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Nikki Severin

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Posts posted by Nikki Severin

  1. Posted

    Ahoy Ylanders!

    Today, let's for once leave the seas of Ylands and instead dive into what it's like to be a tester.


    In general, us testers get to shine when a new feature or asset is introduced and given to us in its raw state. Here it's important to keep two mindsets: one of a tester, but also one of a player. But let's get to the latter in a little bit.


    Generally, as testers, we basically have one important job - to grab what we've received and attempt to break it in any way imaginable. Already knowing all that is doable in the game, this is where we do that "all" and way more. We get to wreak havoc and investigate all that could possibly go wrong, and this is where being creative and imaginative really pays off. Finding as many ways to break every new thing as possible lets us, after all, try our very best to bring you everything in the most polished, pristine state after it's reported, fixed and retested.

     

    DD_319_Steam_1920x1080_02.jpg


    The mindset of a player comes into the picture when we also have to consider the question of: is this user friendly? As most of us already have our fair share of experience with games, we know fairly well if not only the usability but also design is something that would generally please a player. Overall, it's important to us that every new thing is easy to understand, can be used well, but also looks a way that would catch our eye as players. As such, not only do we find bugs, but also bring our own feedback to the table.

    When a release is knocking on the door, that's when the most things can possibly go wrong. Instead of testing rather specific things, we now have to look through every single corner of the game to make sure nothing has been broken in the process. Even things that until now seemed minor are important to test so that we can try our best to make the experience we bring you, our players, as flawless as it could be.
    And then the release comes, maintenance happens, and we have the job and last chance of checking that everything is fine, so we split the most important parts of the game amongst our lovely team of testers and go through all Story ylands, intro, shop etc., basically all that absolutely has to be in a proper state no matter what. And we have to manage in time so that you can get the finished product and continue sailing as soon as possible.

    Overall, seeing that progress that newly added things go through is really exciting, as it goes from a sometimes rather broken state to a finished feature and we get to experience all those stages. Sometimes that results in funny bugs that we would not otherwise experience while being simply players, which we then get to share with you, our community, afterwards.

    At the same time, it can be a difficult job since we're not just playing the game. It can sometimes take us days to find how a specific bug happens, which often results in us just doing the same thing over and over and over again until we figure it out, and then once more after it's fixed. It takes a lot of effort, thinking, and patience, but in the end it's always worth it.

    If you run into a bug or simply need help with something, let us know in our Discord!

    That's it for this week! 

    Stay Classy! 

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

  2. Posted

    Ahoy Ylanders!

    This week, our programmer Radek will share a few insights about our internal system called Notice Board. This nice addition to our game is a digital bulletin board, crafted to enhance your gaming experience by bringing you relevant information happening around the Ylands game.

    Key Features

    Dynamic Content Updates: Keeping players informed and engaged is crucial, so we've developed a dynamic hub filled with content to ensure you never miss out on the essential happenings in the Ylands universe. Stay updated on upcoming patches, new shop content, latest features, and game changes.

    Visual Experience: To get your attention, we have designed an aesthetic board with a charming board theme. Our UI Designer carefully crafted the variants of paper notes that are easily integrated into the dynamic system we developed.

    DD_316_Steam_1920x1080_02.jpg

     

    Technical Aspects

    Originally the tool was required by the marketing team and it was intended to be just a place with brief notes served to the players updated approximately once a month. Because of this simplified design and underestimation of the potential size of that system, we encountered several complications during the development process.

    We chose a more simplistic approach inspired by the classic blog systems but we had to work with static data uploaded on the server. We chose the JSON file format for storage. 

    The JSON file you upload to the server needs to be manually edited, which can be easy for a tech-savvy person, but can be a nightmare for the average PC user. That's why it's important to choose the right tools while simplifying the editing process itself, which was also underestimated at first.

    If you're building a tool that requires the work of others while giving you the ability to update content fairly frequently, reach for a database solution rather than static data and expose some simple frontend app with convenient editing tools. Unfortunately, we were limited by time and did not expect that the system would become such an integral tool.

    Fortunately, there are ways to automate these things, so we created a spreadsheet where the marketing team can update their data while keeping track of what has been published. They then generate a JSON file from that table and just send it to the backend server. 

    While this process still requires the involvement of at least 3 people, editing such a spreadsheet and then uploading the final changes to the server takes much less time.

    In conclusion, we'd just like to point out that it's always a good idea to consider the importance and potential workload of such a system and invest time in developing tools and then working with them more efficiently accordingly. Since its release, the Notice Board has become one of the most visited places in Ylands. 

    We are constantly working on improving the Notice Board and have some exciting additions planned for the next update. 


    Is there something you'd like to see on the Notice Board? Let us know! 


    Stay classy, ylanders! 

    • Like 2

  3. Posted

    Ylands_2_2_Patch_1.png

     

    ⭐ HIGHLIGHTS ⭐

    • Tech Tree - When you select a known recipe in the Tech Tree, it will now also be selected in the crafting menu.
    • Continue on your Adventure - Some of you who skipped the last two updates couldn't continue playing. Not anymore!
    • Handbook Rewards - Some players didn't receive their rewards during multiplayer gameplay, but now they will have them back.
    • Elmwood's outpost - A few Ylanders had their progress in this story Yland restarted; we have reverted it.
    • Low memory optimization - You might have experienced a crash on Crimson Shores Yland - this issue is now fixed.
       

    FIXED

    [YLD-50689] Fixed: Handbook rewards: Collectibles rewards can be claimed for clients again. Affected players will receive all rewards they should have gotten after the loading of exploration map.

    [YLD-50630] Fixed: Reduced memory consumed by lights shadow maps to manageable amount.

    [YLD-50644] Fixed: Exploration map compatibility issues for saves made in before 1.10.

    [YLD-50645] Fixed: Editor: Freeze when you start PC only empty world.

