Underrail Forum

Underrail => Development Log => Topic started by: Styg on January 31, 2022, 11:18:30 am

Title: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Styg on January 31, 2022, 11:18:30 am
(https://www.underrail.com/images/devlogs/NYResolution_Cover.png)

Hi guys,

Today we're releasing our last major free content update for Underrail. It's been just a bit over six years since the full release of the base game, and I think that's a nice and round number to rest at. After this we're going to transition to working at about 95% of our collective capacity on our next project known under codename Infusion. You can see what's this project about and follow its development here: stygiansoftware.com/infusion (https://stygiansoftware.com/infusion). We should start posting dev logs there more regularly soon.

However, this does not mean that we're completely done with this game. We intend to support it as long as we exist as a company and also periodically release small content updates which will mostly feature mechanical tweaks, as well new items and abilities. We have quite a robust system for creating interesting items at this point, which we intend to use to further extend Underrail's playstyle catalogue so to speak.

Also we have some bigger features planned for the future, such as better adapting the game's UI and controls to Steam Deck, creating tools for community translation projects, potentially porting the game to other platforms, and more.

Another distinct possibility is an additon of a small paid DLC for Underrail, as there are some substantial gameplay mechanics that we initially planned to add in the second DLC (following Expedition), but were left in a state of limbo after we decided to move onto Infusion instead.

Exactly when any of these things will come about, I do not know. They will mostly require me to spend my programming time on them, which I will not have much to spare as Infusion is going to occupy most of it in the coming years. So don't expect rapid progress in any of the things mentioned above.

Before I hit you with all the bullet points, here's an important notice: due to the nature and quantity of changes made, the update will first be deployed onto the Experimental branch.

To play experimental branch on Steam, you right click the game in your library and go to "Betas" tab. To do so on GOG Galaxy, you go to Manage Installation -> Configure. Make sure you don't override all your live version saves just in case something goes horribly wrong.

Now, without further ado, here's the list of changes and additions that come with this update, minus the secret stuff, of course:

MAJOR STUFF
UI
Feats
Specializations
Items
Ammo
Crafting
Quests/Zones/NPCs
Tweaks
Bugs
Let us know how you like the additions and changes.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Azura_04 on January 31, 2022, 11:46:43 am
Very interesting update. Was worth the wait. Underrail is probably one of the best Indies I have ever played. My expectations for Infusion are high. I'm sure you guys will fulfill it tenfold. Hope you guys also enjoyed your vacation!

Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: sinsire on January 31, 2022, 11:58:06 am
Quote
Characters can now save up to 10 action points at the end of their turn and add those to their next turn

Quote
All-in now decreases intelligence by 3 instead of increasing it

Quote
New random events, some of them seasonal, and some related to the player's house
Introduced Jookhela's drawing skills to the world
Increased requirements for achieving Brutalizer/Brutalette gladiator nicknames, so they shouldn't be so predominant now
The Black Crawler now drops an oddity item when killed
New entries in the Institute of Tchort library, some of which contain blueprints and will require a special card
New skill checks for Octavia, Vuk and Kiro that will unlock certain items for trading

New content and bunch of significant changes! After it goes live it would be great to play the final version.

Quote
We intend to support it as long as we exist as a company and also periodically release small content updates which will mostly feature mechanical tweaks, as well new items and abilities. We have quite a robust system for creating interesting items at this point, which we intend to use to further extend Underrail's playstyle catalogue so to speak.

Quote
We are due for just one more content update before we shift fully to the Infusion project. From that point onwards there will be minor addition to the game, at least until the Infusion is released. But more on that in the next dev log.

Quote
Another distinct possibility is an additon of a small paid DLC for Underrail, as there are some substantial gameplay mechanics that we initially planned to add in the second DLC (following Expedition), but were left in a state of limbo after we decided to move onto Infusion instead.

Exactly when any of these things will come about, I do not know. They will mostly require me to spend my programming time on them, which I will not have much to spare as Infusion is going to occupy most of it in the coming years. So don't expect rapid progress in any of the things mentioned above.

Ok, see you in 20+ years =)
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Under-The-Wind on January 31, 2022, 01:53:30 pm
Fantastic. Incredible the amount of support your team provides for the game. Congrats and thanks for the update - looking forward to Infusion.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: UnLimiTeD on January 31, 2022, 08:10:27 pm
Gotta love the pun in the update name.
Also, that is looking positively scrumptious.
Gotta love the slow expanding of viable playstyles.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: spleen.ii on February 01, 2022, 08:52:25 am
I really like this update.
The new interface and overhauled graphic experience is really enjoyable. Smooooooth !
The modified uniques don't seem to be better than their crafted counterparts but give something different.
Small question though : Shouldn't special abilities from unique weapon be affected by your perks ? Ie : Shouldn't the burst ability of the gluck be affected by bullet time ? At the moment it stays at 30 action point. But I could understand if it was for balance reason.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Ploluap on February 01, 2022, 01:58:37 pm
Thank you for this final update !

