Cogmind (now at Beta 14)

[Kyzrati]

New article: Dialogue UI - Examining the respective purposes and design of Cogmind's three forms of dialogue-related UI features.

[Kyzrati]

New article: Generating and Populating Caves - Explaining the creation of Cogmind's cave maps, with a special focus on the process used to integrate prefabs.

[Kyzrati]

Alpha 7!

For the full release notes containing plenty more detail about the content and mechanics of this release, see here.

The full Alpha 7 (0.10.160323) changelog:

* NEW: Branch maps "Lower Caves"
* NEW: Branch maps "Upper Caves"
* NEW: Branch maps "Proximity Caves"
* NEW: Branch map "[redacted]"
* NEW: World Map! (Backspace/F9/new "MAP" button) (examine your route, and possibly learn layout in advance)
* NEW: Score sheet contains list of complete route taken through the world, by depth and map
* NEW: New category of interactive machines: Derelict terminals
* NEW: More lore to uncover in dozens of terminal records
* NEW: Learn many forms of intel about areas before visiting them, including depth, zone layouts, trap/machine/guard locations and more
* NEW: New special item type akin to Data Cores: Derelict Logs (effect unrelated, though they are similarly auto-collected)
* NEW: New Trojan hack (secret)
* NEW: Some Trojans and brute force hacks can now be learned via in-game/in-theme methods, as can the access code to Recycling
* NEW: 1 new prototype robot
* NEW: 4 new Derelicts
* NEW: Several new types of drone bays, with corresponding unique drones
* NEW: A dozen new rare parts
* NEW: First alien artifact!
* NEW: A couple dozen more encounter types
* NEW: One more story-related major NPC encounter (new NPC robot class)
* NEW: Target robot system corruption increases chance of hacking success (+X/3%)
* NEW: Minor NPC dialogue now animates over the map itself, color-coded by relation w/speaker
* NEW: Scene descriptions no longer confined to the log, shown as cyan messages over the map
* NEW: Mouse users can pan map by holding Shift and simply moving cursor
* NEW: Stockpile intel from terminal hacks also provides item-specific map labels on request
* NEW: Attempting to move while severely overweight will give a warning before the first such move in a while
* NEW: Four new size 12 font options (720p): "Tall", "Smallcaps", "Fuzzy", "Tallcaps" (8 total options at that size now)
* NEW: Smallcaps typeface manually scaled to 8 additional sizes in three variants (Cogmind includes over 100 font bitmaps now)
* NEW: Second variant of the 14/Terminus font, crisper with some glow to it
* NEW: Initial tutorial messages include a notice about changing the text font
* NEW: 24 more score sheet entries (total = 434)
* NEW: Added Ctrl-PrtScn as duplicate command for PrtScn, for players with PrtScn already assigned to an external program
* NEW: More Recycling Unit features, including component storage and hack or shoot to retrieve stored components
* NEW: Mining Claw may on rare occasions rip parts from target and put them directly into your inventory (or drop if space insufficient)
* NEW: All hover propulsion gives a +5% to dodge when not overweight or in stasis (e.g., hover now has half the flight bonus)
* NEW: All supporter names registered since Alpha 6 added to in-game list (see Credits menu)
* NEW: All item-attribution names registered since Alpha 6 added to the item collection gallery
* MOD: Hunter armament buffed--they're scary again
* MOD: Nerfed high-level Targeting Computers, Melee Analysis Suites, Target Analyzers (too easy to stack now); buffed entry-level variants
* MOD: Nerfed high-level Sensor Array and Terrain Scanner ranges; buffed entry-level variants; all energy costs slightly lowered
* MOD: Coverage of all Storage Units halved