    [YLD-50666] Fixed: Editor: Custom transactions in scenarios without gameset/scenario data never finished, always resulted in refund.

    [YLD-50674] Fixed: Editor: Is group tile does not work correctly in custom tools when you provide them anything else than Group/Entity/Game logic.

    Fixed: Entity thumbnails in inventory can sometimes disappear or get switched with different ones.

     

    TWEAKED
     

    Tweaked: Improved readability of table view.

  4. Posted

    Ahoy Ylanders,

    In today's dev diary, we will look at a significant change in the history of Ylands development that fundamentally influenced the creation of new assets and significantly improved players' ability to personalize their game creations and equipment.

    In the initial stages of game development, it was essential for us to design a specific visual style that would be unique and have great potential to not visually age soon. This key aspect was further influenced by other particular requirements, such as the need for a smooth change in the time of day, weather, and editable terrain.

    With an increasing number of players and the amount of time they spent in the game, there came a need for a more significant variability in-game assets, even though the game already contained thousands of unique objects. After testing various options for solving this problem, we decided to make all game objects colorable. On the one hand, this decision was great because it potentially created infinite variations of current assets without negatively impacting the data size. However, on the other hand, it brought a tremendous amount of work for the entire graphics team.

    DD_312_Steam_1920x1080_02.jpg
     

    To preserve the original visual style, we designed a system that would keep the artistically stylized shading of the model while also adding the possibility to colorize this model with three different colors. We achieved this effect by adding a second UV set to each model, which contains information about which part of the model is colored with one of these three colors. The original shading of the model remained stored in the first UV set, which now only contains different shades of gray. The final visual of the model is created inside the game engine using a custom shader, where the black-and-white shading is multiplied by the defined colors. In the game, there is a database where each object has its base colors stored, so the resulting visual corresponds to the original one, with the new option to change this coloration anytime.

    This new feature allowed us to create even more beautiful and diverse game environments, and more importantly, it allowed you, our players, to unlimitedly customize your creations, such as building your dream house and coloring it according to your preferences at any time in the future. 

    Do you use this option in the game? What is your favorite way to use it? Let us know! 

    Stay Classy! 

    • Like 3
    • Thanks 1

  5. Posted

    Ahoy Ylanders!

    We're thrilled to share some behind-the-scenes insights from our 3D artist department about a new animal coming to the Taiga region in Update 2.3. This is going to be a great one so you will have to wait a bit longer for it.

     

    The Creative Journey: From Squirrels to Cows
    Our journey began with an open slot in the Taiga region, prompting our designer to suggest adding a new animal. The first idea was a giant squirrel, but animation challenges led us to brainstorm further. We then played with the idea of something prehistoric and herbivorous, like a dinosaur. Imagine that in Ylands! However, we soon realized that the best idea was right in front of us, especially with the upcoming 2.2 update bringing encounters reminiscent of the bygone cowboy era. Our designer, Pypse (who often interacts with you on our Discord), came up with a brilliant idea: a cow.

     

    Merging Utility with Aesthetics: The Taiga Cow
    This cow isn't just an animal; it's a symbol of our commitment to blending utility with aesthetics. It animates well, is great for riding, can be milked, and fits perfectly with the Taiga's cowboy theme. Deciding on the type of cow was challenging, with numerous breeds to choose from. We settled on the unique Highland cattle, known for its shaggy coat.
    DD_307_Steam_1920x1080_04.png

     

    Artistic Challenge: The Highland Cattle Model
    Creating a model of the Highland cattle required special attention to its distinctive, shaggy fur. Thanks to our team of experienced artists, we found a fantastic direction for stylization, making our cow model a work of art. We're excited to show you the initial versions of the fur!

    DD_307_Steam_1920x1080_02.png
     

    Bringing the Cow to Life: Sounds and Animations
    In the Ylands team, we hope you'll also appreciate the sounds and animations of this noble Taiga creature, integral to our thoughtful stylization process. We're in the process of creating those, so stay tuned!

     

    Thank You, Community
    Your feedback is crucial as we continue to develop and refine our game. We're grateful for your participation in the Ylands community. Your adventures, challenges, and achievements inspire us every day and we are so excited to hear what you think about this furry cow addition to Ylands.

     

    Happy exploring in Ylands, and we can't wait for you to meet our newest Taiga resident!

    Stay Classy!

    • Like 4
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  6. Posted

    Hello Ylanders,

    We’re back with an exciting blend of news about our latest feature: Handbook Rewards. This addition is all about enriching your entire journey in Ylands, with a special focus on those initial, crucial hours of gameplay.

    image-2023-12-21_18-35-21.png

    image-2023-12-21_18-35-21-1.png

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    A Rewarding Start

    We understand that the first few hours in Ylands can be decisive. Players who overcome the initial learning curve tend to find deeper enjoyment and stay longer. With this in mind, Handbook Rewards are designed to make the early stages more engaging and less daunting. By offering meaningful rewards for early tasks, we aim to help new players find their footing and uncover the true potential of Ylands.

    Rewards Across Your Journey

    But it’s not just about the start. Handbook Rewards bring value at every stage of your adventure. Whether you’re gathering essential resources, unlocking unique and powerful weapons, or acquiring special collectibles, these rewards are tailored to enhance your experience.

    Streamlining Progression

    A key goal of Handbook Rewards is to offer a smoother progression path. These rewards come in at just the right time to help you unlock new regions and tackle the challenges ahead. It’s about reducing the grind and increasing the enjoyment of each milestone you reach. While also giving you a long term goal to aim for in the case of Story Chapters or some more difficult Region conquering Diary Events.

    Looking Forward

    Handbook Rewards represent just one step in our ongoing effort to make Ylands more engaging. We see great potential in integrating this system with future features, like daily quests or login bonuses, to continually enhance your gaming experience.

