June 2nd Weekly Update (Patreon)

This week I focused on getting the tutorial level in a playable state, and out to some of the patrons for some feedback/testing.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/tutorial-test-27302833 

I had it completed earlier in the week, but happened upon a new Unreal Plugin that solved a lot of the problems and concerns I had with a magic combat system.  After a little playing around, I got said plugin working, and I'm super happy with the results.

As such I had to get this implemented right away, and worked pretty hard this week to do so without going wildly off schedule.

Now, in addition to the slot equippable abilites, Meridiana will have access to magic spells that are cast by drawing a symbol on the screen.

The player will still have access to various tools and equipment, but actual magic will be cast with the symbols.
For now, there are only a few, so I don't have any type of book for the player, but I'll work on adding an actual menu that will give the player access to a spell book of all the spells Meridiana knows so far.

Its a system that allows variety quickly, and it plays how I had always hoped the magic system would.  Hopefully I can make some compelling spells to make it as fun as possible!

I also took a little time I had to make a small change to the magic system that I had been planning.   
Now instead of having a magic bar and a stamina/strain bar.  I have just the stamina/strain bar.

Most spells or abilities will drain a small amount of stamina, but that rapidly regenerates outside of combat.  That is nothing new.

But instead of some spells also draining magic, they now directly drain life.  This can very, with the most powerful spells draining a full heart or a little more.  But most spells that drain life will drain a quarter of a heart or so.  

The intent is to balance the use of powerful magic, and make sure its used only when needed. (Meridiana is a younger, less experienced sorceress after all!)

I'm happy with the way everything plays, outside of a few tweaks here and there, and my next step will be to try to create some compelling spells, and abilities

This has been a pretty exciting week for me, and I'm really happy with this turn of events.

Thanks so much for your support, as I couldn't do any of this without you guys!