Boo! Surprise update!
Originally the next planned release was Beta 8, but 1) I already had a bunch of confirmed RIF features-to-be, 2) did the whole Roguelike Celebration trip which is going to push back the Beta 8 release date, and 3) really wanted to start streaming a new dedicated bot-hacking run and would prefer that it be fairly different from the one last month.
So early this week I suddenly decided to put out a quick 7.1 and give you all the RIF features now. Better than keeping them on hold for a bunch of other unrelated content, eh?
Beta 7.1 has technically been available since Tuesday, though we're just getting the release notes now. Let's see what's up...
Cogmind Beta 7.1 "RIF+" (0.10.181023) changelog:
- NEW: RIF adds precise real-time alert level readout to HUD
- NEW: RIF automatically detects nearby Garrison Access points
- NEW: Garrison Access automatically open for Cogmind with RIF upon stepping adjacent to door location
- NEW: If RIF installed, alert level no longer increases passively while inside a garrison
- NEW: Garrison exits automatically open if Cogmind has RIF installed
- NEW: Manual indicates BRIGHTNESS renderFilter can be used to increase brightness as well
- NEW: Weapon cycling (' or [CYCLE] button) treats all guided, melee, and datajack weapons as separate options
- MOD: While RIF installed, Unlock Access hack at Garrison Access always has a 100% chance
- MOD: -8/Materials Garrison Access is always lowest security level
- MOD: Relay Coupler [Swarmer] base value increased 40%
- MOD: Operator purge_threat hack cost dropped from 20 to 10
- MOD: A certain 5-letter bot that starts with a G (spoiler) now has the Disruption immunity
- MOD: Non-hostile Researchers are not alerted by distress calls
- MOD: Researchers ignore Datajack attacks against both self and allies
- MOD: Thermal Generator effect description adjusted so it's harder to mistake for a type of heat sink
- MOD: Tactical HUD mode energy readout displays both values separately even when stationary and movement turnwise deltas are identical
- MOD: Non-zero ambient heat display is shown outside Tactical HUD mode as well, if applicable
- FIX: Enumerate(Coupling) terminal hack gave no results [Valguris]
- FIX: Dropped salvage would not remain in map knowledge if Cogmind stepped out of view prior to any FOV update [Valguris]
- FIX: Melee sneak attacks were impossible against Researchers [GJ]
- FIX: Loading a "Fragile Parts" run wouldn't apply the rules in subsequent sessions beyond the first [GJ]
- FIX: -exportRobots command line argument inaccessible in release build [Raine]
- FIX: Tactical HUD mode energy readout failed to show inventory-stored energy when stationary and movement values are identical [Trione]
- FIX: Easiest difficulty mode didn't reduce the number of Garrison Access machines by 1 as intended
- FIX: Drone Bay info in parts list sometimes didn't reflect correct number of remaining drones
RIF Updates
The Relay Interface Framework was only just added in Beta 7, bringing with it dozens of new hacks to pave the way for new playstyles. But the initial design focus there was primarily to expand the robot hacking system, with only partial thematic integration with the rest of the world.
7.1 gives a RIF-installed Cogmind some new capabilities that really help highlight the fact that you sorta become part of Complex 0b10. Strategically speaking, the RIF buffs tie the framework even closer to alert management and Garrisons. RIFfing was already connected with these elements since hacking bots has no effect on alert at all and you can hack Operators to lower alert, plus you get Relay Couplers (and the initial RIF) from Garrisons themselves. But as you can see in the changelog there are now even more Garrison connections.
For one, you can now "sense" nearby Garrison Access points (essentially like Zion-integrated terminals when you're imprinted), and when you approach them the door automatically opens.
While inside a Garrison, you'll also no longer cause passive alert increases over time. As long as you can deal with the locals, Garrisons almost become a safe spot for you! This is doubly true once you have the RIF installed and can use couplers to take out bots relatively silently via hacking.
It's also easier to leave whenever you want to, since none of the Garrison exits will be remotely locked when you try to use them.
Outside Garrisons, one of the major new features is that with RIF you get the precise alert level updated in real-time! A new red entry appears on your HUD, as you can see at the top of this screenshot taken from my stream this week after raiding several Garrisons :P
"Influence" is the specific number usually converted to a more understandable (and mechanically meaningful) alert level. You've always been able to see this mentioned in your scoresheet ("peak influence"), but this is the first time it's shown in game alongside the alert level conversion. Every action you take which affects it is reflected here. (I can smell the cheese now...)
Halving the cost of the purge_threat hack on Operators is yet another alert-optimizing buff for RIF users :D
Taken together, all these new mechanics could make RIF even more desirable for a number of hybrid builds, not to mention simply make pure bot-hackers much more reliable. Whole new strategies will be born from this.
Oh yeah, and by request the lone Garrison Access usually found on -8 is now forced to security level 1 so that RIF is that much more accessible early on (like other interactive machines at that depth it used to have a 15% chance to be SL2, which could be hard to hack open).
If you want to see how a pure RIF build is put together and deals with challenges, this week I started that new stream and it's been great so far:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVEW7CkOYDA
There's a summary of the run here. Part 2 will be streamed next week.
But I Don't Wanna be Researched!
Another hacking-relevant issue to tend to was Researcher behavior, as they didn't much like you datajacking them or their friends, which is unnecessarily harsh if you're going to go through the trouble of using RIF over other strategic options that doing so closes off. So they'll now completely ignore datajack use and are fair game for manipulative hacks.
On a related note, non-hostile Researchers won't be alerted by nearby distress calls, which could similarly have pretty disastrous consequences when a Researcher just sitting behind a wall suddenly pops out and scans you without warning.
Other Stuff
Weapon cycling is the main related UI feature that got an overhaul (the partial implementation included with Beta 7 was apparently broken anyway). For Beta 7 Remote Datajacks became solo-fire weapons, so there was a greater need for the weapon cycling command/button to do something other than simply toggle everything off and on. Now it'll actually cycle through projectile, guided, datajack, and melee weapons, also treating each datajack and melee weapon as a separate option.
The system built for 7.1 is a lot more robust, as you can see here ;)
There were a number of other things in recent weeks I've told people are coming "next release," but note that means the major release that will be Beta 8, not this little surprise release xD. I did include a number of fixes with 7.1, stuff that I just happened to have already done, but there's still plenty more on the docket, as well as a backlog of other feature requests and basically tons of stuff to do overall!
Beta 7.1 saves are not compatible with previous versions, but even if you're on Steam and have autoupdates enabled, Beta 7 is still available via its own legacy branch and you can roll back to finish a run in progress first if you like.