AQ3D Design Notes/News/Patch Notes

Very easy to access info on the game thanks!

 

PTR = PUBLIC TEST REALM
Artix Krieger | Tuesday, August 22, 2017



The Public Test Realm (PTR) is now open!
Do you want to be the first to see new stuff and help us test every map, monster, & feature on a secret testing server? We just opened up the Public Test Realm. (It is Steam only)

What is the Public Test Realm (PTR)?

• A secret testing server
• For brave testers only! (It is NOT a live nor stable version of the game.)
• Uses a temporary copy of your character-- does not effect your live game
• New features (like hair customization, beards, mustaches, braids) are tested here first
• Frequent Server restarts and fixes
• Resets happen often!

How to play on the PTR!
It is pretty easy. I added a lot of pictures to show you how can you switch back and forth on steam.

1. Open Steam
2. Right click on AdventureQuest 3D and choose Properties



3. Select the BETAS tab
4. Enter the beta access code: iwantintheptr



5. Congratulations! You now have access to the PTR
6. Switch to it by choosing publictest - PTR from the drop down



7. ALWAYS Clear Cache after switching to or from the PTR and Live Versions



7. Report Bugs! (Did you know there was a report bug option in the main menu?



Congratulations and welcome to the AdventureQuest 3D PTR!
You can switch back and forth between the LIVE version and the PTR at any time using the drop down. (This is what we do for testing too!) Please, please, please, report any bugs you find. Battle on!

 

Finally PTR Tester for AQ3D

 

Do you mean like a badge?

 

A LOOK AT GREENGUARD
Artix Krieger | Monday, August 28, 2017



"HERE'S LOOKIN' AT YOU, GREENGUARD"
The new Greenguard Forest is coming and it is extremely important to you and AdventureQuest 3D. Not just because we made it 16.7% more pretty with better lighting and new bushes. But because of that sneaky world plot! You know, the one we tucked at away at the end after all the weird, fun, and funny quests from Robina. Sure, some players may foolishly skip ahead missing the world plot bit. But that is OK, rest assured we will get them later. We took care to get rid of the grind in this new adventure, and then we added an abundance of nostalgic and iconic AdventureQuest stuff. Because this is certainly the right place for it. We are also adding one bonus monster at the end with a sword drop just for you high level heroes-- so you can get even more from this release than that first delicious taste of our world's main story line (Mmmm, Cookiedough).



If you want to help us debug the new Greenguard before it goes live for everyone, we will make an announcement when we put up on the PTR. We are currently battling through the last minute bugs with our cutscenes and quest "machines".

 

I can't wait for all the new releases coming up :3

 

The Zard Hunter, oh the nostalgia!

 

Thanks for the news, keep up the good work.

 

Artix tweeted that Greenguard revamp and a new game update will be coming this week and update itself is approved already!

Link to the tweet over here.

 

So looks like we will have no PTR this time, this speed things up. I just hope no items go unintentionally rare due the revamp.

 

"We have a lot coming for October-- but full release might be a bit* longer."

Artix Krieger on Twitter

 

2 new travel forms and greenguard revamp coming very soon!

 

TESTING GREENGUARD ON THE PTR!
Artix Krieger | Wednesday, September 06, 2017



WANT TO TEST THE NEW GREENGUARD FOREST BEFORE IT GOES LIVE?
If you are that brave, special type of gamer, who wants to be the first to see the new content and help us fix any last minute bugs and issues-- we JUST posted the new Greenguard Forest onto our Public Testing Realm (PTR). We will be intensely testing it for the next 24 hours in an attempt to catch all bugs and release tomorrow along with the newest game engine, and barber shop customization options-- before Hurricane Irma reaches Florida. To everyone else in the Hurricane's path, be safe, stock up on water and supplies, and be sure to keep those gas tanks filled.

GET YOUR DRICKEN TRAVEL FORM WHILE YOU CAN!
If you want the Dricken travel form, you do not have much time left. They will disappear from Gaz's shop and be replaced when Greenguard goes live! Replaced with what? Well, I retweeted Cysero's leak on my Twitter.

