Wayfarer Alpha Version 1.0.8. - Chapter 1 Complete

Hi friends, 

The alpha build has been updated and Chapter 1 is now complete! Wooo! 🥳

Due to changes in variables, you MUST START A NEW FILE. Proceeding with a previous save will result in continuity errors for Route B. Also, MCs with they/them pronouns will not use the correct grammar.

Please note that Version 1.0.8. is not a stable build and variables may change again in playtesting. There will be one more update to the alpha build before the public launch later this month. 

What It Includes

• The finale of Chapter 1 Route B
• The Chapter is now complete, bringing the game’s word total to over 500k words of content (including codex entries)
• Deck it out with the Count and see if you survive or fail
• Three main boss fight branches with drastically different results and consequences
• Variations upon variations upon variations as your choices come back to haunt you
• Hidden action counters! Be careful – if you take too long to act, it could have dire consequences
• Hidden approval counters
• Aeran Greatly Disapproves
• A (possible) confession of (something very serious)
• 9 ways for one character to die
• 8 ways for another character to die

General Fixes

• Fixed multiple typos throughout the game
• Various bug fixes (namely to do with missing brackets and continuity errors)
• Patched continuity errors in the fight with the Count on Route A
• Added a number of flags used for dialogue continuity in the confrontation with the Count.
• Re-coded the fight branch flags in Route A’s boss fight. The Count and Rhodarth now have different flags depending on what happens to them (this change will break the continuity of your Route A saves)

Content Additions

• Revamped and re-wrote most codex entries, and added text to unlocked codex entries that previously had placeholder next in them.
• New entries include ones for Farandor, Calantha, Magianis, the Annexation of Velantis & Rhodarth Nairan
• Made adjustments to custom pronouns. The player can now select whether their custom pronouns are singular or plural (the default is singular).
• Extended ALL timed choice timers to 20 seconds. The player has much more time to make a selection now.
• Added the option to confirm your destination before you proceed to one of the final locations (before you selected which one you wanted the game locked you into it).
• Revamped the Guide and turned it into a Tutorials page. The game now comes with tutorials on every game mechanic and element, which describe what they are, how they work and what they effect. ALL tutorials are available from the beginning; you do not need to unlock them as you go.
• Revamped and re-coded the Story Log for accuracy. The player will now view a completed Chapter’s story log after finishing a chapter and before they proceed to the Level Up screen.
• Added Conditional story requirements have not been met text on unavailable options so the player can see that there are options they cannot access

UI Changes & Additions

• New version of the Rona map
• New version of the Map catalogue
• New version of the Ancestry and Origin selection pages (they now include cards that you interact with to select, much like the companion and faction profiles in the Journal)
• New version of the decorations on the dialogue box headers
• Additions to the MC’s profile in the Journal. They will now have three icons at the top that relate to their Ancestry, their Origin and their Wayfarer mentor.
• Re-coded the interactive map to make it easier for me. The areas you can visit are no longer pre-defined; you will have to hover over the map to see which locations you can visit and click on the areas that light up. If you would rather have a list of locations, turn the Interactive Map off and reload your autosave.
• Re-coded the scars and tattoos layout to make it easier to read. Each scar and tattoo comes with an indicator that tells the player which Chapter they received it in.

How to Access

You can access the alpha build through the link above. The current password is: TAa5Hxz9muaM24tmchUX.

DO NOT SHARE THIS PASSWORD.

Playtime Response Form

I am attempting to calculate an average playtime for Wayfarer's Prologue and Chapter 1. If you'd like to help out, please time your playthroughs (Prologue & Chapter 1 separate) and submit your playtime to this form here. Rough estimates (i.e. 2 hours, 3 hours) are ok as well!

Bugs and Errors

As always for alpha build updates, this content is very fresh and hasn’t been thoroughly playtested yet. Playtesting will be ongoing for the rest of August. If you notice any bugs or typos and would like to report them, feel free to drop them in the bug report channel on the Discord server. 

There will be one more update to the alpha build before Chapter 1 is released to the public. The next update will be a UI re-design, which I will be working on while playtesting is ongoing. 

It's been a long road to get here, thank you all so much for your support! 🥳💗

PATCH NOTES

AUG 14/15, 2021:

• Fixed a major bug that stopped certain branches with the Count from triggering
• Fixed typos and broken links

AUG 16, 2021: 

• Fix a major recurring bug that flagged Rhodarth as dead when he didn't die
• Clamped Aeran's approval so it doesn't go below 5 and doesn't rise above 90
• Added Playtester names to Playtester credits
• Added all major image files to the preload so they load faster when you first encounter them in game. This may add a few seconds to the game's load time at the start. 

AUG 20, 2021:

• Fixed some errors relating to the Story Log and spacing
• Fixed a bug in one route of the Kane fight where the MC always ended up injured, regardless of whether they were actually injured or not
• Fixed typos, spacing errors, general continuity errors