Build 1047 - Tweaks and Modding Fixes

We’ve been working with modders this week on getting some specific issues fixed and a few examples of “how to do X” in preparation for that modding showcase. Particular thanks to Norill, Skinney, and Rayne along with the rest of the testers and anyone posting in that call to arms thread.

Other changes this build are mostly minor, with a gameplay focus.

Pictured: Common fear of many Australians, now tweaked for more balance despite my fondness for crying enemies.

• Water ammo only stuns through shield on a direct hit
  This prevents water spam from being too detrimental and counter-competitive; It’s a change that’s been on the list for quite a while, but as expected it was somewhat fiddly to do properly over the net.


• Arrows take no damage from jabs, only slashes.


• Water arrows splash when killed rather than turning into one bit of wood.


• Fire arrows do 2 full hearts of damage instead of 1.75 hearts (1 heart on hit, 1 heart of burn)


• Fixed mods not downloading new files the next time.


• Fixed not being able to load maps from Mods/ folders.


• Added example custom tile mod - note that this is only the tip of the iceberg, to have a tile that takes damage, animates etc you have to roll a lot more of your own code, which is not for the faint of heart.


• Fixed joining modded server the first time often crashing.


• Joining modded servers only preloads used files (much faster joins for small/simple mods)

Full Changelog:

[modified] gold stacks to 500, not 1k per inventory slot
[added] increased burn time - fire arrows now do 1heart damage + 1heart burn
[script][fixed] getPlayer(i) should return null now when player count is 0 or index is wrong
[fixed] mod loaded only on 1st time game launched
[fixed] mods not loading or crashing on 2nd server join
[modified] water bombs don't stun through shield unless on a direct hit
[added] water arrows stun shielded knights only on direct hit
[fixed] tresflags map being "cut off" by the no build zone at the top
[fixed] mods not updating by force downloading every time
[added][fixed] can load maps from Mod folders by adding map name to mapcycle without need for extension
[added] example for new block in scripts
[script] made it a bit easier to handle custom tiles in mods (use a modded CustomBlocks.as)
[modified] arrows cannot be jabbed, only slashed.
[modified] just first day of playing won't show modded servers (was 2)
[fixed] joining modded server 1st time resulting in crashes
[modified] joining server only preloads used files (significantly faster joining)

Have Fun!

Max/Geti

Build 1043 Hotfix - Patcher Typo

Due to a small typo in the patcher code, some files may have been moved outside of your KAG folder with the last build. While this won’t be undone with this patch, it should prevent any new files from ending up there.

While this should not cause any harm whatsoever to your computer, it will have caused a little bit of clutter in your folders that you may want to clean up.

To undo the clutter caused by this:

• Navigate to the directory above your KAG directory (if you have KAG installed at C:KAG, check C:)


• Check if there is a folder called “old” - if there isn’t, no clutter was caused.


• If there is, check that the only contents of “old” are KAG related (usually a folder called “Base” with some “storage” files in it).


• If that’s all that’s in there, you can safely delete “old” to be clear of clutter. If not, use your best judgement for the other files, as they may belong to some other program.

Steam users should be unaffected. I have no concrete knowledge of if Desura users will be affected or not, but I think they probably will be. Users with a “normal” standalone install will definitely be affected, including servers.

As there is no version number change for this patch, server availability should be more or less unaffected (though servers will automatically restart themselves as usual normal).

THD apologises for this mix up.

I can shed more light on any individual concerns you may have in the forum thread for this announcement.

Cheers,

Max/Geti

Build 1043 - Back to Reality

No more endless love I’m afraid.

This build also contains a few bugfixes and an exciting community addition, the storage cache. Thanks to Skinney for this nice object.

This fancy storage has a “drop all” button and a way of accessing the stuff that’s inside. We may be tweaking the interface just a little (making the drop all button vanish if you’re not carrying anything), but it’s functional and fun, so no more dinghy storages in CTF.

There’s also no build zones at the edge of the map to avoid “infinite jump” cheats, and some minor fixes for admins and modders.

Full Changelog:

[removed] valentines event code.
[added] CTF storage from Skinney
[added] Extra "no build" zones on the edge of the map from Skinney
[added] camera rotation and position is cleared on disconnect.
[fixed] /restartmap actually nextmapping
[fixed] some bugs in file replacer

Have Fun!

