Let's talk for a few minutes about what to expect and what I'm looking for.
- I will be pushing updates to this branch of the game, not always with patch notes, in order to test the 5.0 format before it merges with the retail version of the game.
- Save files made in the 5.0 branch should not be loaded on a 4.X version, and vice versa. Only load your 5.0 save while 5.0 is installed, or else you will experience problems!
- I'm looking for bugs and oddities - specifically the ability to access content that should not be accessible yet. The short explanation is - I've inserted an entire "day" in between Ruby waking up and her meeting up with Jack. If you are able to escape this loop and see dialogue from any of the other party members or story content, please document how you were able to escape and report it here or on Discord (https://discord.gg/bMS9ktw).
- At this point, I am confident that save files made here in the Alpha #1 build will be able to be carried over all the way to the merged 5.0 retail build, so long as we don't find something game shattering in between now and then. That being said, I am also confident that all save files made on the 4.X builds will not be compatible with 5.0 and future builds. For clarification: the current default branch of the game is a 4.X build. A New Game file is required to participate in this test. If you do not participate in the test, a New Game file will be required once 5.0 is the default live branch.
- Expected play time of the default build: ~8 hours.
- Expected play time of the 0.01 build: ~15 minutes.
- Try to break it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Expectations for the 0.02 build:
- Expanded minigame area.
- First major Day 1 quest.
- Activation of Phoenix Ash and the first Shoreline quest.
Alpha Opt-In Instructions
1. With the Steam client open, right click Cross of Auria and select Properties
2. In the new window, navigate to the Betas tab
3. Enter the following beta access code: version5alpha
4. Press the "opt-in" button and make sure the branch listed is "alpha5 - 5.0 Alpha Branch" in the drop down menu. Then, it is safe to exit this menu.
To switch back to the retail version of the game, select "None" in the drop down menu instead.
Changelog (This is from the "x. Patch Notes" file found inside the game folder)
0.01 [5.0 Alpha Build #1, Test Date: June 23, 2021]
- Some zones are save restricted.
- Do not play your regular file while 5.0 alpha builds are installed. Also, do not play your 5.0 save file while the regular build is installed.
What's In This Version:
- Expanded intro up to Day 1 Lvell. Progression past this point is blocked. The upcoming Day 1 events take place in between waking up from the Veil scene and meeting Jack on Day 2.
- Access to DLC is available starting at Ruby's House. Activate the statue next to the teleport pad.
-- The events in Lvell are not yet placed.
- Lvell Guards prevent progress toward Jack, Scarlet Cavern, Auria.
- The Colosseum basement events, The Pit, and DLC are accessible from the new room in Ruby's house.
- Framework for a new area (Battleground #) has been placed in the area north of Lvell.
-- Ability to recruit allies.
-- Function for dismissing hired allies when Ruby leaves the area, returns party members.
-- Function for dismissing party members when Ruby enters the area, returned hired Allies.
-- Progression is not currently set up.
-- Wood, Food, Leather, Oil, Iron, Coal, Steel, Stone, Silver Piece, and Gold Piece have been added to the item database as currency for this area.
What To Look For: Look for these and other bugs and report them on Discord!
- The orc war world map should not be accessible.
- There should be no soldier or vendor NPCs in Lvell.
- Only Lvell, Shoreline, Battleground, and Veil zones should be accessible.
- If you found everything in the Veil, the first torch should light up in the trophy hall.
- Dialogue with characters who are not yet in the party should not happen.
New:
- Intro slightly expanded.
- Battleground area under construction.
- Day 1 version of Lvell (currently restricted).
Fixes:
- Removed unused dialogue for the Moderate HP Potion Recipe in Ruby's house.
- The dialogue for pickups in the Elcott Mansion now matches the item received. Players who have already looted this location before 4.1.4.4 will be able to return and loot it again.
Changes:
- The Founder's Pack DLC, Headless Horseman DLC, Colosseum, and Hall of Challengers now have warp-in entrances from the Veil. This new Veil location will be accessible consistently throughout the game and from various interconnected points throughout the world.
- Ruby's Basement has been sealed off. DLC is no longer contained in that location.
- The Trophy Hall has been moved from Ruby's House to the Veil.
- Rift Beasts are now Soul type. Soul enemies have the following resistance changes (higher # = more weakness | 0 = immune)
-- Arcane (*167), Ghost (*133), Poison (*67), Soul (*50), Holy (*33), Psychic (*0)
- Details changed for the Poison ring from Den An'ura.
- It is not possible to engage the Frost Titan until the Old Junk is delivered if it is picked up. Moving forward is still possible if the item is never picked up or if the quest is completed.
- Minor terrain changes to the North and East sides of The Four Kingdoms Area.
Notes:
- Left blockers off map in Lvell. They will block the exit when the events of the day 1 morning are in place. For now, the path is open for testing functionality of the event.