tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79034284914507938812024-03-05T16:29:21.834+10:00WazHack<a href="http://www.wazhack.com">Play WazHack!</a>Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-4060778393003857912022-05-08T10:47:00.005+10:002022-05-08T10:47:38.705+10:00WazHack 1.4 is here!<a href="https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/264160/view/3115934864079262780" target="_blank">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WGoumyIpcCA7R8i_bVqz3ydH1_iHJstbCW18kCIEjtFfYs9p38xvX62NXFKprkc4k9V3Ac7vDYGQVg1i0PN2RHYLb7cjAlDANRGih4coCo2GB7gh8rOBYqPtu6_aeLB8jtFk0tGuRrKP_15LWy0N-38GF1SJNd4StdFjUu75WFVe230OegSGmPaX1w/s2108/event_library_spotlight_banner_14.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="100%" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="2108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WGoumyIpcCA7R8i_bVqz3ydH1_iHJstbCW18kCIEjtFfYs9p38xvX62NXFKprkc4k9V3Ac7vDYGQVg1i0PN2RHYLb7cjAlDANRGih4coCo2GB7gh8rOBYqPtu6_aeLB8jtFk0tGuRrKP_15LWy0N-38GF1SJNd4StdFjUu75WFVe230OegSGmPaX1w/s600/event_library_spotlight_banner_14.png"/></a></div>
</a>
<p>
With great thanks to all the beta testers, I am proud to announce version 1.4 of WazHack.
<p>
This release adds new items, new monsters, and a whole new side-dungeon to celebrate 10 years since WazHack was first released. I won't spoil the details except to say you'll find the new dungeon pretty early in the game.
<p>
Modding is now officially supported! Check out the workshop for new playable classes from the wonderful WazHack player community.
<p>
Many old bugs have been fixed and the UI polished up. Some of the bugs enabled some crazy tricks by expert players so along with every fix to these... tactics... I've put in a fairly equivalent but bug-free trick for you to discover.
<p>
Under the hood this version was a massive effort, porting the entire codebase from 10% to 100% C#, which allowed switching to the latest engine version to support all modern hardware and operating systems and allow higher quality rendering.
<p>
I hope you enjoy this fresh new release, and I look forward to continuing WazHack development!
<p>
--<br>
WazWazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-11331016915033209562015-10-16T11:13:00.001+10:002022-03-27T02:07:20.894+10:00WazHack 1.3 is here!<b>New items! New monsters! New beliefs in gods and the lack of evidence for gods!</b><br />
<br />
Today the new big free update to the game went live to all players<span style="font-size: x-small;">*</span> - thanks to all the help from players of the beta!<br />
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This release adds some major new game mechanics to spice up your next playthrough.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NZMXv53vO0GoEU5zard9NfaYOPLeU0F4sLl79bKx17mZOd_6XtLC8NZcT2xga-6lhSfl9PlxShwMURVsOBjeRrFcrYRxDTknAJG-ltNrrbiI7an1-JS22jihEUYw6BAHP75mhkECu-0i/s1600/ThorZap.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NZMXv53vO0GoEU5zard9NfaYOPLeU0F4sLl79bKx17mZOd_6XtLC8NZcT2xga-6lhSfl9PlxShwMURVsOBjeRrFcrYRxDTknAJG-ltNrrbiI7an1-JS22jihEUYw6BAHP75mhkECu-0i/s400/ThorZap.png" width="307" /></a></div>
First are <b>Beliefs</b>: each class has a belief in some inner or higher power which they can call upon for help. Whether your a wizard bursting a blood vessel or a follower of Odin, when the going gets tough, the tough can call on the the even tougher to keep going. You'll want to experiment with each class and alignment to see what works best for your play style. Some classes have the same belief but note the difference alignments can make.<br />
<br />
The second more minor mechanic is <b>Eggs</b>. You'll need to work out for yourself what uses these have... beyond a tasty cooked breakfast.<br />
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This version also includes many small new features, including new items and monsters, and slight tweaks to some of the game imbalances reported over the last year. The underlying engine has also been updated, which re-enables the <b>Cloth physics</b> last seen in version 1.0. Enjoy the Valkyrie's new hairstyle!<br />
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This release also adds support for Android TV, so if you have a supported TV or settop box, give it a go there too!<br />
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Get it here for your favourite platforms:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/264160/">PC/Mac/Linux on Steam</a></li>
<li><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wazhack.WazHack">Android and Android TV</a></li>
<li><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/wazhack/id578208562">iPhones and iPads*</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.wazhack.com/buy">Web version (note: no longer works on Chrome)</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
On a personal note, as the only developer involved in this strange game, I've been extremely humbled by the very positive attitudes of players and the community at large. Without this support, the last year of development and testing would have been a chore instead of the pure pleasure it has been. Thanks!<br />
<br />
--<br />
Waz<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">* except iOS - sorry, it's not fair to hold up other platforms while that build goes through Apple's approval process; I had hoped to pre-approve and release the previous beta build, but a last-minute critical bug fix was needed. Not to worry though - it usually takes less than a week.</span>Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-23742009972713628872015-05-28T14:32:00.001+10:002022-03-27T02:07:13.796+10:00WazHack 1.3 beta now on AndroidThe process is the same as last time, but for those new to the Android beta:<br />
<br />
You need to join this Google+ group (using the same google account as on your Android device):<br />
<br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/communities/103537989330064611533">https://plus.google.com/communities/103537989330064611533</a><br />
<br />
Then you need to opt-in to the beta:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.wazhack.WazHack">https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.wazhack.WazHack</a><br />
<br />
It may take a few hours from this message before you get the update. You'll know you have the new version by the new title screen!<br />
<br />
Reporting bugs in-game is best as it provides the whole game savefile and logs for me to look at.<br />
<br />
I'm running out of time before my trip into the Australian outback in June, so there may be a delay in responding to bugs and posting fixes, but rest assured, I'll be looking at all of them once I return to civilization. Unfortunately, it's looking like the iOS beta will not start until I get back.Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-5212522821554186952015-04-02T14:33:00.001+10:002022-03-27T02:07:07.380+10:00WazHack 1.3 Open Beta is here!<b>The wait is over - the WazHack 1.3 Open Beta is now available on Steam! <br /></b><a href="http://steamcommunity.com/games/264160/announcements/detail/234526162460868833">Follow the action on the WazHack Steam forum.</a><br />
<br />
I won't spoil things here by going into detail of all the stuff that's new - I'll leave you to explore, as there are lots of new features, new details, and a couple of entirely new game mechanics! <br />
<br />
