Mini update

[Renatus]

Seems we've hit a spot of luck, at bloody last. Jamie was able to get us a test server, so we're sorting out exp/drops/item stats for the lower levels. As you know we're planning to have 1-150 as the nooby stage that will take you between 1 and 2 weeks. Then going back to level 1 RB and needing to hit 200 for the Tainted/Pure quests.

We've tested 1-65 so far (the cave is 60-80, but it's clear it's fine), but as we only got this yesterday evening (and Cerby killed it haha!) we've only had today to work on it, so we have lots and lots left to do, however it's a start!

Over the following week we will build up to RB and get that checked out, I think we might open up a closed Beta (2.3) basic test for a handful of people to get to RB and make sure we've not overlooked anything. Then move on to the lvl 1 RB - 200 and give people lvl 1 RB chars to test that out. Hopefully we'll have the basic bits and bobs done to get both of those tests done within the next two weeks, depending on how well things go. I'll keep you updated on how it's going.

Will do my little bullet point list after this one to shorten it up for people, seems effective. ^^

[Renatus]

• Test server is up and running as of late last night (2.3 files, so we can do exp/items/DropFiles/caves etc).
• Levels 1-80 are done and working to a fairly balanced level (items/mobs/exp).
• 80-100 (hopefully further) will be sorted out tonight and tested to a basic level.
• Pets need a complete overhaul.
• Within a week the above (as well as levels 100-150) should be done, including DropFiles, item stats, exp and mobs/caves.
• Once the above is completed we'll most likely (not definitely) give a limited number of people the chance to test it out.
• The following week we'll be working on RB levels 1-150 (hopefully 200), doing the above things for those levels and all going well, at the end of the week it'll be done and again we'll have people on to test it.

Hope that helps clear things up.

[Provectus]

I still can't believe you're making me do work, that's all I have to say on the matter !

Seriously though, amazed how quickly you two got things up and running (guessing Cerb did most of the work and got no sleep like usual? ), give me a poke as soon as you want me to test anything out, just sat here with my thumb up my arse until you're ready.

[Silver]

Sounds good, I have been getting pretty anxious lately.

[Provectus]

Luckily for you, Ren and Cerb are quick workers, they're already on the 80-100 cave/items and have worked out every new skill level (as it'd be rather silly that you can get them all by 80 odd, when that takes a couple of days at the most ) to use them, as well as to gain the following levels.

Skills have been changed somewhat, so that you have fairly large gaps between levelling the skill up, this was done for a few reasons; It gives people a reason to level. It means your spells are very likely to be capped by the time you can achieve the next level. We can make certain levels of items more powerful (think of the difference between level 0 Blizzard and level 3), meaning skills really do need levelling. And finally it gives older (relatively unused) skills more value, for example you wouldn't want to use TBolt level 1 over level 3 GreatFireball when you can't level TBolt further.

As things are going, I think a week is allowing us more time than required, I would say 5 days is a more realistic time, but we shall see how much sleep our pair of fix-it whores can go without. :P

[Renatus]

Quick workers, ha! We're not so much quick as efficient, like how I get you to do something other than sit there waiting. ^^

1-80 is done, some very minor tweaks are left to skill levels and drops, but we're happy with them as they are.

80-100 is now done, we've got a few hours worth of changes to apply going from Prov's feedback (he is useful, once in a while ), at which time all three of us will re-test those levels and make sure we're happy with them, all going well that'll be done by tonight.

100-150 is currently untouched (we have decided which caves and mobs to use though), but we have figured out most of the caves we want to use from 150 to 500 (solo and group, boss and levelling), so there's another few days of work to sort 100-150 out. On the bright side Cerb has become rather damn good with balancing stats, so he should shoot through it this time and all of the major spells for 1-150 are done, so that's a lot of stress out of the way.

What else? Oh the game guide! Prov and I have done roughly half of it each (I made him do more after his last post ), but have another day or so between us to put in to it, at which point Halibel will be doing pretty pictures for it. Unfortunately we can't release it to you lot until Lapta has got it put under his copyright, due to it being such a huge amount of work (and there being next to none in existance), we don't want it stolen by lazy people for their own server.

I think that's all for now, we're happily on target for finishing 1-150 and having it fairly balanced to a playable standard within the week from yesterday, but I'll update you on further changes (for better or worse) as we get them.

[Provectus]

I don't sit here waiting fs, I'm preparing myself to work (yes for hours at a time :x), so as soon as you say "Can you test..." I'm already on the server and waiting. :P

I think Cerb's already done those minor tweaks, you take an eternity to make these posts (me > you, meight), I was talking him through a few of them as I didn't make it particularly clear and he's got most of them done, just a few minor DF changes and my uber level 10 armour being put to level 100, lol.

Again, Cerb's ahead while you take forever to post, he's playing around with spawns in the caves as we speak, though I have a feeling he's itching to play with the new maps for the higher levels, so is going to work himself to death (again) to get 100-150 done, so he can move on to the new stuff for the end levels.

I've done more than half now, think it's more like 51/49. <3

[Cerberus]

Currently level 1-100 seems to be done however 80-100 needs to be properly tested as theres a few things i think may need changing. I am currently working on revamping oma and nat cave, think everyone will enjoy this cave a bit more now.

[Renatus]

I did 80-100 last night (all the way to 105, I'll have you know ^^), DF may need slight tweaking and that CrystalArmour being removed, other than that 1-100 is now done.

100-120 needs a little more testing/tweaking, but that should be done by the end of today, then tomorrow we get to play with 120-150, fun fun.

[Renatus]

100-120 seems pretty much done now, we'll be doing a little more testing just to be certain we're happy with it, but so far so good. Taking an early look at 120-150, just because Cerby's been working like a machine day and night, so we're miles ahead of schedule, but I won't give any advanced notices on us being ready for testers early, as we're keeping that time allocated for unforseen circumstances.

As 2.6 files aren't as far along as we had hoped, it's possible we'll look in to bringing the server up in a 2.3 state as open Beta in the future, just so we can get started, rather than waiting around endlessly. This needs further discussion though, so we shall see.