Hi friends! I wanted to share the good news, that Vidar has been chosen for the Indie MEGABOOTH at PAX West this coming September! It's an insane honor, and I can't believe the game is going to be sharing space with some mega-indie titans like Ron Gilbert's Thimbleweed Park, and Lucas Pope's new game as well.
I'm preparing a special demo experience just for PAX players, so if you happened to be one of the lucky ones to grab a badge, make sure to stop by the booth! - Dean

[ 2017-08-12 00:35:07 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! I wanted to share the good news, that Vidar has been chosen for the Indie MEGABOOTH at PAX West this coming September! It's an insane honor, and I can't believe the game is going to be sharing space with some mega-indie titans like Ron Gilbert's Thimbleweed Park, and Lucas Pope's new game as well.
I'm preparing a special demo experience just for PAX players, so if you happened to be one of the lucky ones to grab a badge, make sure to stop by the booth! - Dean

[ 2017-08-12 00:35:07 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! So the last patch managed to do a little damage to the Boulder Cave. I'm deploying a hot fix that should resolve that, including correctly spawning some blocks that were missing in the puzzles. If you've had any crashes of bizarre puzzle spawning in the Boulder Cave, this should address it. Additionally, this hotfix resolves bug related to ending the day while still latched onto a gargoyle. The gargoyle should now correctly disengage when you return to town. - Dean

[ 2017-07-05 19:36:10 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! So the last patch managed to do a little damage to the Boulder Cave. I'm deploying a hot fix that should resolve that, including correctly spawning some blocks that were missing in the puzzles. If you've had any crashes of bizarre puzzle spawning in the Boulder Cave, this should address it. Additionally, this hotfix resolves bug related to ending the day while still latched onto a gargoyle. The gargoyle should now correctly disengage when you return to town. - Dean

[ 2017-07-05 19:36:10 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! It's been just under 2 weeks since launch, and already it's been really exciting to see people playing, posting videos on Youtube, and of course reporting bugs. Vidar has gotten some great coverage in IndieGames.com, KeenGamer, Siliconera, and elsewhere. Also, some of y'all have achievements that I don't have, and that seems unfair. So I should probably get on that. Today I've pushed a hotfix that addresses a handful of crashes and other nasty things. The nice thing is that, as a result, it unlocks a brand new quest ("Smoke Them Out") which basically wasn't accessible before, and it allows completion of another one ("Vodka Stinger"). Fun fact, until a bug report came in about Vodka Stinger, I had completely forgotten it existed. In hundreds of playthroughs, I had never seen it. Thanks so much for bearing with me with the inevitably-rocky launch, and hopefully your visits to Vidar going forward are a little more stable! - Dean

Hotfix 1.0.1.0

Quests Smoke Them Out

• ]Fixed a crash in Barnabas' dialogue that prevented receiving this quest
• Dig sites now spawn in the Boulder Cave
• Adjusted the charity values for various items; additionally, the reward can no longer be donated to Csaba

Vodka Stinger

• Fixed a crash in Dani's dialogue on completing this quest
• Giving away mushrooms as part of this quest or Dr. Spore all properly updated the journal entries for other quests involving mushrooms
• Dani will not complete this quest unless the player has all of the necessary items in their inventory

General

• Players with Intel graphics cards should see better stability and fewer crashes; this should resolve the failure to launch bug, at least for some people
• Improved Mac performance at startup
• Sandor is less likely to get stuck if you manage to catch up with him at the beginning
• Prevented some rare invisible walls spawning in Boulder Cave 3
• Grabbing a gargoyle will no longer cause a pressure plate underneath of it to un-pressure. Please note: this fix only applies to new games created in this version or going forward; old save files will not have this fix. If this impacts your save file and you are unable to move the gargoyle back and forth to re-trigger the pressure plate, send me your save file and I'll see what I can do.
  
  [ 2017-06-27 16:43:12 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! It's been just under 2 weeks since launch, and already it's been really exciting to see people playing, posting videos on Youtube, and of course reporting bugs. Vidar has gotten some great coverage in IndieGames.com, KeenGamer, Siliconera, and elsewhere. Also, some of y'all have achievements that I don't have, and that seems unfair. So I should probably get on that. Today I've pushed a hotfix that addresses a handful of crashes and other nasty things. The nice thing is that, as a result, it unlocks a brand new quest ("Smoke Them Out") which basically wasn't accessible before, and it allows completion of another one ("Vodka Stinger"). Fun fact, until a bug report came in about Vodka Stinger, I had completely forgotten it existed. In hundreds of playthroughs, I had never seen it. Thanks so much for bearing with me with the inevitably-rocky launch, and hopefully your visits to Vidar going forward are a little more stable! - Dean

Hotfix 1.0.1.0

Quests Smoke Them Out

• ]Fixed a crash in Barnabas' dialogue that prevented receiving this quest
• Dig sites now spawn in the Boulder Cave
• Adjusted the charity values for various items; additionally, the reward can no longer be donated to Csaba

Vodka Stinger

• Fixed a crash in Dani's dialogue on completing this quest
• Giving away mushrooms as part of this quest or Dr. Spore all properly updated the journal entries for other quests involving mushrooms
• Dani will not complete this quest unless the player has all of the necessary items in their inventory

General

• Players with Intel graphics cards should see better stability and fewer crashes; this should resolve the failure to launch bug, at least for some people
• Improved Mac performance at startup
• Sandor is less likely to get stuck if you manage to catch up with him at the beginning
• Prevented some rare invisible walls spawning in Boulder Cave 3
• Grabbing a gargoyle will no longer cause a pressure plate underneath of it to un-pressure. Please note: this fix only applies to new games created in this version or going forward; old save files will not have this fix. If this impacts your save file and you are unable to move the gargoyle back and forth to re-trigger the pressure plate, send me your save file and I'll see what I can do.
  
  [ 2017-06-27 16:43:12 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! Vidar 1.0 is finally here! This patch includesan entire architectural overhaul for the Windows build that brings it into conformity with the Mac and Linux clients (and moves the Windows client off of RPG Maker's default code entirely). This includes enabling the Steam overlay (and taking screenshots!), reducing lag, improving legibility, and all sorts of other fun stuff. New Game+ is also available. For those of you who have already beaten the game during Early Access, you'll need to load up your last save file and finish it again to activate New Game+ in the title menu. Enjoy! - Dean

Vidar 1.0

• The windows client has been migrated to JRGSS; this brings the Windows, Mac, and Linux versions into conformity.
• The Steam overlay is now enabled on Windows, and everything that it entails has been activated (including the ability to capture screenshots!)
• Lag has been reduced, particularly in the Boulder Cave and Ruins
• Pixel fidelity has been improved
• New Game+ has been added. Completeing the game once will unlock the option from the title screen. In games created in this mode, you can choose who dies each night, rather than the choice being random.
• A new loading screen added at the beginning of any new save file when Vidar is being generated
• A new Game Over screen, autosave icon, and client icons have been added

Audio:

• Dozens of new sound effects and ambient sounds have been added throughout the game
• Various voices have been normalized (looking at you, Extremely Loud Gusztav)
• Barnabas now has a voice
• Default audio levels have been reset
• Fixed some audio issues with the back room of the Church
• Fixed some audio issues at Barnabas's house

Quests: Bring Him Home:

• This quest now fails if there are no helpers alive
• Elek will now update the journal correctly if he assists with this quest
• All helpers are less likely to get stuck on this quest after it's completed

Boy's Best Friend

• If Groa is dead, Cail will be lost somewhere inaccessible in the cave until you receive this quest
• Cail joins Tomi wherever he's living at the completion of the quest (rather than always going to the poor house)

Dr. Spore

• This quest now fails if, at some point after Gusztav dies, Robert can no longer inherit it

Giving Back

• Lots of improvements to Csaba's dialogue
• Csaba can now properly give you this even if Groa is dead
• Fixes to the cutscene that occurs if Groa is alive when you receive this quest
• Groa and Csaba correctly act as weights for pressure plates while standing alone
• Any character in your party now acts as a pressure plate while following you
• Additional bug fixes

Hair of the Dog

• Dani's rewards will change for this quest if the player already has the lantern

