For the first production update, perhaps the best introduction will be to give you some details on what the current article is about. Do not confuse the current article, whose intent is to show you some of the current work of production, with News from the devs, which provided some insights about what you could expect in the short to mid-term future. The difference is subtle, but important : the goal here isn't to be exhaustive (or you would have to read lengthy texts such has News from the devs every two weeks ), but to display some of the juicy fruits of current production works.
I] Spring clean
Apart from releasing a patch this week, which was bringing the first results of the spring clean into the game, the devs were busy working the magic of their skilled hands on some other dusty grounds. As you'll be able to see in the release notes for the patch 53, the list of issues being solved during the spring clean will be routinely huge. So I had to make some choices ! Here are a few bits of that came out :
1) Mail-forum in game
The in-game mail system and guild forums are getting a few usability improvements :
Mail notification
When you'll receive in-game mail, you will be notified by this icon; quite useful if you're not one those who check their mail every five seconds.
2) Death penalty removal service on Altars
Altars will provide new services, which will help you recover from your death penalties more quickly.
3) Wall auras
The wall aura now gets a proper effect. Be sure to check it in-game when it will be released, as the screenshot does not do justice to the animated effect.
II] Outposts
Ahhh, the outposts.
Last week's article generated quite a lot of reactions; given the number of questions and suggestions that were written in the boards, it certainly showed that you expect this feature as much as we do. I tried to answer some of the most common questions in the Q&A article yesterday, but I won't enter specific description right now. I will start to provide precise implementation details when the outposts reach the ATS. In the meantime, my goal will be to clear misunderstandings on the overall objectives we had in mind when the outposts were designed. I will also forward your feedback to the designers and developpers, so they can have it in mind - as a matter of fact, I already did it with your feedback this week.
IV] Event
Last week-end, an event ran on all shards, where the Kami unleashed their religious guidelines to their adepts. It is said that the Karavan would not stay behind, and would reveal the commandments of Jena...
Check the roleplay forums to know more.
IV] Web
1) New website
A new website is currently being developped. Apart from having a better and clearer design, it will enable us to provide you with better information : the news section is being carefully recrafted, to allow more of them to be posted (for example, what I currently post in a dedicated forum will move the Web site); you will hear more about the on-going events, and the overall organization is being reworked.
2) Improved billing system (v2)
To ease the registration process and account modification, there will also be some changes to the billing system interface.
V] Art
As a bonus, here are the high-resolution concept artworks for the four civilization leaders : the Emperor Dexton (Fyros), the Governor Still Wiler (Tryker), the Great Sage Mabreka Cheng-Ho (Zorai) and the King Yrkanis (Matis). They are designed by Thomas Boulard, Ryzom's Art Director.
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Xavier.
