are required to dye hair using [Highlights].
2. In Hair Dyeing, 7 Flourish colors have been newly added:
Pearlescent color: Aqua, Purple Cowry
Matte color: Oriole, Emberfall, Waves, Starlight, Green
Showdown Adjustments
I. Souljade Adjustments
1. Upgraded the effects for elemental melee Souljades: Attacks now deal elemental damage corresponding to the elemental attribute of the Souljade. (For example: [Velocity Untold·Ice-wielding\Thunder-wielding] has been changed to [Velocity Untold·Element]. If [Velocity Untold·Element] has the elemental attribute "Ice-wielding +1," Nunchucks' charged horizontal strikes will deal extra Frostbite Damage; if it has the attribute "Poison-wielding +1," the strikes will deal extra Toxin Damage; if it has the attribute "Thunder-wielding +1," extra Thundershock Damage will be applied.) This change involves the following Souljades:
[Horizontal Blink Strike·Ice-wielding]
[Vertical Blink Strike·Thunder-wielding]
[Horizontal Energy·Ice-wielding]
[Vertical Energy·Thunder-wielding]
[Uppercut Rush·Ice-wielding]
[Abyssal Aura·Thunder-wielding]
[Assassin's Lunge·Ice-wielding]
[Windy Trinity·Ice-wielding]
[Wild Windspout·Thunder-wielding]
[Storm Slash·Ice-wielding]
[Aerial Rend·Ice-wielding]
[Wave Breaker·Ice-wielding]
[Torrent Flow·Thunder-wielding]
[Jabbing·Ice-wielding]
[Onslaught·Thunder-wielding]
[Cavalry Bloom·Ice-wielding]
[Petal Fall Flurry·Thunder-wielding]
[Crescent Slam·Ice-wielding]
[Crescent Slam·Thunder-wielding]
[Erudition·Ice-wielding]
[Velocity Untold·Ice-wielding]
[Velocity Untold·Thunder-wielding]
[Cyan Fang·Ice-wielding]
[Cyan Fang·Thunder-wielding]
[Cyan Fang·Poison-wielding]
2. Added the elemental melee Souljades: [Chained Sweeping·Element], [Serpent's Whisper·Element] 3. Added the poison-wielding ranged Souljades: [Toxic Cannon], [Toxic Arrows], [Toxic Explosion], [Toxic Shot], [Toxic Swarm] 4. Changed the Souljade [Rockfall Slash·Thunder-wielding] to [Aerial Rend·Element] 5. Changed the Souljade [Venom Tip] to [Toxic Crossbow] and added it back to the game 6. Optimized the description of the Souljades [Thunder Shot] and [Thunder Detonation] without altering their actual effects. 7. Optimized the special effect triggered when hit by the Souljade [Thunder Detonation]
II. Combat Adjustments
1. Optimized collision issues that occurred after defeating [Omnius·Beast] 2. Fixed the issue where spear counterstrikes sometimes cannot hit large enemies 3. Optimized the finishing motions for some of Stone Monster's attack moves
III. Nirriti's Ruins Adjustments
1. Added the Anima Rings: [Armor Recovery·Vanquisher], [Calamity Fortitude], [Charged Power Strike], [Charged Aegis-break], [Might·Restraint], [Might·Defuse].
IV. Hero Adjustments
1. Matari's Defuse martial skill [Soulbreak Tusk] can now use airborne Quick Dash during the special technique "Defuse·Dash". 2. Extended Matari's invulnerability time upon successfully using Defuse. Matari now gains Golden Focus for the duration of the move and can use airborne Quick Dash again after a successful Defuse.
V. Feature Adjustments
1. Added the new function "Upgrade Sense Level" The function "Upgrade Sense Level" can be accessed on the Equip Souljade page. Selected upgrade materials will be used to upgrade the 6 equipped Souljades simultaneously according to the optimal solution.
2. Adjusted Weekly Quests Added a new Weekly Quest that can be completed by clearing 12 random Showdown stages. Completing this quest grants a reward of 15 Souljade Fragments.