Historic Preservation

• The conditions to reach this quest are no longer logically impossible

Reading Is Fundamental

• Fixed some of the concluding text message placement

Rewriting History

• Tons of fixes to this quest, including in receipt, cutscenes, and completion

Sketched Out

• The effect for journal update now correctly plays when you sketch a fossil

Spirit Walk

• It is now possible to cancel out of the teleport menu when at the graves after completion of this quest

The Name Game

• Fixed a crash in the middle of this quest

Maps:

• Boulder Cave 2 has been removed - the Boulder Cave is now 3 rooms long
• Fixed a ton of pathing and drawing issues in the Dark Cave
• Fixed some pathing in Boulder Cave 1
• Consolidated the layout in Ruins 1
• Fixed a bug where residents of the second floor of the inn would occasionally not show up
• Fish are way less likely to freak out and get stuck now
• A path back has been added to the entrance to the cave
• Leaving the cave entrance now correctly reenables footprints and town music in Vidar
• Added easily accessible oil barrels to the entrance of Dark Cave 3
• The Imp Oil Lantern now properly works throughout the rest of the cave
• Fixed a rare passage issue in the Water Cave

Puzzles:

• Puzzle 80 in the Ruins has been broken into 3 separate puzzles for the sake of internal "checkpoints" in the puzzle (only applies to new games created in version 1.0 or later)
• Shortened puzzle 66, Option 0 (only applies to new games created in version 1.0 or later)
• Fixed a crash when resetting an already completed puzzle in the Dark Cave
• Fixed various crashes in the Ruins
• Moved doors in Puzzle 25, Option 0 so you can't race to them using the Leather Boots
• Fixed an issue where completed water cave puzzles would bug out on loading a save file
• Pillars in frozen Dark Cave puzzles will no longer glitch if you return to that room later
• Lots of little changes and fixes to Ruins puzzle layout

Misc:

Fixed a layering issue involving Cecilia

Fixed a bug where game over would never trigger

The Journal UI is now more intuitive, with new icons and a new default selection

"Reset Puzzle" will not be included in the menu list unless you're inside the cave

Names of items in the inventory and quests in the journal will no longer be scrunched up

Added a few more graves in town

Entries in the directory are now properly saved

Fixed various typos in dialogues, including replacing unrenderable curly quotes with straight quotes (really)

New animations have been added for using the pick and the shovel Mac/Linux: The Mac and Linux client has been *dramatically* updated, so much so that a change list isn't possible. There should be a lot less lag, the build is far more stable and less likely to crash, and a host of things too long to list have been fixed. Notably, readability and memory management have both been significantly improved.

[ 2017-06-15 01:20:03 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! Vidar 1.0 is finally here! This patch includesan entire architectural overhaul for the Windows build that brings it into conformity with the Mac and Linux clients (and moves the Windows client off of RPG Maker's default code entirely). This includes enabling the Steam overlay (and taking screenshots!), reducing lag, improving legibility, and all sorts of other fun stuff. New Game+ is also available. For those of you who have already beaten the game during Early Access, you'll need to load up your last save file and finish it again to activate New Game+ in the title menu. Enjoy! - Dean

Vidar 1.0

• The windows client has been migrated to JRGSS; this brings the Windows, Mac, and Linux versions into conformity.
• The Steam overlay is now enabled on Windows, and everything that it entails has been activated (including the ability to capture screenshots!)
• Lag has been reduced, particularly in the Boulder Cave and Ruins
• Pixel fidelity has been improved
• New Game+ has been added. Completeing the game once will unlock the option from the title screen. In games created in this mode, you can choose who dies each night, rather than the choice being random.
• A new loading screen added at the beginning of any new save file when Vidar is being generated
• A new Game Over screen, autosave icon, and client icons have been added

Audio:

• Dozens of new sound effects and ambient sounds have been added throughout the game
• Various voices have been normalized (looking at you, Extremely Loud Gusztav)
• Barnabas now has a voice
• Default audio levels have been reset
• Fixed some audio issues with the back room of the Church
• Fixed some audio issues at Barnabas's house

Quests: Bring Him Home:

• This quest now fails if there are no helpers alive
• Elek will now update the journal correctly if he assists with this quest
• All helpers are less likely to get stuck on this quest after it's completed

Boy's Best Friend

• If Groa is dead, Cail will be lost somewhere inaccessible in the cave until you receive this quest
• Cail joins Tomi wherever he's living at the completion of the quest (rather than always going to the poor house)

Dr. Spore

• This quest now fails if, at some point after Gusztav dies, Robert can no longer inherit it

Giving Back

• Lots of improvements to Csaba's dialogue
• Csaba can now properly give you this even if Groa is dead
• Fixes to the cutscene that occurs if Groa is alive when you receive this quest
• Groa and Csaba correctly act as weights for pressure plates while standing alone
• Any character in your party now acts as a pressure plate while following you
• Additional bug fixes

Hair of the Dog

• Dani's rewards will change for this quest if the player already has the lantern

Historic Preservation

• The conditions to reach this quest are no longer logically impossible

Reading Is Fundamental

• Fixed some of the concluding text message placement

Rewriting History

• Tons of fixes to this quest, including in receipt, cutscenes, and completion

Sketched Out

• The effect for journal update now correctly plays when you sketch a fossil

Spirit Walk

• It is now possible to cancel out of the teleport menu when at the graves after completion of this quest

The Name Game

• Fixed a crash in the middle of this quest

Maps:

• Boulder Cave 2 has been removed - the Boulder Cave is now 3 rooms long
• Fixed a ton of pathing and drawing issues in the Dark Cave
• Fixed some pathing in Boulder Cave 1
• Consolidated the layout in Ruins 1
• Fixed a bug where residents of the second floor of the inn would occasionally not show up
• Fish are way less likely to freak out and get stuck now
• A path back has been added to the entrance to the cave
• Leaving the cave entrance now correctly reenables footprints and town music in Vidar
• Added easily accessible oil barrels to the entrance of Dark Cave 3
• The Imp Oil Lantern now properly works throughout the rest of the cave
• Fixed a rare passage issue in the Water Cave

Puzzles:

• Puzzle 80 in the Ruins has been broken into 3 separate puzzles for the sake of internal "checkpoints" in the puzzle (only applies to new games created in version 1.0 or later)
• Shortened puzzle 66, Option 0 (only applies to new games created in version 1.0 or later)
• Fixed a crash when resetting an already completed puzzle in the Dark Cave
• Fixed various crashes in the Ruins
• Moved doors in Puzzle 25, Option 0 so you can't race to them using the Leather Boots
• Fixed an issue where completed water cave puzzles would bug out on loading a save file
• Pillars in frozen Dark Cave puzzles will no longer glitch if you return to that room later
• Lots of little changes and fixes to Ruins puzzle layout

Misc:

Fixed a layering issue involving Cecilia

Fixed a bug where game over would never trigger

The Journal UI is now more intuitive, with new icons and a new default selection

"Reset Puzzle" will not be included in the menu list unless you're inside the cave

Names of items in the inventory and quests in the journal will no longer be scrunched up

Added a few more graves in town

Entries in the directory are now properly saved

Fixed various typos in dialogues, including replacing unrenderable curly quotes with straight quotes (really)

New animations have been added for using the pick and the shovel Mac/Linux: The Mac and Linux client has been *dramatically* updated, so much so that a change list isn't possible. There should be a lot less lag, the build is far more stable and less likely to crash, and a host of things too long to list have been fixed. Notably, readability and memory management have both been significantly improved.

[ 2017-06-15 01:20:03 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! We just patched the Mac and Linux client to fix a few bugs introduced with the latest content patch. Specifically, saving works consistently now! Hooray! For your information, the game autosaves after every in-game night (similar to Stardew Valley, if you've played that). It also saves after the puzzle generation at the beginning of the game, and after you get your first quest in town. This patch also fixes a crash associated with the journal and directory in those clients. Thanks so much for your patience! - Dean

[ 2017-04-18 18:10:08 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! We just patched the Mac and Linux client to fix a few bugs introduced with the latest content patch. Specifically, saving works consistently now! Hooray! For your information, the game autosaves after every in-game night (similar to Stardew Valley, if you've played that). It also saves after the puzzle generation at the beginning of the game, and after you get your first quest in town. This patch also fixes a crash associated with the journal and directory in those clients. Thanks so much for your patience! - Dean

[ 2017-04-18 18:10:08 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! We've got a new patch with new quests, town events, puzzles, bug fixes, and UI. Some of the new material requires you to start a new game to take advantage of it, so that's my recommendation - plus, you get to see a brand new story ;) Last week we previewed the new mechanics and UI. Here's a quick preview of two more quests.