    Your Feedback, Our Compass

    As you delve into this new feature, we’re eager to hear from you. Your experiences, especially during the early stages of the game, are invaluable in helping us refine and evolve the Handbook Rewards system.

    Thank you for being part of the Ylands community. Your adventures, challenges, and achievements are what inspire us to keep improving and expanding the world of Ylands.

     

    Happy exploring, and here’s to many more rewarding adventures ahead!

    Stay Classy!

    • Like 5

  7. Posted

    Ahoy Ylanders!

    Updates are consistently geared toward enhancing your gaming experience. Each update brings a combination of significant features and behind-the-scenes improvements to ensure smoother and more enjoyable gameplay. Let's delve into the journey of these features.

    DD_303_Steam_1920x1080_02.jpg

    Wish List
    Our wish list is a culmination of various sources, including community suggestions, insights from focus tests, brainstorming sessions with our designers, and feedback from our team members. We also take into account thoughts gathered from QA feedback sessions, creating a comprehensive pool of ideas.

    Priorities
    Every update is driven by specific goals, such as improving recipes for new players or transforming sailing into a thrilling adventure. We compile a list of approximately 40 objectives for each update, aiming for a balance between fun and functionality.

    Design
    The Feature Owner plays a crucial role in crafting a design document with mockups to visualize ideas. Some features are even prototyped using our Editor, adding a tangible dimension to the creative process.

    Design Review
    A creative huddle takes place involving the Project Lead, Producer, and Designers. Their focused brainstorming session ensures alignment with our overall vision and addresses any potential challenges.

    Implementation
    With a detailed plan in place, we share our ideas with the implementation team. Each feature follows a specific timeline, accompanied by status meetings and vigilant oversight to ensure a smooth transition from concept to reality.

    Feature Review
    We did it! Upon completion, the Project Lead and Producer evaluate the feature's integration into the game, considering its overall enjoyment factor. Other developers also provide feedback during this phase.

    Feature is Ready
    The moment of truth arrives as QA takes center stage. Rigorous testing is conducted to identify and address any bugs, ensuring the feature is polished and ready for release.

    As our team eagerly tackles the next project, they remain committed to resolving any issues promptly. We're excited for you to experience the new feature and have a fantastic time with it! 🚀🎮



    And that is a feature's journey from the point of view of Production. Do you have any questions about this process? Let us know in the comments! 



    Stay Classy! 

    • Like 3

  8. Posted

    Ahoy Ylanders,

    We've been hard at work on the upcoming update, which we titled Tremendous Techtree. And before we release it, we bring you the experimental build! 

    Available only to Steam users, the Experimental build offers you guys a chance to:

    • test upcoming features & changes
    • report any bugs & provide early feedback (#experimental_build room on our Discord server is a great way to do that)

    Experimental_1920x1080.png


    HOW TO TRY THE EXPERIMENTAL BUILD

    1. *optional* If you've been playing for a while and are not a newer player, please delete the contents of this folder C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\Bohemia Interactive\Ylands\Crashes
    2. go to your Steam library and right-click Ylands
    3. select Properties, click the "Betas" tab, and enter "YExperimentalPublic" as the password (excluding the double quotes)
    4. this will unlock the "i_will_back_up_my_saves" branch. (Please note that you don't need to back up your saves anymore this is just the name of the branch).
    5. after selecting the branch and confirming it, Steam will begin downloading the new experimental branch

     


    SUPER IMPORTANT INFO! 

    • Any progress you make on the experimental build DOES NOT carry over to your live game!!! 
    • When you start playing experimental, we will now copy your live progress into experimental for you. You can try your actual progress in the new update right away (remember that you are playing in a separate environment so it will not affect your progress on live by any means).
    • What WILL be copied:
      • Adventure mode progress,
      • All editor scenarios and tools,
      • Non-protected workshop scenarios and all the blueprints you have uploaded to the workshop
      • All your purchased blueprints
      • All your local blueprints
    • What WILL NOT be copied:
      • Sharegames
      • Rented servers (if you want any of those maps on experimental, you will need to turn them into singleplayer maps before you start experimental for the first time)
      • Any workshop assets with global user data (leaderboards, game sets, etc)
    • Do not copy any local files! Any TAMPERING with local data can lead to irreversible loss of progress!!!
    • Not all features that will be released in the full release are necessarily available in the Experimental build. It is possible that some features available in the Experimental build might be changed, balanced, or removed before the full release.
    • Please delete the content of the folder:
      C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\Bohemia Interactive\Ylands\Crashes
    • If you forgot to delete the content of the folder and the game starts as a new game contact us for help.

     

    ...with that out of the way...onto the good stuff!

     

    HIGHLIGHTS

    New Experimental! 

    Brand new way of playing the experimental build, now your live progress is copied to experimental so you can try the new changes with your own character and with your own progress! You can also try out your Editor tools and scenarios and see if they work, please keep us informed!

    Tech Tree

    Progress through core and most optional recipes is now based on a Tech Tree, allowing for more a controlled and fun system of unlocking crafting recipes.

    Handbook rewards

    New rewards for handbook tasks and story (bear in mind some of them are placeholders in experimental). Some rewards can be obtained only through the handbook and nowhere else, so remember to claim them!

    Compass overhaul

    Compass is now always visible and has an all-new visual for increased contrast. We also added the detection of cave entrances.

    Proximity chat

    Players are now able to communicate via a built-in proximity voice chat in multiplayer sessions.

    Inventory context button improvements

    We felt the item detail window was too hidden, so we displayed it more prominently (replaced the "Used In" button). Used In was moved to the item detail window, along with several new functions (Link to the crafting recipe, ability to craft more of the same item, etc.)

    Alchemy changed to crafting

    The alchemy table now works as any other workstation (potions are researched in the tech tree as most of the other recipes).

