Hey guys,
Just a follow up from my post a month or so ago on the more broader technical/system features and improvements for Eldevin (camera angles, hardware, etc) and where we're at with many of them. I'll try to do one of these every 2-4 weeks perhaps, as these are major features some can take us coders out for some time. If a feature isn't mentioned that was in the last post its maybe not quite on the horizon because of other things we want to do first, but still planned. Also please remember this is mostly about technical features, so it is not intended to go into content related areas like level 40-50, balance, etc, which are also being heavily worked on.
Applet Full Screen Mode
As of this weeks update (95% sure at least) you will be able to go into proper full screen mode from the applet in the options window and even choose a new full screen resolution. You can also press Alt-Enter to go straight into full screen mode at your current display resolution. Full screen should also render slightly faster (but not too much). One advantage for people with poorer performance is that, from the applet alone, you could go into proper full screen at a lower resolution (e.g. 1024x768 or 800x600) so you get a lower quality resolution (more pixelly 
) but still fills the screen, which will certainly render faster than a higher resolution, that is, if render performance gets unbearable before hardware is implemented. Also note: we have tested full screen in many ways but on certain OS/Browser/JVM with the applet there's still some rare issues that may arise we're having trouble fixing with moving in/out of full screen, which look to be out of our control, but its mostly working and also appears seems to work more agreeably in an application/downloadable client.
Local File Caching (not browser/Java cache)
We now use a local file cache and not the browser one initially (though may still use it also) to help with download caching problems and give us more control. It appears on the whole most of those old caching issues have been resolved and it will help you download files faster or more to the point recognize you don't need to re-download files you already loaded. So all in all a more reliable and quicker playing experience.
Downloadable Client
We are in the process of preparing a downloadable client. We've done a lot of work so far in January getting a local one running which works well but we still have some of the browser features to add directly to it to make it work fully, as this won't be in the browser any more, such as create account from it and well, login from it which are currently in the browser for the applet version. So yeah some tough bits still to add but its on its way. Our intention is to release this initially still with the current software rendering (before we do hardware support) primarily as an extra option for people who have problems with the applet in the browser, be it preference or it not working at all to things like the keys not working right on Mac's which do work properly in the downloadable client. It's also likely an application will perform a bit better than an applet (and can be given more RAM without browser related issues). The downloadable client is pushed up the priority list also as we're now on Steam Greenlight (http://steamcommunit...s/?id=213770724), though we'll need hardware rendering support finished ready for that, but please if you haven't already try and vote for us, we're doing well so far.
WASD Movement
Using the WASD keys to move is being worked on now and appears so far to be feeling really smooth, there's just a few issues with some collisions and some tweaking of values to test, but yeah, its just feeling really nice already. Clicking to move will still be an option and we'll have to decide which becomes the default (maybe both combined) as we see how well it works. We've also fixed the problem of clicking into the distance and stopping due to it being too far. We have a limit on how far you can path-find as that gets exponentially slower so it needs to be limited. However, we have improved this to try to walk as far as you can, which has the general result that you can click anywhere and will still move towards the destination. Therefore, holding the mouse down continuously to move anywhere or using the WASD keys will pretty much always move you where you want to go, however far you're aiming, without the annoying stopping.
Character Deletion
You will soon (hopefully in this weeks update as its all but done) be able to delete your characters, freeing up a slot to make a new one. If deleted you will lose everything attached to the character including items in the characters inventories, character currencies, etc. Anything account wide will be kept of course, including as an idiom things like account achievements gained from that character, they will be kept as they are still account wide, and will just link to 'unknown' character as a reference to which character got it, as its been deleted. It is possible for us to recover a deleted character up to a certain time after deletion, but not guaranteed, and only under certain circumstances. You will also be prompted to confirm a deletion from the character select screen with a system that couldn't be done accidentally, like to confirm type: DELETE <character_name>.
Character Renaming
As of this week its now possible (at least on our side) to rename characters and hopefully we can get an option for you soon. Don't quote me too much, but I expect this will be added with a reasonable overuse deterrent cost as per most mmo's, likely in the HCS shop. We also have to do it somewhat manually so again, not something we want to be flooded with and in general we don't want characters renaming themselves everywhere, but it is still needed as an option.
Key Binding
The ability to assign your own keys is in the works, some of it was actually done before launch but got put on the back-burner so now its back on track. It will help with those problematic Mac/applet keys (which downloadable client also fixes) but also lets you choose your preferred keys which will save account wide.
High Scores
The high scores will be coming soon to the website so you can see how great (or not so great) you all are. There will be overall high scores of so many interesting stats, and hopefully we can also attempt to make time based ladders like most kills per week/month, which could also give you achievements, and as its per week/month it gives people chances to get them all in different weeks, unless someone trolls one forever . Anyway, waffling a bit on this and its early days, so likely global top lists to start and get the website feeling more dynamic on the whole is cool. Its also possible the top lists could show in the client itself one day, but website to start.
Mail System
This is coming on the horizon and will be done soon. Its mainly needed because it links in to guilds and Auction House (so we can send you items/currency when offline) and basically it blocks those two features among also allowing players to send other players stuff (or just a message) even though they're offline, and so on, but overall an important feature to add.
Guilds
Very important as I've said in the past but yeah, its coming but as you see above things are fighting for position. (similarly Auction House/Player shops).
Hardware Rendering/Camera
We've been playing around and got some basic rendering in hardware but its early days. This is probably the most important feature, but also the most time consuming and difficult, especially as we have to work with integrating it to the current rendering system. Basically we're squeezing less time consuming features in first before a big push to do this, but we've made some headway already and as I said before, having the camera come all the way down and seeing further made the it feel like a whole new game, looks great and will look a lot nicer in hardware too, and these features combined with optional WASD movement and downloadable client will add a lot, full Steam ahead. So yeah, can't wait for this.
Mounts
To get the mount system working will be a bit painful, but also might not take too long, in theory, and some of the artists are dying to make some cool mounts, and yeah, its just cool isn't it so gotta hold ourselves back from doing this as there's other pressing features but.. we want to.
So yeah, since the xmas/new years holidays we've got a lot of things done already and well on our way with other features. Having spent so long working on the game we have so much done and working well already, and I think our speed to develop the new stuff is therefore quite good given our small team size. There's also more content being worked on for the next levels also. Hope this helps everyone see where things are at anyway, enjoy
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