Patch notes – 0.1
HELHEIM
Pre-Alpha
The Norse underworld, a realm of shadow and mystery where the souls of the departed dwell. It is a place of transition and transformation.
This initial phase represents ideas in their early, formative state, as the developers explore various possibilities and lay the foundational groundwork for the project.
24 – 02 – 2023
Added and Updated
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
General
Non-Playable Characters (NPCs)
Companions and Followers
Enemies
Animals
Atmospherics and Effects
General
Atmospherics
Visual Effects (VFX)
Audio and Music
General
Sound Effects (SFX)
Music
Engine and Technical
General
Engine
Environments, Locations and World
General
Location
Dream Sequence
Norway
Isle of Skye
The Minch Strait
Shetland Isles
Orkney Isles
Seas and Oceans
Biomes
Religion and Clan Territories
Items and Loot
General
Items
Collectables
Loot
Mechanics and Gameplay
General
Core Gameplay
Primary Gameplay
Secondary Gameplay
Survival States
Combat
Building
Quests, Dialogue and Events
General
Quests
Expeditions
World Trading
Religions and Clans
Dialogue
Player Thoughts
User Interface and User Experience (UIUX)
General
Tutorial
Map
Menu
Other
General
Fixed and Overhauled
Known Issues
Known Issues
Engine Issues
Bug, Glitch and Issue Fixes
Æsir Fixes
Internal Fixes
- fixed landmark duplication at Dun Ringill
- fixed landscape issues around Ring Forts
- fixed spawn issues with Ring Forts
- fixed missing NPC at Kinloch
- fixed settlement building placement
Balancing
- updated houses in Kyleakin
- updated houses in Broadford
- updated houses in Portree
- updated barn near start location
Hotfixes
General
26 – 02 – 2023
Added and Updated
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
General
Non-Playable Characters (NPCs)
Companions and Followers
Enemies
Animals
Atmospherics and Effects
General
Atmospherics
Visual Effects (VFX)
Audio and Music
General
- added new audio to Dream Sequence first load
Sound Effects (SFX)
- updated collectable sound indicator to 5m from 16m
Music
Engine and Technical
General
- added Dream Sequence dynamic loading screen
- removed DLSS temporarily due to incompatibility with Unreal Engine 5.1
- removed Hardcore and Creative game modes due to save and load issues
Engine
Environments, Locations and World
General
- updated debug decals to allow for foliage decals
Location
Dream Sequence
Norway
- removed dev chests
- added new location, The Pass – new path leading up mountain from fjord up to beacon
Isle of Skye
- removed dev chests
The Minch Strait
Shetland Isles
Orkney Isles
Seas and Oceans
Biomes
Religion and Clan Territories
Items and Loot
General
Items
Collectables
Loot
Mechanics and Gameplay
General
- added swimming in lochs
Core Gameplay
Primary Gameplay
Secondary Gameplay
Survival States
- added drinking from rivers
- added greater replenishment when drinking at higher altitudes
Combat
Building
Quests, Dialogue and Events
General
Quests
Expeditions
World Trading
Religions and Clans
Dialogue
Player Thoughts
User Interface and User Experience (UIUX)
General
- removed emote screen temporarily due to non-functionality
- updated aiming reticule to be persistent (toggleable in future)
- added key bindings below hotbar slots
- added yellow compass bar to indicate hidden collectable proximity
Tutorial
- added narrative popup on start in Norway
Map
- added location marker – Norway, The Pass
Menu
Other
General
FixeD and Overhauled
Known Issues
Known Issues
Engine Issues
Bug, Glitch and Issue Fixes
Æsir Fixes
- fixed ferns blocking player camera
- fixed bush collisions in Norway
- fixed clipping issues with loch at the base of Sgùrr na Coinnich
- fixed incorrect spelling of borderless windowed mode in graphics settings
- fixed back button not visible in pause and controls screen
- fixed pause menu close with same key to open
- fixed primitive club, now labelled correctly instead of primitive axe in player blueprints menu
- fixed player automatically un-crouched when mounting horse
- fixed detection indicator no longer stays on screen after killing enemy
- fixed pagan skull near base of tree in Ravndal, was not collectable
- fixed collectable sound indicator, now only plays twice when nearby and resets if player leaves area
- fixed pause menu, journal and inventory inaccessible when riding
