Dev Update #98: "Zangetsu, Switch and Backer Rewards"
Sept 26, 2019 10:05:33 GMT -6
purifyweirdshard, REDtheBEAST, and 4 more like this
Post by Question on Sept 26, 2019 10:05:33 GMT -6
Lots to get to today, but with the $100+ tier backer rewards shipping out soon—if you need or want to change your address, now is the time—we thought we'd start by showing you some of the backer rewards up close and personal.
We also wanted to show you the Castle Map, which was designed by Adam Rufino and printed on three feet of canvas, but... well, even now we're not quite comfortable spoiling the layout here in the backer updates! If you already know everything there is to know, though, you can see some photos here.
We'll be shipping the Alchemist's Treasure and Dark Grimoire tiers first, since all rewards will be packed in that order—they'll be going out to backers beginning next week, while Collector's Boxes are being packed out and prepared for shipment.
While nearly every reward will be shipping in this batch, there are a few pieces that will be coming a little later. As we mentioned in an earlier update, the Amano poster going to all $250+ backers is still forthcoming—we'll give you a heads up before it ships out to all backers who are set to get it. The stained glass and IGA rings for high-tier backers are also still in production, and will be shipping out separately. Finally, PC physical copies will also be coming later, once all the stretch goal content has been launched and is ready to include on-disc.
Hi everyone! IGA here.
We are finally releasing the Japanese console version of Bloodstained next month. We’re sorry that the news is a little late, but we actually displayed the game at Happinet’s booth in Tokyo Game Show 2019. There’s an event report on it, so check it out! What’s important is that the release date is October 24th! Thank you to everyone in Japan for your patience, and we hope you enjoy the game when it is out.
Aside from the Japan release, we should discuss the upcoming DLC. Currently, we are making Zangetsu playable. Zangetsu is a really awesome character! It was around 4 years ago... when we were still in our Shibuya office... I was thinking of creating a temple knight who despised all demons.
I brought this idea to our game director, Curry the Kid, and it occurred to us that we'd never had a Japanese character in our game who could be fought as an enemy. It was silly and spontaneous, but we decided to go with a samurai. We are borrowing SkeletonCrews’ help to create Zangetsu, and they are working very hard on the production. Also, they have a really cute toy poodle.
Oh, and yes, all 4500 copies of the slipcases have been signed. Michiru Yamane’s portion is also complete. These will be sent out soon so please look forward to them!
Hi, everyone.
Work on the Nintendo Switch graphical and performance update continues. We apologize for the long development cycle. Most of the changes are on a room-by-room, enemy-byenemy basis so there are a significant number of assets being reworked and it’s taking more time than initially expected.
We are pleased with the progress that has been made so far and look forward to getting it into your hands. While the teams are working on an extensive list of myriad improvements, their focus is on four principal areas: Visual Fidelity, Loading Times, Particle Effects and Input Lag.
Visual Fidelity - The way that backgrounds and environments are rendered are being significantly updated. This will result in noticeably sharper environments in most areas throughout the game.
Loading Times - Load times between scenes are being greatly improved, but are still not where we would like them to be, so work remains.
Particle Effects - We have already replaced hundreds of particle effects with new assets and more yet remain. The new ones look the same to the user, but are much less impactful on the performance of the game. This has been one of the main culprits for framerate drops during fights.
Input Lag - Input lag times have been significantly reduced, once work on this is completed the game should feel much more reactive when playing.
The improvements are expected to be released in two separate updates. The first update will contain the vast majority of the improvements. The second update will improve performance with a couple of especially troublesome areas and enemies.
We expect these updates to be launched by the end of November. We will give more specific timeframes when we are closer to release.
After the Switch upgrade is live, there will be a handful of assets/enemies that we want to improve like the Doppleganger enemy for example. These improvements will be part of our regular development cycle and updated when ready.
Xbox 1.006 Update
* This update is still planned to go live by the end of September. It will contain:
* IGA’s Backpack
* DLC Balance Update #1
* Overlord achievement fix
* HDR Fix
* Localization improvements
* XB1-specific bug fixed
PS4 1.04 Update
We do not have a live date for the PS4 1.04 update. We will provide more info when we are closer to a release date. This update will contain any other bug fixes, improvements we’ve been working on since the last update.
Localization Improvements
We have taken another pass at improving localization. These updated loc files will be included in the next update for each platform.
As always, we thank everyone for your patience as we work to improve the game across all platforms.
