Status Report

You could get through the Mad Wizard's door by just casting Knock, rather than doing the 10-Item-Mother-of-All-Fedex-Quests.

 

Who said there wasn't going to be an alternative route? :eyebrow:

Initially I was ok with it, because its a legit RP option and I want the game to have more than one way to do things, but there is something a bit absurd about going on a long complicated quest to do it, or casting an obvious 2nd level spell. Not to mention the idea that a wizard, however mad, left such an obvious weakness in his otherwise cunning scheme doesn't sit well with me.

 

Ewwwwwww this is dragging out... always seems to be one more thing to do.

One more thing that I did do is add the raiders' map to the Demo, since otherwise poeple may not even realise what they have been waiting for (since it is mostly behind-the-scenes tweaks). Otherwise I have tried to avoid including new content, because new content means new chances of bugs. but this means one more new area at least: here is a screenshot of a set piece you encounter along the way

 

Eeek! Another month, another apology. :nervous: This patch is inching to completion: I mainly have some 'tying up loose ends' to do, such as adding some new sounds and portraits Half Knight and Gaear made. Very little to do, being held up simply by how little time I have to work on anything: sometimes I go days at a time without having the slightest time to mod.

On a happier note (from the modding perspective), wife and baby are heading overseas in a few weeks, I will then have an entire month where-in I can come home and have no domestic duties and concentrate on modding, followed by 2 weeks overseas myself which I have made very clear I regard as HOLIDAY time (NOT 'visit every relative in SE Asia' time) and since I now have a laptop to take along, I can get a lot of modding done then too Maybe even get some done on the plane.

 

Well I am hoping I can get it out well before I leave, but while I am gone I can get a lot done (I hope).

On a happier note, I seem to have fixed the CTD people were having on leaving the Thieves' Guild. The mobs on that map were a mess (note I wasn't responsible for all of them ) I am amazed it ever loaded at all.

 

Ok, for the last couple weeks I have been overhauling EVERY MAP in the game. Only little things like lighting, sectoring, pathing etc, but this will have a number of benefits:

1) Lighting and sectoring improvements will mean slightly better gameplay

2) EVERY MAP has its townmaps done, pixel-perfect and in two sizes (so you can zoom. You do know you can zoom the townmaps, right?)

3) Should nail those damn CTDs since every map is now set up properly

4) Proper pathing on the big maps! Yes, even that cursed spider forest is done - you can now move the whole party from the start to the spider queen with a single click :mrhappy: Ditto the Hermit map.

Just the insect mound left to do, then that bit is done

 

Ok, I am very happy to say that the long-awaited Demo patch is finished, and hopefully I will be able to pack it and upload it sometime later today. At this point it is being internally released for beta testing, public release ASAP after that.

I mainly came on to say I have done the last thing: I added a couple of meta-magic components just to give them a go. They worked first time, which is pretty rare for me Here is an example of Cat's Grace, with and without its metamagic component.

 

Okay, the patch is done, its uploaded, its being downloaded and tested right now! Lets hope its pleasantly bug-free and can be passed on to you long-suffering folks asap.

 

Well, I'm very happy to say that's one of the things that has been addressed for the upcoming release, at least on the main map where it was most noticable.

Speaking of long development times, check out the Ultima 6 Project: it began in 2001 and is still chugging manfully away (and I, for one, can't wait to play the finished version). Much more complicated mod than KotB, I hasten to add.

 

I am very happy to say testing is going well, barely half-dozen bugs found so far. I am spending my time playing and changing the tiny things (like setting Angela's hair to blue).

EDIT: I am having players killed pretty regularly, so at least its not too easy