Vigil

Borbalo's faith-driven quest has been expanded into the Dark Cave with the addition of "Vigil." This quest follows "Faith in the Dead" and can finally fill that cold, empty church that Borbalo insists on tending, if even for one night.

Venom

Vidar's next town event is "Venom." This event involves Dorottya, Katarina, Elek, Gusztav (or Robert, if he's the Doctor), Arpad, and Sandor. In order to trigger it, you'll need to have at least received the quest "Clearing the Way." The rewards here are huge: sprint shoes, the hammer, and more. But the costs of failure are pretty brutal, as two of your villagers can die in a single night.
Without further ado, the patch notes!

Alpha 0.8.1.0 - "Caught In Your Web"

General

• A new menu interface has been added
• Inventory has been reenabled in town; items that have a cave-specific effect cannot be used while in town
• A directory has been added to the journal. Use this to review the faces, sprites, and bios of each person in town whom you have met. The directory also keeps track of who is alive and dead. Villagers will not be shown in the directory until you meet them, and the directory is not available until and unless you get the journal.
• Fonts have been adjusted throughout
• Fixed a crash at the ending if Piri, Barnabas and Cecilia are dead AND Borbalo or Bernadett are alive

Puzzles & Maps

• New Mechanic (Water Cave): Retractable Bridges
• New Mechanic (Water Cave): Floating Crates
• New Mechanic (Water Cave): Waterwheel Switches
• New Side Puzzle Room (Water Cave): Spiders' Lair
• Five new puzzle options have been added to the Ruins
• Spiders can now be killed with hookshot
• Spiders pooping out cobwebs has been updated: they cannot spawn in nonpassable places, and are random rather than guaranteed
• Torch dialogue has been updated to reflect that it cannot be lit with flint and steel
• The map tool now properly shows the layout for all water cave rooms
• Pulling a red-based mirror with a party member now works correctly
• Fixed a crash in the Ice Cave Waypoint

Quests

• New Town Event: Venom. Spiders lurk in Katarina's tunnel.
• New Quest: A Test Of Leadership. Adorjan's message to Arpad was loud and clear.
• New Quest: Music To My Ears. Mihaly isn't the only one interested in the Boy King's music box.
• New Quest: Vigil. Borbalo wants to hold a Church service.
• New Quest: Make It Work. Arpad is ready to help.

Dr. Spore

• Some journal update fixes

Hunting Party

• Fixed a bug where Groa would never let you leave the Wolves' Den
• Completing this quest now adds to Csaba's charity value

Man's Best Friend / Boy's Best Friend

• Groa and Tomi will not get caught in dialogue if you complete this quest before they give it to you

Reading is Fundamental

• This quest now properly fails if you give away "Well Read" before entering the library

Sketched Out

• Sketching is disabled if Szabina is dead
• Fixed a crash in Szabina's reminder dialogue
• Szabina will now collect the sketches and quill after completion of this quest

Spirit Walk

• Fixed a bug where you could only teleport to a grave once

The Second Son

• Regardless of what happens, the cave leading to this puzzle will clear on Day 3

Threnody

• This quest now properly fails if you give away "Well Read" before entering the library

Wake

• This quest now properly fails if you give away "Well Read" before entering the library
• Janika now spawns in the room if she's attending the Wake

Misc.

• Removed an autosave from the 2nd floor of the inn
• Fixed a bug where inn residents were not appearing on the second floor at the start of a day

[ 2017-04-04 14:10:12 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! We've got a new patch with new quests, town events, puzzles, bug fixes, and UI. Some of the new material requires you to start a new game to take advantage of it, so that's my recommendation - plus, you get to see a brand new story ;) Last week we previewed the new mechanics and UI. Here's a quick preview of two more quests.

Vigil

Borbalo's faith-driven quest has been expanded into the Dark Cave with the addition of "Vigil." This quest follows "Faith in the Dead" and can finally fill that cold, empty church that Borbalo insists on tending, if even for one night.

Venom

Vidar's next town event is "Venom." This event involves Dorottya, Katarina, Elek, Gusztav (or Robert, if he's the Doctor), Arpad, and Sandor. In order to trigger it, you'll need to have at least received the quest "Clearing the Way." The rewards here are huge: sprint shoes, the hammer, and more. But the costs of failure are pretty brutal, as two of your villagers can die in a single night.
Without further ado, the patch notes!

Alpha 0.8.1.0 - "Caught In Your Web"

General

• A new menu interface has been added
• Inventory has been reenabled in town; items that have a cave-specific effect cannot be used while in town
• A directory has been added to the journal. Use this to review the faces, sprites, and bios of each person in town whom you have met. The directory also keeps track of who is alive and dead. Villagers will not be shown in the directory until you meet them, and the directory is not available until and unless you get the journal.
• Fonts have been adjusted throughout
• Fixed a crash at the ending if Piri, Barnabas and Cecilia are dead AND Borbalo or Bernadett are alive

Puzzles & Maps

• New Mechanic (Water Cave): Retractable Bridges
• New Mechanic (Water Cave): Floating Crates
• New Mechanic (Water Cave): Waterwheel Switches
• New Side Puzzle Room (Water Cave): Spiders' Lair
• Five new puzzle options have been added to the Ruins
• Spiders can now be killed with hookshot
• Spiders pooping out cobwebs has been updated: they cannot spawn in nonpassable places, and are random rather than guaranteed
• Torch dialogue has been updated to reflect that it cannot be lit with flint and steel
• The map tool now properly shows the layout for all water cave rooms
• Pulling a red-based mirror with a party member now works correctly
• Fixed a crash in the Ice Cave Waypoint

Quests

• New Town Event: Venom. Spiders lurk in Katarina's tunnel.
• New Quest: A Test Of Leadership. Adorjan's message to Arpad was loud and clear.
• New Quest: Music To My Ears. Mihaly isn't the only one interested in the Boy King's music box.
• New Quest: Vigil. Borbalo wants to hold a Church service.
• New Quest: Make It Work. Arpad is ready to help.

Dr. Spore

• Some journal update fixes

Hunting Party

• Fixed a bug where Groa would never let you leave the Wolves' Den
• Completing this quest now adds to Csaba's charity value

Man's Best Friend / Boy's Best Friend

• Groa and Tomi will not get caught in dialogue if you complete this quest before they give it to you

Reading is Fundamental

• This quest now properly fails if you give away "Well Read" before entering the library

Sketched Out

• Sketching is disabled if Szabina is dead
• Fixed a crash in Szabina's reminder dialogue
• Szabina will now collect the sketches and quill after completion of this quest

Spirit Walk

• Fixed a bug where you could only teleport to a grave once

The Second Son

• Regardless of what happens, the cave leading to this puzzle will clear on Day 3

Threnody

• This quest now properly fails if you give away "Well Read" before entering the library

Wake

• This quest now properly fails if you give away "Well Read" before entering the library
• Janika now spawns in the room if she's attending the Wake

Misc.

• Removed an autosave from the 2nd floor of the inn
• Fixed a bug where inn residents were not appearing on the second floor at the start of a day

[ 2017-04-04 14:10:12 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! I've been nose to the grindstone getting the next big patch ready (coming out on April 4). This one is called "Caught In Your Web," and it's going to be a biggun. In addition to lots of bugs fixes, I'll have some extra content and quality-of-life improvements. I'm ready to show off some of these new features today!

Improved Menus

Remember that ugly, small window that showed up when you opened the menu in game? With a black background? And it was all very boring? Yeah that's gone.
The inventory menu and journal have also seen some additional improvements, so that navigating these will all be both easier and more aesthetically pleasing. I've also added a new directory option for you to find citizens in town a little easier. This directory maps faces to names, gives you a brief bio of each citizen, and updates based on whether you've met a person and whether that person is still alive. It's designed to bridge the gap in "I have the map, but I need to deliver this scotch to Borablo. Which one is Borbalo?"

