Y’arr! The Sailing Alpha is now live!
PSA: We've polished the Alpha as much as possible, but this is an Alpha, it's not a finished skill. If you encounter unfinished issues, you can use the in-game bug report form to let the team know what's wrong. We'll hotfix what we can, though larger fixes or feedback points will need to come via future builds. You can find the in-game bug report button on your chat box. It's a red report button and right-clicking it will show the report game bug option.
You saw it at RuneFest – now’s your chance to try the Sailing Alpha at home!
Get ready to jump into a massive, open Sailing playtest packed with exciting high-seas adventure. Start off on a teeny tiny raft and improve your skill as a sailor until you eventually become an experienced captain - commanding a crew of your own and traversing the most hazardous of waters. On your journey you'll dive with mermaids, chase ducks and explore the far reaches of the ocean. Many roads lead to 99, but the path you choose is up to you.
Recently, players tried Sailing for the very first time in-person at RuneFest. It was incredible! The LAN area was packed throughout both days, making for an unforgettable experience. It was our first large scale playtest of the Alpha, and now it's time for an even BIGGER one!
Some of you still have questions or concerns about Sailing, and that’s exactly why the Sailing Alpha matters. It’s your chance to get hands-on and experience the skill for yourself. You already know how Sailing looks in blogs or videos, but we want to know how it feels when you're playing it. We make content for you, and we care about your feedback. Give it a chance and you might just find that you've discovered your new favourite skill!
The Alpha is expected to take approximately 75 minutes to complete, and it will be open for one week.
Let's start with an explanation of what is in the Alpha – check out this video made in collaboration with Gunschilli and GentleTractor!
https://youtu.be/nOa20hB0OO0?si=eiWu6vmrSGl7W0hu
If you can't view the video above, click here.
Looking for help on what to do? Check out this infographic by Uber!
If you can’t see the image above, click here!
Getting Started
The Alpha is available on PC via RuneLite, Java or the Official C++ Client. Unfortunately, it won't be available on mobile. Any member's account can simply select a Sailing Alpha Playtest world from the world selection menu, and log in to begin testing. Once in the game, you'll quickly be taken to Port Sarim - an important starting location for all things Sailing.
As we're using Beta Worlds, there are two buttons under the Settings menu (Gameplay) tab that will be useful to know:
- 'Covert save to Beta Worlds': This works from regular worlds and will copy your save over to the beta worlds. You will retain your stats, with a couple potentially boosted if too low.
- 'Reset Beta Worlds Save': This works directly from Beta Worlds, and will allow you to reset your save so you can re-play the Alpha once you hit the Level cap of 30.
Once you're in, check out the bottom-left of your screen to view the Sailing Alpha FAQ, containing all the information you need to become a true sailor. There is also a survey linked directly in the FAQ interface. Please make sure to fill this out, as it's really important for us to learn where we can improve before the full launch.
Feedback
As we mentioned above, this is an Alpha build, not a finished product. If you encounter unfinished issues, you can use the in-game bug report form to let the team know what's wrong. We'll hotfix what we can, though larger fixes or feedback points will need to come via future builds. You can find the in-game bug report button on your chat box. It's a red report button and right-clicking it will show the report game bug option.
From RuneFest
We are already aware of two bugs:
- If you get stuck on objects or land, use the ‘Reverse’ or ‘Escape’ manouevre by right-clicking the helm of your boat.
- A bug in the Beta worlds caused boats to only move in one direction. This issue has now been fixed, but if it happens again, log into a different world to resolve it.
At RuneFest, players often mis-clicked their sails and caused their boat to stop unintentionally. Players would also sometimes stop their boats when they clicked the sails multiple times during the 'speed up' window of opportunity. Ideally, we want to have navigational parity, so that everything you can do in-game you can also do via the side panel. Due to the amount of mis-clicks that we saw, we've made un-setting the sails a right-click function instead. As a result of this change, reversing your sail can currently only be done via the side panel. You'll only need to reverse your sails when you get stuck, so it shouldn't happen often enough that you'll need it as an option on your sail. Additionally, the 'Trim sails' function will now only be a left click when the sails can be trimmed. This helps to avoid double-clicks which accidentally stop the boat. If you prefer 'set' or 'unset' sails to be a left-click option again, you can use the Menu Entry Swapper tool in RuneLite or the Official Client.
