[2020] Development Thoughts #13 - Artifacts Update

: You can find the details for this event on the announcement page [url=https://steamcommunity.com/ogg/632360/announcements/detail/2092426528669403663]here[/url].

Hello video gamers. We wanted to give an update on how things have been going since the launch of the Artifacts Update - spoiler alert, it's been one of our largest and most successful updates yet! It has been a ton of fun for us to watch players work together on finding the Artifact codes and testing new combinations to alter the way they play. Apparently we should’ve hidden the codes better, since the community as a whole has discovered them all in like 4 hours.

=== Artifact Designs ===

One of the biggest topics when we were working on Artifacts 2.0 was “how are we going to balance Artifacts?” They require no resource, the trials require no investment of in-game time, and have wildly varying power. We’ve also seen some discussion about the balance of Artifacts in the community.

In development, there were many recurring points:

• How can we make the Command and Sacrifice Trial not always accessible, since it gives a bunch of items? Should time be running?
• Won’t certain Artifacts trivialize unlocks?
• How can we make Command balanced at all?

 
Each of these have legitimate solutions. Command COULD have reduced item spawn rate. Artifact Trials COULD be accessed only once per account. Unlocks COULD be blocked if an Artifact is enabled.

However, our final decision was that the design of Artifacts, and the systems around it, won’t prioritize balance.  For a system like Artifacts, it felt wrong to limit their strengths or reduce their access for the sake of the balance of a “normal” run. Unlocking them also requires reaching the 5th stage, which is not an easy task for all players.

The intent for Artifacts is to be fun and to add replayability, not to be balanced as a part of the core loop. Consider them almost like secrets or cheat codes: they make the game different. Sometimes harder, sometimes easier. Hopefully always fun.

=== Work In Progress ===

Since the release of Artifacts Update, we’ve been working and compiling the first patch. This is a collection of community responses and feedback from a variety of channels - keep 'em coming!

Some of the major things we’re working on right now are:

• Reducing the number of ‘Horde of Many’ spawns from the Teleporter - we’re not entirely sure why there seems to be more, but there will be less.
• Verify and improve Sacrifice’s drop spawn chance, especially at the beginning of the game, to make sure all enemies are properly dropping items. 
• Remove Metamorphosis from Prismatic Trials.
• Some users are experiencing crashes, semi-freezes, or the game not booting up properly. Output logs and crash dumps are super valuable to us so we can track it down and get it fixed.

Some minor things that we are working on are:

• Fix Artificer’s projectiles hitting behind herself, resulting in her dying with Chaos on
• Prevent the ‘Recycler’ from recycling the item into the same item again
• Fix ‘Recycler’ being useable with no targets
• Remove Boss 3D Printers in Bulwark’s Ambry
• ‘Focus Convergence’ stacking from turrets
• Huntress’ achievement requiring 7 Glaive Kills, despite it saying 6
• Portals are slightly tilted?
• ‘Automation Activation’ tracking of turrets purchased persisting between runs
• ‘Cleanup Duty’ not working online
• Some weird cooldown reset going on with Thermal Harpoons
• Squid Turrets appearing in the ground
• Prismatic Trials not letting you advance to the next stage after completing the boss
• Fixing a variety of bugs with Dedicated Servers

If there’s things you feel we missed or should be looked at, please leave us a comment!

=== COVID-19 ===

Since the beginning of March, Hopoo Games has transitioned to be entirely all working from home. While it was a transition at the beginning, we don’t expect any issues going forward - but it’s worth mentioning. Stay home and wash your hands.

=== Survivor Vote ===

The Survivor Vote is in full swing, and we’re thrilled by the reception and participation from all the members of our community. If you’re not familiar with what the Survivor Vote is - go check out our previous blog post and vote for your favorite Survivor for 1.0! It ain't over till it’s over!
As always, we’re super excited with the enthusiasm of the community for the Content Update and the Vote alike. We’re always re-energized whenever we release a new update, and we’re super excited for the last home stretch to 1.0. Cheers!

-Hopoo Games