Valrei International. 096 The Skies, The Limit!

[Retrograde 11790]

 

 

 

Greetings Wurmians! 

 

We're back with a fresh new view of what's coming to Wurm, with major visual work being underway! 

 

New Skies Ahead
Many have commented on rainbows and moons looking a little different, and there's a good reason for it! We're working on the new volumetric lighting system that we have mentioned a few times, along with breathtaking updated day and night skies! 

 

 

As you can see, they're gorgeous! (I hope Gaffer doesn't go mad trying to find constellations)

 

Volumetric Lighting
Volumetric lighting is a technique used in 3D computer graphics to add lighting effects to a rendered scene. It allows the viewer to see beams of light shining through the environment; seeing sunbeams streaming through the trees in a forest is an example of volumetric lighting, also known as God rays.

And they're coming to Wurm! Part of this work on lighting is adding a lot more atmosphere to the game, improving the feeling of actually being immersed in the beautiful world we have all built here. 

 

As you can see, it adds depth to the world, and I can almost feel the warmth on my skin. Oh, wait, that's some actual sunlight creeping through the curtain, let me fix that)

 

More UI Teases
That's right! I'm here with more UI teases! This edition focuses on the new tooltips when you mouseover an item. As you do, you'll see it's material, item type, and enchants! Pressing alt while mousing over will display more detailed information.

 

 

Z-fighters
No, not the cartoon ones! Z-fighting is a term when textures flicker, caused by them being on the same level and the client not knowing how to display them correctly. Long-distance viewing has had a few issues with Z-fighting, and we've taken steps to address that for the future too! This fix means more beautiful views when looking out from a mountaintop across the land, and who doesn't love that! 

 

Before:

 

After:

 

The Team Expands!

Katspurr
There are many ways in which you may know Katspurr, A.K.A. Malena in Wurm. Whether it is through her work adding all the new horse textures, her VEN streams, her gorgeous encyclopedia of Wurm items and their visuals, or just her beautiful renditions of suggestion ideas! 

Katspurr is not just a dedicated Wurmian, she's also a games industry veteran with decades of art development under her belt, and we are THRILLED to say that she is joining the Wurm team! 

Katspurr has taken on a short term Art Developer role in which she will be handling various duties from new loading screens, those beautiful shots on the Wurm Steam page, and more!

 

Darklords 
Darklords is a long term PvPer with a lot of experience under his belt in the world of PvP, and he's come a long way since I first met him. Late-night ramblings and testing catapulting changes, to building up the courage to join the dev team and work on bugs and tweaks and now joining as a contracted member of the developer team taking control of the direction of PvP within Wurm as well as other PvE content.

Darklords is fiercely dedicated to making sure PvP is as fun as engaging as possible and will be working with you all via PvP discussion threads as he goes. 

The first thread is up discussing some of the changes that went live last patch, as well as discussing potential future changes too, so go check it out here:

He'll also be taking on other aspects of Wurm and will be working on PvE content too.
On behalf of everyone at the Wurm Online team, I'd like to welcome Katspurr and Darklords to our ranks and hope they enjoy their time here!

 

LCM Changes
This news also includes a few changes on the GM team. Firstly, after a long period as LCM Idony will be stepping down from that role. Idony has put in a considerable amount of work in ensuring that proper guidelines are created and maintained and that players and staff alike are supported. They will be continuing their role as GM, and I am very thankful for that, I'd like to thank Idony for their work as LCM and hope the post LCM madness passes quickly.

 

Astarte
Many of you know of Astarte as the GM who rescues you from a situation and promptly turns you into a sheep. Well, Astarte has taken up the now vacant role of LCM and will be working with all of the staff and players to create a welcoming environment leading up to our launch on Steam. 

 

Willow
What a long history Willow has! Willow has been a community figure in Wurm for such a long time, starting the Impalong traditions, and building the terracotta army in the northeast of Independence. She has been a GM for a considerable amount of time as well, and has also had the role as Assistant Head GM, which she is now retaking! Willow will be assisting Enki on all Head GM matters, helping speed up our workload and ensure that EnkiBoT2020 continues to operate with minimal breakdowns. 

 

A big welcome to both of these fantastic and friendly GM's into their new respective positions, I look forward to working with you both!

