The PTS Update Thread

[Cryptite]

In order to test some upcoming Conquest updates, we're going to be opening up the Public Test Server today for all Lokans. We've done this a couple times in the past, but are changing/updating a few things on how it works so that we can try to do this a little more often.

Firstly, the PTS is not going to be up 100% of the time. Generally it stays whitelisted and is used by the admins, (mostly just me) to develop and test new features for Loka. In the past the PTS has been a 100% clone of Loka - including towns, alliances, builds, etc. This is useful to quickly test things happening in real world scenarios. However, with bringing in lots of new people to the test server, we're going to change that a bit.

In effect, the entire PTS, when in "Public Mode", will start as a 100% clean version of Loka; as though no towns had ever been made. Over time players on the PTS can make towns, join them, do whatever they want, and we will retain these changes as a separate version of Loka. Frankly, we don't want to do a clone of Loka because we don't want people using the PTS to scout enemy bases knowing nobody's actually around to kill them, prevent intelligence gathering, find vaults, etc.

So, whenever we make the PTS public, it'll be like a totally different version. To start with we're going to make a few towns (one on each continent), and possibly add the ability to forcibly join a town whenever you want, regardless of needing an invite. This will help speed the testing process up.

The first time you join the PTS, your account will be migrated from the live server. You'll start in the intro cave, but still have your same profile settings, achievements, etc as you have on live. However, what you do on the PTS will stay on the pts. Nothing you do on the PTS will reflect back on live. Here're a few things that are different on PTS for convenience:

• Inhibs online in 1 minute.
• (Unless otherwise testing fight mechanics), A Tgen's core becomes accessible after destroying 1 lamp (and only takes 1 charge). Core also only has 1% and doesn't do lockdown, so it's super quick to take tgens.
• /kit - Can be used whenever to get your pot kit.
• /spawn - Can be used whenever to go back to spawn
• /town list - List the towns, like on Loka, but each has a [Join] button next to them that you can use to instantly join the town.
  
• Likely will be some way to just insta-join towns.
• Truce limitations generally don't exist. You can create/modify alliances whenever.
• You can make a town by yourself, and all towns are level 25 by default.
• There is no limit on attacks/defends, since fights will likely need to happen frequently.
• Towns don't die and aren't subject to activity checks. So you don't really need to pay for them.

This thread will be maintained just like the Official Update Thread as just bullet-points of the latest testing. The PTS itself will show a message upon joining that links to the latest thing we're looking to test, so you can always come here to be sure you're looking out for the right stuff.

Go Forth!

 

[Cryptite]

Testing the Conquest QoL Update
This update has been in the works for about 3 weeks now and represents some fundamental rewrites on how a lot of the backend data for Conquest works. What this aims to fix are a lot of the simple death by a thousand papercuts right now. Inhibs fail to deconstruct, golems remain from previous fights, etc.

The updated started being just fixing those issues, but grew into a little bit more, so beyond just being fixing backend data saving, it also rewrites how some internal things work (meaning performance) and should result in less lagspikes (as always), but also should fix some of the well-known lagspikes that happen right when fights end, etc.

Finally, the biggest QoL update, is that Beacons have now been converted into a nearly 100% GUI system, rather than an awful jumble of text-based click commands. It should be a whole hell of a lot easier to see the fights coming, warp to them, request to warp to them, and see more information on the fights themselves...

• Beacons and Spawn Beacons (for Reins) are now 100% GUI based.
  
• Test all forms of Conquest fights. Attacks, Defenses, neutrals, remote-attacks, Rivina, etc. Call reins, add/remove players with /c merc, test cancelling going to fights, etc.
• TGen explosions are a little more exciting now and represent getting back to the actual reward of taking a Tgen. Exploding things, big fancy messages, fire, smoke, etc. The crystal at the top of TGens now explodes delightfully and regenerates after the battlezone is over. We will continue to add these kinds of things to Inhibs too and whatnot.