* MOD: Drone Bay integrity and coverage tweaked, now doubles as makeshift armor
* MOD: Exp. Signal Interpreters now more capable than Advanced variant
* MOD: Adv. Signal Interpreters can no longer detect H-88 Terminators (requires Exp. level)
* MOD: Momentum damage modifier cap for melee attacks doubled from 20%/40% to 40%/80% (non-piercing/piercing)
* MOD: Dormant, unpowered, disabled, and broken robots outside view can now only be discerned by Exp. Signal Interpreters
* MOD: Default font changed from "Cogmind" to "Smallcaps" w/glow variants (former renamed to "Cog")
* MOD: Shift-LMB to center map on cursor position works, but is now an undocumented command
* MOD: Inventory displays item sprites rather than ASCII when in sprite mode
* MOD: Intel overlays for stockpiles display item sprites rather than ASCII when in sprite mode
* MOD: Effects of Maneuvering Thrusters and Reaction Control Systems do not apply when overweight
* MOD: Behemoth core exposure reduced by 5%
* MOD: 50% increase to effect on alert level from destroying or jamming a garrison access point
* MOD: Improved visibility of projectile count on info page for multi-projectile weapons (was easy to overlook)
* MOD: Ramming non-combat robots counts as an aggressive action and they'll now flee and send out distress calls as with regular attacks
* MOD: Machine serials that used unique letters derived from the current map name now always use the first letter of that name (cosmetic)
* MOD: Garrison Access terminal seal animation improved (also fixed issue where it might not finish playing on slow machines)
* MOD: Size 10 font "All Caps" renamed to "Smallcaps"
* MOD: Some glyphs in all Terminus fonts modified
* MOD: Terminus (non-bold) fonts given a faint glow at sizes 18, 20
* MOD: Added slight anti-aliasing to 12/Terminus font to further improve readability (especially on smaller screens)
* MOD: Help screen commands for keyboard control of allies more clearly indicates how to enter required mode
* MOD: Drone Bay ASCII art tweaked
* FIX: Crash on Tab-cycling targets after causing time to pass by swapping parts before original target destroyed by another actor without having exited look/fire mode [Sylverone]
* FIX: Score sheet missing Garrison Status hack tally, throwing off the dozen hacks listed after where it should be [zxc]
* FIX: Score sheet recorded turns spent in Hub_04(d) to Armory [Sherlockkat]
* FIX: Score total for prototype IDs didn't account for those learned via hacking or Component Analysis Suites [Enno]
* FIX: Jamming a Garrison Access point via brute force hacking now applies same Programmer dispatch reduction as sealing/destroying it
* FIX: Crash on replacement of attached Processors or Hackware direct from ground while inventory full
* FIX: Basic/Imp. Signal Interpreter indicators remained on map even in view if moving multiple spaces per turn
* FIX: Overlapping simultaneous explosions could not affect the same robot more than once (Gamma Bomb Arrays etc. will be more effective now)
* FIX: Hunters could no longer track targets through walls (Alpha 6 regression)
* FIX: EMDS missing projectile name in penetration message text
* FIX: Toggling sprite/ASCII modes from the option menu (instead of via hotkey) didn't update previously seen areas until seen again
* FIX: Fullscreen successful win animation might not play out on slow machines
* FIX: Botnet trojan success text used incorrect plurality when value is 1
* FIX: Typo in new offensive hackware effect description
* FIX: 20/Terminus text font missing integrity block glyph
* FIX: Size 8 mini font wasn't grayed out in the option menu's font list while tileset active
* FIX: One line-junction glyph in the size 8 mini CP437 font misaligned