On the purely technical side of things, this version is ported to an updated graphics engine version (Unity 5). The big benefit from that on PC is that Cloth physics, last seen in version 1.0, has finally been brought back - hair and cloth effects are now active (can be turned off in Options/Graphics/Softbodies if they cause any problems). <br />
<br />
To access the beta, right click on "WazHack" in your Steam games list, choose "Properties", then go to the "BETAS" tab and choose "1.3beta1". The game will update and you'll have it! <br />
<br />
The beta is a good time to report any minor inconsistencies you stumble across - when you do X because you thought Y, but nothing happened. Some of these can be done fairly easily, whereas after the beta I tend to just fix actual bugs. At least one of the game mechanics still definitely needs some balancing, but feel free to comment on anything - positively or negatively. <br />
<br />
Please report bugs and other issues here and/or via the menu option. I will be posting frequent updates to the build as bugs are fixed. If I need to break savefile compatibility and you load a character, you'll get a notice to switch to the previous beta (same process). You cannot load savefiles from version 1.2 (you'll need to go back to the Default release to finish those). <br />
<br />
Betas for the web demo and other platforms will commence later in the process. <br />
I hope you enjoy the free update, and thanks for your support over the last year of the Steam release!<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; widows: auto;"><br /></span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cloud-4.steamusercontent.com/ugc/714159522733935569/FE4492BF4A1F737404AD709D9D62BCA2D1FE123F/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cloud-4.steamusercontent.com/ugc/714159522733935569/FE4492BF4A1F737404AD709D9D62BCA2D1FE123F/" height="320" width="225" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; widows: auto;"><br /></span></span>Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-35864734212008031522015-03-31T10:06:00.001+10:002022-03-27T02:07:01.536+10:00WazHack on Steam<div style="text-align: justify;">
WazHack has now been on <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/264160/">Steam</a> for just over a year - and it's been a very interesting and exciting year; so exciting that I forgot to even mention the release on this quiet little blog!
<iframe src="http://store.steampowered.com/widget/264160/?t=Get%20WazHack%20on%20Steam%20and%20enjoy%20playing%20with%20other%20players%2C%20getting%20Achievements%2C%20Trading%20Card%2C%20and%20racing%20up%20the%20Leaderboard." frameborder="0" width="410" height="190" style="float:right; padding:8px"></iframe>
<p>The Steam platform has allowed me to greatly improve the reliability of the Multiplayer networking, and Steam's built-in Friends system makes it much easier to play with your existing friends (and make new ones). Of course, Multiplayer is mostly just a novelty - the real game is in single-player, and for that it also allowed for a better Leaderboard system, though that seems to also have brought out the cheaters (I delete the junk, but I've left the very top "scorer" in the leaderboard as I think that's more of an embarrassment than an achievement).
<br />
<br />
The audience size of Steam is massive - over 8 million players active every day, and about 150 million subscribers in total. This has meant that even a quietly promoted game like WazHack gets enough sales to keep it afloat.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And that's why I've spent the last year working on version 1.3, which includes a load of new features, new game mechanics, and fixes for some of the hairier bugs that couldn't be fixed in a patch for 1.2.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Stay tuned for more on version 1.3!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
--</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Waz</div>Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-52929625183570659992013-12-07T16:14:00.002+10:002022-03-27T02:06:55.636+10:00WazHack 1.2 enters Public BetaWazHack 1.2 is now in BETA!<br />
<br />
Initially, only the Web version is available. You can play it now at: <a href="http://beta.wazhack.com/play">http://beta.wazhack.com/play</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaU2QdywrnWCnw7ycRQUKoIzIMp-XyErDTfO0ofRWJzvo1sZ8WaapKfxtsqweiEFY1V2Xp5IzumjmYn5oyETyrwWe8DY3jGia5iBHfFP9WuPLPm0CNtSGQDB8t3qEsIVRpVOmweLILVw_w/s1600/Rogue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaU2QdywrnWCnw7ycRQUKoIzIMp-XyErDTfO0ofRWJzvo1sZ8WaapKfxtsqweiEFY1V2Xp5IzumjmYn5oyETyrwWe8DY3jGia5iBHfFP9WuPLPm0CNtSGQDB8t3qEsIVRpVOmweLILVw_w/s320/Rogue.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
This release adds 8 new classes - finally your favourite Roguelike actually has a Rogue class! Click the big yellow arrow on the character selection.<br />
<br />
Each new class has brought a new major feature or upgrade to existing features, all of which are relevant to all classes. So while the Bard starts with a Lute, any character could find one (though they are rare of course). The Rogue and Thief similarly use Stealth, which is now much more relevant to how monsters notice you, regardless of what class you are playing. I'll leave you to discover the value of the other classes yourself.<br />
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Talents now must be upgraded together more - no more just going straight to level 3 on a single talent. This is to keep balance while allowing talents to be significantly more powerful at levels 2 and 3.<br />
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In the Guild Hall you'll find the new Achievements list - a good way to keep track of your deepest journey or for veterans to find a harder challenge or two.<br />
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There are also a few more items, and a few new monsters and changes, far too numerous and spoiling to list here.<br />
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I'm only one person so there will be bugs. I'm still nursing a broken arm, but I'll try to fix them as fast as you can report them. The best way to report bugs is via the in-game menu option (it sends a copy of your game for me to analyze). If the problem is more abstract or gameplay related, by all means start a discussion here, or on the <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/WazHack/">Reddit Forum</a>.<br />
<br />
Thanks for helping, I hope you enjoy playing the new classes as much as I enjoyed making them!<br />
<br />
Have a Merry Christmas / Hanukkah / Kwanzaa / Odin's Day!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://beta.wazhack.com/play">http://beta.wazhack.com/play</a><br />
<br />
--<br />
Waz<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-51768584510416460572013-08-20T13:18:00.002+10:002022-03-27T02:06:48.915+10:00Thanks YOGSCAST!Lewis and Simon on YOGSCAST uploaded a hilarious WazHack gameplay video:<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU5r1OQZfpY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU5r1OQZfpY</a><br />
<br />
It generated so many hits on the site that it exceeded the daily quote I had set on my Google account. Serves me right for penny-pinching - I imagined the only way it would exceed 45GB was if there was a bug.Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-83391540699449172022013-05-07T18:30:00.001+10:002022-03-27T02:06:26.897+10:00WazHack - iPhone and iPad!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
