August 8 2011 - TC1 - SQL, new patch support, etc
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 10:19 pm
Greetings AOV!
We hope everyone is having a rewarding summer. We have been enjoying the sun and good weather but have also been working hard on the shard as usual.
We are loading the test centre up with the latest changes. The community events and Tokuno events planned in May have been postponed due to some unfortunate events IRL as well as to speed up the completion of the large projects to release to the live server.
The changes released to the test centre will be tested throughout the month of August and provided there are no large problems, will be release to the live server in September.
We encourage players to hop onto the test centre and play around and provide feedback. The test centre is the step just before the live release so we will be working out any major problems and bugs before it hits the live server.
You will need an updated client patch to play on TC1. Here's a few things to expect:
Test Centre Implementations and Bug Fixes
* Converted save system from time interval based serialized file to real time serialized SQL rows. This system is slightly more CPU intensive due to the fact that it is real time (continuously saving in the background) but creates a non stop gaming experience. There are no longer any world saves. Changes are saved on the fly in a queue system. Note that in the event of a crash or bad server shutdown there is still the possibility of a revert, but it should be small. There is a minor lag issue that is being looked into, as it does freeze every now and then. (Seems to do it about 5 times a day in average, it's very random)
NOTE: The conversion from file to SQL is in progress and may take about 15 minutes. If for any reason the server is unexpectedly shut down at this point there may be a full revert to before the restart. A more general announcement will be made when the conversion is done and a restart will be issued to ensure the save applied properly. [this is now done]
* Added 7th character slot
* Added support for patch 7.0.16.1 (Tons of of packet/tile/etc changes from 6.0.12.4)
* Added Ter Mur Map and support for the new tiles. This is not yet player accessible and will probably not be for a while
* Added basic support for Gargoyle race. It is currently disabled and will default to elf if chosen
* Added support for SA housing tiles except for doors
* Quest button on paperdoll now works. Actual quest NPCs will be spawned over time, further details will be given then.
* Changed character creation process a bit. Instead of picking a location, it just says "default". Unless the character class chosen has a special quest (ex: necro) all new chars end up in Haven. Eventually all newbie quests will be in haven but for now we're sticking with the classics, and we may even keep it that way. Not determined yet.
* Fixed plants so they are no longer checked at server restart. They are now checked hourly. The grow rates are not affected by this, however their state can now change within the hour instead of within the next restart
* Lot of misc minor fixes, too many to list.
For more details (Save System)
http://www.uovalor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5901
Artifact changes
We have done extensive artifact changes to help balance things better. Some artifacts have been reduced while others have been increased. Some have also been removed completely and replaced with a specific, or random artifact.
The reason this was done is to prepare for future OSI drop systems post UOML and to avoid artifact duplications while keeping unique items in game. The scaling was done to ensure that artifacts that were overpowered or underpowered were given attention and necessary changes.
The changed artifacts have been scaled for weeks and individually compared to existing items and future items. We regret that you will likely have to redesign your suit, as was the unavoidable case. We have provided existing players with the means to do so.
Please note that due to the excess of customized content in the game, we did not apply revisions to all the systems that needed them. This is considered an ongoing process. Some artifact systems have not yet been touched as they are still in planning stages. Customized pets have also not been touched yet.
The changes outlined may not be 100% accurate as some last minute changes may not have been reflected here, but we tried our best to keep it accurate. Some items that have been revised may continue to change as they are reviewed.
NOTE: Because there are so many artifacts to review, we would like the players to review the changes. Constructive criticism is appreciated as nothing is set in stone. The artifacts were handled to the best of our ability, keeping in mind all the current artifacts and future artifacts.
Blatant hostility towards these changes will be handled in a method appropriate to the moderators.
If you have an opinion, we expect you to respect the staff, developers and players of AOV by:
- Voicing your opinion in a polite manner
- Stating facts as to why you agree or disagree with a proposed change
Doing so will help to determine the final outcome.
For more details (Artifact Changes)
http://www.uovalor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5902
Quests
There will be a few beta quests spawned to test out the revised quest core and to ensure that there are no problems. Instructions on how to follow these quests will be provided on the test centre.
Quest objectives:
- Kill Quests
- Obtain/Gathering Quests
- Escort Quests
- Delivery Quests
We have also revised the Solen quests to use the new quest system in lieu of the classic quest system. There will be a moongate to the area to test out this new quest system.
For more details (Quest System)
http://www.uovalor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5903
Pets
We will be working on analyzing existing pets that are tameable on AOV. We will provide a list of tameable creatures once we have started this part of the project. For the time being, no customized pet has been touched or scaled as our attention has been on the artifacts first.
We have introduced OSI's "greater dragons" on the test centre for players to test. The dragons will not be released to the live server until they are properly research and tested. They will be replacing the ancient wyrm tameables, which are now discontinued.
Please feel free to provide constructive feedback on the greater dragons.
For more details (Greater Dragons)
http://www.uovalor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5904
Other
Our goal is to provide information for players in game instead of the forums through an easily accessed help system as well as areas in the game.
We have begun planning and preliminary testing of a proposed inventory system in game. We hope to be able to show you what we are working on sometime in the fall.
Also, players are in for a surprise with a few classic monsters. We recommend taking a look at earth elementals, exodus minions and fire elementals.
For more details (Blood Effects)
http://www.uovalor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5905
For more details (Demon Pillar Puzzles)
http://www.uovalor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5906
Remember: This is a TC1 update, not live, however the changes reflected here are most likely the changes that will happen on live in the next couple weeks.
Lastly, please note that any artifacts that are marked as being replaced with a random artifact are generated at load time. This means that on live, the artifact you get will not be the same one as you get on TC1.