    Region map is now single-player by default

    Do you often run out of space in the region map? Now all your maps are single-player by default. Servers are always accessible by a separate game list in the region map. This should double the space for your own ylands!

    Avatar frames

    Now you can change the borders of your avatar's face. You can gain some as a reward or buy some in the shop. Frames are visible to all your friends.

    Biotop polishing

    Flora and fauna are now region-specific. We also changed the visual (both terrain and new entities) of every region. There are now some new animals like hens, and many new plants, rocks, and trees. 

    Random encounters

    Random encounters are now region-specific (except for vendors). Vendor encounters were rebalanced and their compositions were updated. Optional recipes were separated into smaller pools to reflect progress in the Tech Tree. We also added a new method for the optional recipe and exploration point acquisition (Interactive entities hidden in Random encounters). 

    Quality of life improvements

    List of valid entities for inventory containers extended (or changed). Tutorial rebalanced for new changes. Items automatically removed from containers no longer drop on the ground
    Destroyed entities from REs no longer drop resources. Hardened items no longer fall to the ground when terrain is modified below them. Stumps can be removed using a pick tool. Empty categories in the Crafting menu are hidden until you learn their contents. 

    Sailing speed rebalance

    Boats were rebalanced to be slower than most ships. Ship speeds were rebalanced for a more linear progression. The angle of optimal wind was increased and the negative effect of sailing against the wind decreased. The power of sails and engines is applied by an exponential curve - less power is required to reach a reasonable speed.

    Gamepad PC alpha version

    Early access to the implementation of Gamepad controls for you to try out. Bear in mind that some UI windows are still in progress and you will not be able to use the gamepad in them properly. But especially in combat or general gameplay, we would like to know how gamepad controls work for you. Also please try our new aim assist using the gamepad. Full gamepad implementation will happen during next year.

    Aim assist

    Players using a gamepad or playing on mobile are now being assisted with aiming.

    Secondary Interaction bound to E key

    We moved some radial menu actions to a separate hotkey.

    Feedback improvement

    You can send feedback messages with save files attached. 

    Indicators for saving and bad connection

    Whenever the game autosaves, an indicator flashes in the bottom right corner. Should you experience issues with an internet connection, the game will display that as well. Also, losing progress when your internet connection is poor should be mitigated to a minimum.

    EDITOR: Custom tools folders

    Organize Toolbox neatly into virtual folders.

    EDITOR: Debug stepping alpha version

    Introducing an alpha version of a powerful debugging tool for Custom Games containing complicated Visual Script. Add breakpoints to Visual Script tiles, test the game in the Debug mode, and walk through the script step by step. This feature is hidden by default but can be enabled by /enabledebugging 1.

     

     

    Critical Blocking Issues:

    • tech tree does not work properly in multiplayer
    • handbook rewards can disappear in multiplayer

    Please note that not all texts are translated at the moment and some old texts are not updated yet.

     

     

    • Like 5

  9. Posted

    Ahoy, Ylanders!

    Embark with us on a visual journey into the realm of artistic creation as we unveil the process behind some of the mythical animals in the Ylands universe. Today, we'll delve into the minds of our talented artists: Karel, Filip, and Jakub, as they created the fantastical beings that already inhabit your Ylands experience.

     

    Wooden Golem by Karel

    "Research is key to capturing the true essence of the Wooden Golem. I drew inspiration from my favorite Lord of the Rings movie, blending majestic and dangerous Ents with dumb and heavy Trolls. The challenge was to strike a balance between enchanting and mysterious, ensuring these creatures seamlessly meld into the forest landscapes our players will explore."

    Golem.jpg

     

    Stormfeathered Banty by Filip

    "Creating the Stormfeathered Banty was a challenge. I immersed myself in the world of flying beasts, drawing inspiration from our animator Matej and his pet hen, as well as the old Mayan kingdom. It's fascinating how ordinary animals and tribal art can breathe life into these mythical creatures."

    Hen.jpg

     

    Emerald Scaleneck and White Burroworill by Jakub

    "When thinking of Emerald Scaleneck and White Burroworill, I drew my inspiration from the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail (easter egg) and the TV series Dinosaurs. Incorporating these comical ideas into these mythical creatures added an otherworldly dimension. It's amazing how a blend of fantasy world, funny animals, and artistic interpretation can create creatures that feel both cute and captivating."

    Alpaca.jpgRabbit.jpg

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    A heartfelt thank you to Karel, Filip, and Jakub for offering us a glimpse into the creative process that births these mythical creatures! For a deeper dive into our artistic endeavors, don't forget to explore our art developer diary in the future. Share your thoughts on these extraordinary creations, and until our next artistic revelation...


    Stay Classy!

    • Like 5

  10. Posted

    Ahoy Ylanders,

    Ylands_2_2_SoMe_1920x1080 v4.png

    It is finally here! We know, we know, it's been a while and sorry about that, but we think the major improvements and over 200 fixes, additions and tweaks are worth the wait! Before you skip to those long requested features, let us thank you for sticking with us in 2023, you are making wonders in Ylands! Let's see what Update 2.2: Tremendous Techtree has brought for you!

    Tech Tree

    Tired of randomly exploring the world to find specific recipes? So were we. But now, we're introducing a much better way to get them - The Tech Tree! Finally, you can take technological progress into your own hands and be in charge of advancing through the tree and helping it grow.

    2-2_TechTree_FHD_Logo.png

    Wanna know more specifics about the Tech Tree? Go see this Dev Diary: https://ylands.com/community/topic/32592-dev-diary-298-big-technology-change-incoming/

    And to help you get started with the Tech Tree, we have a competition on our Discord! Join in and compete with other adventurers for the limited Fox on Board pet. Join the competition here: https://discord.gg/ylands?event=1207664814902480976

    Handbook rewards

    2-2_Handbook_Rewards_FHD.png

    Handbook is great, but everything can be improved. That's our mindset in a nutshell, so what is the Handbook improvement? Rewards for you! Some of these rewards will be useful in your journey and some are Handbook exclusive. One of the exclusive rewards is a C.A.G. avatar frame that can be claimed only by helping Reginald Elmwood with his assignment. What are some of the other rewards? Go open up your Adventurers Handbook and find out!