 

That's it from us this edition, we'll be hard at work getting things ready for the next update at the end of the month, so stay safe, excited for the future, and as always, keep on Wurming! 
Retrograde & The Wurm Team

[AlmostSolitude2 91]

amazing

[Angelklaine 4216]

Good job! Im excited... 

[Wargasm 1884]

Wow.... the art devs never cease  to amaze us with their work.  Beautiful!!!

[Ohana 808]

Beautiful. 

And welcome to Kat and congrats everyone on their new roles.


 

[Thalorane 31]

Looks beautiful; very excited to see this coming.

[Angelklaine 4216]

Oh noes! Now I have to watch out even more for @Astarte! I've been a victim of her transformations more times than I can count! You never know if she's hiding behind the bush... or maybe she IS the bush!

[Gawain 373]

Holy lighting!!

 

[PandyLynn 260]

Congratulations to all the promotions! Well done.

 

I'm glad that Idony isn't leaving the GM post. I would miss their presence greatly.

[Challenge 48]

All hail our new Dark Lord, Darklords.

 

Not sure if its just me but none of the images are showing up except the bottom two.

[Dracaa 100]

OMGs I'm so excited about the new pretty lighting and that katspurr and the others congratulates and glad you not leaving us idoly. cant wait to start taking more screen shots for my desktop backgrounds lol  

[leander 107]

love every inch of this post, all these fantastic changes, and where are the pirate hats?

[Satch 41]

Thanks guys! Great progress!

[Wilczan 1540]

No, actually 16th floor is the limit ; )

 

Overall - great!

 

And, yes, Astarte is the best.

Edited May 18, 2020 by Wilczan

[Steveleeb 1010]

Congratz Malena! Very happy for you.
Good luck Darklords, you have a very challenging task.

[DemonaNightshade 371]

Beautiful work! I'm very excited to see this live, and watch for beautiful scenes on the screenshot thread ^ ,^

[kochinac 1012]

Damn, this looks so great  Can't wait to try all this  

It's really a shame more people doesnt play Wurm, i hope that will change soon with Steam!!!

[Gawain 373]

@RetrogradeAny chance we could at some point see a screenshot from in a mine with this new lighting rework?

[Cayce 203]

The new night sky looks gorgeous!  It will be so much fun travelling around with all those beautiful changes. Thank you very much for your work and congratz to all with their new roles!

Any news on when we will be able to test the new UI features? Last Valrei International mentioned a preview client and I'd love to take a look at the new interface  

[Nocturnes 192]

This is some very impressive work, no really applauds! I havent been this hooked on every patch for a long time, its a treat to read every valrei international as we get closer to the steam launch.

Speaking of the steam launch will you still make it for mid summer 2020 or  even "Midsummer"  I can understand if you dont want to give exact dates to dissapoint anyone incase of delays but im just curious if its still on track!

I hope we get the 3 classic kingdsom for the pvp servers, aint no wurm without our glorious banners!
If thats the case I think somehow introducing the old anthems to the new steam community would be a great idea,  it would be great to have them play as you choose which kingdom to start along with showing the banner in the background!

Link to these songs for those who havent heard:

Jenn Kellon:

 
Horde of the summoned (aka BL):

Mol Rehan:

 

Edited May 18, 2020 by Nocturnes

[Spolmit 347]

Excellent update- thanks to everyone involved. I must see if Orion can be spotted in the Pristine night-sky

 

Congratulations to Darklords

 

Congratulations to Malena- I hope that you will still be able to make some of your excellent videos whilst fulfilling your role in Wurm.

[Ehizellbob 641]

oh my Libila! I can not wait to see my murder castle with that lighting work.

 

Grats on the new positions folks! 

[Evening 2014]

Finally, @Malena!! Most wanted Art Developer!

Congratulations, and I hope your short term role will last for at least 10 years from now on!

[Ohana 808]

59 minutes ago, Evening said:

Finally, @Malena!! Most wanted Art Developer!

Congratulations, and I hope your short term role will last for at least 10 years from now on!

I second this, and um while your here. could you sneak  the last of your amazings horses into game!

[Mclavin 3612]

Grats @Darklordsbraaa