Archived topic from AOV, old topic ID:5895, old post ID:35618
We hope everyone is having a rewarding summer. We have been enjoying the sun and good weather but have also been working hard on the shard as usual.
We are loading the test centre up with the latest changes. The community events and Tokuno events planned in May have been postponed due to some unfortunate events IRL as well as to speed up the completion of the large projects to release to the live server.
The changes released to the test centre will be tested throughout the month of August and provided there are no large problems, will be release to the live server in September.
We encourage players to hop onto the test centre and play around and provide feedback. The test centre is the step just before the live release so we will be working out any major problems and bugs before it hits the live server.
You will need an updated client patch to play on TC1. Here's a few things to expect:
Test Centre Implementations and Bug Fixes
* Converted save system from time interval based serialized file to real time serialized SQL rows. This system is slightly more CPU intensive due to the fact that it is real time (continuously saving in the background) but creates a non stop gaming experience. There are no longer any world saves. Changes are saved on the fly in a queue system. Note that in the event of a crash or bad server shutdown there is still the possibility of a revert, but it should be small. There is a minor lag issue that is being looked into, as it does freeze every now and then. (Seems to do it about 5 times a day in average, it's very random)
NOTE: The conversion from file to SQL is in progress and may take about 15 minutes. If for any reason the server is unexpectedly shut down at this point there may be a full revert to before the restart. A more general announcement will be made when the conversion is done and a restart will be issued to ensure the save applied properly. [this is now done]
* Added 7th character slot
* Added support for patch 7.0.16.1 (Tons of of packet/tile/etc changes from 6.0.12.4)
* Added Ter Mur Map and support for the new tiles. This is not yet player accessible and will probably not be for a while
* Added basic support for Gargoyle race. It is currently disabled and will default to elf if chosen
* Added support for SA housing tiles except for doors
* Quest button on paperdoll now works. Actual quest NPCs will be spawned over time, further details will be given then.
* Changed character creation process a bit. Instead of picking a location, it just says "default". Unless the character class chosen has a special quest (ex: necro) all new chars end up in Haven. Eventually all newbie quests will be in haven but for now we're sticking with the classics, and we may even keep it that way. Not determined yet.
* Fixed plants so they are no longer checked at server restart. They are now checked hourly. The grow rates are not affected by this, however their state can now change within the hour instead of within the next restart
* Lot of misc minor fixes, too many to list.
For more details (Save System)
http://www.uovalor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5901
Artifact changes
We have done extensive artifact changes to help balance things better. Some artifacts have been reduced while others have been increased. Some have also been removed completely and replaced with a specific, or random artifact.
The reason this was done is to prepare for future OSI drop systems post UOML and to avoid artifact duplications while keeping unique items in game. The scaling was done to ensure that artifacts that were overpowered or underpowered were given attention and necessary changes.
The changed artifacts have been scaled for weeks and individually compared to existing items and future items. We regret that you will likely have to redesign your suit, as was the unavoidable case. We have provided existing players with the means to do so.
Please note that due to the excess of customized content in the game, we did not apply revisions to all the systems that needed them. This is considered an ongoing process. Some artifact systems have not yet been touched as they are still in planning stages. Customized pets have also not been touched yet.
The changes outlined may not be 100% accurate as some last minute changes may not have been reflected here, but we tried our best to keep it accurate. Some items that have been revised may continue to change as they are reviewed.
NOTE: Because there are so many artifacts to review, we would like the players to review the changes. Constructive criticism is appreciated as nothing is set in stone. The artifacts were handled to the best of our ability, keeping in mind all the current artifacts and future artifacts.
Blatant hostility towards these changes will be handled in a method appropriate to the moderators.
If you have an opinion, we expect you to respect the staff, developers and players of AOV by:
- Voicing your opinion in a polite manner
- Stating facts as to why you agree or disagree with a proposed change
Doing so will help to determine the final outcome.
For more details (Artifact Changes)
http://www.uovalor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5902
Quests
There will be a few beta quests spawned to test out the revised quest core and to ensure that there are no problems. Instructions on how to follow these quests will be provided on the test centre.
Quest objectives:
- Kill Quests
- Obtain/Gathering Quests
- Escort Quests
- Delivery Quests
We have also revised the Solen quests to use the new quest system in lieu of the classic quest system. There will be a moongate to the area to test out this new quest system.
For more details (Quest System)
http://www.uovalor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5903
Pets
We will be working on analyzing existing pets that are tameable on AOV. We will provide a list of tameable creatures once we have started this part of the project. For the time being, no customized pet has been touched or scaled as our attention has been on the artifacts first.
We have introduced OSI's "greater dragons" on the test centre for players to test. The dragons will not be released to the live server until they are properly research and tested. They will be replacing the ancient wyrm tameables, which are now discontinued.
Please feel free to provide constructive feedback on the greater dragons.
For more details (Greater Dragons)
http://www.uovalor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5904
Other
Our goal is to provide information for players in game instead of the forums through an easily accessed help system as well as areas in the game.
We have begun planning and preliminary testing of a proposed inventory system in game. We hope to be able to show you what we are working on sometime in the fall.
Also, players are in for a surprise with a few classic monsters. We recommend taking a look at earth elementals, exodus minions and fire elementals.
For more details (Blood Effects)
http://www.uovalor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5905
For more details (Demon Pillar Puzzles)
http://www.uovalor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5906
Remember: This is a TC1 update, not live, however the changes reflected here are most likely the changes that will happen on live in the next couple weeks.
Lastly, please note that any artifacts that are marked as being replaced with a random artifact are generated at load time. This means that on live, the artifact you get will not be the same one as you get on TC1.
Archived topic from AOV, old topic ID:5895, old post ID:35618