Additionally, some of the Sea Charting activities felt a little confusing as players didn't know for sure if they were in the right location. New visual indicators for the Current Duck and Spyglass locations have been added to resolve this. We've also expanded the range at which you can use the tools required, so it's a little easier. In particular, the weather station activity from the Troll Meterologist confused a fair amount of players, so we're planning on addressing that by adding in small miniquests to help introduce these activities in a familiar way.
Another issue we found at RuneFest was that players couldn't easily find Shipwrecks. To help with this, we've added new graphics to make them more visually distinct. We welcome feedback on how these look, or other areas that might need visual changes in the future.
Finally, we've adjusted some elements of the side panel to make it more intuitive. The arrows are up and down to show speed rather than left and right. They will also show visual feedback when you're at the max or slowest speed. In the future, we'd like to do more with the side panel, such as integrating the Captain's Log so that you're not forced to keep it in your Inventory.
How and where to leave your feedback on the Sailing Alpha
As mentioned above, the best place to start for bug reports will be the in-game report feature. You can find this on the chat box. It's a red report button and right-clicking it will show the report game bug option.
We encourage feedback from everyone on the Sailing Alpha. Throughout this week and next, we'll keep a close eye on feedback and address major points from the survey and other social platforms in a Sailing Discord Stage Q&A sometime next week.
To join the Sailing Discord, use this link. We'll even take player questions live! Many of you have questions or suggestions about future content being added to Sailing and we'll do our best to answer them.
During the Alpha, the team will review feedback and provide general thoughts on changes (or additional hotfixes) we expect to add. Check back here later in the day or week for any bugs or issues that you might encounter – we'll do our best to keep this blog regularly updated.
Please bear in mind that some changes simply can't be released via a hotfix. Although we'll be keen to patch issues that disrupt the Alpha severely, bigger feedback changes will have to come via a future Sailing Beta. You'll hear more about our plans for the Beta once the Alpha is complete.
Now, let's recap exactly what's included in the Sailing Alpha for those who might have missed our last blog.
Sailing Alpha Q&A Livestream
You can check out the livestream video here.
Pandemonium (New Quest)
Learn how to sail a boat, dock, and do more basic gameplay tasks with Pandemonium, an introductory quest for Sailing. You'll also explore the Pandemonium, a new island intended as the home port for your adventures on the high seas.
Start the Quest by speaking to Will and Anne, who can be found on the docks of Port Sarim.
Will and Anne are a pair of salvagers in need of an extra pair of hands on their mighty salvaging vessel. At least, that's how they'd describe it. The truth is a bit more complicated, but we'll let you discover that for yourself...
After completing the quest you’ll receive a Captain’s Log, which you can use to track Port Tasks and other details of life at sea. If you ever lose your Captain's Log, open the Cargo Hold and click (or right-click) the duck button to reclaim it.
If you can’t see the image above, click here!
Boats
Once you've completed Pandemonium, you'll get your very own Raft. At Level 10 Sailing, you'll be able to buy a Small Boat. In the future, you will unlock bigger boats at higher Sailing levels, however, only the Raft and Small Boat will be available for testing in the Alpha.
If you can’t see the image above, click here!
You can retrieve, buy and customise your boats by speaking to a Shipwright. A Shipwright can be found on most docks near the Salvaging Station – and you’ll meet one during the Pandemonium quest!
If you can’t see the image above, click here!
Once you’re on a boat, click the Helm to enter 'Navigation Mode', which will lock you in place.
To get your boat moving, set your sails by clicking them or using the side panel. Your boat will move forwards as long as your sails are set and you can adjust your direction clicking on the sea.
To stop your boat, you can click directly on the sails or use the side panel. You can also adjust your boat's speed through the side panel, if you wish. To move in reverse, use the lowest possible speed value on the side panel.
Every 30 seconds or so, you will notice a 10-second gust of wind around your sails. This is an opportunity to trim your sails for a nice speed boost and some Sailing XP. The animation will be obvious, so you should have no trouble spotting it! Let us know if you think we could make it even more visible.
If you have a wind-catcher facility installed, you can keep your speed boosts to use at a later time when you'd like to use it. If you don't have one, the speed boost will start instantly.
When you're ready to get off your boat, you can simply navigate your boat to a Port and left-click the gangplank to disembark. If you're picking up a friend at Port, you'll find that left-clicking the buoy will allow you to anchor your boat and wait for them.
If you get stuck during the Alpha without a way to reverse, or you need a fast way back to land, right-click your Helm to 'Escape'.
