Welcome one and all to our weekly Dev Blog!
We’re FINALLY allowed to talk about the upcoming update! Character creation Journal, interaction wheel new profession progression, questing and new NPC types!
Update forecast: Our new update should be landing in your Steam download list on Thursday 19th October! Wooo!
PCGamesN Twitch Live Stream
Firstly catch up with our Live stream via PCGamesN! Our very own SIG_Mac sat down with Ben from PCGamesN and took him through our revamped Freeman’s Port showing off all the new juicy features.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq4W6EaMFcU
Character Creation Screen
Yes, it’s finally here a character creation screen!
Create your own appearance, select from different hairstyles, head types, shirts and trouser combos. You can also choose from previously unlocked titles to start out with, these can be swapped once in game as well.
This feature is very extendable so expect to see more options in the future.
Journal & Interaction Wheel
The inventory has been replaced with a journal where you can view recipes, craft items and get info such as view days survived, Knowledge/Experience and World Map. The goal is to be a one-stop shop for all your needs, easily viewable and digestible.
The interaction wheel is a new addition to the game, this can be used to quickly talk to NPCs, use items, equip items, gather resources and much more. Holding E brings up this wheel, a simple mouse over a selection and a left click.
These improvements should make it easier for new players to understand some of the more complex systems. It should also prove quite useful for experienced players who want a quick way to get to key items, switching weapons in combat for example.
New Profession Progression
The problem with our profession system has been twofold. One, every time you want to re-roll a profession you have to kill yourself. Two, you never knew what a profession was capable of until you reached it. That can be a long grind to get to play a profession that you may not like…
To counter this the skill tree has been merged and extended. Everyone is the same character but you can choose how to play. Want to be part knight part monk? Sure thing.
Questing
Another widely requested feature, quests!
You can now uncover more information about the lands and people of Mercia and the devastating effects the plague is having on them. And pick up some tasty rewards as you go!
As with the other features, this system is very expandable. Depending on what works expect to see more quests popping up in future updates. An epic quest to the depths of Raven’s Reach Crypt anyone?
New NPC Types
There are now more NPC types in the World!
Meet the Town Earl, who will start these Quests and help you discover more about the Plagues effect in each town and guide you to explore that area and uncover what has happened there. Each City will feature it’s own Town Earl, starting first with Freeman’s Port.
Much like the infected Beggar’s that can be found in the coves of The Black Gate, infected NPC’s will now be wandering the streets, watch out for them, keep your distance and don’t get too close!
Another cool thing we’ve added, neutral NPC’s will now work together with the Guards to ensure the townsfolk’s safety, after all, living with the Plague is not easy!
…That’s all for this week!
//The SIG Team