New Paths to Familiar Territory

Some of the quests in the upcoming patch are brand new, top-to-bottom. But some are specifically designed to allow you to see content already in the game, but to come at it from a different path. Two new quests - "Make it Work" and "Music to My Ears" - have been added to help you reach the Wolf Cave and Library in different paths than are currently available. The rewards for these quests are different, and they have differing impacts on various NPCs. The Library in particular was troubling - if Mihaly died, it was a huge zone that was completely foreclosed to you, along with a ton of dependent quests. I'm happy to have another method of entry for you that, while not 100% guaranteed (nothing is in this game!) is a solid fallback.

New Water Cave Puzzle Mechanics

I've also added a few new items to interact with in the Water Cave.
I'm continuing to look for ways to play with water levels in this biome, and the crate is the most straight forward. We'll see additional improvements to this particular mechanic throughout Early Access, because there's nothing you can't do with a box ;) We'll have another preview post in a few weeks about the additional quests and our new town event, "Venom." *** Thanks so much for your patience as I continue to work out the bugs in Vidar, and for all of the bug reports you've already sent! Don't forget to tell your friends about the game <3

[ 2017-03-07 17:08:17 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! I've been nose to the grindstone getting the next big patch ready (coming out on April 4). This one is called "Caught In Your Web," and it's going to be a biggun. In addition to lots of bugs fixes, I'll have some extra content and quality-of-life improvements. I'm ready to show off some of these new features today!

Improved Menus

Remember that ugly, small window that showed up when you opened the menu in game? With a black background? And it was all very boring? Yeah that's gone.
The inventory menu and journal have also seen some additional improvements, so that navigating these will all be both easier and more aesthetically pleasing. I've also added a new directory option for you to find citizens in town a little easier. This directory maps faces to names, gives you a brief bio of each citizen, and updates based on whether you've met a person and whether that person is still alive. It's designed to bridge the gap in "I have the map, but I need to deliver this scotch to Borablo. Which one is Borbalo?"

New Paths to Familiar Territory

Some of the quests in the upcoming patch are brand new, top-to-bottom. But some are specifically designed to allow you to see content already in the game, but to come at it from a different path. Two new quests - "Make it Work" and "Music to My Ears" - have been added to help you reach the Wolf Cave and Library in different paths than are currently available. The rewards for these quests are different, and they have differing impacts on various NPCs. The Library in particular was troubling - if Mihaly died, it was a huge zone that was completely foreclosed to you, along with a ton of dependent quests. I'm happy to have another method of entry for you that, while not 100% guaranteed (nothing is in this game!) is a solid fallback.

New Water Cave Puzzle Mechanics

I've also added a few new items to interact with in the Water Cave.
I'm continuing to look for ways to play with water levels in this biome, and the crate is the most straight forward. We'll see additional improvements to this particular mechanic throughout Early Access, because there's nothing you can't do with a box ;) We'll have another preview post in a few weeks about the additional quests and our new town event, "Venom." *** Thanks so much for your patience as I continue to work out the bugs in Vidar, and for all of the bug reports you've already sent! Don't forget to tell your friends about the game <3

[ 2017-03-07 17:08:17 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! The Mac and Linux clients have been updated with the latest patch, and this includes the fixes in the past two versions. Check those notes for the bugs that were squashed and things that were changed. In addition, the following Mac/Linux-specific issues have been fixed:

• Receiving Piri's blessing twice should no longer crash the game
• Fixed a null-pointer exception which popped up at unpredictable times, but typically in the Dark Cave
• Fixed a bug where the music could stop playing

From here on out, unless we see other major progress blocking bugs, we're likely to include any bug fixes in the upcoming content patch, coming on April 4! - Dean

[ 2017-02-19 21:43:06 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! The Mac and Linux clients have been updated with the latest patch, and this includes the fixes in the past two versions. Check those notes for the bugs that were squashed and things that were changed. In addition, the following Mac/Linux-specific issues have been fixed:

• Receiving Piri's blessing twice should no longer crash the game
• Fixed a null-pointer exception which popped up at unpredictable times, but typically in the Dark Cave
• Fixed a bug where the music could stop playing

From here on out, unless we see other major progress blocking bugs, we're likely to include any bug fixes in the upcoming content patch, coming on April 4! - Dean

[ 2017-02-19 21:43:06 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! Tonight we're launching a patch that fixes a lot of the progress blocking bugs identified in the Windows build. I can't thank you all enough for putting up with the early pains of early access - your feedback in this incredibly randomized, way-too-ambitious project has been invaluable. This build is, again, Windows only. We've noticed two pretty egregious bugs - one from Piri's blessing, and one from the Dark Cave - that are crashing the game for Mac and Linux users. We'll be fixing those this weekend, and deploying a patch for Mac and Linux that includes those plus all of the fixes from this patch and the last one. Mac and Linux are not natively supported with RPG Maker VX Ace, so everything is a little wonkier on that side. This patch also removes Dark Cave 4 entirely. The room felt way too penalizing, and the puzzles were not accomplishing what I wanted. Plus, I've been wanting to take out a single room from all biomes (bringing each down to 3) for balance reasons. But that's a big disentangling project, in part because (as I discovered for this patch), I need to scan the removed room for any important quest items that may have spawned and move them into another room. At some point, the puzzles and mechanics in Dark Cave 4 will be redesigned brought back in as an alternate possible room to explore. Until then, you're saved from the horrors of that room! We are doing previews of upcoming content patches on www.vidarthegame.com - the next one, "Caught In Your Web," is coming on April 4! We'll be showcasing the extra quests, zones, and puzzles as we approach that date.

Alpha 0.8.0.2

• Games created in version 0.8.0.0 or prior with a buggy Dark Cave 3 are now fixed
• Fixed a crash in Dorottya's dialogue
• Fixed a crash in Gusztav's dialogue
• Dark Cave 4 has been removed from the game.
• Dark Cave 3 has been redesigned slightly to accomodate this fact
• "Clearing the Way" now only extends the tunnel for 3 rooms
• "Sketched Out" now only requires three sketches to complete
• Quest Items for "Bring Him Home," "Light in the Darkness," "Dr. Spore", "Not a Thief," and the entrance to the library have been moved out of Dark Cave 4 (if they spawned there) and scattered throughout the remaining 3 rooms.
• Time is now stopped in the Library and the Wolf Cave
• Fixed a bug that revealed Dark Cave 1 before you picked up the lantern. If you managed to advance to the Dark Cave without picking up the lantern, it has been added to your inventory. This should resolve the bug that some reported as being unable to switch tools in the cave.
• Rubble for "Clearing the Way" will now spawn correctly in Dark Cave 2b
• Removed a glowing tile that was blocking a path in Boulder Cave 3
• Fixed a reset issue in Dark Cave 1 that could cause you to get stuck in the last puzzle
• Fixed a bug in Puzzle 35, Option 5 where a torch could spawn on the wolf cave entrance
• If you have read all of the books for this quest for "Reading is Fundamental", but use a campfire instead of returning to town, this quest will no longer complete. Instead, a person will die as usual and the quest will not complete until you actually return to town.
• Fixed Szabina's text if "Sketched Out" is complete with 2 of 3 helpers
• Time will not unfreeze in the Ice Cave or Dark Cave Waypoints after a dialogue window is displayed
  
  [ 2017-02-18 02:35:26 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! Tonight we're launching a patch that fixes a lot of the progress blocking bugs identified in the Windows build. I can't thank you all enough for putting up with the early pains of early access - your feedback in this incredibly randomized, way-too-ambitious project has been invaluable. This build is, again, Windows only. We've noticed two pretty egregious bugs - one from Piri's blessing, and one from the Dark Cave - that are crashing the game for Mac and Linux users. We'll be fixing those this weekend, and deploying a patch for Mac and Linux that includes those plus all of the fixes from this patch and the last one. Mac and Linux are not natively supported with RPG Maker VX Ace, so everything is a little wonkier on that side. This patch also removes Dark Cave 4 entirely. The room felt way too penalizing, and the puzzles were not accomplishing what I wanted. Plus, I've been wanting to take out a single room from all biomes (bringing each down to 3) for balance reasons. But that's a big disentangling project, in part because (as I discovered for this patch), I need to scan the removed room for any important quest items that may have spawned and move them into another room. At some point, the puzzles and mechanics in Dark Cave 4 will be redesigned brought back in as an alternate possible room to explore. Until then, you're saved from the horrors of that room! We are doing previews of upcoming content patches on www.vidarthegame.com - the next one, "Caught In Your Web," is coming on April 4! We'll be showcasing the extra quests, zones, and puzzles as we approach that date.