Max/Geti

Progress Update

Hi, I’m Roland, the programmer for Storm2D. I’ve been working on re-doing the auto update system for the last few weeks and now it’s working well. Although we’ll have to switch to http in the future. We’ve had a private release that went well, no crashes on the server at least. I’ve got enough bugs to fix to keep me going for a long time but we’re starting to get there. If you haven’t already, join our forums at http://forum.storm2d.net

Blink Bundle - Pick up KAG and 9 other games for five bucks or more!

Visit the Blink Bundle site HERE

It must be the time of year for crazy sales again, cause you can get KAG “50% off” (including a steam key!) and 9 other games on top of that! Even if you’ve already got a copy of KAG, check it out, there are some other great games there and you can always gift the code to a friend.

Have fun!

Max/Geti

Modding Showcase Applications

Attention any modders keen for exposure!

We’re planning on doing a modding showcase video to be posted to youtube and steam, and are interested in fun mods to show. Mods suggested should have some graphical changes that would be evident in video, and ideally a PG-13 compatible name to be overlayed on the video ;^)

Mods need to either be simple to set up for offline recording or have a server hosting them (post a resources link or the name of the server in the thread). We’ll post a list of displayed mods along with a link or server name in the video description.

I’ll be approaching a few of the modders I’m closer to directly but I’m sure I’ll miss a few gems out there. This is also probably a good time to clean up and “publish” any mods you’ve had in development for a while if you want some extra “free” attention. Looking forward to seeing your best!

Cheers,

Max/Geti

Build 1033 - Valentines!

Spread the love this valentines! Even to filthy reds!

Special thanks to community member norill for the event scripts.

This build the mapcycle randomisation has also been improved, with maps now being taken from/added to a “stale pool” that comprises 50% of the list of maps, so there should be no repeats and an otherwise very random cycle giving a more unpredictable play experience. I can go into this more in the thread in case people don’t understand what’s going on behind the scenes.

Build should be out in the next hour or so - build server has been slow at the moment, sorry folks!

Have Fun,

Max/Geti

Why games fail at first contact

I believe any kind of entertainment is a failure if it doesn’t give you direct pleasure at first contact.

In computer games you often get a title screen and company and publisher credits which you can’t skip. You press space, enter, escape, smash the keyboard. Can’t skip it. Gotta watch the carefully rendered animation made for some ego-centric publisher to show that it was his money put into the game.

The first experience of a game like this is - frustration. This theme continues, later with menus and long loading times. You put up with it because you paid money and now you believe it will be worth it.

Most likely it won’t be. Because if the game developer wasn’t conscious of serving you frustration right at the beginning, then how the hell can he be conscious of serving you other feelings - like fun and excitement?

I believe a game should just rocket launch you into action. You don’t have time to wait. You want to play it - right here right now. You want instant satisfaction and instant pleasure - at first contact. You run it, you touch it, you control it. You dive straight into the game world - It feels good. You’re having fun. And that’s how it should be. And this is how Cartridge will feel.

MM

Hotfix for Build 1026 - Server Disconnects

A hotfix is slowly rolling out that should fix a bug resulting in everyone being disconnected from servers. An upgrade isn’t mandatory but will obviously benefit server owners. We apologise for the games likely ruined occasionally by this bug over the past few days.

Have fun!

Max/Geti

Build 1026 minor patch - added Japanese servers

Hey,

We’ve just added 2 new official servers hosted in Japan. This patch changes their colour in the server browser. 

Regards,
Furai/Lucas

Build 1026 - Miscellaneous Improvements

This build has many nice new features for all:

• Colour Coded Server Browser
  The server browser now displays official servers in gold, and modded servers in blue, so you can find the play experience you’re after more easily, and so it’s clear if any mods need to be downloaded without clicking anything.


• Time-Based Vanilla-Only Filter
  The Vanilla-Only filter turns itself off after 1 day of play now, to help modded servers get more traffic.


• Item Spam Prevention
  Thanks to a modified script by community member ZeroZ30o a bunch of easily-spammed items will quickly decay if there are too many in one spot.