WazHack is now available for the iPhone and iPad - download it from the App Store:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/app/id578208562"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAIsslltD_eTBTaMQJXMpuDZpALNzrsgpc_miOE77jZJrr8Ew1lQxgymtZHL_WddEPmQKoGh9YCdA3_n4-vUugop1dPqhtPgsLpwUvafyPIGeOC3n_PO8Gmk45v_uUwJmFgaaHwii5te4/s1600/Download_on_the_App_Store.png" /></a></div>
<br />
The iOS version has a UI designed specially for touch screens, with inventory buttons on the righthand side (they pop up when you select the inventory), and other actions on the left. The UI is scalable too, so you can choose what suits your screen and finger size. When monsters are close, the screen zooms for more precise and fun combat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigybYuIfnAzNwxN9zhApUpQ3xJ5KKUT1lDAoT4546nOTssRbOBkl9cKYYiLiNxsdc80hZRiAC0z1YpMABYFDOBKslzGo2z5e84vtEoj00o7cvDXDn6k3_JNpjTHx03MZCOd0qmxvHE7EJw/s1600/iosproducts.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigybYuIfnAzNwxN9zhApUpQ3xJ5KKUT1lDAoT4546nOTssRbOBkl9cKYYiLiNxsdc80hZRiAC0z1YpMABYFDOBKslzGo2z5e84vtEoj00o7cvDXDn6k3_JNpjTHx03MZCOd0qmxvHE7EJw/s200/iosproducts.png" width="200" /></a>I've taken a slightly different approach to the demo in this version. Instead of $5 for the full dungeon after 300 feet, instead each pair of classes is $1. This should better suit people who have already bought the Web, Windows, or Mac version and just want to play their favourite class on-the-go. If it works well, it also provides an avenue to fund the development of additional classes.<br />
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Thanks for playing WazHack - I hope you have a much fun playing it as I have developing it!<br />
<br />
--<br />
WazWazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-20671156841813557842013-03-27T01:41:00.003+10:002022-03-03T10:37:05.334+10:00WazHack 1.1<p>
After 6 months of development and an intense beta, WazHack 1.1 is now available for Windows, MacOSX and Android. The new content is a free update to the 1.0 version.
<p>
New to WazHack? It's the game where time freezes while you don't move. When you move, enemies move... or perhaps you will use time to quaff a potion, zap a wand, or cast a spell. This time freezing mechanics is reminiscent of Dragon Age or even Braid, but in fact it derives from the original Rogue turn based mechanic.
<p>
WazHack is a roguelike in the same tradition as NetHack or DCSS, but with a whole new 3D visual presentation like none other. You still get "turn based" action, but now a "turn" is a fraction of a second. By removing player reaction time as a concern, you're free to contemplate the vast array of possible items you have in your inventory when faced with a difficult situation, while still being free to hack and slash through a band of weakling kobolds and watch their ragdoll-physics reptilian corpses crumple to the ground.
<p>
There are now over 300 different items in the game, and the new items go quite well with some of the new dungeon features. For example, you may find a small room with a closed door... before you knock on the door it might be a good idea to drop some of your gems and see if they are actually gas bombs, so you can weaken the horde of monsters as they come out of the room.
<p>
The new dungeon branch plays homage to NetHack's "Gnomish Mines". In WazHack, the mine has gnomes, but it also has a mine shaft with an elevator, and some other more deadly industrial advances await you. A pick-axe may come in handy too.
<p>
That's enough spoilers! Get playing and discover it for yourself!<a href="http://www.wazhack.com"> http://www.wazhack.com</a>
Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-65294821338513625402013-03-11T19:37:00.001+10:002022-03-27T02:06:38.558+10:00WazHack 1.1 - Android betaA new build of <a href="http://beta.wazhack.com/">WazHack 1.1 beta3 is online</a>, and this time it includes the <a href="http://beta.wazhack.appspot.com/android">Android APK</a>!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjJ0Roz3Wg-iIw83JAHebAXN-rf6onqL-0BIu4BM7wDjC5OIedAQwuXSNAzRrDs6J9JSly6IZdX4mgo64VIAQzHBqWIaHwM0pnurtFbrz71PVlj-6kTiflrZvpQXvScbt50n4hC5zeXXK/s1600/TrainStone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjJ0Roz3Wg-iIw83JAHebAXN-rf6onqL-0BIu4BM7wDjC5OIedAQwuXSNAzRrDs6J9JSly6IZdX4mgo64VIAQzHBqWIaHwM0pnurtFbrz71PVlj-6kTiflrZvpQXvScbt50n4hC5zeXXK/s200/TrainStone.jpg" width="176" /></a>Thanks to all the great feedback I got on the Web version, I expect this will only need a very short beta period, unless problems show up on specific Android devices. I now have 3 wildly different devices that I test on, and all 3 look great. With all the performance improvements in this release, I've been able to add support for MSAA (anti-aliasing) on Android - looks are works great on my Samsung Galaxy Nexus.<br />
<br />
If you haven't played the 1.1 beta yet, now is the time to get on board. Just be more careful about it that Blacklight here...Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-22830746215586815662013-02-21T14:30:00.003+10:002022-03-22T11:00:02.959+10:00WazHack 1.1 is now in BETA!<br />
WazHack 1.1 is now in BETA! Initially, only the Web version is available. You can play it at: <a href="http://beta.wazhack.com/">http://beta.wazhack.com</a><br />
<br />
This release adds a new dungeon branch, the Gnomish Mines. It's significantly larger and more complex than the Fort Ludios branch, and found at around 500 feet on the left side of the dungeon. I won't say more to spoil anything.<br />
<br />
There are new dungeon features for you to discover - some people have said that the dungeon walls get a bit monotonous and while I completely agree, I didn't want to add purely decorative stuff to improve that. The new stuff is <i>not </i>purely decorative, so watch out!<br />
<br />
There are quite a few more items, and a few new monsters, mainly specific to the new branch. Some monsters' strengths and weaknesses have been tweaked a little, but hopefully they will still be familiar for current players. Many items and spells have been tweaked too, so try new things (eg. apples now keep the doctor away).<br />
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There are a few more talents, but now each class has a specific subset of 8 available... no more Dweomery for Knights, sorry, have some Courage instead. This is partly to avoid feeling like you play every character the same way. There is also a pseudo-talent called "Nightmare Mode", in case you get bored.<br />
<br />
People who would like to play "Big Picture" can enjoy the new controller support - you should be able to play the entire game pretty smoothly with an XBox360 controller or similar. This support will also be available on Android.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of bug fixes too, and minor UI changes like faster healing (still uses as much food though, and now your stomach is smaller) and better keyboard navigation.<br />
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This version will also be officially supported on MacOSX, so feel free to send bug reports of problems with the Web version on that platform.<br />
<br />
When the game is tested enough in the Web version, there will be a BETA period for the standalone Windows, MacOSX, and Android versions to iron out any platform- or device-specific issues. At release, there will also be an iOS version (this is only being tested privately, as public off-market testing is too hard on iOS).<br />
<br />
