Hello everyone! Its been a while since the last devlog, so were here to tell you about the current state of affairs and our plans for the near future. Lets just say the workflow has been less than ideal - the Ukrainian part of our team experiences blackouts and disrupted internet access due to the constant shelling of the countrys infrastructure, and the part of the team that formerly resided in Russia needs time to adjust in a new place. Nevertheless, were still determined to continue working on Stoneshard. The main focus right now is on the next major update, Rags to Riches, which will both introduce and expand upon a number of key gameplay systems, namely the Caravan, the dungeon generator, and the economy. Unfortunately, were in no position to announce even approximate release dates, definitely not within the next few months. But it doesnt mean there wont be any new content until then - we plan to release a few small patches, mostly focusing on fixing bugs, implementing some long-awaited QoL improvements, tweaking the existing ability trees, and fleshing out certain minor mechanics that we kept on the back burner. This approach will keep the game from getting stale while simultaneously giving us an opportunity to clear the accumulated backlog and resolve some technical issues. For instance, in the near future well release a hotfix that will improve the Drunkenness mechanic and add a few hundred new speech lines - both for the main character and the enemies - to cover a much larger number of scenarios.
Now back to Rags to Riches and the progress weve made so far. Many of you may remember that the dungeon generator was already reworked in the Way Forward update. But even though the result was much better than the original iteration, the last couple of years brought us enough experience and feedback to realize that we can do better. After all, dungeon-delving is one of the most prominent mechanics in the game, so any improvements to it will serve the betterment of the experience in general.
The dungeon generation rework is meant to achieve the following:

• Move away from the boring and predictable dungeon structure that consists almost entirely of small rooms separated by doors.
• Get rid of single-tile doors and hallways, as they promote the repetitive tactics of funneling enemies into the same choke points over and over again. New rooms will have a more engaging design, giving you more reasons to reposition and interact with the surroundings.
• Add more distinguishing features to each dungeon type: the Bastion should differ from the Crypts - and the Crypts from the Catacombs - not only in terms of decorations but also their overall layout.
• Make dungeons and room structure more logical and believable: upon entering a room, you should be able to get a basic idea about its function.
• Make dungeons visuals consistent with their difficulty and loot quality: high level dungeons will boast richer decor and additional room types that you wont be able to encounter early in the game.
• Add dungeon modifiers that will shake up the established routine and make you adjust your usual preparations - well share more details in future devlogs.
• Change enemy spawns to make fights more fair and interesting.

EXPLORE THE RAVAGED LANDS

• Open World
  War always leaves its mark: villages lie in ruins, dungeons are infested with monsters and old roads are abandoned. Travel across Aldor and learn more about its past.
  
• Economy
  The wartime economy is ruthless, but it also presents many opportunities: fulfill contracts, hunt for treasure, trade in a variety of goods and travel the land to earn your fortune.

CHOOSE YOUR PATH

• Character Development
  Experiment with 100+ abilities and 200+ equipment pieces without any class or level restrictions. Create your very own playstyle!
  
• Enemy Variety
  Take part in intense battles against numerous factions. Brigands, abominable cults, the undead - all of them require a unique approach.
  
• Tactical Battles
  There is no hand-holding. Only the thoughtful ones shall prevail - plan a few turns ahead, adapt to your surroundings and fully utilize your character’s strengths.

SURVIVE AGAINST THE ODDS

• Health System
  Master the simple but deep health system: cauterize bleeding wounds, relieve pain with alcohol and drugs, practice bloodletting and heal your maladies with various concoctions.
  
• Psyche
  Different in-game situations have a distinct influence on your character’s mental condition. High morale may turn the tide in your favor when fighting even the most hopeless of battles, while low sanity brings panic attacks and paranoia.
  
• Permadeath
  Do you like risk? Then try out the Ironman mode, where every decision is irreversible and your character dies once and for all.

PLANNED UPDATES

• New Content
  New settlements, including three majestic cities. New enemy factions: the mysterious Deep Dwellers and the ruthless Hive. Even more activities, equipment, enemies and abilities.
  
• Caravan
  Gather your caravan: upgrade it, find new routes and recruit followers - their skills and abilities will surely come in handy. Feeling tired? Return to your camp to hear fresh stories or just rest by the fire.
  
• Devotion
  Devote yourself to one of the aspects of the enigmatic deity. But remember: every blessing has
  its price. Are you ready to make a pact?
  
• Campaign
  To solve the mystery of the Stoneshards, you’ll have to visit dozens of exciting locations, make decisions with long-lasting consequences and slay a number of ferocious bosses.
  
• Alchemy & Cooking
  Discover new recipes and experiment with potions and dishes by combining different ingredients.

• OS: Ubuntu 18.04.2
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6320 or equivalentMemory: 2 GB RAM
• Memory: 2 GB RAM
• Graphics: GeForce 7600 512 Mb or equivalent
• Storage: 500 MB available space

• OS: Ubuntu 18.04.2
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6320 or equivalentMemory: 2 GB RAM
• Memory: 2 GB RAM
• Graphics: GeForce 7600 512 Mb or equivalent
• Storage: 500 MB available space