- fixed various collision issues:
- large rocky areas around starting area on Skye
- large coastal rock formations
- landscape rocks on Norway map
- fixed floating rocks at entrance to ice cave
- fixed ground seams visible at entrance to ice cave
- fixed unable to walk up stairs in forge building in Ravndal
- fixed duplicate boats overlapping in Ravndal harbour
- fixed floating Norway houses
- fixed glowing bar visible on chicken coops when in use
- fixed player able to spam war drums when sailing causing audio glitching
- fixed grass issues along river bank at Lealt Falls
- fixed bridge incorrect size to cross Lealt Falls
- fixed landscape shadowing issue on Norway map
- fixed trees spawning in Lochs
- fixed coral spawning on land near Loch an lasgaich
Internal Fixes
- fixed updated interaction names on traders to be more obvious who player is interacting with:
- talk to / trader type / trader: talk to food trader
- fixed decals such as mud, no longer project onto player mesh
- code optimisation on main menu to Norway dream sequence
Balancing
- increased torch intensity
- updated hand position of Einar’s Axe to improve range
- increased durability of Einar’s Axe
- increased weight of Einar’s Axe
- increased base damage of Einar’s Axe
- increased woodcutting damage of Einar’s Axe
Hotfixes
General
27 – 02 – 2023
Added and Updated
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
General
Non-Playable Characters (NPCs)
Companions and Followers
Enemies
Animals
Atmospherics and Effects
General
Atmospherics
Visual Effects (VFX)
Audio and Music
General
Sound Effects (SFX)
Music
Engine and Technical
General
Engine
Environments, Locations and World
General
Location
Dream Sequence
Norway
- updated player starting location at Hunting Ground
Isle of Skye
- updated level code to fit potential hitching
- removed Nanite from trees for improved performance
- updated large rocky areas to basic collision to avoid long load time
- updated fern, nettle and mushroom spawning
- reduced World Partition grids
- rebuilt landscape using extreme low HLOD
- updated max draw distance into landscape
- re-simulated all foliage
The Minch Strait
Shetland Isles
Orkney Isles
Seas and Oceans
Biomes
Religion and Clan Territories
Items and Loot
General
Items
Collectables
Loot
Mechanics and Gameplay
General
- added boats save location data
Core Gameplay
Primary Gameplay
Secondary Gameplay
Survival States
- removed river drinking temporarily
Combat
Building
Quests, Dialogue and Events
General
- updated quest and journal system to show basic quest types
Quests
Expeditions
World Trading
Religions and Clans
Dialogue
Player Thoughts
User Interface and User Experience (UIUX)
General
- updated journal to reflect new quest system
- updated text explanation on arrival to Skye
- added console access using “INS” key
Tutorial
Map
Menu
Other
General
FixeD and Overhauled
Known Issues
Known Issues
Engine Issues
Bug, Glitch and Issue Fixes
Æsir Fixes
- fixed landscape scatter detaching from landscape at high FOV in Photomode
- fixed missing texture on claim totem
- fixed player unable to collect gems from roadside altars
- fixed archer class missing pelts on new game
- fixed quiver correctly shows number of arrows
- fixed quiver casting delayed shadows on ground
- fixed player unable to cycle game hints on loading screens
- fixed weather effects not affected by audio settings
- fixed removed old boat travel location in Ravndal that returned player to main menu
- fixed missing UI sounds on game settings
- fixed missing UI sounds on graphic settings
- fixed incorrect spelling on sailing helper
- fixed rogue height sphere still present on Norway map
- fixed incorrect swim volume sizing on Skye map
- fixed removed dev function speed up and slow down time
Internal Fixes
Balancing
- increased totem claim distance to 50m from 16m
- reduced XP gain from harvesting bushes
- updated interaction timer on bushes
Hotfixes
General
- fixed lochs not showing on Skye map
01 – 03 – 2023
Added and Updated
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
General
Non-Playable Characters (NPCs)
Companions and Followers
Enemies
Animals
Atmospherics and Effects
General
Atmospherics
Visual Effects (VFX)
Audio and Music
General
Sound Effects (SFX)
Music
Engine and Technical
General
- reduced simulation speed – 1 day = 96 minutes – 48 minute day and 48 minute night