The iOS port included a lot of optimization work behind the scenes. Part of this was developing a better delayed-loading and recycling system for assets, meaning I can add a lot more to the game later without blowing out memory usage on any platform.<br />
<br />
This version is also the first to use the new Unity 4 engine, which will mean some pros and cons, but ultimately allow me to keep moving the game forward.<br />
<br />
I'm only one person so, as always, there will be bugs. I'll try to fix them as fast as you can report them (that's the advantage of the web version - I can update in minutes instead of hours and days like the other publications). The best way to report bugs is via the in-game menu option (it sends a copy of your game for me to analyze). If the problem is more abstract or game-play related, by all means raise it for discussion here.<br />
<br />
Thanks for helping, I hope you enjoy playing it as much as I enjoyed making it!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://beta.wazhack.com/">http://beta.wazhack.com</a><br />
<br />
--<br />
WazWazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-25572548961810617832012-09-06T10:41:00.000+10:002012-09-06T10:41:16.160+10:00Version 1.1 developmentThe "Steam Engine Thingy" is actually content from WazHack 1.1. Well, maybe not the electrical side of it - I added that for the <a href="http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=92915872">green light</a>.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yesterday I finally branched the codebase, primarily so I could try out Unity 4 integration. So far it's looking great. I've even seen a single frame on the game running under Linux (it crashed before the next frame... Unity 4 is still in beta). Certainly I have confirmed that it will be a pretty straight-forward port.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The 1.1 beta will start in a month or two - until then there shouldn't need to be any new updates to 1.0 (but send in bug reports if you find anything nasty!)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
--</div>
<div>
Waz</div>
Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-77149509096741790742012-09-03T18:12:00.001+10:002012-09-03T18:12:08.873+10:00WazHack on Steam Greenlight<br />
Steam’s Greenlight service allows players to help decide which content should be released on Valve's Steam platform.<br />
<br />
There are hundreds of Indie games up there already, and WazHack is no exception.<br />
<br />
Check out:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>the <a href="http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=92915872">WazHack Greenlight page</a></li>
<li><a href="http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=92957942">Ernie's list of Roguelike on Greenlight</a>
</li>
</ul>
<div>
Just for fun, I put up a new title screen on <a href="http://www.wazhack.com/play">WazHack.com</a>, or if you're impatient, here is a video:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But it's more fun turning knobs and tooting horns yourself.</div>
<br />Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-21185272808028346512012-08-02T16:42:00.000+10:002012-08-02T16:51:28.586+10:00WazHack Android version brings Benefits for AllOne of the beauties of multiplatform development is that improvements for one platform usually carry over directly to the other platforms.<br />
<br />
While <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wazhack.WazHack">WazHack for Android</a> was being developed, and was really only known to the folks on the <a href="http://www.wazhack.com/community">wazhack IRC channel</a>, I started getting words of thanks for the improvements to "mouse only play" in the Web version. Personally, I'm a WASD + Mouse guy, so there had been a lot of silly little usability uglies in the Web and Windows version if you tried to play <i>only </i>with the mouse.<br />
<br />
Making the Android version forced me to cover every tiny case and to test every nook for ways to make the touch experience better, and all the mousers in the Web and Windows versions got the benefit of that before it even appeared on Android! I love the Web version: I'm sorry if web users feel they're in a constant beta program, but that version is the first place to get all new changes to the game - it only takes me 30 seconds to push an update, as opposed to <i>days </i>for the other platforms - you are my heroes.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZo5SFqkpu26nB8U9iah7FVX7Q5AoJTSqkYQkTWUUIkeRT2yE0HvtFmBOni0VipgrJXNpVLm0Y9MjPT5VsYWV09OhxeUtZEVLBKlHzqEn5fSCcZE_ObNeodDF1E7Ob-NXY2plvSXrUGrtz/s1600/Performance1013.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZo5SFqkpu26nB8U9iah7FVX7Q5AoJTSqkYQkTWUUIkeRT2yE0HvtFmBOni0VipgrJXNpVLm0Y9MjPT5VsYWV09OhxeUtZEVLBKlHzqEn5fSCcZE_ObNeodDF1E7Ob-NXY2plvSXrUGrtz/s400/Performance1013.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WazHack under Unity Profiler with 1.0.13</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The release of the first version for Android (WazHack 1.0.12), was admittedly quite jerky on a <i>lot </i>of older devices. With the new release (1.0.13), I can't say I've made it perfect on those old devices, but now I think anyone complaining should really just go get an upgrade - Samsung and Google really need your money ;-). WazHack, unlike all the cheezy Zynga crap, has a lot going on beneath the visual surface of the game, and I would rather not cut back on game depth just to get 60fps.<br />
<br />
I hope players on older Windows computers will enjoy the performance boost in 1.0.13 as much as those playing on an older Android device.<br />
<br />
How do you get updates? It depends on the platform:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Android</b>: open the Play Store, search for WazHack, and select Update. You can choose to update it automatically: I'll warn well in advance if a new version will lose your save games.</li>
<li><b>Web</b>: nothing - you get the new version automatically! If you're impatient and know a new release just got published, press shift-reload a couple of times. You don't have to worry about losing save games: all old versions are kept on the server and loaded on-demand if you try to play an out-dated savegame.</li>
<li><b>Windows</b>: in the Desura client, click the update button. For other versions, visit the site where you bought it and you'll get a download link. WazHack is currently on <a href="http://www.desura.com/games/wazhack">Desura</a> and <a href="http://www.indievania.com/games/wazhack">Indievania</a>.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Still to come on the cross-platform front is better support for gamepads (no, I'm not thinking of targeting XBOX any time soon). The original Controls Options in the Web/Windows version was done to facilitate crazy ESDF players (hey, Ted!), but with a few changes it will also allow me to support Joysticks and Gamepads. Maybe this will make Xperia Play users happy?<br />
<br />
And yes, I'll be targeting iPhone and Mac as soon as I can get myself a Mac Mini.Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-65004265935548203192012-07-24T16:27:00.002+10:002022-03-27T02:06:01.898+10:00WazHack for Android<h2>
How does it play?</h2>
The new <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wazhack.WazHack" title="WazHack on Google Play">Android version of WazHack</a> plays very similarly to the <a href="http://www.desura.com/games/wazhack">Windows version available on Desura</a>. All the same items, all the same monsters, all the same character classes.