If you can’t see the image above, click here!
Ship Customization
As you gain Sailing levels, you’ll also gain the ability to upgrade your ship. As a result, you’ll be able to weather increasingly dangerous seas.
If you can’t see the image above, click here!
Since this is just the Alpha, we’re not expecting you to grind for upgrade materials, or even bring the tools you’ll need to build them.
Instead, you’ll be able to obtain all the resources and tools you could possibly need in a handy chest next to the board in the ship yard. When you’ve got the materials, have a word with Shipwright Sam to start customising!
To upgrade your Keel, Hull, Sail or Helm, you can use the Shipwright's customize-boat option.
To build a new facility on your boat, click on the gangplank at the shipyard to go over to your boat and build hotspots – if you’ve done a bit of Construction, this will seem very familiar! Just as in your Player-owned House, each hotspot has different options, so check them all carefully.
If you can’t see the image above, click here!
In the Sailing Alpha, buildable facilities include:
- Bronze Salvaging Hook
- Iron Salvaging Hook
- Wind Catcher
- This can be used to store wind charges you get from correctly trimming your sails and use them on command.
- Cargo Hold
- Oak Mast
- Anchor
There are also buildable Cannons in the Sailing Alpha, although you won’t be able to use them as Ship Combat hasn’t yet been implemented.
Multiplayer
Multiplayer features are still early in development, but the Alpha does have something for you to try. You will be able to join your friends' boats and make use of their facilities as you sail together. Just make sure you have the right Sailing level, and you'll be able to sail and salvage shipwrecks while aboard your friends' boats!
We’ve also created a solution for having too many ships crowding your screen. The game will render up to 25 ships at one time, and a new shadow will appear beneath your boat to indicate when a fellow sailor is on top of you.
You can view the video here.
World Map & New Areas
What good would Sailing be if you had no seas to sail on? We’re turning the existing blue tiles of the World Map into something extra special. Shallow, Open, and Deep Seas will be represented on the World Map and in-game. At this time, the changes are purely cosmetic and won’t affect your boat’s speed or ability to sail through them – with the notable exception of the hazardous waters you’ll encounter in Barracuda Trials. In future we plan to add speed-related effects to different types of water, but these will likely only impact larger boats.
If you can’t see the image above, click here!
Eagle-eyed explorers will notice that the coastline around Menaphos is no longer a big blank hole. While we have every intention of unveiling that great city one day, as the desert storylines progress, that'd be a bit much to bundle into the Sailing project! You'll be welcome to sail around the coastline at a distance, but you won't be able to dock there... for now...
In the final version of Sailing, you’ll be able to explore a vast ocean space filled with new areas to visit – but for now, we’ve blocked out a limited area of the sea for you to explore. Wouldn’t want you getting lost now, would we?
The Pandemonium is a great place to start your adventure, but you can also sail on over to The Great Conch, home of the Tortugans, although it won't be accessible in this playtest. You’ll want to keep an eye out for other points of interest at sea too, including:
- Last Light
- Charred Island
- The Isle of Bones (Previously called 'The End Island')
- Dognose Island
If you can’t see the image above, click here!
Islands aren’t the main focus of the Sailing Alpha, so this is just a small taste of what they’ll eventually become. In the future, they’ll contain content for existing skills and feed into the reward space for Sailing. Once the Alpha has concluded, you can expect to hear more about all the fantastic places you’ll visit through Sailing, and of course, you’ll have the chance to vote for it all!
Port Tasks
Port Tasks are a lower-intensity training method that will have you Sailing from Port to Port, assisting NPCs with various problems.
If you can’t see the image above, click here!
Starting a Port Task is simple. Just head to the Notice Board available at most Ports. You'll start off with two slots, and as you level, you’ll gain more. In the Alpha, there are three Ports that you can take tasks from:
- The Pandemonium
- Port Sarim
- Catherby
There are two more Ports that are also technically available, but since the Alpha is capped at Level 30, you won't have the required Sailing level to visit them.
- Port Khazard
- Ruins of Unkah
You can cancel Port Tasks in the Port Task interface, found in your Captain’s Log.
In our last blog, we mentioned that Port Tasks are repeatable and can change daily.
We designed them this way so that the Tasks would change frequently to keep things fresh, without changing so often that it became frustrating. The intended loop is to plan your route once a day, while the rest of your play session remained consistent.
However, you raised that this approach might limit your desire to play to certain days. We completely agree, and we're working on a new design for this - unfortunately it’s not ready for us to show you in this Alpha.
