The second part of the Gear Update is now live. Turns out this will be a triology, as I am not done with doing all the things I wanted.
In any case here is what has changed in this update:
In-game Vendors
By popular request, you occasionally run into a vendor when descending to the next level. I kept the feature very simple for now, and it is menu base (not in-game, in-game). I'd like to see what effect the vendors have before iterating on the feature. So, as always, let me know what you think.
Assign hotkeys to items
Also by popular request, you can now assign hotkeys to inventory items after you right-click them. Any normal key or number key that is not already assigned to something else can be used as a hotkey. I don't think this feature is finished in a sense that you guys probably have all sorts of suggestion on how to make this system better. And I am happy to implement you suggestions.
Sigils and magic gear
This is the real meat of the upgrade. I've redesigned the way sigils can be used to craft magic items. The big change is sigils can be crafted multiple times onto a single item. This creates different tiers of magic items, which improves the power curve in the game. For example: forging a fire sigil to a sword creates a glowing sword, adding another creates an flaming sword. In some (rare) cases different sigils can even be combined, for example forging a Death Sigil and a Water Sigil on bow will create a Bow of Poison.
Multiple sigils have different effects on different items. There is only one particular weapon that will change into X of Forked Lighting if you forge enough magic sigils on it. You can probably work out what weapon that would be.
All in all there are now over 100 magic effects for items in the game, so that will give you something to explore.
Unfinished
However, I am not done. I have designs for more effects to fill out the system (shields have hardly changed), and I need to tie in all this new content with the level generator. I simply did not have the time. So there will be a third part to this update cycle, to finish up. Not quite sure how quick that would be, as I will be quite busy next week.
Future plans
Right now, I am a little behind on bugs, generator issues, and implementing the best suggestions on the forums (of which there have been many!). But I will dedicate an upgrade cycle to this as soon as possible. But there is more interesting stuff on the horizon. I want to do a Terrain Update that would add more natural and magical hazards to the environment, and I have been doing some successful test that alter the looks of the main character. I will show you guys a preview of that soonish... At least way before I announce a Graphics Update.
Now it is your turn agian to give me feedback!