<img alt="" height="90" src="http://www.wazhack.com/images/android.png" style="float: right;" width="90" />
The UI is adapted to the small screen and "fat finger" touch interface by moving the action buttons to the corners, with most actions within the Inventory button. All game UI is "fattened" to make it easier to use.
To make up for the smaller screens Android normally runs on (unless you have an OUYA...), the camera zooms in when enemies are in sight, so fat fingers don't have you picking up a rusty old Orcish chainmail while you're trying to beat on a vampire bat.
Because it is built on the same code-base, new features are available for both version - and multiplayer even works between the Android and Windows versions!
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Which devices?</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmQeAhi4LDHh2Rh_cM9OjHhvJwczCOpKi0ZSEcqz1qV2U9OHridTYXJBR1lBJpdeHpxRSImKVhTIpTdJ54pMgTt8BsL7_JrjPpiMAdiAu7q7AX-PnFi1CuO-DO9Vc7iw0K9QOnVAYNBvT/s1600/SamsungMini2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmQeAhi4LDHh2Rh_cM9OjHhvJwczCOpKi0ZSEcqz1qV2U9OHridTYXJBR1lBJpdeHpxRSImKVhTIpTdJ54pMgTt8BsL7_JrjPpiMAdiAu7q7AX-PnFi1CuO-DO9Vc7iw0K9QOnVAYNBvT/s1600/SamsungMini2.png" /></a></div>
Realistically, you'll need a device made in the last year or two, but it certainly works great on a Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 or a Samsung Galaxy Nexus - the two devices Waz tests on.
But give it a try on your device and comment below. The game uses the same "demo to 300 feet" model of the Windows version, so it's completely free to test out on your device.
<br />
<br />
<h2>
All Thanks to Unity</h2>
It is the multiplatform nature of the Unity engine that made it possible to do such a port. So if some of your other favourite Indie games are made using the Unity engine, ask the developer for an Android port!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wazhack.WazHack"><img border="0" src="http://www.android.com/images/brand/get_it_on_play_logo_large.png" /></a></div>
<br />Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-87195089512168754882012-06-26T13:37:00.002+10:002022-03-27T02:05:49.999+10:00WazHack 1.0 released for WindowsFor the last 3-months, WazHack has been polished by a web-based beta period, with a total of 9 beta releases, over 200 interim patch releases, and 30,000 games played.
The result of that polish is now available for purchase as a stand-alone Windows game on Desura:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.desura.com/games/wazhack" title="WazHack on Desura"><img src="http://button.desura.com/play/small/games/17239.png" alt="Desura Digital Distribution" width="240" height="34" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
The web version will of course continue and help rapidly test the 1.1 release, but already players are reporting that the Windows stand-alone version gives a much more familiar and smoother gameplay.<br />
<br />
<br />Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-51272740489279112072012-06-21T23:20:00.001+10:002022-03-27T02:05:36.868+10:00Beta 9: Anonymous MultiplayerBy popular demand, you can now set a Nickname for your Guild account, so you no longer need to reveal your email address to play multiplayer! Go to <a href="https://wazhack.appspot.com/account">your account</a> to set it up.<br />
<br />
I'm sorry this feature took so long - I've been looking at integrating with Desura, and I wanted to know more about their user system before making changes to my custom user database server. I'm still working on the <a href="http://www.desura.com/games/wazhack">Desura packaging</a>, but I know enough, so <a href="http://www.wazhack.com/">here is Beta9</a> for your enjoyment.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWofCngJ2GX8hxbTHFL1DgcsAgjpaN6IWWemOkBB4S5_syfjhqUV3hICh5cN0NNLNcHMbWy2L2pbiSgslUbKbMAACYJ0ly9xaeHq8DsQxlHRprvyJJUYRrZE6R23QQSXE_pSOM1AeOL34F/s1600/Beta9Hat.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWofCngJ2GX8hxbTHFL1DgcsAgjpaN6IWWemOkBB4S5_syfjhqUV3hICh5cN0NNLNcHMbWy2L2pbiSgslUbKbMAACYJ0ly9xaeHq8DsQxlHRprvyJJUYRrZE6R23QQSXE_pSOM1AeOL34F/s200/Beta9Hat.png" width="200" /></a>BTW, it also looks like I will be able to hand out Desura keys to all Beta Guild members - thanks for all your support so far!<br />
<br />
Similar to my warning when Multiplayer was first added, changes like this are inherently hard to test (everyone's network is different), so be sure to let me know if you have problems with multiplayer (or anything else of course).<br />
<br />
-- Waz --Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-40048766424787998102012-06-08T17:41:00.001+10:002022-03-27T02:05:30.521+10:00Beta 8: IcebergsNo, <a href="http://www.wazhack.com/">beta 8</a> is not set in Antarctica, although it is midwinter here in Australia.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLphN0siMR6EOmHZ7z7oR9yev3WpWdzOUIQ6UskiFq-BQgX8ujey7pfM7D5gjNMVbg_68aHqzrK-TUtDZJb2dZDjigmGQMNzwbIMFRL7tuMelTKUh0ym-MeoW7Me_99LNiEnMIARDNfA4_/s1600/Beta8-mouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLphN0siMR6EOmHZ7z7oR9yev3WpWdzOUIQ6UskiFq-BQgX8ujey7pfM7D5gjNMVbg_68aHqzrK-TUtDZJb2dZDjigmGQMNzwbIMFRL7tuMelTKUh0ym-MeoW7Me_99LNiEnMIARDNfA4_/s200/Beta8-mouse.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
For the last month I have been working on making the UI feel better when used only with the mouse. I usually play with WASD but I've forced myself to play with only the mouse to get a feel for what it's like and fix any quirks. If' you've tried using the mouse previously, have a feel of it now and tell me if I've missed anything. There are lots of little things - from how chests open, to single-item pickups, attacking, etc.<br />
<br />
By popular demand, you can now edit your stats during character creation. The range of possible stats had to change to make this reasonable: previously a wider range was possible, just very unlikely, now it's more constrained for each class. The effect of CHA on commerce has been amplified a bit - so be careful choosing big muscles over a good personality. Personally, I still think it's more fun to play a random roll.<br />
<br />
Mostly for the last month I have been working on something else for WazHack. Sorry, I don't mean to be mysterious, I just hate vaporware announcements. I do want to assure you that yes, I'm still very much alive and hacking, and to let you all try out the feel of mouse-only play.<br />
<br />
