Test Release Notes - January 13, 2009

[Maximvs]

Just had a quick look about the town - its much different than the current one...

No long beach anymore, and no long run to the fort
The fort is now a seperate 'world' via entering a master Gate (much like KH is) - guessing that is how they intend to resolve some lag issues (reducing sightlines)
Everything is 'compact' and closer overall - once again their progress to resolve lag by reducing sightlines.

Its nifty... not sure if it was needed - and better time would of been spent building the new storyline than a 'Port Royal Redo' - but as Edward mentions maybe its in prep for a new storyline... one can only hope...

[Jack I]

Originally Posted by Edward Edgemenace

I'm surprised they don't have something to ask the player, which to default to (OpenGL or DirectX.) Or even a toggle or checkbox or something, on Launcher1.exe.

They do. When you open the launcher up there's a button at the bottom between Release Notes and help that says "Graphics Options". Clicking that gives you the option of OpenGL, DirectX 8, or DirectX 9. Whichever one you pick stays that way until you select a different one. ^^

[Dr. Zeppers]

Yes, lots of neat stuff. Guessing they changed the map of port royal to put less activity in same general areas to cut down some of the lag.

It is quite a maze now, going to take awhile to master its layout.

Unfortunately the update messed up my pirates Journal.
Of all things to mess up, it removed the story quest!

[The Skirata Clan]

lets see what more is messed...

[Deadpool]

Wow... just... wow... this is amazing!!! Port Royal got a make over in those shots... I'm so thrilled I almost had a heart-attack!

[Edward Edgemenace]

Originally Posted by Jack Ironmalley

They do. When you open the launcher up there's a button at the bottom between Release Notes and help that says "Graphics Options". Clicking that gives you the option of OpenGL, DirectX 8, or DirectX 9. Whichever one you pick stays that way until you select a different one. ^^
http://www.piratesonlineforums.com/g...1/Graphics.png

Now THAT'S a nice addition! Too bad that one alone isn't on live/open, yet. Be nice if they had a "test graphics engine" thing to confirm that the new settings work for an individual graphics card/computer (or do they? If you switch it, does it have a "testing" thing?)

I guess the tech-support guys at live-chat should add that in, as their first-line of questioning. That's a great change that should help lots of people be able to play.

*crosses fingers* Any memory management fixes?

[Jack I]

Nah, no way to test it, just gotta log on with one and hope it works.

[Edward Edgemenace]

Originally Posted by Jack Ironmalley

Nah, no way to test it, just gotta log on with one and hope it works.

Better than nothing. Well, WAY WAY WAY better than it is on open/live. *shrug* Gonna keep the guys at live-chat busy, this way. :-)

[Dr. Zeppers]

Things probably going to be awhile before they make open, lots of stuff not right..

Missing signs (or they are buried in columns).

Oh, and "June" is completely missing!!!! Hope you dont need her for your story quest!

Things that can be expected though.. they'll get it right before it hits open (I surely hope).

Noticed that when you "Port" at Port Royal, you are placed on the main dock. You have to run through the maze of a town to get to the shipwright to repair, although you can relaunch from the shipwright. Seems like alot of this is going to slow people down a bit.

[swashbuckler II]

Yep me and zep could not find june.

[MacIronhawk]

A few graphics issues were fixed but in the process it made places harder to get to.
I believe pirates has been working on this for a while now. It seems like a waste when you see how it will slow down players for quests.

[Brettthelostsoul]

all nice and everything but what about a increase in noterity and some new quest for something to do

[The Skirata Clan]

apparently they will increase those... there are other threads on the subject with apparent images of the Kraken and Level 30 weapons...

[Edward Edgemenace]

Originally Posted by The Skirata Clan

apparently they will increase those... there are other threads on the subject with apparent images of the Kraken and Level 30 weapons...

I don't know about that. Those things (e.g. the Kraken) have been in the phase files forever, from what I understand. The island BILGEWATER is where you do "Create-a-Pirate" get out of jail, get your sea chest, get your journal, get slapped and find Bo Beck. A long time ago, it used to let you open the MAP while you were on there. The Level 25 weapons look very nice, however...

[MacIronhawk]

Originally Posted by The Skirata Clan

apparently they will increase those... there are other threads on the subject with apparent images of the Kraken and Level 30 weapons...

That was my fault. I think it's 25. 25 or 30. But these dark art weapons look pretty good. They'll probably do 12+ damage or 10+.

The kraken has a LOT of aniamtion.
The DOOM tentacle finishes the players ship off.(it's about five times as big as the other tentacles)
There's a few grabber and holder tentacles.(which pick players up, oh no!)

There's also the head. It is a head in testing. Right now it's texture is rocks.
I think it's only being used for animation.

My guess is that the second story quest will be released, at the very latest, during the last month of summer.
This is just a guess.

The only thing I'm sure about is taht the kraken is almost done and the dark art weapons are coming.(another set of weapons. probably coming after the second boss battle)