• AFK’s will Auto-Disconnect
  Thanks to community member Norill for the majority of this script. This is effective in CTF, TTH and Sandbox at the moment (and any other mode with rounds longer than 5 mintues)


• Fixed “Simple” Lighting
  Mainly for TDM, where lighting is more nuisance than fun, but might also be welcome on small CTF servers, and will make the game run slightly faster for players with weak computers on those servers.


• Fixed Bans, Whitelist
  Server bans and whitelist are now fully functional again.


• Lots of Community Maps
  Maps from community members 8x, Asumagic, Joiken, Srgt_Sneaky-Pants and kodysch have been added to the TDM cycle to spice up that mode.


• Map Shuffle More Random
  The map shuffle is “more random” (whatever that means), and the cycle is re-randomised each 15 minutes (rather than every 12 hours).

Full Changelog:

[modified] drop items on class change at shops (consistency purposes)
[added] a bunch of tdm maps from the community
[fixed] random map shuffle is more random now
[fixed] people being able to "cheat" unique/blank heads.
[fixed] game auto-restarting even when noautoupdate set
[fixed] ban reason strings not getting applied correctly ("/ban Sedgewick -1 Relentless griefer" should work properly now)
[fixed] IP banning local IP addresses (omits 178.etc block at the moment)
[fixed] whitelist/blacklist/ignorelist getting corrupted on load
[added] ability to color servers list box
[added] links to script docs in some txt files
[added] modded and official servers are marked with color
[added] non-vanilla servers should be disabled only for first day of playing
[fixed] massive typo bug in checking blacklist
[fixed] reloading security would not automatically "expire" any already expired bans for a few minutes
[fixed] ban time not checked at the time of joining, so bans lasted longer than they should
[added] script to automatically kick AFK players - thanks norill! (note: doesn't work on TDM or any gamemode with rounds shorter than about 5 minutes)
[added] Lanterns, Crates, Buckets, Boulders, Sponges automatically decay if spammed, adapted from script by ZeroZ30o
[fixed] no_shadowing bool in gamemode.cfg
[added] no_shadowing to TDM
[added] no "spikey" script CPU usage by staggering based on blob network ID
[added] 2 more 8x maps
[modified] maps are randomised each 15 minutes (previous over-randomisation was causing too much doubling up)

Have Fun!

Max/Geti

Pare down to the essence, but don’t remove the poetry.

New Build This Week

We’re working towards releasing a new build of KAG this week, with many improvements for the average player, modders, and server admins.

• Bans and Whitelist Fixed
  A long standing issue with bans has been fixed, and the whitelist has also been fixed for those that want private servers. Bans by username, and IP should work properly again. As a bonus, ban reasons now work and are reflected in the blacklist file and under /listbans


• Server Browser more Intuitive
  We’ve added colour support to the server browser, so official servers will show up gold, and modded servers will show up blue. This gives players more visual cues without clicking anything, so they’re better informed as to what they’re joining. The “vanilla only” filter will also automatically turn itself off after a day of being registered so that new players can more easily find modded servers.


• More TDM Maps
  Exactly what it says on the tin :) Many community maps, from 8x, Asumagic, Joiken, and kodysch have been included in the default map cycle, and a larger one from Sgnt_Sneaky-Pants has been included separately in case any hosts want to run a different TDM experience.


• Mapycle Randomisation Fixed
  Hosts may have noticed that the randomisation was quite lacking before, it should be quite a bit more engaging now, especially useful for TDM or small CTF servers.

There are a couple of miscellaneous fixes in the mix as well, but you’ll have to wait for the changelog for those. Should be out on Friday if testing goes smoothly.

Cheers,

Max/Geti

I like my games no bullshit

I like my games no bullshit.

No complicated controls, the need for tutorials, unnecesary menus, long instructions, introductions, cut scenes and filler features. No loading times, title screens, installers, big downloads and sketchy pricing schemes. No waiting years for it to come out, endless patches and changes, microtransactions and DLC, 

Time to stop the bullshit!

I only want the pure enjoyment and satisfaction of playing a great video game.

MM

[gallery]

Hi there, I’m Marc Castellanos aka Skykanden and I’m the artist for Storm2d
Some work in progress on the ingame HUD, every class will have it’s own variation.

Stormdev-Old

development blog of a new Soldat clone

We’ve moved blogs. Click here to see our old one!

Stormdev-Old