SPECIAL OFFER THIS WEEKEND?
As per tradition, we will release the new travel forms with a limited time discount. One long time player on Twitter who lives in Florida asked me why we were doing a limited time weekend discount when there was a Hurricane coming our way? I responded that it is the perfect time in the benefit of our players... because we cannot turn off the discount until we get power back on in the lab! #HindSight20/20IamNotSureThisMakesSenseButOKIAmJustgoingToGoWithIt

FOX 13 NEWS & HURRICANE PREP
So, our local Fox 13 News scheduled to interview us about AQ3D tomorrow morning. But given the abrupt gas shortages (every gas station here is out, and store shelves have been emptied of all bottled water-- it is sorta crazy.) I made tomorrow through the end of the Hurricane "telecommute days." I jokingly told Fox 13 news that we could just drive to everyone's houses to get footage of them working on the game, LOL... but agreed that we should postpone. A skeleton crew will be here at the Lab (Go hybrid/electric cars!) including myself. But the entire team will be online and working on getting Greenguard tested to release this weekend for you to enjoy. Battle on!

 

The Greenguard update is live, if you want to get the two new dragon travel forms buy them until this weekend as they are 10% off.

 

EVENGUARD DRAGON TRAVEL FORM
Artix Krieger | Saturday, September 09, 2017


NEW! GREENGUARD THEMED DRAGON TRAVEL FORMS
Gaz, the shady sneevil on the cart in town is now selling Elvenguard and Green Dragon travel forms. Transform at will and hover across the land at 130% speed.

THIS WEEKEND ONLY! EARLY COLLECTORS SAVE 10%
As per tradition, we are releasing these new travel forms at a discount for a limited time. The price will increase to the full amount at the end of the weekend (actually, due to the hurricane coming through here in Tampa, FL... it will increase after we get power restored.)

• Elvenguard Dragon: Armored dragon which matches the Elevenguard armor set found in Greenguard

• Green Dragon: A dragon... that is... green. The title of this one really hits the mark.

 

HAIR YE, HAIR YE! BEARDS & BRAIDS ARE HERE
Artix Krieger | Saturday, September 09, 2017


THE HAIR-POCOLYPSE HAS BEGUN!
Head to the barber shop for all new ways to customize your hero including....

• Beards
• Braids
• Eye color
• Lip color
  ... yes, we added black
• New Skin colors
• New Hair Colors
• Spin your character around!
  Even if the spinning is a wee bit wobbly due to the pivot point on your hero's idle position (fix for another time.)
• Random Button!
  ...which potentially creates wondrous and horrifying results!

YOUR HERO LOOKS BETTER IN THE LIGHT AND DARK!
We have adjusted the characters to pop a little more, while still being effected by nearby lights. This will make your character look better in the dark... which, if you already played the new Greenguard release you know is VERY IMPORTANT.



HAIR-ETIC! FREEDOM TO CUSTOMIZE REGARDLESS OF GENDER
When adding beards, braids, and customizable lip colors, we were asked if only males would be allowed to have beards. But we all have a dwarven friend that likes his womenfolk bearded with a battleaxe. So we decided to give ALL customization options to both genders. This took a little extra work, because the male and female heads are different shape-- but we are sure someone out there will appreciate it.



FEMALE HEROES NO LONGER LOOK ALIEN!
Thank you for all of the positive feedback on this! We spent a lot of time on the female hero's geometry, texture, and expressions. Oishii, who designed the characters in DragonFable did the final pass on the face and we were really proud that it finally made it out in this release.



NEW HAIRSTYLES COMING! "HAIRDOS & DON'TS"
A few weeks back I asked for your suggestions on anime-esque hair styles and we have the first batch of the new ones coming soon. It is exciting to see how unique everyone looks now... and the more options we add, the more interesting it will get!