[Kyzrati]

New Article: FOV Aesthetics - Exploring the design and techniques behind different FOV display methods, including the appearance of everything outside the FOV.

[Kyzrati]

Cogmind is @ Alpha 8

For the full release notes with extra detail and an introduction to what this release is all about, see here.

In short, the focus of this release was finishing off the bulk of the cave areas, which meant further fleshing out the lore and plot elements. Go meet new friends

The full Alpha 8 (0.10.160427) changelog:

* NEW: Branch map "Zion"
* NEW: Branch map "[redacted]"
* NEW: 3 new alien artifacts
* NEW: 4 new major NPCs (unique robot classes)
* NEW: 1 more plot-related NPC encounter
* NEW: 1 unique weapon (completely different mechanics)
* NEW: 28 new items
* NEW: Several new common robot classes
* NEW: More lore to uncover in dozens of terminal records
* NEW: Hundreds of lines of minor NPC dialogue covering lore, plot, and in-theme tips
* NEW: Greater variety of cave encounters
* NEW: Experimental map-wide ambient sound in caves (on by default, deactivate via "locale" audio setting in options)
* NEW: Robot analysis benefits include a -5% hit modifier for those attackers (i.e. easier to dodge them)
* NEW: Robot analysis benefits included among full-detail calculations output
* NEW: Real-time FOV updating as obstructions are destroyed (optional)
* NEW: FOV changes revealed via fade-in (optional)
* NEW: Brighten and color known areas outside FOV by holding '`' (undocumented command)
* NEW: Part/inventory data visualization now includes relative mass mode (toggle via integrity 'w' command/button)
* NEW: 6 more machine types unique to -1/Access (some of them go BOOM)
* NEW: 5 more Trojan hacks
* NEW: Capable drones share terrain scanning data with Cogmind
* NEW: Robots with unspoken dialogue requiring bump-to-talk marked by blinking '?' (or by unique background color if motion trails inactive)
* NEW: Score sheet records total number of actions taken
* NEW: All supporter names registered since Alpha 7 added to in-game list (see Credits menu)
* NEW: All item-attribution names registered since Alpha 7 added to the item collection gallery
* MOD: Main Access Shell behavior changed for non-combat approaches
* MOD: Decomposers no longer break down matter, work slower in general, and are confined to smaller areas
* MOD: Derelict workers and recyclers destroyed in caves no longer have self-destruct mechanism on salvageable parts
* MOD: Derelict recyclers no longer collect matter or data logs
* MOD: Fire traps cause a greater heat surge in victim
* MOD: Relative encounter/prefab weights tweaked across all maps
* MOD: -1/Access has fewer empty rooms
* MOD: Operators no longer stationed at terminals that can be hacked to open a door
* MOD: Increased effect of Spotters (e.g. in areas like Recycling)
* MOD: Fabricated robots no longer leave salvageable parts (but still drop matter salvage)
* MOD: Derelict component schematics no longer accessible at 0b10 terminals via manual hacks
* MOD: Hackable (orange) blast doors immune to critical hit instant destruction effect
* MOD: Broadcast Trojan message uses different color and formatting
* MOD: Scan window unspoken dialogue indicator uses '?' rather than '!' (further differentiated from hostile spotted indicator)
* MOD: Context help for critical strike makes explicit mention of effect against props
* MOD: Dialogue triggered by robot entering view happens immediately regardless of player speed
* MOD: Gallery collection percent is now animated
* MOD: Optimized AI initialization to avoid the short pause during first turns in large maps like Factory
* FIX: Crash on opening data for remaining piece of interactive machine after destroying its interactive piece [Enno, Happylisk]
* FIX: Crash on triggering a fire trap with no occupant at that location (e.g. dodged or remote triggered) [Sherlockkat]
* FIX: One of the Extension exits inaccessible via auto-ascend (required manual key/mouse command) [Shobalk]
* FIX: Extra '0' shown at the bottom of score sheet's turn count list [Sherlockkat]
* FIX: In rare cases the only cave exit could be rendered inaccessible by earth collapsing directly on top of it [Sherlockkat]
* FIX: Experimental Hacking Suites and System Shields weren't classified as prototypes [Decker]
* FIX: Unique manual hacks used on the wrong target still counted against their usage limit [Decker]
* FIX: Recyclers weren't dropping entire inventory contents when destroyed
* FIX: Mechanic repairs to attached parts didn't update the integrity indicator in Cogmind's part list
* FIX: Fire trap heat transfer mechanic was activating for adjacent positions, but not the origin
* FIX: Derelict-installed traps in caves rigged to trigger on the wrong faction (intended to be friendly)
* FIX: Self-destruct Interrupters (new in Alpha 7) were auto-activating and running out of power (so no one's ever seen one )
* FIX: Log message output for pre-learned machine locations reversed inteactive/non-interactive designations
* FIX: Weapon info projectile count indicator added for Alpha 7 wasn't displaying

[Kyzrati]

New Article: Fabrication - The how and why of the new fabrication mechanics, greatly simplifying the robot and part construction process..

[Kyzrati]

New Article: Cogmind, 1 Year of Alphas - A summary of Cogmind's first year of sales, including basic player and revenue data, a breakdown of development time, and a quick look at the rest of 2016.

[Kyzrati]

Cogmind Alpha 1-Year Anniversary!