    Compass improvements

    Behold! A brand new never-disappearing compass found its way to Ylands. Storm, fog, night or the brightest sunshine - worry not! With its updated visual, the new compass will always help you find your way... or cave entrances, as those too are marked on the compass from now on. (Our miners reported dozens of hours saved when looking for resource deposits.)

    Avatar frames

    2_2_Avatar_Frames_FHD.png

    Wanna treat yourself by getting an exclusive look for everyone to see? A whole new section of the shop is here and with it an immense dose of style! Choose yours and show it off for all Ylanders to see!

    Proximity chat

    Yeah, every game has some kind of voice chat, but where is the immersion? In close proximity. So, make sure to test this new feature out with your closest friends! At least in the Adventure mode, where you can only hear each other when relatively nearby. But worry not, when playing in Creative, you can hear each other regardless of how far apart you are.

    Mobile aim assist

    Yet another thing you've been asking for quite often. Here it is! Better aim for mobile users. Pew! Pew! Pew!

    Are you curious about other new features, fixes and additions? See the Changelog for update 2.2 here: https://ylands.com/community/topic/32773-22-tremendous-tech-tree-changelog-wip/

    Valentine sale is ON right now!

    Our lovely Valentine's sales are still going on. Exclusive limited pet Fox on Board and discounts on more pets, recipes and, of course, the proposal emote! Head to the shop and send a gift to that special player.

    • Like 1

  12. Posted

    ⭐ Highlights ⭐

    • Snowball fighting - find stacks of snowballs in Random Encounters and use them in fun battles with your friends!
    • Christmas animals - you can meet new Christmas variants of specific animals on newly discovered ylands and tame them.
    • Toy hunt - Christmas came early and you can already find presents hidden in the world of Ylands. Merry Christmas! 

    WINTER_FEST_PATCH_1920x1080_v2.jpg

    New Assets
    DISCLAIMER: These assets will be available only during the event. Once you acquire/tame them, you will be able to keep them even after the event ends. 

    New animals (exclusively in new maps in Adventure)
    Festive Terrorbird
    Festive Rhinoceros
    Festive Tiger
    Festive Bear
    Festive Wolverine
    Festive Penguin

    New items
    Toy Teddy Bear
    Toy Doll
    Toy Robot
    Festive Bait
    Thrown snowball

    New pet
    Socky The Shark

    New Achievements
    Having a Snowball (throwable)
    Santa's Little Herder
    Santa's Little Hoarder


    _______________________________
    FIXES 
    Fixed: The player's ship should no longer appear in the middle of the Elmwood outpost.
    Fixed: We fixed the problem with the safe in Ember Yland which did not unlock also Distant memory should no longer disable music for players.


    ADDITIONS
    [YLD-48435] Added Anti Cheat sanitation. Multiplayer will be a safe place again.
    [YLD-48791] Added: Editor: Trigger On player created / On player spawned on Spawn point.
    Added: Three new Achievements - SANTA'S LITTLE HOARDER, SANTA'S LITTLE HERDER, HAVING A SNOWBALL


    CHANGES
    Changed: All new festive items can be found in chests in random encounters, happy hunting!


    TWEAKED
    Tweaked: Resource price for unlocking the Adventure region is reduced.
    Tweaked: Some recipes in Adventure were not obtainable, but now you can find them in random encounters.

    • Like 3
    • Fire 1

  13. Posted

    11 hours ago, Yo HasLEGO said:

    I beg to differ! 
    Let me explain the backstory of how this all started.

    So a little over a year ago Jrock made a server where he, Mello and me built a medieval town. In between building we had some hilarious role playing moments. One of the best being a night now known as "night out with the boys". Mello just finished his beer storage filled with huge barrels full of beer. We all grabbed a bottle and as the night went on, things escalated into madness! Mello and Jrock started throwing fists, passed out and some of us started to run around naked across the streets. Not a pretty sight.

    Anyway, the role playing we did in combination with some chill building is one of the most fun i've ever had in the game and i really treasure the memories we had on that server.
    But then, Stiegi responded in discord with this hilarious post below!

    image.thumb.png.246faa4137a92f45c026b06352f667f3.png

    He made a scene out of it. Figuratively and literally. He went through the effort of building a thrashed up party scene, with him sitting there alone and drew tears in his eyes afterwards. Talking about committing to the bit!

    Then Nikki tried to comfort him by promising that she would invite him for a party with the devs.

    image.thumb.png.c739eb8be95a929b0b2f8eeabc5ae56d.png

    Which brings us to this post, after a year of waiting.

    So, now we're all caught up I just want to say again that this was so cool to meet you all for real. Love you all so much ❤️

    This is all true :D

  14. Posted

    Ahoy Ylanders,

    Some of you may have noticed that we celebrated International Women's Day last week. 

    This year we decided to give thanks to all the incredible women who are part of the Ylands team. You can watch it here: 

     

    Now let's talk about #womeningaming. We are grateful to have so many ladies on our team, as it is still not quite common. And it can be pretty scary to join an industry where you don't see that much representation. 