In devising a fun title screen, I thought of how what you see in this release is just the tip of the iceberg of what I have been working on. As usual, I got carried away having fun expressing that. I liked the iceberg texture so much that I changed how the Cold wand/spell works: it now freezes the target in ice. Hitting a frozen creature either shatters and kills them (a <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LiterallyShatteredLives">favourite trope</a> of mine) or does nothing (except critical hits - these work as normal); the chance of shattering is unrelated to the creature's current HP but rather to their max HP (i.e. to their hit dice and hence level). Their armour shatters with them, but other items are dropped (assuming they didn't freeze and shatter when you first zapped them).<br />
<br />
Enjoy! Don't forget to share your experiences on <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/WazHack/">/r/WazHack</a> on Reddit.Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-18733571791539769802012-05-18T09:43:00.003+10:002022-03-04T10:40:43.843+10:00Leprechauns stealing your text?There was a strange bug in beta 7 where sometimes all message and floating +/- texts would stop. Thankfully first-time rogueliker and very observant player Dave noticed that Leprechauns were to blame!<br />
<br />
The bug is now fixed in build 577 (see the News button in-game for the build number, you may need to Reload the page).<br />
<br />
Of course, Leprechauns where not literally stealing the text. But they are the only creatures that I gave no preferred dungeon branch. So once I actually added a branch, that preference kicked in... in the form of an unexpected null.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I just thought this was amusing. And thanks, Dave!Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-85238362276775494322012-05-14T20:04:00.001+10:002022-03-27T02:05:18.392+10:00Beta 7: Hadrian's Branch<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyc3TOm0yYTyCXSX__VOKcQpUoaNCwffubVjUpO8Jtl0h1L0PEAltMIQtS_D9M0_ToUywn-2S2Yo7p6is0iHG403g8fy4Uv8VowpUSzxFypkL_OjjWgGEsEXe4v7AHWygMJqIAEzpL2eA/s1600/WazHack7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyc3TOm0yYTyCXSX__VOKcQpUoaNCwffubVjUpO8Jtl0h1L0PEAltMIQtS_D9M0_ToUywn-2S2Yo7p6is0iHG403g8fy4Uv8VowpUSzxFypkL_OjjWgGEsEXe4v7AHWygMJqIAEzpL2eA/s1600/WazHack7.jpg" /></a>The new release is up on <a href="http://www.wazhack.com/" target="_blank">wazhack.com</a>.<br />
<br />
The dungeon now has a branch! Some fellows seem to have gotten lost while building Hadrian's Wall - they set up camp in the Dungeons of WazHack and have completely missed the fall of the Roman Empire.<br />
<br />
The new branch is around 1000 feet (so sorry, <a href="http://www.wazhack.com/games/WazHack/help/guild.html">guild</a> members only).<br />
<br />
There are also 4 new Talents to tweak your character with - Commerce (better prices), Wizardry (faster mana regeneration), Beast Mastery (create tame monsters), and Dweomery (rhymes with "memory" and detects blessings, curses, and enchantments). Now you have 12 ... the choice is getting harder!<br />
<br />
Fire isn't quite as deadly now - it doesn't spread from item to item quite so savagely. More foods give fire resistance too.<br />
<br />
There are a few new items - an amulet, a scroll, plus the items you'll only find in the side branch.<br />
<br />
The rest I'll leave you to discover!<br />
<br />
-- Waz --<br />
<br />
Stop press: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=ErWqAswmsvQ" target="_blank">this orcish video</a> made me laugh, so I added Knock/Wizard Lock unlocking/locking of chests.Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-83360438165790818272012-04-28T10:44:00.001+10:002022-03-27T02:05:06.555+10:00Beta 6: Staff EntranceThe new release is up on <a href="http://wazhack.com/">wazhack.com</a>!<br />
<br />
There are two major additions. The first is obvious from the title screen (but there are also more advanced ones to be found. Clue: don't sell your best gem...).<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpYAAXBU1-EI1QT2zPyoNdr0pURFD361FN5x6exkq8KG0BJuxfUrukMJNTXgK4Bg9Soh1yCBCpWf_EVg4otExL1vZ8SSmA2rr3MGreWocemNUejaombdQIQ6FR3ochAK-k3_JDMCTwbeQ/s1600/WazHackBeta6-MountedGoblin.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpYAAXBU1-EI1QT2zPyoNdr0pURFD361FN5x6exkq8KG0BJuxfUrukMJNTXgK4Bg9Soh1yCBCpWf_EVg4otExL1vZ8SSmA2rr3MGreWocemNUejaombdQIQ6FR3ochAK-k3_JDMCTwbeQ/s400/WazHackBeta6-MountedGoblin.png" width="400" /></a></div>
The second new feature is mounted creatures - like a goblin riding a giant rat! There are only two mounted creatures this release, just to test it out, but I'll be adding more, including the ability for the player to ride mounts. Not much point riding a rothé, since they can't climb ladders, but don't worry, I have some ideas....<br />
<br />
A few things have been rebalanced in this release: wands of polymorph have a shorter range and usually less charges; the dual wielded talent is also toned down a little (see the new percentages).<br />
<br />
As always, more bug fixes - keep sending in the great reports! Mostly minor stuff now - is the beta nearly complete?<br />
<br />
No more spoilers - go play! Remember to reload if you have played recently: check that you get the beta 6 title screen.<br />
<br />
Some changes were added to the live beta5 version that I'll particularly mention: pet inventory management is now much easier: they will not pick up anything, and will not drop anything you give them until they are burdened. They'll also use weapon and armour (previously they usually just dropped them), assuming your pet is a creature that <i>can </i>use them.<br />
<br />
Blessed identify scrolls will never identify everything when playing co-op multiplayer, so don't bother with trading loads of stuff back and forth.Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-39730330429041308472012-04-21T16:17:00.001+10:002022-03-27T02:02:12.878+10:00Bugs and patches...I have a pretty "agile" approach to updating the beta release. Mostly you won't realize it unless you check the News page too regularly, but I upload new patches to WazHack far more often than just the larger announced beta versions. Since the first beta release on March 13, there have been over 200 patch releases to the site. Often these just contain bug fixes which you'll hardly notice, but sometimes I push out a little feature or two. Since beta5, patches have gone up adding keyboard configurability and improving the way pets keep and use their inventory (they'll no longer randomly pick up and drop stuff either). Sometimes a little bug finds its way in with these features (eg. key config broke controlled teleport - thanks Kyo), but the same is true for bug fixes (an urgent fix to dog ladder handling broke lots of other monsters, but was quickly fixed).<br />