Alpha 0.8.0.2

• Games created in version 0.8.0.0 or prior with a buggy Dark Cave 3 are now fixed
• Fixed a crash in Dorottya's dialogue
• Fixed a crash in Gusztav's dialogue
• Dark Cave 4 has been removed from the game.
• Dark Cave 3 has been redesigned slightly to accomodate this fact
• "Clearing the Way" now only extends the tunnel for 3 rooms
• "Sketched Out" now only requires three sketches to complete
• Quest Items for "Bring Him Home," "Light in the Darkness," "Dr. Spore", "Not a Thief," and the entrance to the library have been moved out of Dark Cave 4 (if they spawned there) and scattered throughout the remaining 3 rooms.
• Time is now stopped in the Library and the Wolf Cave
• Fixed a bug that revealed Dark Cave 1 before you picked up the lantern. If you managed to advance to the Dark Cave without picking up the lantern, it has been added to your inventory. This should resolve the bug that some reported as being unable to switch tools in the cave.
• Rubble for "Clearing the Way" will now spawn correctly in Dark Cave 2b
• Removed a glowing tile that was blocking a path in Boulder Cave 3
• Fixed a reset issue in Dark Cave 1 that could cause you to get stuck in the last puzzle
• Fixed a bug in Puzzle 35, Option 5 where a torch could spawn on the wolf cave entrance
• If you have read all of the books for this quest for "Reading is Fundamental", but use a campfire instead of returning to town, this quest will no longer complete. Instead, a person will die as usual and the quest will not complete until you actually return to town.
• Fixed Szabina's text if "Sketched Out" is complete with 2 of 3 helpers
• Time will not unfreeze in the Ice Cave or Dark Cave Waypoints after a dialogue window is displayed
  
  [ 2017-02-18 02:35:26 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! Before I jump in I just want to say THANK YOU to all of you who have bought the game already! You're all amazing, and a particular shoutout to those sharing bug reports here or on Reddit, to those emailing me with feedback, and to those leaving reviews on the store page. Vidar is a massive game (about 15 hours of gameplay!) almost all of which is randomized in ways that make it incredibly difficult to test. So to those hitting walls in the game, I'm sorry; and to those telling me about it so I can fix it, thank you again <3 My goal going forward is bigger, more meaningful patches. During Alpha we had content patches with 2-3 quests, a few puzzle options, etc. coming out every few weeks. Moving forward, my goal is to combine these into a bigger patch roughly every two months, so it gives you something to really sink your teeth into. And for those who have beaten the game, it gives you something you can try to track down, not just a one-off quest. We're keeping roughly the same schedule for Early Access, and still plan to launch in late Fall. But reducing the frequency of patches I think is better for you (so there's more to play) and better for me (so I can do more thorough testing, and am less likely to introduce new issues every 2 weeks). That being said, today we've got a small hotfix! This is to primarily address an issue where a ghost could spawn in Ice Cave 4b in a place that would block your path. That spawn location has been removed from any future new files. If you've run into this problem already, the ghost will be moved to a wider area the next time you load the game. Please note this build is for Windows only right now. We'll move it to Mac/Linux next week, along with a fix to Piri's blessing that is impacting only those clients. - Dean

Alpha 0.8.0.1 (Windows)

• Fixed a crash in Puzzle 48, option 1
• Fixed pathing issues in the Castle Ruins
• Gave you escape options in case Szabina tries to trap you in the Castle Ruins
• Fixed a hidden crash in Erik's cave
• The camera now centers appropriately in Erik's Cave - Door Version
• Fixed some typos
• Moved a ghost that could block you in Ice Cave 4b
• Your location now shows up on the Town Map

[ 2017-02-04 17:03:23 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! Before I jump in I just want to say THANK YOU to all of you who have bought the game already! You're all amazing, and a particular shoutout to those sharing bug reports here or on Reddit, to those emailing me with feedback, and to those leaving reviews on the store page. Vidar is a massive game (about 15 hours of gameplay!) almost all of which is randomized in ways that make it incredibly difficult to test. So to those hitting walls in the game, I'm sorry; and to those telling me about it so I can fix it, thank you again <3 My goal going forward is bigger, more meaningful patches. During Alpha we had content patches with 2-3 quests, a few puzzle options, etc. coming out every few weeks. Moving forward, my goal is to combine these into a bigger patch roughly every two months, so it gives you something to really sink your teeth into. And for those who have beaten the game, it gives you something you can try to track down, not just a one-off quest. We're keeping roughly the same schedule for Early Access, and still plan to launch in late Fall. But reducing the frequency of patches I think is better for you (so there's more to play) and better for me (so I can do more thorough testing, and am less likely to introduce new issues every 2 weeks). That being said, today we've got a small hotfix! This is to primarily address an issue where a ghost could spawn in Ice Cave 4b in a place that would block your path. That spawn location has been removed from any future new files. If you've run into this problem already, the ghost will be moved to a wider area the next time you load the game. Please note this build is for Windows only right now. We'll move it to Mac/Linux next week, along with a fix to Piri's blessing that is impacting only those clients. - Dean

Alpha 0.8.0.1 (Windows)

• Fixed a crash in Puzzle 48, option 1
• Fixed pathing issues in the Castle Ruins
• Gave you escape options in case Szabina tries to trap you in the Castle Ruins
• Fixed a hidden crash in Erik's cave
• The camera now centers appropriately in Erik's Cave - Door Version
• Fixed some typos
• Moved a ghost that could block you in Ice Cave 4b
• Your location now shows up on the Town Map

[ 2017-02-04 17:03:23 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! A last minute change to the saving structure meant that Mac and Linux users this morning couldn't see their save files in the continue screen. They should be there. Note that the game autosaves every night, and the autosaving was working correctly. Vidar just didn't want to show you that ;) I'm aggressively monitoring bugs and trying to fix the worst of them as fast as I can. Yay Early Access! - Dean

[ 2017-01-31 19:02:56 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! Vidar is now available on Early Access! I'm not panicking, I swear. To all of you who are newly discovering Vidar, please check out the "Early Access" section on the store page, which explains where I am in development and why I think Early Access is the right call for this game. If you're excited to see the random narrative grow in scope with me over the next few months, I hope you'll consider joining the community. And please make liberal use of the forums to report any bugs you find! <3 Dean

[ 2017-01-31 14:33:38 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! In anticipation of tomorrow morning's Early Access launch, version 0.8.0.0 of Vidar is now live!

