Summery summary 2017

[Sami]

So, the new forums are up and running, some content popping up here and there - and all seems to be quite well at this new discussions settlement of ours. Nice!

Thought of posting a little summary about some upcoming new features, and when to expect them. This is something that's been probably originally posted at the old forums, but we'll hereby bring the completely new forum members on track as well.

So summer it is, and we've been steadily trucking towards yet another version. Once it's wrapped up it's gonna be summer holidays for me, and new features in UnReal World for you. Summer it is, despite of the current weather in Finland including little snow and sleet every now and then, chilly days and almost frosty nights. But the weather engine still isn't bugged I'm hopeful that maybe in July we could have a new release out. Like always, we're adding new features on many different fronts but let's highlight some of the probably most widely interesting here:

* Bones and antlers

Antlers and bones can be now harvested from carcassess.
They have only little usage on their own but do serve as trophies and new raw materials to be utilized via modding if you like.

* Skulls and teeth

Skulls can be now harvested from a few species of dead animals whose skulls (or teeth) have meaningful ritual or magical usage. Skulls can be furthermore applied to pick teeth from them. Bear teeth for example are well-known for their magical powers.

Screenshot: By the sacred bear memorial rite tree Panu takes a look at the sturdy bones after hanging the bear skull in place.


* New spells, more spells, spells screen overhaul

We're giving up the old ritual system for good, and now focusing on the new kind of spells and spells system first showcased in version 3.40. This means removal of some of the old spells, but also featuring more and more new spells.

Ritual screen will be known as "Spells and magic means" screen and all the new spells are listed there as well. "New spells" refers to spells featured in version 3.40, which are learned within quests and performed by following the instructions given in spell description by using the common game mechanics and actions.

Currently you can view new spell descriptions only in the quest journal, but now it all will be available within the spells screen. Whenever a new spell is learned it will also appear in this new list of spells.

Bringing the selector on a any spell in the list displays its information dialog. If necessary, a selection is then made by mouse click or enter. In addition, there are also hotkeys for quick spell selection.
In case of the new manually and mechanically performed spells the spell selection merely shows the spell description and instructions to follow in order to perform the spell.
The old spells (eg. blood-stanching incantation) are colored differently and automatically put to action upon selection.

Screenshot: The new spells screen with quite a bit of spells known. Hovering the selector over the first spell shows the description.

   
* Cubs and calves - rise of the young animals

Cubs and calves have been added for relevant wild animal species eg. elks, bears, reindeer, hares etc.
In case of large species ie. elks and bears, the young ones usually follow their mothers in the wild for a full year after the birth. So, now you may occasionally encounter an elk mother wandering together with her calf, or a bear mother followed by her cub. Mother animals may act more unexpectedly or aggressively than usual when they're still taking care of their young ones -- and that's especially true in case of bears.

Few screenshots - the adventures of fghfg among cubs and calves
Bear mother with its cub. Careful now. You don't want to position yourself in between those two.


Ooo.. isn't that sweet... not a hunting day today.


* Ant nests

   For some this is a mere curiosity, for some an absolute necessity. Anyhow, ant nests can be now found in the forest. They are needed in performing certain spells but have no other use to the player character currently.

Screenshot: It's raining - and it's ant nest!



And finally, something to highlight about upcoming Steam goodies...

UnReal World Steam Trading Cards

Trading Cards for UnReal World are coming this summer. Yet again we like to do things with deep thought, love, ambition and talent and that's why the card artwork is drawn by Finnish comic artist Tuuli Hypén. (Some of you may remember her classic "conflict in the woods" drawing based on the old title screen.)
We've cherished and talked about the card themes and plots during the spring, the creation is in progress, and below you can find a sneak preview collage consisting of drafts, sketches and semi-finished artwork.

Trading Cards are likely to be launched even before the actual next version is finished. We'll start with six cards, and most likely expand the pack in the future. Prepare yourselves, foreign and domestic card traders!




This is upcoming stuff, not yet featured in the current version 3.40

[Labtop 215]

I like the re-work and expansion of the ritual system.

Currently it's a little to easy to abuse I think since there's rarely any cost and they always improve something important.  It's like you always have to do them or you are missing out.

For instance, is it always reasonable to make an oath of iron with 10 hand-axes, and use them like they are homing missiles?  Is it reasonable to call in a fox every day for a steady supply of fox hides to trade with?  Never get ambushed?  And the like...

[Plotinus]

This is great!

[toxoide]

awesome!, i only would need some straw to pick those ants and get a meal while starving! :p, every step forward makes the next more likely, thanks for keeping in motion

[BTA]

Thank you Sami and all who contribute to this adventure. I imagine so much must be going on that I can not know about to make it possible.