Finally the poison knife hehe, i remember requesting that a long time ago.

Thanks again and happy new year to the team, hope you'll have a great time working on infusion.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Amannamedsquid on February 01, 2022, 04:42:48 pm
Great stuff. Guess it's time for another run.

Looking forward to encountering Jookhela's art.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Mocade on February 01, 2022, 08:51:40 pm
Very nice update, well done.  :)
Take your time with Infusion.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: nosaM on February 02, 2022, 05:03:11 am
Great update. Looking forward for infusion.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Mindless on February 02, 2022, 09:04:58 am
Great Job! I never thought i would see the day when weapon poisoning and unique weapons upgrades will come to the game.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: apollounderrail on February 02, 2022, 11:39:48 pm
Very well done. It really shows that the devs actually love their game.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Ravager on February 03, 2022, 01:34:21 am
What's the new Core City questline? Is it Gorsky?

One-shoting Tchort still viable?
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Mocade on February 04, 2022, 04:48:43 pm
Quote
Base ability values are no longer capped at 20, but instead the maximum bonus on top of the base value that you can accumulate is 10

Umm, can i ask what does it mean precisely? I cannot have 11 points anymore anywhere? No more ability checks like 12 perception or +10 agility?
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Hazard on February 04, 2022, 05:59:35 pm
Umm, can i ask what does it mean precisely? I cannot have 11 points anymore anywhere? No more ability checks like 12 perception or +10 agility?
It means you could theoretically have over 20 base ability points (impossible since you can only ever get 6 + 2 extra base ability points from level ups and feats), and on top of that you could also get up to 10 bonus ability points from equipment, food, drugs, etc. What this means in practice is that you can have, say, 18 base Strength and you can then wear Rathound Regalia for +1 STR, use Vitality Powder for +4 STR, Supersoldier Drug for +2 STR, and finally All-in for +3 STR, bringing your total Strength up to 28, which is the new maximum combined ability score.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Mocade on February 04, 2022, 06:47:03 pm
It means you could theoretically have over 20 base ability points (impossible since you can only ever get 6 + 2 extra base ability points from level ups and feats), and on top of that you could also get up to 10 bonus ability points from equipment, food, drugs, etc. What this means in practice is that you can have, say, 18 base Strength and you can then wear Rathound Regalia for +1 STR, use Vitality Powder for +4 STR, Supersoldier Drug for +2 STR, and finally All-in for +3 STR, bringing your total Strength up to 28, which is the new maximum combined ability score.

ahh, i see now, thank you for clarifying :)
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Daedelus on February 11, 2022, 03:00:29 pm
Thanks for the patch ! I'll start a new playthrough as soon as it goes live.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Mark The Red on February 15, 2022, 01:58:36 am
GOG version is still set to 1.4.4.5, this is very concerning...
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Under-The-Wind on February 15, 2022, 02:20:51 am
GOG version is still set to 1.4.4.5, this is very concerning...

The New Year's Resolution patch has not been released on stable yet, as per the original post by Styg.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Mark The Red on February 15, 2022, 05:02:44 am
GOG version is still set to 1.4.4.5, this is very concerning...

The New Year's Resolution patch has not been released on stable yet, as per the original post by Styg.

For those that read, yep :-[ . Thanks, looking forward to the stable version, can't wait.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: beyond.wudge on February 18, 2022, 11:43:40 am
You can get the 1.1.5.5 on GOG using the Settings button > manage installation > configure > beta channels > experimental (downloaded and confirmed that it is so).  I've been playing it on Steam and haven't had any stability issues.  Anyways, hope that helps.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: Mark The Red on February 18, 2022, 08:22:20 pm
Thank you, i learned that after reading through the whole post again.

I just have a bias of playing anything before it is "officially" released, so i am hesitant to play something "experimental" or "beta" and potentially have a bad experience.

Whenever i remember playing the unlatched Pathfinder Kingmaker....ugh...
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: hilf on February 26, 2022, 11:50:20 am
How do we choose between the new and the old UI?
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: WeiJayTan on February 26, 2022, 01:00:28 pm
How do we choose between the new and the old UI?

In options, in the 'Interface' tab, the 'Interface Size' option.
Selecting the 'Classic' option should put the old UI on.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: hilf on February 26, 2022, 02:08:31 pm
Thank You. It worked.
Title: Re: Dev Log #71: New Year's Resolution
Post by: dnemes on February 26, 2022, 04:18:25 pm
Just wanted to state my immense and unending appreciation for the reduced save and load times since the 1.1.5.x patch. Thanks guys for the great update!