EDIT: Okay, final patch release date for 1.0.4 can now be confirmed as Tuesday morning – the morning of September 6th, 2011. We’re putting one last beta out even as I speak, and the actual release candidate will be sent to Valve over the weekend. Why are we doing this? Well, frankly, because it’s a very bad idea to ever release a patch on a Friday. That’s just asking for something to go wrong and for everybody to be frustrated over the long weekend. So go enjoy your last few moments with Dredmor 1.0.3, and throw some Lutefisk on the grill. Next week, there’s a whole new Dredmor waiting for you. — N.
We’ve been fairly quiet on the blog so I figured I should fill everyone in on progress on various fronts. Let’s dive in.
Dungeons of Dredmor patch 1.0.4 status
We released the second iteration of the 104 to testers yesterday and it seems pretty stable. Lots and lots of small fixes, tweaks, and rebalancing plus a few new features (like the “digest” button), some new content, and some new achievements (pictured above).
There are also known smaller issues, tweaks, fixes, and new content that aren’t going into the 1.0.4 patch because we want to ship a patch sooner rather than never. We’ll push them to the next patch. Your patience in all of this is very much appreciated; we’re a tiny team.
We’ll try to assemble a comprehensive list of changes when the actual patch ships — this may be as soon as Friday, if all goes well.
Gaslamp Games & offices
Nicholas is moved to Vancouver and he and I are now set up in a shared office space – naturally, with a coffee machine running at all time. Expect crazy things. We’ll have to post a picture as soon as we remember to do so and aren’t all busy with this patch.
We’ve also got income coming in now so we can focus our efforts on Gaslamp (read as: Nicholas doesn’t have to sell his belongings to make rent).
Buying Dungeons of Dredmor via non-Steam distribution channels
Is a real thing that really exists and it’s up next on the to-do after patch 104 ships. Deals have been made and will be announced when the time is right.
Dungeons of Dredmor on Linux
Is also a thing that will happen after patch 104 (and of course requires the above non-Steam distribution channels because there’s no Linux Steam … yet?
Dungeons of Dredmor patch 1.0.5
Looks like it’ll be UI upgrades, some fun content, the usual round of fixes and rebalancing, and official/useful modding support seems likely. We’re aiming to fire off a patch every two weeks and I hope we get the process smooth enough to be able to do so. At the very least there won’t be delays like that between 103 and 104 (as that was due to a move and sorting out how we can actually pay ourselves).
The future of the Dungeons of Dredmor looks bright. Or dark and murky, if that’s what a dungeon is supposed to be. Whatever – point is that we’re getting on track with running a business and working out how to systematically patch (and work on Project Odin) in an organized manner without random stuff exploding. One step at a time.
If there’s anything else y’all would like to know feel free to ask in the comments and I’ll answer if I can.
Cool.
Any idea when will new Skill trees be available?
Or can you give us some info on any new content?
Ty
There’s not an awful lot of new content as the focus of this patch was on fixes, but I did find time to put in some items, rooms, and craft recipes. And achievements of course.
No, I meant on the next patch or if not, when do you plan to add new skills? 🙂
Ty
Ah! No concrete plans for timeline, though plenty of ideas for skills have been brewing. Getting them in after mod support should be likely because that should ensure that the game doesn’t crash in flames due to added content, though maybe we can slip new skills fairly safely already…
It’s just a matter of finding the time to start messing around with them (after all the fixes, after the gross balancing, after the UI fixes/upgrades, and so on).
Bug fixes and tweaks are great, but I’ve really been waiting for the delayed UI upgrades.
Some of 104 can count as UI upgrades – there are a few new settings, and the digest button of course.
Regarding UI: Basically we discovered that the 2x sized UI is a hell of a lot more work than we had hoped. It requires entirely redoing a number of elements in both art and code, as we are not using a generic UI library for Dredmor. Oh we’ll read all about that in the post-mortem.
Anyway, it’ll come along as we’re able.
Actually, it seems like Steam will run under Linux: http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Steam_under_Linux
Will I be allowed to play a non-steam Linux version if I own a Steam Windows version?
Oh neat, I had no idea!
As for non-steam Dredmor on Linux if you bought Dredmor on Steam: *Ideally* you can play Dredmor anywhere after buying it in one place. I have no idea how this would actually work but I’ve put it down for discussion at our next company meeting.
But if it means anything: Dredmor doesn’t really have a “Steam version” because you can play the copy of Dredmor you got off Steam without having Steam active. You won’t get Steam achievements of course.