Today marks the end of Cogmind's first year of Alpha Access. And that's pretty much the only thing it's the "end" of since we're still chugging along and releases are continuing all the same.

To celebrate, for now I've added a new $24.99 no-perk tier to the buy page. I'm curious if this will spur any more sales, and as development moves into late-game content, it's about time to occasionally make this offer available.

The website has also just been updated, with lots of adjustments to the text, revamped screenshots, and a completed set of over 100 UI preview images in different fonts and sizes. The website hadn't been updated nearly at all for the past year, so it was about time to do that

Unfortunately the website is mostly screenshot-based, so I won't be including this destructive bad boy I recently put together:

[Kyzrati]

Alpha 9 is ready!

For the full release notes with extra detail and an introduction to what this release is all about, see here.

In short, this is huge lore release #2, features some epic battles, and you can more easily build allies

The full Alpha 9 (0.10.160608) changelog:

* NEW: Branch map "Warlord"
* NEW: 9 special-purpose robot classes (8 with new art)
* NEW: 2 new NPCs (unique robot classes)
* NEW: 2 major plot events
* NEW: A central matter distribution network (allocated per map) supplies matter to Fabricators (no Matter Storage Units required)
* NEW: All Fabricators have a Network(Report) function to hack
* NEW: Disabling matter-related machines (those that spill matter on destruction) reduces local matter stores
* NEW: 3 more Trojan hacks (secret)
* NEW: 8 new non-interactive machines (2 explosive)
* NEW: Fabricators are also used by 0b10 robots for several purposes
* NEW: Fabricators and Repair Stations display on-map timer while processing
* NEW: Score sheet lists everything fabricated, and where
* NEW: Eighth damage type (secret), with new unstable weapon mechanic
* NEW: 10 new items
* NEW: More lore to uncover in dozens of terminal records
* NEW: Hundreds of lines of minor NPC dialogue covering lore, plot, and in-theme tips
* NEW: All unauthorized hacks (Trojans/brute force) can be learned/discovered in game
* NEW: +10% to hit immobile targets (includes disabled robots, as well as stationary non-robot targets)
* NEW: -20% to hit per "dynamic obstruction" (e.g. robot) between self and target
* NEW: Extension transfer network will respond to a persistent threat (e.g. those of you repeatedly intercepting Haulers)
* NEW: Investigation dispatches now reported to the log, as are reinforcements dispatched to aid busy engineers that come under attack
* NEW: Score sheet records exits discovered in each area (those with unknown destination appear in brackets; those approached marked with *)
* NEW: Explosions cause UI instability effect, varying by power and distance (optional, controlled by existing screenshake setting)
* NEW: Autosort parts list by subtype with a single command ( : )
* NEW: Deactivate part-sorting for weapons with new cogmind.cfg entry: partSortIgnoresWeapons
* NEW: Removal/replacement of processors and hackware (destroy-on-remove) parts requires confirmation
* NEW: Self-destruct by keyboard (Alt-F10) requires confirmation
* NEW: Resource (energy/matter) insufficiency messages for any action indicate the required amount
* NEW: Active Order/Intel modes have on-map reminder at top while using keyboard-based interface
* NEW: Inventory contents factor into score sheet "peak state" at a reduced value (10%); are also listed
* NEW: All supporter names registered since Alpha 8 added to in-game list (see Credits menu)
* NEW: All item-attribution names registered since Alpha 8 added to the item collection gallery
* MOD: Schematics enable construction at any Fabricator, regardless of tier (schematic info window displays time cost for each tier)
* MOD: All fabrication matter/time costs adjusted (Fabricator tier now a factor in the latter)
* MOD: Base chance of successful schematic loading at a Fabricator raised from 70% to 90%
* MOD: Removed Repair Station restrictions on part rating
* MOD: All repair time costs adjusted (repair station tier now a factor)
* MOD: Removed Scanalyzer restrictions on part rating
* MOD: High-tier Scanalyzers less likely to break parts or require repeat scans
* MOD: Reduced chance of investigation squads composed of Hunters, especially in late game
* MOD: Broadcast Trojan only needs to be installed once to take effect on all matching machines across floor