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I'll never take it for granted, but I really appreciate the sometimes near instant bug report I get when I make a mistake!Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-74054138407843811992012-04-18T20:48:00.001+10:002022-03-27T02:04:53.922+10:00Beta5: Multiplayer MadnessBeta5 has just been released on <a href="http://www.wazhack.com/" target="_blank">wazhack.com!</a><br />
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For years I've said it's impossible to add multiplayer to a roguelike and it still be a roguelike.<br />
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A critical factor separates roguelikes from other genre. It is not a grid of ASCII graphics (WazHack proved that on day 1), nor is it a wealth of different items and creatures.<br />
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It is the way time passes only as the player plays.<br />
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It is this factor of roguelikes - giving the player time to consider their actions - that makes the wealth of items useful. For most <i>non</i>-roguelikes, the main items I seem to use is a pile of hot-keyed health potions (think Torchlight: the almost roguelike).<br />
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So consider a multiplayer roguelike. How can multiple players be in the same dungeon with time passing in fits and spurts as each player alternates between running around or staring at their inventory? It would be infuriating waiting for other players to ponder their options. Other games have all "solved" this by putting everyone on the same realtime treadmill. But I say the game is then no longer a roguelike, but just a twitcher with far too many options to be playable. Is there another way?<br />
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You be the judge, but I think I've found the solution with WazHack beta 5.<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"></div>Full details are in the <a href="http://www.wazhack.com/games/WazHack/help/multiplayer.html" target="_blank">help</a>, but basically, co-op players all play the same random dungeon, and encounter the same creatures, but they work completely independently: <i>all </i>players have to kill the kobold in <i>their </i>instance of the dungeon, and they <i>each </i>get all the <i>different loot</i> in their particular instance.<br />
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How is that multiplayer?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRq2c9xKNJcbp8yDeZmngfrifNeRDZRkCcRkSgcyKAJVQxpCq9d3cc-iLUNkVzEOQY2s7izxapdnIChC_M3Y1REFCEGf9tq2fqZktghwWIpDYUNWIS2EkVijeg1VbSBHy-crARVbDn8bC/s1600/WazHackTrade.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRq2c9xKNJcbp8yDeZmngfrifNeRDZRkCcRkSgcyKAJVQxpCq9d3cc-iLUNkVzEOQY2s7izxapdnIChC_M3Y1REFCEGf9tq2fqZktghwWIpDYUNWIS2EkVijeg1VbSBHy-crARVbDn8bC/s400/WazHackTrade.png" width="400" /></a></div>Well, again: you've got to play it. The fun really starts when you are trading equipment to help each other out, using voice chat (eg. Skype or Mumble) to warn of nasties and collaborate on developing a balanced "party" of players (one wizard who knows the Identify spell is a powerful ally - give him your spare healing potion!)<br />
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Item identification is also shared. If everyone has a scroll labelled BAYOWOKI, only one player needs to read it!<br />
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That's all "co-op" mode. There is also a "competition" mode, where everyone also finds the <i>same loot</i> in each room and from room creatures they kill, but there is no trading. Who can get the furthest?<br />
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So that's WazHack multiplayer mode. Check it out. To convince you, there is now a <a href="http://www.wazhack.com/buy" target="_blank">3-pack of accounts for just $5</a>.<br />
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This is just the first iteration of multiplayer, and I'm sure there are bugs and sorely needed features. Be sure to report any bugs you find, and post suggestions. One item already on my to-do list is a mage staff that can store spells (and hence be lent to other party members!).<br />
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As always, this release include a host of bug fixes. I'm keeping a record of you white-hat hackers who send me bug reports of a "cheat" that makes the game too easy. You'll all get a special badge or achievement or such some day! My policy is to leave crazy wins/scores in the list until I ship a fix for the reported bug.Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-79210698027251250502012-03-30T16:36:00.001+10:002022-03-27T02:04:44.030+10:00WazHack beta 4 released - You've got Talent!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCm08UjzY0d0466YUeWLHeoyQsApWXzRM7urWntziJB5MsvAEa9F9Fh8vfI9xTe1KA1iMdZbPNkM__SljxrVx2N3yOYX6b5pLkel6i362aNfhsVc5bJRZKIDrbJX9TQObDAcE8EwODZ29o/s1600/WazHackTalents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCm08UjzY0d0466YUeWLHeoyQsApWXzRM7urWntziJB5MsvAEa9F9Fh8vfI9xTe1KA1iMdZbPNkM__SljxrVx2N3yOYX6b5pLkel6i362aNfhsVc5bJRZKIDrbJX9TQObDAcE8EwODZ29o/s320/WazHackTalents.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Beta 4 is now live on <a href="http://www.wazhack.com/" target="_blank">wazhack.com</a>!<br />
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The big new feature of this release is the <i>Talent System,</i> which lets you improve your character in many different dimensions as you level up<i>.</i> I looked over all the wishes that the Guild Members have voted up in the Wish Council, and I found a great use for almost all the good ones.<br />
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The Talents are:<br />
<ul><li><b>Anatomy </b>- you extract more food from monsters you kill.</li>
<li><b>Battle Magery</b> - metal gear has a reduced affect on spell casting.</li>
<li><b>Dual Wielding</b> - allows you to usefully wield multiple weapons.</li>
<li><b>First Aid</b> - allows you to heal faster.</li>
<li><b>Magic Precision</b> - gives you more critical hits with your magic.</li>
<li><b>Shield Parry</b> - protects you against receiving critical hits.</li>
<li><b>Weapon Knowledge</b> - gives you knowledge, ultimately a Dwarf's knowledge, of weapons.</li>
<li><b>Weapon Precision</b> - gives you more critical hits with weapons, even more for two-handed weapons.</li>
</ul><br />