POST A "BARBER SHOP SELFIE!"
I would love to see your character. Post a screenshot in the comment section below of your character. You can post either in the barbershop or just zoomed in on the face--- which reminds me, we increased both the pinch to zoom & wheel zoom so you can get a better shot of your character now.

 

GREENGUARD FOREST IS LIVE!
Artix Krieger | Saturday, September 09, 2017


THE GRASS REALLY IS GREENER ON THIS SIDE
"OMG! I can transform into a Bush!" - a random player who should have been talking about the world plot, cinematics, mini-bosses, surprises, secrets, challenges, puns, and ...yup, you really can find a secret that lets you transform into a bush.



THE WORLD PLOT BEGINS
Who is this strange scythebow weilding guy? What does that gold symbol on his chest mean? Who does his hair? Wait... scythebow? How do you use a bow made out of two scythes!?



"FEELS LIKE AN ARTIX ENTERTAINMENT GAME NOW!"
Check out the new Greenguard and you will find we not only listened to your feedback, but also poured in a little of the secret sauce. (R.I.P "The Grind")



THE ZARD HUNTER
Go into the field with the world's foremost Frogzard Expert. He knows them inside and out... literally.



KING SNEED GOT HIMSELF A FROGZARD MOUNT
He also now lives atop an impressively tall Sneevil Tree fort. Perhaps you can claim that box crown for yourself?



BRUTALCORN LIVES!
50% Unicorn, 50% BRUTAL!!!!!! Do you have what it takes to challenge our dude-bro version of Monty Python's Black Knight?



BETTER CRAFTING!
As you progress through the story you will unlock different things to craft-- starting with the Zardscale armor set. You will find it is much faster and more fun to make items now.



CHALLENGE FIGHTS & SECRETS
We hid things around Greenguard forest for you... most you can handle yourself with the right gear. But to battle the Clawg, you will need to bring a few tough friends.



THIS IS JUST A NICE PICTURE....
Not sure if you are still reading at this point. Just checking.



BEATING AROUND THE... BUSH!
There is a secret hidden in the forest which... if found, will allow any hero to transform themselves into a bush at will. Excels at hiding, sneaking, espionage, and x-treme bush racing. Moves at 0% travel speed.


HAIR YE, HAIR YE! BEARDS & BRAIDS ARE HERE.
Head to ye' old barber shop for all new ways to customize your hero including beards, braids, and....



You can now change your eye color, lip color, and we added new skin & hair colors. We also made it so you can spin your character around while customizing-- and added a random button for awesome and sometimes horrifying results!



ELVENGUARD & GREEN DRAGON TRAVEL FORMS
10% off this weekend only from Gaz. Transform into a Green or Elvenguard Dragon at will and hover across the land at 130% speed.



PLAY THE NEW GREENGUARD
Did I mention the Stone in the Sword in the Stone thing? Come play the new Greenguard with us. Simply login and choose Greenguard from the travel menu. Battle on!

P.S. We (Artix Entertainment / The AdventureQuest 3D Team) are located in Tampa, Florida. We have secured the lab and are now bracing for Hurricane Irma which appears to be coming for a visit. It is the biggest hurricane in current history. Do not worry, the game servers will not be effected, they are in Texas. But the staff and I may be unavailable/offline for a few days if the power goes out, or we have to fight sharks or whatever else the hurricane hurls at us. If you see anyone ask why we/player support/Heromart has not responded right away, please let them know we will get them fixed up as soon as we are back online. To everyone in the path of the hurricane, be safe.

P.P.S. If you have any problems be sure to go to options on the login screen and "Clear Cache"

 

Can get a frogzard on your head helm from mamo 0.01% rate though

 

Im trying to get it for 2 days, no luck so far. it is specially bad when a friend get it first while trying to get runed leaves.

 

Running a Video Game Studio during a Hurricane 101
Artix Krieger | Wednesday, September 13, 2017


Artix: Gather round the fire and let me tell you a story from a long, long, time ago... when hurricane Irma, the most powerful storm in history, came to destroy Artix Entertainment's Secret Lab.
Players: Um. Wasn’t that just this week?
Artix: *coughs* Yes.
Players: OMG! Is this another Storytime special design notes!?
Artix: You better grab a drink....