Alpha 0.8.0.0

• Added a sign to the center of town to help you find your way
• Denoised the voice over files
• Fixed a bug where the wrong gender voice over file might play
• Music will now fade when all voice over plays
• Fixed various typos
• Fixed various passage issues
• The Save menu will correctly show you save files created if you "exit to title" without fully exiting the game
  
  [ 2017-01-31 02:18:32 CET ] [ Original post ]

A quick patch tonight, to address some old save files. Any games that were created in version 0.7.6.6 or earlier (so, before Jan 20) could not be loaded after that patch. This is a fix so that you can load the save file, but please note: some of the bug fixes will not be applied to that save file. If you're not too far into the game, I'd suggest making a new game. After Early Acess launch, we'll be focused on backwards compatibility and retroactively fixing bugs! - Dean

Alpha 0.7.6.9

• Save files created in version 0.7.6.6 or earlier can once again be loaded in later versions of the game

[ 2017-01-25 05:50:44 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! We're a week out from Early Access, and I wanted to test two new changes out, so a short patch went out tonight. First, a town map is available! The map can be opened from the menu screen, and shows a full map of Vidar. Icons for each of the townsfolk are drawn on the map to indicate where that person is. It's part of a 3-part solution to those who are having trouble finding their way or their quest giver in town. The other two parts will be released after 1/31. You can get the map from Dani, assuming she doesn't die. Second, the cap on save files has been lifted! You can now have as many save files as you'd like, and the continue screen should feel more adaptable and flexible as well. We're still crunching bugs as fast as we can over here. One more week left! In the meantime, if you've had some experience with the game, please consider drafting a review! While you can't post it now, we'd love your feedback on our store page the very first day we launch next week. Also, today at noon eastern time, Anna Cail is back streaming more Vidar on Twitch. I'll be hanging out in chat to answer any questions you have - see you at AnnaGeeks.com! - Dean

Alpha 0.7.6.8

• A dynamically updated town map has been adeed to the game, to help you navigate. Get it from Dani, assuming she doesn't die.
• Saving: The cap on save files has been removed; you can now have as many save files as you'd like.
• Saving: The "continue" screen will only show save files up to how many you have - so, if you have Story 1, 2, and 3, it won't show blank spots for 4-16. If you have Story 1 and 5, it will continue to show blank spots for 2, 3, and 4.
• Saving: When creating a new game, if you have gaps in the order (like the second example above), the new game will slot in there.
  
  [ 2017-01-24 05:27:34 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! This patch fixes a bunch of miscellaneous bugs that have cropped up. The big improvement this go around relates to Csaba's charity. Previously, giving her key charity items while a quest was pending could cause that quest to stall - she was really only designed to take those items once a critical NPC died, as a way for you to empty your inventory of unnecessary items. But since people clearly want the freedom to improve her disposition and access her other quests regardless, I wanted to make sure that it all works! To that end, your journal and everyone's dialogue should update appropriately if you give a key quest item to Csaba from here on out. Additionally, ALL of the music has been remastered by the wonderful Adrian. Revisit your volume settings to find a balance that you like, and grab your favorite pair of headphones to really marinate in some amazing tunes. The Mac and Linux clients saw updates to the font, and some additional features that were missing like screen flash, depth transparency, and music fading. A memory leak has been fixed that should make the game MUCH more playable on Mac and Linux. This is probably the last patch before Early Access is launched on 1/31! Early backers and players, please note - you will likely need to start a new game when Early Access comes out, and any save files made before that date will probably have some bugginess. Which sometimes is fun, but be warned ;) We'll be at Playcrafting NYC's Winter Expo next Thursday. If you're reading these notes but don't have the game yet and want to try it out before 1/31, come visit us at Microsoft on 1/26 to come play the full game. - Dean

Alpha 0.7.6.7

• Puzzle 18, Option 3 has been edited to add additional breaking ice (to prevent getting stuck in a loop)
• "Failed Quests" are now "Uncompletable Quests"; the journal font is now gray instead of red
• Fixed some reset issues regarding bases in the Ice Cave
• Your current location is now identified on the teleport menu
• The entrance to the wolf cave has been blocked until you have a specific quest to enter; exit is prevented if Etel or Groa are with you
• Key bindings now correctly work on in-game movement
• Fixed a Z-layering issues with a tree in Vidar West
• Fixed some resets in Ice Cave 4b
• Eating mushrooms no longer crashes the game on Steam
• The entrance to the Dark Cave is now less likely to spawn in a super weird place
• Giving away the pocketwatch will now properly hide the timer display
• Fixed some of Rebeka's dialogue A Little Something
• This quest now properly fails if Borbalo dies Bring Him Home
• Failing this quest will properly hide Groa and move Cail
• Tamas will no longer get stuck on this quest Bury the Hatchet
• Fixed some typos
• Fixed Arpad's movement a bit after the cutscene
• The axe is properly removed from inventory now
• Added a graphic to update when the axe is placed Hair of the Dog
• Borbalo's scotch no longer spawns if this quest is inaccessible Love Letter
• Removed a spawn point for the mural in the Dark Cave which was blocked by an oil barrel The Second Son
• The cave with Erik will now always close after day 3, regardless of the quest's status Wake
• Fixed Dorottya's dialogue during this event
• Fixed the Problem of Two Tomis War Never Changes
• Arpad will not crash the game on reminder
• Barnabas now talks to you
• Barnabas will now wait less time to open his door
• Fixed various cutscene typos
• Fixed Arpad's direction in the final cutscene
• Various journal fixes
• Various pathing fixes in Barnabas's house Charity Giving a key item to Csaba for charity will now fail the following quests appropriately, and will not freeze the relevant NPCs in a dialogue loop:
• A Brighter Tomorrow
• A Little Something
• Artifacts in Ice
• Bury the Hatchet
• Dr. Spore
• Faith in the Dead
• Hair of the Dog
• Light in the Dark
• Not a Thief
• Residue
• Sketched Out
• Threnody
• To Feed a Village
• To House a Village
• War Never Changes
• Wake
• What's Yours is Mine
• Words of Wisdom Mac/Linux
• Screen flash support added
• Font updates
• Fixed a memory leak related to scene changes
• Fixed some issues with water depth transparency and fish
  
  [ 2017-01-20 16:32:30 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! I'm heading out for the long weekend, but just in case anyone else LetsPlays or streams Vidar before I'm back, I wanted to make sure the latest version was out. This patch is primarily designed to fix a few puzzle options that were spawning without a critical component (and thus were unsolvable). But some user-friendly polish made it in as well. We'll likely have 2 more patches before Early Access launch on 1/31 - make sure to tell ALL of your friends about Vidar!

Hotfix 0.7.6.6

• Increased the volume for Piri and Tamas's voice
• Robert will no longer inherit Dr. Spore unless you first receive it from Gusztav
• Fixed some ghost texts
• The timer will now hide when the dialogue window is open
• Added a little path to the castle ruins
• Fixed the teleport location for Ice Cave 4a
• Added a placeholder sound effect for lighting torches
• Fixed the transfer between the Ice Cave Waypoint and the town
• Resetting a pillar will also properly now destroy its particle effects
• Gusztav's dialogue when giving you Dr. Spore has now been updated, in case a patient (or two) dies before you receive it
• Etel's voice sfx has been added for his time spent in the Wolf Cave
• Fixed a passage issue near the castle ruins
• Using the shovel in a place where it can't be used will now pop up a text letting you know that it's not your fault, it's mine
• If you have the flint & steel, torches will alert you to the fact that the flint & steel won't work on them
• Fixed a few options in Puzzle 3 where a block was not spawning correctly; slightly modified Ice Cave 2b
  
  [ 2017-01-13 19:40:53 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! This hotfix is mostly for Anna Cail, who is currently streaming and finding bugs.

Alpha 0.7.6.5

• Fixed the transition between the Dark Cave Waypoint and the cave proper
• Borbalo will grieve Bernadett
• Adjusted the flow of what happens if Sandor's death interrupts "Faith in the Dead" at various parts
• Added voice acting for returning "The Second Son"
• Dorottya doesn't get bored in the middle of returning "The Second Son"
• Adjusted the entrance to the Ice Cave Waypoint slightly to avoid some weird graphics nonsense
• Added signs outside of the inn, seamstress, merchant's house, and hospital
• Fixed disabled text transparency
• Removed a crashy cave in Ice Cave 2b
• Ice Cave 1b now has a path back to the earlier grave

[ 2017-01-12 20:29:08 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! A rare-ish bug has been discovered where, under the right circumstances, you can try Erik's puzzle again after the first attempt. And it causes the whole game to crash. Of course, every single press outlet has found it immediately ːralphhurtː This patch is to address that, and a few other fixes from the HyperRPG stream this past Monday!