* MOD: Zhirov artifact analysis terminals moved into the rooms for their respective artifacts
* MOD: Manual and terminal record text updated to reflect new systems
* MOD: Robots less likely to immediately finish off disarmed hostiles instead of attacking more dangerous targets
* MOD: Reduced Mni. Drone Bay drone count to 3, changed art
* MOD: Removed matter cost (1) from Impact Mace/Kinetic Spear/Plasma Lance attacks
* MOD: Effect of mass support utilities reduced
* MOD: Stats for all flight and hover propulsion adjusted (see release notes)
* MOD: Doubled effect of Hub Network destruction
* MOD: All Behemoth/Marauder variants immune to critical hits, and the effects of Core Analyzers
* MOD: Neutral robots local to Caves now in various states of disrepair
* MOD: Neutral 0b10 robots more reponsive to being under fire, consider any damage an attack, even if not the intended target
* MOD: All Recycling Unit hacks are easier
* MOD: Renamed "Index(Repair Units)" hack command to "Index(Repair Stations)" for consistency
* MOD: Nearby Compactor attacks cause console window vibrations rather than screenshake
* MOD: ECM effect values in parts list info mode match those used in item description
* MOD: Swapped weapons and utilities inventory type-sorting order for consistency with parts list categories
* MOD: Motion Trail Duration option defaults to 2000ms rather than 0 (off)
* MOD: Better differentiated 'A'/'R' and 'H'/'K' pairs in all 17 variants of Smallcaps typeface
* MOD: Non-flying robots trying to get at player through a door less likely to be able to squeeze/jump past
* MOD: Seeds are no longer case sensitive
* MOD: Reformatted "weaknesses identified" text following analysis appended to robot info
* MOD: Score sheet Inventory list merged with Parts list, includes slot count
* MOD: Score sheet Parts/Inventory lists sorted
* FIX: Crash on accessing a rare category of Zion dialogue (fixed in earlier stealth update, credited here: [Sherlockkat])
* FIX: Continuous UI border effects like glow for critical core could prevent inventory drag-drop interaction [seafrank]
* FIX: Typos in "Epsilon Eridani System" and "Dirty Bomb Trap" terminal records [biomatter]
* FIX: One cave cache not fully embedded into walls [biomatter]
* FIX: Hunter analysis text referred to older variant loadouts [biomatter]
* FIX: EM disruption effect against robot cores (temporary deactivation) lasting far longer than intended
* FIX: Robot analysis hit/evasion bonuses didn't match stated 5% value (were significantly higher)
* FIX: Maneuvering Thruster and Reaction Control System effects not factored into melee defense calculations (regression)
* FIX: Prototype ID hack results not properly limited to standard Complex 0b10 prototypes
* FIX: Self-destructing part sfx could be heard anywhere on the map, regardless of player location
* FIX: Explosions completely out of view could not be heard, even if still within audible range
* FIX: Theoretical crash when displaying multiple simultaneously active Stasis Beam effects (not possible under normal play yet)
* FIX: Theoretical crash when accessing previous manual hacking buffer entry under a specific situation
* FIX: Manually changing .cfg-listed font to a non-existent typeface would reset it to another outdated now-invalid typeface
* FIX: "Power Chain Reactions" weren't tallied for score sheet, despite being listed

[Kyzrati]

New article: Iterative UI Design - Reviewing the entire process of developing the item-sorting animation, and the reasons behind important decisions along the way.

[Aleksanderus]

I like the explosions in this game! I rate it 9/11

[Kyzrati]

It's really just Roguelike Explosion Simulator 2016

[Krice]

I hope you don't mind, but in my opinion that font is not really the best you could get. I know it's stylish, but making it blocky makes some letters hard to read. I think it's important to make letters easy to spot no matter what the style of font is.

[Kyzrati]

Got it covered--Cogmind comes with over 100 hand-made font bitmaps (that is a portion of them)

Some people like different styles, so I try to accommodate as many as possible. (That said, the majority now prefer that smallcaps font, which is why it's the default setting; Terminus is in second place.)

[Aleksanderus]

It's really just Roguelike Explosion Simulator 2016

Now you only need to add planes and skyscrapers and this will be Roguelike Terrorist Plane Simulator 2016!