- added code to clear inventory in Minch Strait to reduce load time
Engine
Environments, Locations and World
General
Location
Dream Sequence
Norway
Isle of Skye
The Minch Strait
Shetland Isles
Orkney Isles
Seas and Oceans
Biomes
Religion and Clan Territories
Items and Loot
General
Items
Collectables
Loot
Mechanics and Gameplay
General
Core Gameplay
Primary Gameplay
Secondary Gameplay
Survival States
Combat
Building
- added craftable storage crate from inventory crafting screen
Quests, Dialogue and Events
General
Quests
Expeditions
World Trading
Religions and Clans
Dialogue
Player Thoughts
User Interface and User Experience (UIUX)
General
Tutorial
Map
Menu
Other
General
FixeD and Overhauled
Known Issues
Known Issues
Engine Issues
Bug, Glitch and Issue Fixes
Æsir Fixes
- fixed player inventory cleared every load into Skye map
- fixed landscape detail and collision issues on ‘near’ terrain caused by HLOD set up
- fixed wait function
- fixed low landscape detail causing floating houses at start of Skye map
- fixed animals occasionally showed incorrect species name
- removed reference asset from Cill Chriosd church
- fixed ocean mesh issue near Dunscaith ring fort
- fixed player unable to cross bridge near Broadford
- increased collision complexity to converse decomposition for Skye scatter
- fixed Kyleakin skull blocked by scatter collision
- fixed Rubh an Dùnain skull floating
- fixed young oak trees give gems as collectable
- fixed Elixir field farms no longer clip into the ground
- fixed player able to farm XP from 100km achievement
- fixed UI issues with active quests screen cutting off
- fixed player class mesh when sailing
- fixed text on pig coop from open/close to allow/stop breeding
- fixed player can have knife in either inventory or Hotbar for removing gems from altars
- fixed player can no longer spam dodge or roll
- fixed collectable spawn duplicates on Norway map
Internal Fixes
Balancing
Hotfixes
General
- updated streaming source code on horse to elevate disappearing mesh when moving long distance from player origin
- fixed player unable to close opening text after arriving on Skye
03 – 03 – 2023
Added and Updated
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
General
Non-Playable Characters (NPCs)
Companions and Followers
Enemies
Animals
Atmospherics and Effects
General
Atmospherics
Visual Effects (VFX)
Audio and Music
General
Sound Effects (SFX)
Music
Engine and Technical
General
Engine
Environments, Locations and World
General
- updated procedural snow code due to clipping issues with snow assets
Location
Dream Sequence
Norway
Isle of Skye
The Minch Strait
Shetland Isles
Orkney Isles
Seas and Oceans
Biomes
Religion and Clan Territories
Items and Loot
General
- updated bushes give 2-4 plant fibre on Norway
- updated nettles and ferns give 2-4 plant fibre on Skye
Items
Collectables
Loot
Mechanics and Gameplay
General
Core Gameplay
Primary Gameplay
Secondary Gameplay
Survival States
Combat
Building
- added craft leaves into plant fibres from player inventory crafting screen
- added craft torches from player inventory crafting screen
- added craftable component, planks, in primitive workbench
Quests, Dialogue and Events
General
Quests
Expeditions
World Trading
Religions and Clans
Dialogue
Player Thoughts
User Interface and User Experience (UIUX)
General
Tutorial
Map
Menu
- updated and entirely reworked main menu code
- added randomise code in preparation for character creator
Other
General
FixeD and Overhauled
Known Issues
Known Issues
Engine Issues
Bug, Glitch and Issue Fixes
Æsir Fixes
- fixed collision issues around bridges and rivers blocking players
- fixed level travel dock missing interaction text
- fixed player crosshair stuck on interact symbol after interacting
Internal Fixes
- fixed save games not showing in load menu on Main Menu
- fixed music has correct audio class, allowing adjustment in settings
- fixed sound effects have correct audio class, allowing adjustment in settings
Balancing
Hotfixes
General
06 – 03 – 2023
Added and Updated
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
General
Non-Playable Characters (NPCs)
Companions and Followers
Enemies
Animals
Atmospherics and Effects
General
Atmospherics
- added atmospherics controller to Norway (already on Skye) to control aurora, shooting stars etc.