Shipwreck Salvaging
During your Sailing journey, you'll stumble across shipwrecks. Using a Salvaging Hook, you can retrieve valuable resources and lost treasures from them in a relaxed, laid-back training method.
If you can’t see the image above, click here!
Salvaging requires astonishingly little effort outside of the initial setup. It’s a great AFK activity while you’re watching TV… or that boring Zoom call. We won’t judge.
To salvage, simply navigate your boat close to a shipwreck. Make sure the sails are down, then exit the tiller and click your Salvaging Hook. There are two salvaging spots in the Alpha, to the east and west of Karamja. If you’re having trouble spotting them, check the World Map!
Salvage goes directly into your Inventory, but you can choose to store it in the Cargo Hold by right-clicking it. The basic Cargo Hold holds up to 20 items, but you can always upgrade it to get more room.
Most ports have their own Salvaging Station where you can sort your Salvage into loot.
Instead of a Light, Heavy and Advanced Hook as mentioned in our previous blogs, we've streamlined the design to now only offer one Salvaging Hook type that scales from Bronze to Dragon. In the Alpha you can upgrade it all the way to Iron!
Sea Charting
As you voyage across the seas of Gielinor, you’ll find plenty of memorable locations, hidden currents, ocean depths, weather patterns, and other phenomena you’ll want to note down in your Captain’s Log.
If you can’t see the image above, click here!
Sea Charting rewards your natural desire to explore and is the perfect training method for completionists.
We don’t want to spoil all the different things you can find at sea, but in the Alpha, you’ll be able to chart the following starter zone locations:
- Bay of Sarim
- Mudskipper Sound
- The Firth of Lum
- Bedabin Basin
- Rimmington Strait
Here’s a big list of the items in question:
- Captain's Log: To record and document sea charting. It will also tell you information about where you can chart.
- Spyglass: Observe notable areas.
- Current Duck: Quack – sorry, track - the currents of the sea.
- Crowbar: Pry open crates found at sea and choose whether you want to drink what you find inside.
- Upgraded Diving Apparatus/Helmet: Gather sea depth data after assisting mermaids.
- Anti Rust Tonic: Removes rust from weather stations for the Troll Meteorologist.
Note that most tools will only become available after you’ve built a Cargo Hold, which is also where you’ll be storing them.
Complete the 'Prying Times' miniquest for more information about how to use the Crowbar. If you're not sure where to go, open up your Captain's Log and filter it by Sea Group, Superset or Level Requirement. Typically, you'll want to start with one area and chart it fully before moving onto the next.
During the NDA playtests, we noticed that some players found the tools unintuitive. In particular, the Troll Meteorologist tasks were the most challenging. Our biggest tip for you here is to remember that the Troll wants you to find the area where there is no wind, so when you're following the instructions, try to imagine a circular storm with an eye of no winds in the middle.
For the Sailing Alpha we’ve added ‘Inspect’ options to every tool, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on how you all get on. In future, we may look to tutorialise Sea Charting through additional miniquests. Please do let us know how it feels to play!
Barracuda Trial: The Tempor Tantrum
The Tempor Tantrum is our first Barracuda Trial, aimed at players with at least level 30 Sailing.
In the trial, you'll be Sailing around the rough seas of Tempoross Cove as you attempt to retrieve rum shipments and ferry them through the storms and back.
You can start by finding Trial Master Rum-Dashed Ralph, just north of the Cove. The aim of the trial will be to ferry rum shipments from the south of the cove to the north, while collecting as many 'lost supplies' floating in the water as you can along the way. You'll want to be fast to impress The Barracudas, so make sure you take advantage of everything at your disposal!
That includes utilising helpful speed boosts that come from sailing through the blue whirling rapids, or trimming your sails at just the right time. Do be careful to avoid hitting any rocks, though, and remember to dodge the storm clouds floating overhead – they’ll damage your ship and slow you down!
If you can’t see the image above, click here!
There won't be any rewards in the Sailing Alpha, but you can work your way up the ranks of Swordfish, Shark and Marlin by completing all their objectives in the given time. To get that top-tier Marlin rank, you'll need to sail extremely quickly and efficiently without missing a single lost shipment along the way. So, good luck!
You can also discuss this update on the 2007Scape subreddit, the Steam forums, or the community-led OSRS Discord in the #gameupdate channel. For more info on the above content, check out the official Old School Wiki.
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