Roadmap Update 3

Greetings Wizards! Another roadmap update today.

Firstly: Patch 2, "Enshrinement", will be launching this Wednesday, Nov 25th. Here's an updated view of the EA Roadmap:

First lets discuss the bad news: this patch will not include a Mac or Linux build. Rift Wizard is written in python, which I had hoped would make multiplatform deployment easier- in fact, multiplatform python deployment is quite difficult. After spending many hours trying (and failing) to create a mac build that I can distribute on steam, I've decided to put this aspect of the project on hold indefinitly. I have come to realize that, as a solo programmer, I do not have the resources to undertake the additional technical complexity that is going to go along with releasing and supporting a Mac build. The same logic applies to Linux.

It feels terrible to cancel this feature, as for many of the affected players, this is the most important feature. So I apologize for that.

Onto the good news:

This patch includes a revamped shrine system, where shrines are more individually powerful but can no longer be stacked- each shrine can now have a maximum of one shrine enhancing it. New shrine effects include applying status effects, throwing in extra damage types, and adding summons to spells that previously may not have summoned anything at all.

I believe the removal of stacking stat shrines will make balance much easier, and encourage bigger more varied spellbooks. Furthermore, the addition of some truly unique and random loot to the game increases run variety a lot.

There are approximately 60 new shrines.

The patch also includes a slew of UI and gameplay feel changes. These include faster passive skill animations, an animation speed setting, a post level stat summary, and many more.

There are 5 new spells and skills in this patch. Far fewer than the Ice Magic update of course- these are mostly focused on filling out some things that felt missing, and enabling builds that previously almost-but-not-quite worked- dragons, dark magic, and poison are all getting some new tools.

The new patch officially launches November 25th, but you still have a few days to check out the beta and give feedback before the changes are finalized. To do so, right click Rift Wizard in your steam library, click properties -> betas -> select "beta". You can also play old builds of the game this way if you wish, and the current build will remain playable as "menagerie".

-Dylan