    "As a little girl, I thought I wanted to be so many things. A lawyer, a famous pianist, a famous painter, or a teacher. Yet I also always imagined making video games as something that I would love to do. And I was right. Being part of the process of creating video games is one of the biggest joys of my life. Having a sketch you made become a real thing in the game that people can enjoy, helping someone who has a problem and making their day better, or planning future assets based on what our players want, all of these things are something I dreamed of doing. Taking something that brings me so much happiness (video games) and dedicating 8+ hours a day to making it better for other people is something that is incredibly important to me. I know we are not doctors, lawyers, or firemen. But I swear that there were moments when video games saved my life. When someone told a story and connected with me on such a level that I felt heard, understood, and less alone. The feeling of being able to give this back to the world, well it is quite something. Thank you to all players who give us a reason to do this, you're amazing.

    I always thought that you have to know programming or 3D art to become part of the game-making process. I never thought it would be a real possibility for me to work in the game industry. And I think a big part of that was not seeing many women who would tell me that there is a place for me as well. However, that is not true at all! Not only you can start at a position where you learn different skills you can also play to your strengths and go for 2D graphic design or like me put your people skills to the test. 😁 This industry has a place for everyone, you just need to find out what you are good at. I hope one day we will see more women joining our industry. And I want to thank all the ladies on our team for being an inspiration to me and other girls who might want to join the game development process one day."

    - Anna, Community Manager


    Now let's hear from them!

    "I have been playing games since childhood and they have always been one of my biggest passions. And the best way to be closer to passion and never let it fade away is to be a part of it."
    -Claire, Designer

    "I always wanted people to react to my job with "Wow! That's cool!". Jokes aside, loving your job is not a common occurrence and I wanted to love what I do. And I love video games with all my heart."
    -Nikki, Brand Manager

    fefec2a161de8f3bbaed4aef95540a8e92a25c73.png


    So thank you again, ladies, thank you our players for giving us this opportunity, and thank you Ylands team and Bohemia Interactive for having us. 
    Stay Classy!

    - Anna, Community Manager

    • Like 6
    • Thanks 1

  15. Posted

    Ahoy Ylanders! 

    We often ask you to look at an image or read some new information, but this week, this week is different. And that's because we want you to listen!

    Let's set the scene. Just imagine you're on the beach of a beautiful yland, sun just starting to peek on the horizon, shashlik being roasted on the fire, coconut drink in hand, your ship anchored nearby and Track Number 2: Serene Sunrise starts playing... eh... what's Track Number 2 you ask? The answer is easy! That is the track that comes after Track Number 1: Adventure Awaits on the Ylands Original Game Soundtrack! 

    The Ylands OST is now available for you to stream on Spotify, Apple Music and other music streaming platforms! We are extremely happy to share this with you and make the wonderful music of Ylands easily available for you to enjoy whenever and wherever. 

    Ylands_Music_Cover-min.png

    You may or may not know that the music was composed by a Czech composer Varhan Orchestrovič Bauer who hand picked the individual musicians who performed the tracks.

    Because we enjoy making fun of ourselves, we'll share a funny story from the implementation of the soundtrack... At one point, we started receiving feedback from players that they heard someone talking when they were inside caves.  We thought to ourselves: "That's impossible! We never recorded any dialogue for the game!" So we really dove deep into getting to the bottom of the mystery. And indeed, there it was. When you walked into a cave, you could hear the word "Super!" at times, which was kinda creepy. So we went to consult our sound department and it turned out that they left in a part of the track, where the conductor complimented the great job of the orchestra with a single word... "Super!"

    That's it for today, Ylanders! 

    Stay Super... and Classy!  

    • Like 3
    • Haha 1

  16. Posted

    Highlights

    ❤️ New time-limited pet (available Feb 10 - 17) 
    ⚪ Improved behaviour of inventory and radial menu on-screen buttons
    📝 New login/registration screen
    📘 Tutorial UI improvements

    YLANDS_Update 1-11, SocialMedia - 1920x1080 11_2022 (1)-Recovered.png

     

     

    Fixed / Added / Tweaked / Removed

    [YLD-42689] Fixed: Tutorial: Mobile: Health layout overlaps the hint box.
    [YLD-42718] Fixed: "Gather Alchemy Ingredients" task name overlaps over its box.
    [YLD-42411] Added: Flying Boar for Valentine.
    [YLD-42530] Tweaked: Adjust character naming screen.
    [YLD-42280] Tweaked: Errors during login/registration are now more specific.
    [YLD-42544] Tweaked: Mobile UI: Inventory, Radial Menu, Chat a Pause menu should work on release.
    [YLD-42497] Removed: The login screen upon the first start.



     

  17. Posted

    Highlights

    📘 Major Blueprints bugs fixed
    👗Costume previews fixed
    🏆 Achievement title change fixed
    ✅UI issues fixed

    patch 1.10.0.2 changelog.png

    Changelogs

    Fixed:
    [YLD-38622] Fixed: The preview of all costumes in the store is blank in a computer.
    [YLD-39502] Fixed: Players cannot see themselves on the exploration map after being invited by someone other than the host.
    [YLD-39527] Fixed: Some logs do not get placed in blueprints.
    [YLD-39405] Fixed: Pickable and interactable entities in Horned Lion Mythical Animal RE are no longer named "-".
    [YLD-39620] Fixed: Blueprints created from the following energy entities: Energy Stove, Energy Heater (both sizes), Electrolytic Station, Force Field Door and Spotlights (both sizes, any color), cannot be built (and have no requirements).
    [YLD-39636] Fixed: Rafts in blueprints throw an exception upon completion.
    [YLD-39526] Fixed: Depositing specific items into a blueprint table could throw an exception.
    [YLD-39534] Fixed: Profile detail popup was not updating after title change because it was using cached player data & avatar settings. 
    [YLD-39359] Fixed: Editor: Clicking RMB on items in containers deselects the container object.