Alpha 0.7.6.4

• You can now pull a pillar when someone else is in your party
• Added a block in Ice Cave 3c so that you can go back to the entrance if you'd like
• You can no longer walk over the holes in the Dark Cave Waypoint
• Holes in the Ice Cave area will prevent you from walking on them unless they abut ice. This is to prevent falling off the edges in the ice cave if there's no real puzzle around you
• You can no longer walk over the rope coil in Vidar East; it provides text when you interact with it
• Message box readibility has been improved
• The tool and timer UI will now hide whenever someone is talking
• Spoilery-fixes to puzzle 72 and 75
• Fixed the reset in IC4b that would cause you to disappear once you activated the bridge (sorry Malika!)
• Using statues in the Ruins no longer stops screenshake
• Fixed a slight drawing issue in Puzzle 76
• The end of an era: you cannot complete Erik's cave if he isn't on the correct tile
• Finishing Erik's puzzle (whether successfully or not) will still clear the entrance before you report back to Sandor, regardless of room choice or puzzle layout

I also wanted to note that some people are having trouble with controls because the analogue stick can feel a little rough. I agree! Vidar has always been envisioned as a SNES-style game, and with a 4-directional grid, it's not always clear what "diagonal" on a stick should be. That's why I like the D-Pad. It has 4 directions, plus, it brings back all the nostalgia of the old games! If you're playing with a controller and finding the Stranger going places you didn't want him or her to, try switching to the D-Pad and let me know if it feels any better? - Dean

[ 2017-01-11 18:18:17 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! Today (Jan 9) at 1:00 pm Eastern, join me with Hyper RPG on Twitch as they play the latest build of Vidar! It's at twitch.tv/hyperrpg - hope I'll see you there! Speaking of the latest build, a number of people have rightly noted that the mechanic in Erik's cave isn't really well explained. This patch is intended to address that by changing the UI to make it clearer *and* more responsive. A few other bugs are addressed as well! - Dean

Alpha 0.7.6.3

• The tool window UI has changed. The hand has been removed, and instead, the button that you have assigned to "Use Tool" shows up. Change the button in the options menu.
• Unplugging a controller will immediately reset the game back to keyboard mode; plugging a controller in will immediately switch to controller mode
• Pushing any button on the keyboard will automatically switch you to keyboard mode; pushing any button on a controller will automatically switch you to controller mode
• For that reason, the profile switcher has been removed from the options menu
• If you leave a room and then come back to the same room immediately from the teleport menu, you will no longer lose the timer UI
• Using the lantern when you don't have enough fuel will no longer freeze you in place
• Resetting in the Dark Cave will refuel your lantern
  
  [ 2017-01-09 16:36:41 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! Another little patch tonight, because some users were reporting seeing strange white boxes in the cave. While it wasn't progress blocking, it was gross. This includes some additional minor fixes that I've been working on the past few days as well.

Alpha 0.7.6.2

• Random white boxes throughout the cave have been converted back into the dancing cobwebs they once were
• Sandor's and Erik's SFX are more consistent
• Fixed a bug in Puzzle 80 where a boulder was refusing to move
• Fixed a bug in Puzzle 80 where it was possible for the light pillar to crash the game if you were super good at solving the puzzle
• Darkened the last two rooms of the Ruins
• Fixed various screen shake issues
• Fixed various reset issues in the Ruins
• Fixed various passage issues in town
• Fixed a bug which would allow inadvertant low-ground access in the Water Cave
• Various vines and ladders throughout the game now trigger climbing animations
• Fixed a bug in puzzle 41 where a hole was not spawning under a lightbridge **
• Csaba's charity ask is a little cleaner
• Mihaly will no longer misidentify you in his intro dialogue
• Added audio to the conclusion cutscene
• Fixed a situation in Puzzle 9, Option 3 where you could get stuck in an infinite loop with no chance of escape. I thought about retroactively justifying this as a metaphor for life, but decided instead to just add an extra block. **
• Fixed a door in Ice Cave 3c that, even though it looked like it opened, it was lying to you.
• Ghosts are less mobile in Ice Cave 1b

Fixes marked with ** will require a new save file - if you happen to have been unlucky in rolling those puzzle options, apologies! - Dean

[ 2017-01-06 04:00:48 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! This month will be filled with "aggressive polishing" of Vidar as we spiral on a crash course to Early Access on 1/31. This week I got a few small fixes in, and significantly updated the Linux build's stability, so I thought a patch was in order. The store page and trailer video arrive this week - stay tuned!

Hotfix 0.7.6.1

• Ruins Puzzles now reset broken ice even if you've received assistance
• The Bright Flower now gives off a little light
• The first two ruins maps are a bit darker, to help you see mirror light
• Falling now has a sound effect
• Bridges over water throughout the cave no longer draw you as though you're standing in the water
• Bridges over ice throughout the cave no longer cause you to slide on them
• Using a switch in the ruins will no longer stop the screenshake
• Erik cannot get stuck at the beginning of his cave entrance on the left side
• Erik can no longer see his dummy on the right side of the map
• Fixed camera switches in Erik's cave
• Fixed a bug in Puzzle 16 Option 2 that prevented the retrieval of a bucket
  
  [ 2017-01-03 00:16:23 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! Happy holidays to all of our alpha testers! Today is the release of the final pre-Early Access content patch, and it includes new puzzles, a new town event, and a fun new mechanic. It also inlcudes a ton of bug fixes for the final conclusion.

Alpha 0.7.6.0

Quests

• New Town Event: Wake. Explore Tamas and Dani's friendship in the mid-game.
• Modifications made to "Hunting Party"

Puzzles

• Added 25 new puzzles in the Ice Cave (bringing the total in the Ice Cave to 64; you'll see 12 in a given playthrough, give or take)
• Added a new path through Ice Cave 1
• Added a new path through Ice Cave 2
• Added two new paths through Ice Cave 3
• Added a new path through Ice Cave 4
• Holes in the last room of the Ruins now properly block your path
• Fixed various crashes related to the Ruins
• Fixed various graphics issues in the Ruins
• Fixed various passage issues in the Ruins
• Lightbridges in the Ruins are now embettered
• Opening one door in the fifth room of the Ruins will not open all of the rest of the doors
• Pillars now really do serve as pressure for the sake of pressure plates
• Ramps placed in the water work appropriately
• Reset now works in the Ruins Cave
• Reset now no longer crashes the game if you have loaded a boulder into a geyser in the Boulder Cave AND have loaded the game from a save (that's a mouthful)
• Reset now correctly resets pressure plates
• Room five of the Ruins is now flooded with water
• The timer better functions in the Ruins cave
• Tools can now be used in the Ruins
• Wolves now move around in the Ruins
• YOU CAN NOW FALL THROUGH THE ICE IN THE RUINS CAVE (this is in all caps because it seriously took me way too long)
• Other spoilery fixes to the Ruins cave

Misc

• Autosave: when you start a new game, a new save file will be created immediately. Autosave will now save over that file (or, if you're continuing, from whatever file you loaded) rather than always autosaving a new file at the top. This means that saves kind of function like save slots now.
• The analogue stick is now enabled
• The Tool and Timer UI are hidden during the final confrontation
• Additional decorations have been added to the Ruins
• The progress bar at the start of a new file now tells you what it's doing
• F6 has been disabled

Mac / Linux

• Fixed a crash related to NPC dialogue sounds
• Fixed graphic rendering of items on tables
• Fixed player transparency when in water
• Fixed various other client bugs

[ 2016-12-26 19:45:13 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends, A hotfix went out for Windows late last night to address a potential launch bug related to the VLC library and video player. Apologies if you had problems launching the game, it should boot up fine after the patch. This build also came with a handful of additional bug fixes, and one major quality-of-life improvement: control bindings. In theory, you should have a lot more flexibility when it comes to your input. This includes resetting your keyboard keys to something more comfortable, remapping an XBox Controller, and switching between a keyboard and controller profile. Previously, if a controller was plugged in, you could not use they keyboard whatsoever. That restriction has been lifted.

Alpha Build 0.7.5.1

Quests

A Little Something
• This is now a time-limited quest Clearing The Way
• Added dialogue for Dorottya and Katarina as they are about to dig the tunnel
• Added dialogue for Dorottya and Katarina on completion of the tunnel, regardless of whether the quest is complete
• Fixed Katarina's clipping issue when choosing the tunnel as a reward
• Fixed pathing issues inside the tunnel
• Replaced the entrance to the tunnel with a rope, and included climbing animations Dr. Spore
• Gusztav is no longer so greedy; he'll only take 10 mushrooms if you tell him he can't have more
• Light in the Darkness
• Robert actually takes the Bright Flower from you now
• Using the last Bright Flower before completing this quest now appropriately updates your journal Spirit Walk
• Completing this quest will now anger Bernadett (doesn't everything?)
• Piri's dialogue on completion has been updated to make the reward for this quest clearer The Second Son
• Fixed a corner case related to the completion cutscene that would appear strange if you left the workshop then immediately went back inside.