Running a Video Game Studio in a Hurricane 101
“No plan ever survives first contact with the enemy” - Sun Tzu
"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth" - Mike Tyson

Hurricane Irma was the most powerful storm in recorded history. We first started hearing about it over Labor Day weekend. Our video game studio, Artix Entertainment, is located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, which if you look at a map, is pretty high up off the west coast. So we felt pretty safe while watching that Kaiju of a storm sloooooowly treading its way towards us like Tonberry from Final Fantasy.



During the week, anxiety built like the bladder meter of an AFK character. Florida declared a state of emergency. Hordes of evacuees fled North like some sort of inverted version of the White Walkers from Game of Thrones. The gas stations ran out of gas. Grocery store shelves were stripped as bare as that time my friend's ex-girlfriend sold all the items off his WoW account.

We thought we were safe, but then the storm continued creeping west, poising itself for a surprise visit to the Tampa Bay area and our "Secret Underground Lab". The hurricane did not even have the courtesy even email Faith in advance (as is customary for scheduling a visit to our game studio).

We had been furiously working on releases in all our games for our upcoming Friday the 13th event in October, which will be our 15 year anniversary (At least we will not need to worry about blowing out all the candles on the cake ourselves.) Our major games have new releases every week, and if you’re reading this, you probably already know we didn’t miss any. So the following is the story of how we did it while prioritizing the safety of our team.

As CEO/Paladin, my first action was to call Fox 13 News and cancel the interview they had scheduled with us-- because we sent the entire team to work from home for the rest of the week. Second, we contacted all our in-house team members to verify that each had a hurricane plan for the coming storm. Anyone who asked for time off to take their families north were of course granted, while the rest of us figured out who was living or not living in a flood zone, so we could band together when the storm hit. This set the stage for what could have been the greatest Gaming LAN party of all time… but not by far. Keep reading!

On the last day before the hurricane, only a small skeleton crew went into the office where we coordinated the final releases of our game projects, and handed over the keys to our staff in Canada (changing our slogan temporarily to “Battle on, eh?”) We also unplugged everything to secure the lab (OMG, do we have a lot of plugs!) The scariest thing to take down was our homemade farm of cloud servers for AdventureQuest 3D, because once they went offline it would be near impossible to do any game updates or fixes. OK, that’s the boring techie stuff. Let’s move on to the actual hurricane.

The Day of the Hurricane was scheduled to reach us EVERYONE in Tampa was tense and freaked out! It didn’t matter who you talked to or where you went, you knew exactly what it felt like to be on an episode of the Walking Dead. The eerie, empty roads. The uncertainty of where and when the hurricane would land. Up to this point, the news had completely failed to call where it would land, through no fault of their own. The hurricane had some crazy RNG.

At my home, jokingly called “Castle Krieger” -- both because it looks like a castle and has a moat, and more because Zazul checked in on Facebook calling it that name and everyone’s been doing it since -- was to provide shelter for three families.

Stryche, who runs Heromart, showed up with a power drill and some plywood he managed to secure (and we’re not going to ask how). We started boarding up the castle walls, emptying the moat, and throwing all of the pool furniture into the pool. We did the inside windows and accidentally made a giant westworld logo (“doesn’t look like anything to me")

Not far away, Alina who runs AdventureQuest Worlds, went to fill up sandbags for her neighbor and found all of the locations were out. Driving home, she saw some teenagers at an abandoned construction site filling up garbage bags with sand. Alina, realizing this was a pretty good idea (even if not entirely legal) went to join them and help. Then a police car showed up! Everyone looked up trepidatiously, expecting handcuffs, when the police officer reached into his car, pulled out a giant load of sandbags, and with a nod, drove off. Normally we make fun of the government, but man did bring their A-game. In fact, everywhere you looked, you saw everyone helping each other the best they could. It was really heartwarming... until you remembered the impending doom.



(continues)