Hi,
For those who already own the game and want to play it on linux, you could provide linux binaries and required librairies throught steam (so we can access it under linux by copying or symlinking installation directory). steelstorm : burning retribution, an indie top shooter, does that. Would be nice if you could do the same 😉
That is actually a very elegant solution, as although you can run Steam under Linux with Wine you cannot distribute games for other platforms other that Windows or Mac. One example of distribute binaries is Quake: own it on Steam play it with Nix binaries. 🙂
I really hope you’re looking to hook up with Desura as well; their Linux client has been in development for some time and should soon be ready! 😀
I’ve been playing this game at a friends computer up until now, since I’m not able to buy this game at the moment, (I’m not yet 18, and live apart from my parents due to studies) but will probably get a friend to pay for it in exchange for cash.
This game is REALLY good,and has probably kept me and my friend entertained for way too many hours already.
Keep up the good work. 🙂
Hey thanks; glad you’re enjoying the game. Always good to hear from someone having fun (we definitely hear from the people who aren’t ;).
Good to see you will consider alternatives to steam. Maybe BMT Micro / Plimus / Impulse and etc?
Thanks for all the hard work guys! I look forward to these next patches.
One suggestion you might consider is setting up true bug tracking software to replace the Google spreadsheet. It’s already getting unwieldy to use and will only get more so as more betas are released.
We do use Mantis for internal tracking and it is unwieldy in its own way. The Google spreadsheet, at least, is open to all and very easily available though there are good reasons why it can’t be the only-and-official bug tracker — and there are other good reasons why there are some things we might want to keep out of a public bug tracker.
At our next meeting we’re going to discuss how to sort out our communication with fans (and each other) better, and this includes how to handle the flow of bug reports / feature requests more sensibly, if possible.
Hi,
Is the online leader-board something you’re still aiming to do?
-I’m holding off on carrying on any further in two dungeons at the moment as I don’t want to be behind an even more competitive friend!
We certainly do have an online scoreboard through Steam, but apart from that is .. something we need to discuss. I’m sure it’s possible. Likewise non-Steam achievements.
I have no idea about timeline for these or if they’ll be included in the first version to other distributors. The important thing is to get the game out, then if there’s time to do all the fun stuff like that (which we recognize as very important to the experience of many players) then it’ll get done.
Glad to hear you guys are getting settled in. I’ve been eagerly awaiting the patch, sounds like a far more enjoyable melee experience is in store. I’ve used mantis before (Dwarf Fortress) and know what a mess it can become, best of luck bugfixing, keep up the good work.
Just wanted to say thanks for a very fun and funny game…I love playing it and find myself getting sucked in for hours at a time!
Keep up the great work!
Hey guys,
Thanks for keeping us updated and I’m glad to support an awesome indie game 😀 Oh a quick question… Are you guys going to expand on the crafting system process or what are your future plans for crafting?
Thank you,
Harven
We honestly don’t try to think too much about what we do in any one patch; we do what feels right at the time. For instance, I know that there are things in this patch that are still broken from 1.0.3; it’s simply that the patch has now released significant enough volume and size that we need to release it, and we’ll go back and fix other things in the next patch.
With regards to crafting: it got some love in this patch, and will get more love in other patches. As will everything else.
Awesome and I did see those patch notes you guys posted earlier today. Thank you! ;D
The first thing I thought when I saw those images were, wow, so many new skills?
Aw.
I challenge everyone to take those new achievement artworks and make skill trees out of them. *throws gauntlet*
Awesome! Very much looking forward to this.
So when is the patch coming? I thought you guys said the 1st.
I haven’t played for ages, been waiting for you guys to fix some of the skills.
Must play! Can’t wait any longer!
Shit, way to look impatient.
I think it’d be better if you guys were to put the updates at the bottom like you did before!
Would have been nice present to have a patch to play over Labor Day weekend.
Is this patch going to fix the fullscreen issue with OS X Lion?
Awaiting the patch in 18 minutes. Muhahaha
Some time ago You told about usability for Polish translators. Where is this in the patch? I’m disappointing.
Will the 1.0.4 be compatible with 1.0.3 save games?
Kevin
When on earth is the patch coming :S As far as i know, tuesday morning is globally gone in 1 hour :p
Hey, it’s Tuesday afternoon… where’s the patch?
Just sent it to Valve. I’ll post as soon as it’s up.