3. Added descriptions for the drops in Enigma Domain and Nirriti's Ruins Enigma Domain yields more Souljades, while Nirriti's Ruins provide more Carved Crystals. Existing rules have been elaborated on for clarity, but no adjustments have been made to the actual yields.
//Dev Note: Our data shows that some players have experienced Carved Crystal overflow, so we have increased the yield of Souljade Fragments in the Weekly Quests. Players can manage their Fatigue strategically to balance the quantities of both items.
4. Optimized the display of remaining rebirth attempts in Showdown.
5. Disabled the environmental kill mechanism after defeating Omni Core in Buried Giant.
Store Updates
I. New Packs
Added Cyra exclusive Pack [The Lightbearer], which contains the Legendary Outfit [The Lightbearer], Spear Legendary Skin [Shadowbreaker], Legendary Accessory [Laurel of Dawn], Legendary Hairstyle [Honor Tresses] and Cyra's combat BGM [The Divine Resonance]. Standard price: 6,100 Gold; Now: 3,200 Gold. Individual cosmetics have their own discounts, but the Pack discount is even bigger!
Added Hadi exclusive Pack [Winged Soul], which contains the Hadi exclusive Legendary Accessory [Marrow Eater] (Unlock to change the appearance of Hadi's Ultimate, "Aerial Ascent" and "Aerial Ascent: Blaze"), and the Hadi exclusive Legendary Accessory [Plume of Frost] (Unlock it to change the appearance of Hadi's Skill "Mechanical Arm: Blast" and Ultimate "Aerial Ascent"). Standard price: 6,100 Gold; Now: 3,800 Gold. Individual cosmetics have their own discounts, but the Pack discount is even bigger!
Added Hadi exclusive Pack [Abyssal Rule], which contains the Legendary Outfit [Abyssal Rule], Dagger Legendary Skin [Retribution's Edge], Legendary Accessory [Night Amber], Legendary Hairstyle [Moonlit Locks]. Standard price: 5,300 Gold; Now: 3,200 Gold.
II. New Items
Limited-Time Offer Legendary Grappling Hook [The Girl in the Box]. Standard price: 5,400 Gold; Now: 3,300 Gold. Available from Oct. 31 to Dec. 4 at 23:00 (UTC).
Newly added Legendary Emote Gesture [Nice Try] for all heroes. Standard price: 900 Gold; Now: 360 Gold.
1. Newly added Aurora Treasure with the price of 3,600 Spectral Silk. Please note that there is a limit of 1 purchase per 24 hours, and a maximum of 6 purchases for each player. 2. Newly added Cyra Legendary Accessory [Radiant Moon] with a price of 12,000 Spectral Silk.
Join us, Thorium, for an afternoon of UnderMine 2 questions and answers!
It has officially been six months since we unveiled UnderMine 2, and we've been buried in development, building a ton of new content.
We're eager to show you what we have been working on and to take your questions about the game! Questions are being collected on Discord. Post your questions in the #questions-for-the-devs channel, or upvote the ones you want to hear more about.
We'll answer the most upvoted questions from Discord, take questions from the chat, discuss new features, and show parts of the game we haven't shown before. In case you missed our first Q&A, you can watch the archived video here.
Make sure to follow us on Twitch so you don't miss out. The stream will be Thursday, November 7th, at 2:00 pm PDT!
An Engineer and the Great Machine - GentlegearMark
🎉 Our First Patch!
Fixes: - Fixed "Self-Improvement?" achievement to trigger correctly
You may also notice the start of additional language support. It is currently only fully playable in French and English with additional languages implemented but in need of additional work such as fonts and sizing.
All currently supported languages (English French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese) will be finalized in the next 24 hours.
This event is a bonus event for your recharge into the game, since when recharging you get separate points in this event, with which you can try your luck by spinning the reel for x50 points or spin a large scrolling for x500 points.