Visual Effects (VFX)
Audio and Music
General
Sound Effects (SFX)
Music
Engine and Technical
General
- added asynchronous loading to different thread than game thread, fixing loading artefacts
- testing changing TSR to TAA
Engine
Environments, Locations and World
General
- added basic system for masking snow from inside buildings
Location
- added offering function to wooden circles to give temporary buff to player
- added offering function to stone circles to give temporary buff to player
Dream Sequence
- updated to be more story focused than loading focused, will be further expanded in future
Norway
- added new river
Isle of Skye
- reduced grass draw distance
The Minch Strait
Shetland Isles
Orkney Isles
Seas and Oceans
Biomes
Religion and Clan Territories
Items and Loot
General
Items
Collectables
Loot
Mechanics and Gameplay
General
- added swimming in lochs
Core Gameplay
Primary Gameplay
Secondary Gameplay
Survival States
- added hunger
- added thirst
Combat
Building
Quests, Dialogue and Events
General
Quests
Expeditions
World Trading
Religions and Clans
Dialogue
Player Thoughts
User Interface and User Experience (UIUX)
General
- updated bed interact to respawn from take
Tutorial
Map
Menu
- updated save game menu
Other
General
FixeD and Overhauled
Known Issues
Known Issues
Engine Issues
Bug, Glitch and Issue Fixes
Æsir Fixes
- fixed floating houses near elixir arms
- fixed elixir farm effects only show when in flower field
- fixed wave direction issue on Norway
- fixed snow collect on horses under shelter
- fixed various locations where underwater biome was visible on land
- fixed health buff on mushrooms incorrectly named
- fixed floating barrels in Broadford
- fixed underwater sound when camera clips into rivers
- fixed longboats in Ravndal not simulating physics
- fixed player able to slide from crouching
- fixed player unable to crouch and un-crouch while holding weapon
- fixed building and rock scatter issues in Ravndal
- fixed horses no longer despawn when riding due to World Partition
Internal Fixes
- fixed map not re-initializing on player death
- fixed unable to swim in lochs
- fixed unable to drink from rivers
- fixed intro text video closes correctly at end of video
- fixed landscape missing on north end of Isle of Raasay
- fixed save name text not wrapping in menu
- fixed pine trees on Skye now harvestable
- fixed missing land tile on Soay Island
- fixed decals bleed onto NPC characters
- updated mount and dismount code on horses to fix input mapping switching errors
- updated non-player longboats cannot be taken when in Ravndal
Balancing
Hotfixes
General
11 – 03 – 2023
Added and Updated
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
General
Non-Playable Characters (NPCs)
Companions and Followers
Enemies
Animals
- added new animals:
- boar
- wolf
- fox
- stag
- doe
- rabbit
- hen
- rooster
- chick
- cow
- goat
- goose
- pig
- piglet
- swine
- sheep
- crab
- frog
- rat
- snail
- snake
- added new animal behaviours:
- eating
- drinking
- sleeping
- breeding
- herd/pack interaction
- aging
Atmospherics and Effects
General
Atmospherics
Visual Effects (VFX)
Audio and Music
General
Sound Effects (SFX)
Music
Engine and Technical
General
- added player IK rig, feet now correctly conform to landscape and meshes
- added IK to ridable horses, feet now correctly conform to landscape and meshes
- added new speed effect when galloping on horse
Engine
Environments, Locations and World
General
- added non-destructive landscape edit layers in preparation for upcoming environmental updates and new biome systems
- updated pine biomes properly to have bush scatter and mushrooms growing to aid player expansion
- added new landscape grass effect when snowing, grass now hidden inside snow depth
- updated Lochan Dubha to individual loch assets rather than multiple loch assets
- added procedural food locations for animals based on foliage types
Location
- added new POI, Dock
- added new POI, Hunting Ground, cannot fast travel to
- added new POI, Mine, cannot fast travel to
Dream Sequence
Norway
- added 3 new Hunting Grounds
Isle of Skye
- added 21 new Hunting Grounds
The Minch Strait
Shetland Isles
Orkney Isles
Seas and Oceans
- updated boat wave physics, use vertex positioning rather than object, increasing simulation accuracy
- updated ocean physics set to non-spatially loaded to bypass issues of not streaming before loading boats
- updated boats to only simulate physics when in use, aids performance and stops boats drifting away
Biomes
Religion and Clan Territories
Items and Loot
General
Items
- added new food:
- chicken
- beef
- goat
- goose
- pork
- lamb
- venison
- rat flesh
- frog flesh
- crab flesh
- snail flesh
- snake flesh
- fox flesh
- rabbit flesh
- boar flesh
- wolf flesh
Collectables
Loot
- added new loot:
- pelt
- bone
- fat
- sinew
- guts
Mechanics and Gameplay
General
Core Gameplay
Primary Gameplay
- added new hunting mechanic