This week we were working hard to try and have the update ready, but unfortunately, a new list of bugs appeared in our last couple days of testing due to all the new integration. And they will need to be fixed before the release is ready. We believe it will be ready for sometime mid-end of next week. There will be a wipe required when the update is ready as well.
We've been integrating a decal system into the game. This type of system allows for footprints, cut marks, and blood splatter. It helps improve the immersion in the game. You might get some blood on your weapon when attacking others, or see the whip marks or bruises if you get hit.
The buff system is also nearly done. Different musical instruments, when played, will offer the player or other players around them unique buffs for a short period of time. This way a guy playing the war drums in a group can continue to play them to give his nearby guild mates extra stamina. There will also be 7 new objects to paint on. These include hanging signs, a billboard, a town sign, art canvas with frames, and a signpost.
Players will also be able to mute other players in chat. Part of our hacker report system is going to be integrated for the update as well. This allows players to very easily report players using the (esc) menu and right-clicking on their name and selecting "report". Were also putting in an announcement button, so when players get invites, etc. they are notified about them. Guild Crest's will be getting a text tutorial added to them to help teach new players how everything functions in the areas of decay, crest decay, crests, and totems.
The team has been working on re-balancing some of the siege design. This includes limiting the maximum trebuchet shots to one at a time, increasing the cost of a trebuchet stone to 2 slabs instead of 1, increasing the damage of a single trebuchet stone to 1500 from 900, limiting the maximum range of a trebuchet, and slowing down repairing in areas under siege. We hope this will help make siege battles less confusing, more engaging, and more balanced. As well, the combat system is undergoing some design changes, primarily the driftwood club will stun it's owner for a longer period if the owners attacked is blocked, and also stun the owner if they've been hit while holding a driftwood club for a longer period. We intend wood weapons to have more stun penalty and steel to have less.
Many of the exploits reported are also being tested against and worked on. Please continue to send in any exploit reports you have:
http://steamcommunity.com/app/344760/discussions/4/523890528707976945/
Hope everyone has a great weekend of gaming,
The Code}{atch Team