Please be sure to /report everything you find, comments, criticisms, bugs, etc. The more that we can test, the less lovely planned restarts on live!

Go Forth!

 

[Cryptite]

New Core Attack - Combustion

• For the September Conquest update we are testing a new additional Core Mechanic that should toss some things up a bit from the current mechanics.
• Combustion - A random attacking player or Endermite will be selected to become a Bomb. That player has 6 seconds to get out of the area before detonating, doing massive damage to all players within 10 blocks.
  
• In the case of a lovely Endermite receiving it, then players will need to flee the area before it explodes, for Endermites are not hasty and have no concerns for this world or its inhabitants.
• The player who actually has Combustion will receive minor damage.
• If the player or Endermite are slain while they have Combustion, it will immediately detonate.

Cores on the PTS now start at 50% so this can be tested.

 

[Cryptite]

• There is now a PTS Kit Prefs Sign in spawn. Infinity chest is gone. You can reorder your kit as desired (which now includes elytra/rockets) and save your prefs so that any time you /kit in the future it'll be how you like it. This tech will eventually be extended for things like /c train and the like.
• /c list has now been modernized into the new GUI system (not much noticeable, but more stable).
• Fixed Combustion not having a cooldown.
• You can no longer try to call reins on Wilds Fights.

 

[Cryptite]

Lingering Death Module changes:

• The Bleed applied has been decreased from 8s -> 7s
• Module fire rate has been increased from 15s -> 30s (only has 1 cloud per module, rather than 2).
• The Lingering Death Zone (bedrock) no longer heals allies.

Have a test!

 

[Cryptite]

• Combustion - now respects Line of Sight. If you're on the other side of a wall, for example, you will not get exploded to smithereens.

 

[Cryptite]

PTS Was Reset
In order to start fresh for the last round of changes, we've reset the PTS again.

• Golem Protectors - Conquest Golems have been updated in a variety of ways. This should both ensure there aren't 2x/3x golems, but also removes all the arbitrary conditions in which golems randomly despawned and respawned during fights. Hopefully golems are much more stable now and should simply be there when they should, and not when they shouldn't be.
• Fight Saving - Lamp health now persists through server restarts. (Core health doesn't, yet).
• Balak Updates - While not finalized, the new way Balak works is now available on PTS and so Balak fights can now be run
• Slow Module - Now works like Lingering Death. Rather than a module with just a range of Slow (with no counterplay), it now fires a potion that hits the ground, spreading Prismarine Blocks that, when stood in, give 7s of Slowness II.

 

[Cryptite]

New /c train Map & Kits!
Also a reset. Please make new towns or join CoolVille

• /c train now has a bigger map (Sunset Isles 2) and should be a better representation of "real" fights.
• /c train now has a Kit option. You can setup your inventory as you like it in the normal world, set your kit, and then that will be the kit you spawn with in /c train. It's a bit klunky atm since you still have to clear your inv before joining, but you can now begin to test lots of things in /c train as you'd like.
• Please attempt to glitch out /c train and see if you can manage to get the kit out of the training world and into the regular world in any way possible.
• As always, /report feedback, bugs, suggestions, etc.

 

[Cryptite]

Void Storage
Please read the initial post to see what's different about the PTS vs Live. We're looking to open this up to public testing later today. Keep your eyes peeled on Discord for when we'll open it up.

• Craft Void Storage Item Frames with the new recipes found in /rb. You must craft Reinforced Hoppers as the hoppers required for the frames (despite the /rb showing regular hoppers; this to be fixed later).
• Watch the Feature Preview video above to get a rundown of all the quirks.
• Towns are not subject to the Hopper/Item-Frame limits on PTS (you'll still see the warning).
• Please report all bugs, suggestions, feedback with /report. PTS reports are separate so we're able to filter through these more easily.

 

[Cryptite]

• Tons of bugs and major performance fixes for VS.
• Added support for Enchanted Books, Alcohol
• A bit of sorting in the chests.
• Added proper lore for the hopper/item frame recipes.
• Very close to launch!