<div>As you can see, each talent helps in different ways, and which ones you choose will depend on your playing style and what your immediate problems are. If you find that food is the biggest problem you have, get a little Anatomy. If you can never work out which weapon to use, go for Weapon Knowledge. Or if you just plain die a lot from being slowly beaten down, go for First Aid. Some talents are useful generally, while others more so if you want to go for a specific type of character (such as a Battle Mage).</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmfMmsDACpsJMpkCG5m3rGz21hVB7AgqC2ZWMVIy5kJEtsgbo0EUVTEivOKrZV670zwq8Ne27hMKAVnO6YG3pBrd43ijoNrcyN-8jzDqpkW06JeFRMN5xkyqf7NZPLKjwr9d-JNkoy51R/s1600/WazHackDualWieldingNinja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmfMmsDACpsJMpkCG5m3rGz21hVB7AgqC2ZWMVIy5kJEtsgbo0EUVTEivOKrZV670zwq8Ne27hMKAVnO6YG3pBrd43ijoNrcyN-8jzDqpkW06JeFRMN5xkyqf7NZPLKjwr9d-JNkoy51R/s200/WazHackDualWieldingNinja.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div>There are 3 levels to each Talent, with the top level being extra potent. For example, if you have Dual Wielding Level 3, you can wield two weapons and each one attacks 60% faster. Of course, you need two good single-handed weapons and no shield, but wow, do you feel like a ninja!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Weapon Knowledge will reveal information about your weapons. This can save you a lot of Identify scrolls and helps you ensure you're fighting with your best weapon. Note that weapon knowledge does not take into account your current skills, merely the intrinsic quality and enchantment of the weapons.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Regardless of your Weapon Knowledge, <b>unique "artifact" weapons</b> now reveal their might as soon as you wield them. A few shopkeepers sent in bitter complaints about that change.<br />
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</div><div><br />
<div><b>Critical Hits</b> were in the earlier betas, but they were just a guaranteed hit based on a 1 in 20 chance (a "natural 20" on a d20). Now they also do double damage. Watch out though: monsters get them just as much as you do (but they can't get Talents to help them).</div><div><br />
<b>Performance </b>of the default "Good" graphics setting has been tuned to work well on lower-end machines, but if you have a more powerful machine, be sure to turn up the graphics to "Fantastic" in Options -> Graphics.<br />
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</div><div>There are many other improvements in beta 4 (like more arrows... but watch out: monsters can use them now too). I hope you enjoy the update - keep sending me bug reports, no matter how minor.</div></div><div><br />
</div><div>As always, you can play WazHack online at <a href="http://www.wazhack.com/">wazhack.com</a>. If you've played very recently, you may need to use Ctrl-Reload to clear your browser cache.</div><div><br />
</div><div>-- Waz --</div>Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903428491450793881.post-20655005444263616682012-03-24T01:25:00.015+10:002022-03-27T02:04:25.131+10:00Chuck some potions!<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<b>The third beta of WazHack just went live on <a href="http://www.wazhack.com/">wazhack.com</a>!</b><br />
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<b>What is it?</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgid7y42kENrmExPzfhiTbSUo6BqOo5NRXSgYSlrq-IChRSQRMqUMkuzy4N38YlQyWgIZZeGkbZNmGbtnnigLvN7LWzjr13MyF8keHxpWWGF2Df_yVJ6puycXcWR5DVOEOOfjlYWGRrMQmm/s1600/Potion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgid7y42kENrmExPzfhiTbSUo6BqOo5NRXSgYSlrq-IChRSQRMqUMkuzy4N38YlQyWgIZZeGkbZNmGbtnnigLvN7LWzjr13MyF8keHxpWWGF2Df_yVJ6puycXcWR5DVOEOOfjlYWGRrMQmm/s200/Potion.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
WazHack is a 100% twitch-free relaxing hack and slash single-player dungeon game. Don't understand how that is possible? Play it. You'll see. The idea is that you can spend all the time you need contemplating what you'll do in any situation - and with over 250 different types of items to be found, there is no shortage of solutions to problems. With over 100 different types of monsters, there is no shortage of problems either.<br />
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All in a game that loads in just a few seconds.<br />
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It's not a game of winning (though it is winnable), it's about experiencing the attempt... and learning lessons that will help your next attempt. Every game is very different. Only 1 out of over 2500 games played over the last week has ended in victory (see the global high score list).<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's new in beta3?</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/oxAL_5YtT9k/0.jpg" height="332" style="clear: right; float: right;" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oxAL_5YtT9k?version=3&loop=1&autohide=1&controls=0&showinfo=0&rel=0&playlist=oxAL_5YtT9k&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="400" height="332" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oxAL_5YtT9k?version=3&loop=1&autohide=1&controls=0&showinfo=0&rel=0&playlist=oxAL_5YtT9k&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>Potions can now be thrown - so now you can toss a potion of paralysis at a big fat ogre to stop him - and the horde behind him! Or try one of the other potions you thought where only useful for flushing in a fountain and blessing in a temple. To get into the groove, play this video close-up of potions smashing - just some fun I was having while I fine-tuned it.<br />
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Hunters have gotten a clean-up with better bow animations and throwing in general. Arrows bundle together like coins do, and they are a bit easier to see. And remember: double-F to pick up quickly - keep your arrows, they are still in short supply.<br />
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You can now see your character dice rolls while you're still choosing your character, so you can just keep clicking until you get what you want (no, you will never get all 18s!).<br />
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There are also more new items to find and use, but I wont list them - I want to try to add cool new stuff faster than you can find it!<br />
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All sorts of weird bugs have been fixed. Seen a dwarf suddenly go bald? Fixed. Wondered why a dwarf wearing a -2 cloak seemed immune to magic? Fixed. Nymphs and Leprechauns don't know when the ladders ends? Fixed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div>Seen that a Valkyrie had a better armour class by stripping down to her dainties? Fixed. Sorry.<br />
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Half the bugs were reported by players - thanks! Especially to the Guild Members who keep the server running!Wazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15011511012671483951noreply@blogger.com0