Updated the game to version 0.2.4

This update improves the general atmosphere across most of the game, and is the first in a series of planned improvements to the demo.

-Big light changes, a few areas completely re-done.

-Includes some new props for more varied lighting fixtures.

-New audio system added to some areas.

-Fixed a light that was only visible with lumen off.

-Minor changes to the sounds the first monster makes when spawning.

-Tweaked LOD settings on some props.

Map
-Map interaction changed to grid based, can move to top, right or bottom if road is connected, can not move left
-Map movement lifespan cost increases with zone number, i.e. second zone -2 lifespan per move, third zone -3 (except for moving to town, cave and XiuLuo statue)
-Unrevealed map locations now indicate encounter types
-Zone order is now random, no longer follows the Wood>Water>Fire order

New basic stats
-Technique Power effects all Technique Card scaling
-Spell Power effects all Spell Card scaling
-Spell Power effects all Secret Art Card and Talisman scaling
-Crit Chance provides a chance to scale damage dealt by x Crit Damage%
-Each point of Aptitude gives 1% EXP bonus, removed EXP bonuses from Comprehension

Level up
-Mouse hovering on EXP bar now displays current level up lifespan bonuses
-No longer gain cultivation method as reward on leveling up, now instead grants basic stat bonuses based on EXP consumed, 1x EXP = 1x stat options, 1.5x EXP = 2x stat options, 2x EXP = 3x stat options

The stat options includes:
-Lifespan + 10
-Max Spirit + 1
-Max HP + 20
-Comprehension + 8
-Luck + 7
-Technique Power + 3
-Spell Power + 3
-Mind Power + 3
-Crit Chance + 5%
-Crit Damage + 10%
-Aptitude + 5

Seclude
-Changed Meditate button to Seclude, Seclude can be initiated any time outside of battles and events, Seclude contains Meditate, Card Upgrade and Method Upgrade
-Buffed meditate, now heals 5% HP per year, grants flat 10 EXP per year, can be boosted by Aptitude
-Seclude Card Upgrade uses lifespan as resource to upgrade cards
-Seclude Method Upgrade uses EXP as resource to upgrade methods

Balancing
-All cards stats overhaul, upgrading cards now scale their values exponentially, adjusted all cards costs
-All enemies damage and HP stats adjusted

Events
-XiuLuo statue initial lifespan cost reduced to 5(previously 10)
-Old man encounter card selection changed to Lv.2 cards
-Library 20 pick 1 card selection changed to Lv.1 cards
-Adjusted some event choices to have lower Lifespan cost

Other
-Elites now have a 20% base chance to give a random cultivation method(Lv.1) as reward, Bosses have 50% chance
-Removed cave spirit density regeneration mechanic, Cave Card Upgrade no longer requires lifespan
-Distraction Cards can now only be used for Lv.1 card upgrades
-Reworked Shop layout, added Cultivation Methods, added Restock button (25 spirit stone cost, cost + 25 per use)
-Elemental damage bonus changed to 100% (previously 50%)
-Armor status changed to reduces 10% when ending turn/taking damage (previously flat -1)
-Talisman reworked to scale with Mind Power, some talismans can roll higher levels

Hey everyone!

How have all of you been doing? It's been half a year since the last update!

First off, I wanted to let you know that we're on the last 3 days of the steam Summer Sale! It's one of the best chances to get The Hayseed Knight in the year, provided I remember to set the discount (I did, I super did, it's 30% off). Tell your friends, tell your foes. Tell literally anyone because THK finally got to 4,000 sales two days ago after 4 years and a half since chapter 3 was first published on Steam.

I'm not going to lie, that is a tiny number in comparison with what games reach is and the 7 years of development that making The Hayseed Knight on my own took. But, it is still 4,000 people out there deciding to go and choose the game I started making one morning when my wrist gave up on me after 5 years working in comics and I had to give up what I thought would be the job of my life. It's bittersweet, but I am always eternally grateful for your support. Especially so because I've been without a stable job for a long, long time.

That's why I've spent the last two months focusing efforts on my patreon account to sustain myself in the mean time, and as a result, I've made tons of art after years fearing putting pen to paper!! You can get access to lots of cool exclusive fanservice illustrations, development stories and streams supporting me on patreon MaxiMJdev.

(Real interesting stuff in there)

I continue looking for ways to finish the translations before I can fully delve into developing a sequel. So far, even publishers who would have been interested in making a console port really don't see a reason to spend any money on translations for a visual novel like this, especially given that it's already released on steam. While I understand it (I broke down the HUGE cost it'd suppose in this post at the beginning of the year) to me that is the most important part — Console sales wouldn't make much sense or amount to anything otherwise.