    • Like 3

  18. Posted

    Highlights
     

    💎 Disappearing ship parts fixed
    ❄️ Minor Blueprints fixes
    💧  Tutorial bugs fixed
    💠Fixed memory leak issues


    patch 1.10.0.1 changelog.png

    Changelog

    Fixed
    [YLD-39511] Fixed: Mountain Talongoat bait recipe no longer requires a whole Heliconia plant (unobtainable). Replaced by Heliconia Seeds.
    [YLD-39406] Fixed: Placing an item into the blueprint table should now correctly work in instances when the same item is required for both the Materials tab and as a (decorative) Item.
    [YLD-39401] Fixed: Blueprint project table should now correctly recognize tools inside containers.
    [YLD-39487] Fixed: A regression where older (for instance, created in Early Access) rented server games could not be deleted.
    [YLD-33889] Fixed: A memory leak caused by the game screenshot in the upper right corner of the escape menu.
    [YLD-39163] Fixed: Some texts were untranslated (in: exploration map, rented server management, video options).
    [YLD-39355] Fixed: Loot container position correctly updates when a boat that has it on board sinks'.
    [YLD-39362] Fixed: Excluded some EntityPrototypes from being spawnable by SpawnEntityGen.
    [YLD-39181] Fixed: Reduced shader memory by variant stripping, cleared up the reference to massive colour arrays after use. On LowMemoryEvent don't run GC and UnloadAssets every time, variable 15s time.
    [YLD-37940] Fixed: Search in inventory now correctly uses localized names of items.

    [YLD-39362] Fixed: VS: It is possible to Spawn obsolete entities with scripts.
    [YLD-39422] Fixed: VS: Right-click won't open the context menu in pivot edit mode.

    Tweaked
    [YLD-39407] Tweaked: Foliage from blueprints never grows up.
    [YLD-39357] Tweaked: Trees from blueprints don't drop items anymore.

    Added
    New version of Onboarding

    • Like 3
    • Thanks 1

  19. Posted

    Hey there, fellow Ylanders!

    So something has happened to Blueprints in 1.10.

    Former Blueprints are now called Game Blueprints and former Compositions are now Creator Blueprints. Why? Because we felt Compositions and Blueprints had a lot of common functionality and when we added more variety to the former Blueprints it became obvious that merging those two together would make a lot of sense.


    Long story short - Game Blueprints are simpler (as in no scripting etc.) and can be used in Adventure, Sandbox and Editor. Creator Blueprints allow capturing more sophisticated things and can be placed in the Editor only.

    So what else has changed?

    DD.png

     

    Players are now able to capture Blueprints in the Editor (without all of the previous workarounds...)! Just make a selection and open the "Save As Blueprint" wizard.


    A LOT more things are now available for capture in a Blueprint (weapons, tools, items...trees!) and it takes a lot out of the guesswork about which assets you can utilize. For those who want to be really sure, there is a filter in the Entity Catalogue in the Editor.


    And as for building the Blueprint in the game - you may notice that there are now two tabs in an active project table. Deposit material in one to build the walls, ship hulls, and car chassis (basically the parts that you can't pick up afterwards) and the other tab collects Items - all the things that you CAN carry around and might want to use as a decoration, for example. If you don't know a recipe for a part of the blueprint or you don't have the right tools to craft it, the project table will tell you and indicate which parts you can't build at the time. PC players can even Stop Building the Blueprint and keep what they built until that point.

    Right now you can create just local Blueprints for your own use. In 1.11 you'll be able to share them with others and monetize them.

    That's it for this week and we'll talk to you again soon. Until then - Stay Classy, Ylanders!

    • Like 6

  20. Posted

    Hey there, fellow Ylanders!


    It's now just days before the release of the 1.10 update and since we've already discussed all the major features you'll find there, it seems like a good time to mention what comes after 1.10.

    It probably won't come as a surprise to many that it's 1.11, but what we would like to talk about today is one particular feature that 1.11 will bring. And it's something we internally call "Dark Dungeons".

    So you've been exploring Ylands for some time. You have a great mansion to return to. You're sailing on an awesome ship that you keep filling up with all the treasure and resources you come across during your adventure-filled journeys. You know all the Random Encounters like the back of your hand and with the best armor and weapons you can slay any monster with ease. And, in fact, you have slain all of them. Twice.

    D232.png



    So what's next?

    With 1.11, the gates will open and lead you to dark and dangerous places filled with puzzles, new monsters - both basic ones and those that posses some special abilities. Oh, and bosses as well. Fight alone. Fight alongside your friends. Pack whatever you need and enter that doorway.

    The adventure awaits.

    Talk to you in a week so until then...

    Stay classy, Ylanders!

    • Like 7

  21. Posted

    59 minutes ago, Yo HasLEGO said:

    Wait now i'm confused... I knew you guys didn't pronounce it as why-lands but...From what i can gather here is that it should be pronounced ee-lands??? That's just weird 😆

    Fair, that's fair :D

    But yeah, we still get lots of people pronouncing it as WHYlands 😭

    • Haha 2

  22. Posted

    Hey there Ylanders!

    Before we drop the full update release, as always, we have the experimental build for you to take a sneak peek into Update 1.10: Ymproved Ylands!  

    Available to every Steam user, the Experimental branch offers you guys a chance to:

    • test upcoming features & changes
    • test your games & scripts
    • report any bugs & provide early feedback

    But first, a couple of things to be aware of:

    How to try the Experimental Build

    • BACK UP YOUR GAME DATA (see below)
    • go your Steam library right-click Ylands
    • select Properties, click the "Betas" tab and enter "ExperimentalIWillBackUpMySaves" as the password (excluding the double quotes)
    • this will unlock the "i_will_back_up_my_saves" branch
    • after selecting the branch and confirming it, Steam will begin downloading the new experimental branch

    Important information

    Now is a good time to very strongly urge everyone trying the experimental branch to back up all your game data (saves, scenarios, etc.). You can do that by:

    • browsing to "<steam installation folder>/userdata/<your steam id>"
    • copying the whole "298610" folder.