Misc

• Added keybinding configuration. You can reach it from the Options menu
• Added controller and keyboard profiles; you can switch between using an XBox controller and a standard keyboard in the Options menu. This means you can still use the keyboard even if a controller is plugged in.
• Added various non-text tutorials
• Fixed various passage issues in town
• The Church will not close its doors if you have the Ice Cave Waypoint
• Cecilia's House will not close if you have the Dark Cave Waypoint

[ 2016-12-05 15:38:14 CET ] [ Original post ]

This past week, the nominees for Playcrafting's annual "Bit Awards" came out, and Vidar is nominated for Best PC/Console Game of the Year!! Which is really just pretty dang awesome. The award show will be on December 15, and if you're in the NYC area, it'd be great to see you there. Tickets are on sale here. "Bad Trip" is the penultimate content patch before Early Access. The next one will come out in late December, as we try to cram as many possible bug fixes in as we can. There may be additional patches after that for still more fixes, but it's unlikely any new quests etc. will be added until February (although never say never!)

Alpha 0.7.5.0

Quests

• New Quest: Vodka Stinger. Dani's been reading some strange books. A Brighter Tomorrow
• Fixed several bugs related to Dorottya's dialogue
• Fixed several bugs related to using the Imp Oil lantern Den of Darkness
• Slightly updated the receipt cutscene Dr. Spore
• Robert's reminder text has been fixed Faith in the Dead
• Added some pep in Borbalo's step at the Church
• Fixed some reminder dialogue Residue
• Collecting oil will no longer freeze the game The Second Son
• Improved Sandor's faith tracking
• Fixed a crash that occurs if this quest times out and Borbalo is dead To Feed a Village
• Various journal fixes

Puzzles

• New Mechanic: Bucket. You'll find these scattered throughout the Water Cave.
• Fixed various tile spawning issues in the water cave
• Fixed a crash related to vine spawning in the water cave
• Added 13 new puzzle options to water cave
• Reenabled reset once you enter the Dark Cave; reset is all around better now
• Fixed some graphics glitches related to pull switches and levers
• The purple lever's color has been adjusted to be more purpley, and in line with the other things that match that switch color
• Added gates in IC1 and IC2 to make the shortcut function more clear
• Pull switches and levers that cannot be used more than once have been modified for that fact to be clearer
• Barrel use has been modified; you now use the lantern to refuel, rather than the interact button
• Added particle FX to moveable mirrors, pillars, and gargoyles

Dialogue

• Added sfx for everyone's dialogue
• Fixed a crash in Dorry's dialogue after Kat dies
• Fixed a crash in Gusztav's dialogue after Robert dies
• Fixed a crash in Robert's dialogue after he becomes the Doctor
• Added several cutscenes and path variants for Gusztav after Robert dies
• Added several cutscenes and path variants for Gusztav after all 3 patients are dead
• Arpad won't misidentify you on Day 1
• Robert's cutscenes where he identifies mushrooms are a little less annoying
• Tomi has a few games he wants to play, if you're willing
• Sandor's faith now tracks better; there are several ways to influence whether he has faith

Misc

• New Mechanic: Patients. Three extra lives have been added to Vidar.
• New Mechanic: Tomi's Caregiver. If Tomi is ever orphaned, various citizens may step up to help.
• New Mechanic: Mushroom Effects. Every mushroom can do something helpful or harmful to you; be careful what you eat, if you don't know what it is.
• Mushrom identification is slightly better
• The sick room in the hospital is no longer visible
• Various fixes to item descriptions
• Unlocked some of the doors in the inn
• Lots of fixes to the campfire - it's just overall way less buggy. Also note, the game will no longer save after using one.
• Dani sticks around at the castle ruins once she goes there
• Items can't be used in town now
• Added particle effects for lightpillar use
• Houses in Vidar won't close if a resident is out mourning for the day
• Fixed the door to the poor house and hospital when it's closed / locked
• Fixed a passage issue at the poor house

[ 2016-11-28 21:37:29 CET ] [ Original post ]

Hi friends! This is the innaugural post for the Vidar community hub on Steam! ::flails wildly:: It coincides with the second of our big content-pushes in advance of Early Access launch (January 31, 2017 - mark your calendar!). This patch is focused on Groa, Csaba, and Tomi and reworks some of their quests, along with adding cutscenes and quests for them. As always, lots of bug fixes are in. Let us know what you think! ​This weekend, we're headed to the first ever GaymerX East! Come get your diversity-in-games fix and play the latest Vidar demo. If you plan to attend, make sure to buy your tickets in advance, as I've been told they will not be selling tickets at the door.

Alpha 0.7.4.0

Quests

• New Quest: Family Time. Get it from Cecilia, but it's time limited
• New Quest: Hunting Party. Get it from Groa, once he's healed up and ready.

Boy's Best Friend [olist]

Cail now spawns in the Water Cave when receiving this quest [/olist] Bring Him Home

• Completely restructured quest; removed dozens of progress-blocking bugs
• Added additional dialogue for all potential helpers
• Added additional dialogue for Csaba
• When Groa is in your party, he can be instructed to hang back so you can solve puzzles; you still need to get him back in your party to exit the room
• The bottle of purified water, and the bottle of enhanced water, can no longer be consumed
• All potential helpers can now ID an enoki mushroom midway through the quest
• Choosing "no" when adding the mushroom to the water will no longer take away the mushroom anyways
• Added a rare path to obtain to obtain the quest which will bypass a few steps - it's not easy, though!

Dr. Spore

• Picking up a mushroom will no longer reveal "Dr. Spore" if it wasn't already given to you by Gusztav

Man's Best Friend

• The journal now correctly updates
• Cail properly leaves when returning to town
• The correct rewards are distributed for this quest
• This quest correctly completes as soon as you come back to town

The Second Son

• Text on completion displays better

To Feed a Village

• Fixed a bug concerning Fish spoilation

Puzzles

• Fixed a bug related to light pillar activation
• Fixed a bug related to wall lantern activation
• Split the puzzle in Boulder Cave 4 into three pieces, so you can reset each separately
• Fixed several crashes related to Dark Cave Room 2
• Altered Ice Cave 4 so that quest items are still reachable after solving the puzzles
• Added a blue torch at the entrance to the wolf cave
• Fixed a crash if entering water with a bucket in inventory

Dialogue

• Added 15 new cutscenes
• Borbalo will no longer stay out in the cold forever after Sandor dies
• Csaba will no longer stay outside once Tomi dies; her dialogue has been updated
• Csaba will grieve Groa outside
• Csaba is now aware when her son is dead
• Rozsa's dialogue better reflects if Sandor died on first night
• Dani goes outside to mourn Tamas
• Canceling when Mihaly asks you if you have any requests will keep the current music playing
• Groa will now stand outside to mourn Tomi and Csaba; his dialogue has been updated for both
• Fixed a bug where the completion date of failed quests was not being calculated correctly (this impacts a fair number of dialogues)
• Various text fixes

Misc

• Profession changes / inheritance now *actually* loads from a save file
• The Tool UI now recognizes whether you have a Gamepad plugged in, and displays a keyboard key for tool use if you don't have one
• Various tile passage fixes
• Fixed various bugs related to Erik's Cave, including UI
• Tamas' black-and-white sprite on the load screen has been fixed
• The Shovel tool's icon matches the rest
• The "tunnel" nameplate in the Dark Cave tunnel no longer shows up
• Fixed the transfer from the ladder in the Dark Cave tunnel
• The lantern tool now displays light before you acquire it
• The player must face the correct direction to pick up the music box
• When electing to stay in a room after viewing the Teleport Menu, the room's music will resume
• Fixed an occasional crash related to particle effects
• Groa's grave no longer displays prematurely

Mac Build

• Fixed a bug related to lighting displays, which will impact the entire game but be most notable in the Dark Cave

Linux Build

• Linux build is now operational!

[ 2016-11-07 19:10:55 CET ] [ Original post ]