Jason “Question” Ryan
Sr Community manager - 505 Games
The Collector's Box (your shirt, art book, and "Alchemist's Treasure" rewards are shipping inside this.)
Collector's Box
Collector's Box
The Alchemist's Treasure slipcase contains your minted items and soundtrack CD, along with a space for your copy of the Bloodstained.
The Bloodstained soundtrack on two CDs
The Art of Bloodstained, the hardcover art book shipping to $150+ backers
The keychain, button, and enamel pin included in the Alchemist's Treasure rewards
We also wanted to show you the Castle Map, which was designed by Adam Rufino and printed on three feet of canvas, but... well, even now we're not quite comfortable spoiling the layout here in the backer updates! If you already know everything there is to know, though, you can see some photos here.
We'll be shipping the Alchemist's Treasure and Dark Grimoire tiers first, since all rewards will be packed in that order—they'll be going out to backers beginning next week, while Collector's Boxes are being packed out and prepared for shipment.
While nearly every reward will be shipping in this batch, there are a few pieces that will be coming a little later. As we mentioned in an earlier update, the Amano poster going to all $250+ backers is still forthcoming—we'll give you a heads up before it ships out to all backers who are set to get it. The stained glass and IGA rings for high-tier backers are also still in production, and will be shipping out separately. Finally, PC physical copies will also be coming later, once all the stretch goal content has been launched and is ready to include on-disc.
Hi everyone! IGA here.
We are finally releasing the Japanese console version of Bloodstained next month. We’re sorry that the news is a little late, but we actually displayed the game at Happinet’s booth in Tokyo Game Show 2019. There’s an event report on it, so check it out! What’s important is that the release date is October 24th! Thank you to everyone in Japan for your patience, and we hope you enjoy the game when it is out.
Aside from the Japan release, we should discuss the upcoming DLC. Currently, we are making Zangetsu playable. Zangetsu is a really awesome character! It was around 4 years ago... when we were still in our Shibuya office... I was thinking of creating a temple knight who despised all demons.
I brought this idea to our game director, Curry the Kid, and it occurred to us that we'd never had a Japanese character in our game who could be fought as an enemy. It was silly and spontaneous, but we decided to go with a samurai. We are borrowing SkeletonCrews’ help to create Zangetsu, and they are working very hard on the production. Also, they have a really cute toy poodle.
Oh, and yes, all 4500 copies of the slipcases have been signed. Michiru Yamane’s portion is also complete. These will be sent out soon so please look forward to them!
Hi, everyone.
Work on the Nintendo Switch graphical and performance update continues. We apologize for the long development cycle. Most of the changes are on a room-by-room, enemy-byenemy basis so there are a significant number of assets being reworked and it’s taking more time than initially expected.
We are pleased with the progress that has been made so far and look forward to getting it into your hands. While the teams are working on an extensive list of myriad improvements, their focus is on four principal areas: Visual Fidelity, Loading Times, Particle Effects and Input Lag.
Visual Fidelity - The way that backgrounds and environments are rendered are being significantly updated. This will result in noticeably sharper environments in most areas throughout the game.
Loading Times - Load times between scenes are being greatly improved, but are still not where we would like them to be, so work remains.
Particle Effects - We have already replaced hundreds of particle effects with new assets and more yet remain. The new ones look the same to the user, but are much less impactful on the performance of the game. This has been one of the main culprits for framerate drops during fights.
Input Lag - Input lag times have been significantly reduced, once work on this is completed the game should feel much more reactive when playing.
The improvements are expected to be released in two separate updates. The first update will contain the vast majority of the improvements. The second update will improve performance with a couple of especially troublesome areas and enemies.
We expect these updates to be launched by the end of November. We will give more specific timeframes when we are closer to release.
After the Switch upgrade is live, there will be a handful of assets/enemies that we want to improve like the Doppleganger enemy for example. These improvements will be part of our regular development cycle and updated when ready.
Xbox 1.006 Update
* This update is still planned to go live by the end of September. It will contain:
* IGA’s Backpack
* DLC Balance Update #1
* Overlord achievement fix
* HDR Fix
* Localization improvements
* XB1-specific bug fixed
PS4 1.04 Update
We do not have a live date for the PS4 1.04 update. We will provide more info when we are closer to a release date. This update will contain any other bug fixes, improvements we’ve been working on since the last update.
Localization Improvements
We have taken another pass at improving localization. These updated loc files will be included in the next update for each platform.
As always, we thank everyone for your patience as we work to improve the game across all platforms.
Jason “Question” Ryan
Sr Community manager - 505 Games
yey