    Keep in mind that the experimental environment uses a completely new user database, meaning that the game will require either playing as a guest or creating a new BI account (available through a link in the game) and then creating a new Ylands character.

    If you leave your saves folder intact, you will be able to load your older saves and scenarios with these caveats:

    • loading older saves will create a new character for you
    • editing scenarios will result in the scenario having more contributors - the user from the live version and the user from the experimental version

    For these reasons, we very heavily WARN AGAINST using any data created/modified in the experimental branch in the live version. Also keep in mind that since experimental and live environments are completely separate, you won't be able to see your friends playing the live version in the Social tab.

    With that out of the way...onto the good stuff!

    Please note: not all features that will be released in the full release are available in the Experimental build. New Blueprints are missing from Experimental but will be included in the full release!


    Ylands_1-10_Update_ComingSoon_SocialMedia_1920x1080-Recovered.png
     

    HIGHLIGHTS
    (once again, this is not the full list of new and improved features that will be released in 1.10!)

    • FPS camera (beta)
      • After a long wait, the FPS camera is back. It's not perfect, still has some quirks and things that we will iron out in the upcoming updates, but it's about 90% done. So hit "C" and let us know what you think :)
    • Exploration balancing
      • Resources are now spread all over the game world making you travel to other biomes as well - you can see what each biome contains on the world map. As you discover more about other places of the world you will find new interesting Random Encounters. In this update, we've mostly focused on bringing more content into arctic areas. It's the first step we're making while populating the world of Ylands with its backstory, creating its own long overdue lore that will be uncovered with each following update.
      • Among other things that are related to balancing (there are quite a few of them there), we can name the fact that various resources now require specific tool quality. So while some early resources can be mined with a basic pickaxe, for something rarer you will have to craft a better type of pickaxe.
    • Improved fishing
      • Fishing is now more interesting - not only is the actual action more fun but there's a lot you can catch (as well as new recipes related to that). What depth you fish at, time of the day or even if it's raining affects what you get.
    • Improved Radial menu
      • The radial menu now controls more intuitively. And since we found that a lot of new players have no idea there even is one, we've added a hard-to-miss radial menu hotkey hint (which you can disable in Game settings).
    • Mythical animals
      • You can now run into some very specific Random Encounters that let you acquire one of the very unique animal companions. Those are sort of a puzzle, but if you manage to solve them, the result is surely worth all the work.
    • Notice Board
      • Now you will never miss anything important because of the cool new Notice board! Look for the owl button in the Main Menu.
    • Editor improvements
      • Creators will find some pretty handy improvements in Editor - like Visual Scripting multi selection and better object placing tools.



    ...all this and much, much more. ;) 

    • Like 1

  23. Posted

    Hey there, fellow Ylanders!

    We have some good news for those daring among you - you can now test the update 1.10 Experimental branch on Steam. The new update bears the name Ymproved Ylands, which is mostly because we focused on balancing the game and improving the features we already have. Oh, and the name of the update also helps a bit with the correct pronunciation of the name of the game ;) 


    Ylands_1-10_Update_Experimental_SteamEventHeader_1920x622.png
     

    As always this means that you can get your hands on the cool new stuff early, but you may encounter some bugs. If you do, we would be very grateful if you could report those bugs on our forums (please always state that you are playing the experimental!), along with any negative or positive feedback you care to share.

    So what is it that you can expect, should you accept this mission to make Ylands better?

    • FPS camera (beta)
      • After a long wait, the FPS camera is back. It's not perfect, still has some quirks and things that we will iron out in the upcoming updates, but it's about 90% done. So hit "C" and let us know what you think :)
    • Exploration balancing
      • Resources are now spread all over the game world making you travel to other biomes as well - you can see what each biome contains on the world map. As you discover more about other places of the world you will find new interesting Random Encounters. In this update, we've mostly focused on bringing more content into arctic areas. It's the first step we're making while populating the world of Ylands with its backstory, creating its own long overdue lore that will be uncovered with each following update.
      • Among other things that are related to balancing (there are quite a few of them there), we can name the fact that various resources now require specific tool quality. So while some early resources can be mined with a basic pickaxe, for something rarer you will have to craft a better type of pickaxe.
    • Improved fishing
      • Fishing is now more interesting - not only is the actual action more fun but there's a lot you can catch (as well as new recipes related to that). What depth you fish at, time of the day or even if it's raining affects what you get.
    • Improved Radial menu
      • The radial menu now controls more intuitively. And since we found that a lot of new players have no idea there even is one, we've added a hard-to-miss radial menu hotkey hint (which you can disable in Game settings).
    • Mythical animals
      • You can now run into some very specific Random Encounters that let you acquire one of the very unique animal companions. Those are sort of a puzzle, but if you manage to solve them, the result is surely worth all the work.
    • Notice Board
      • Now you will never miss anything important because of the cool new Notice board! Look for the owl button in the Main Menu.
    • Editor improvements
      • Creators will find some pretty handy improvements in Editor - like Visual Scripting multi selection and better object placing tools.
    • All this and much, much more.



    What's missing:

    1.10 will bring a big update to Blueprints but that is not yet present in this Experimental branch. It will, however, be present in the full release later.

    For information on how to access the Experimental branch please visit our forum here. Please note, that you will have to play as a new character and any progress you make in the Experimental branch will be eventually wiped. Playing the Experimental branch has no effect on your regular game character or progress.

    We look forward to hearing what you like and don't like, please let us know! 



    Stay classy, Ylanders!

    • Like 3
    • Fire 1

  24. Posted

    Hi there! 

    We recognize this to be an issue. This is not the kind of UX we want our players to have, which is why we manged to squeeze in a notification telling you that someone joined your game. This is only the first step in solving this issue and we will continue improving this of course. 

    We are very sorry this happened to you. I will send you a PM. 

    • Like 1
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