That means that at the moment, I'm limited to continuing to work with volunteers or people who would be open to accepting payment way below industry standards. I'm sorry to ask such a thing, but if you're a French, Spanish or Japanese native / fully fluent speaker with some experience writing or translating, and you would like to be involved in helping finish The Hayseed Knight's translations knowing these, please contact me on bluesky or send an email thehayseedknight (at) gmail (dot) com

My time in Japan is soon coming to an end, with October being the final date to return to Spain if I can't get a job. I'll be in Bitsummit next week, not showing but just running around trying to make contacts as usual. I'll let you know if anything comes out of that!

That's all for now, I think! Thank you all for reading me as always. I hope you have a wonderful week and a wonderful month ahead of you!

• The quest log has been added to the game. (Some quest descriptions are still missing and will be added soon.)

• Fixed a bug where items could fall through the ground.

• The world map has been partially updated to match the game world.

Best regards,
Mark Koch
And never forget: Have Fun!

Added Naming for units.

Fixed an issue where a sorcerer couldnt be killed.

Fixed an issue with the grid on one of the 3rd maps not displaying properly.

Fixed an issue with the King's Shield skill where it would sometimes not work properly on consecutive maps.

Fixed an issue where tabbing out of the class change screen would sometimes result in a softlock.

Fixed an issue where under specific circumstances, your selection in the class change menu or skills menu wouldnt commit properly.

✨ A New Horizon Has Arrived!

The major update for Explore Dreams: Dreamcore is live — and we’re excited to share all the news with you!

🌐 New Map – Frutiger Aero

Inspired by the visual aesthetics of the 2000s, the new Frutiger Aero map features vibrant scenarios with metallic tones, intense shine, blue skies, soft clouds, bubbles, and reflections in crystal-clear water. A true nostalgic dive into the digital optimism of the Windows XP era and the technological advertisements of the time.

🚀 Temporary Flight

You can now fly for a limited time! This new mechanic transforms the way you explore environments, allowing new vertical routes and surprising viewpoints in the game’s dreamlike scenarios.

🎒 Inventory System

The inventory system has been added! You can now collect and interact with items, paving the way for new mechanics and challenges in the next stages of the journey.

🌀 More Immersion, More Discoveries

This update expands the possibilities for exploration, brings new levels of challenge, and deepens the surreal and nostalgic experience of Explore Dreams: Dreamcore.

Thank you for your support! Starting today, 《Falling with Ice Phoenix!》 launches a free major update, featuring a brand-new playable character. All players are invited back to experience the new content!

✨ New Character: The Program Girl from Another World A mysterious visitor from another world with unique mechanics and skills, bringing a fresh gameplay experience!

✨ Supports BOSS RUSH Mode Just like DiXie Tini and Ryu, the Program Girl from Another World can also be played in BOSS RUSH mode!

✨ Supports Multiplayer Mode Playable in local multiplayer mode—team up with friends and descend the stairs together!

🎁 How to Unlock? Clear the first run of the game, and the character will unlock automatically upon your next launch!

⚠️ Note: This free update does not include any R18 content.

Hey space adventurers!
We’re back with another exciting update – thank you so much for your continued support and feedback!
This time, we’re bringing in a major new feature: Drones – and a whole bunch of improvements and fixes.


🔧 Drone System

• You can now craft drones!
  
• Just like the Mobile Miner, they need to be charged before use
  
• Can be placed at a Mobile Miner site
  
• Automatically collect 200 units of each ore
  
• After collecting, they fly back to you and deliver the resources

🌌 Ore Farm in Endless Mode
The Ore Farm is now available in Endless Mode – for infinite resource collection!

⚙️ Toggle Movement Bubbles
You can now turn off movement bubbles in the settings if you prefer a cleaner look.

✨ Adjustable Particle Effects
Particle effects can now be adjusted in the settings – choose between better visuals or better performance.


✅ Fixed double ore placement
The Ore Farm no longer places two ores in the same spot.

❌ Resources now disappear when Ore Farm is removed
When dismantling an Ore Farm, its stored resources are now correctly removed.

🌵 Improved cactus collision
The cactus hitbox has been improved – smoother movement around them.

🔄 Settings renamed
The “Settings” menu is now labeled “Difficulty” for better clarity.

💥 Tutorial adjustment
The Exploder has been removed from the tutorial to make the beginning more beginner-friendly.

📈 Player upgrade visuals improved
Upgrade graphics have been polished and are now clearer and more modern.

⛏️ Skill progress now more noticeable
Ore mining progress while skilling is now more clearly visible and faster to notice.

🔋 Infinite stamina bug fixed
Sometimes the Miner had unlimited stamina when starting a level – this is now fixed.

📊 Incorrect miner stats fixed
Selecting a Miner sometimes displayed the wrong stats – this has been corrected.

We hope you enjoy this update – as always:
Keep the feedback coming, report bugs, and stay tuned for more content! 🚀💎
We’re already working on the next big thing...

This update contains:

-Level 10 Dungeon has now been added.

-Stone Hoe Tool: Used for removing misplaced flooring.

-Access to craft Keys.

-Rebalance of level difficulty.

Now the Levels have become more attractive with this feature.