Devblog #27 - Hints, Broadcasts, Vending Machines, and more!
Development Blog #27 brings several new features to the server, including a brand-new, never-before-seen Dynamic Vending Machine system, Clockwork-Inspired Hints, map broadcast captions, and many more.
Remember the classic Hints from Clockwork? We have brought them back! We have added a mix of classic old ones along with new ones that are unique to Willard. While many of them can be useful, especially to new players, we understand that some people may not want them, therefore we have added an option to change how often they are displayed, or to even completely disable them.
Are you tired of people constantly stealing your workbenches? Now you can bolt them down using a toolkit and four pins, which forces people to have a toolkit on them in order to unbolt and then take the workbench, hence making the whole process harder and take longer.
We are still experimenting with this solution, however if the problem persists, we may restrict unbolting to staff and require admin supervision when robbing workbenches.
Map broadcast buttons now post chat messages when pressed. This is especially useful for the Work-Cycle announcements, so those who tabbed back in the game one second too late won’t miss their workshift.
Several factions now have their very own access cards and locks, allowing them to separate normal members from management characters and lock off certain areas depending on the access level of a character.
You know all those console commands that you can use to make your game run a bit better? Now you can configure a large number of them from inside the game. Do note that some of them may require a game restart in order to fully take effect.
We showed off the YouTube player on our last Development Blog, however, since then, several people have requested the ability to play songs on a local scale, so that is now possible.
The old, default Helix vending machines have been replaced by our own custom ones that are completely dynamic. This allows each vending machine to sell different items, at different prices, and it is all configurable in-game.
We are re hoping these new vending machines give players a new way to earn money, particularly store owners (although at the time of writing this, they are available for anyone to buy and set up anywhere).
Similar to ‘Scene Texts’, players can now set descriptions to ordinary props (that belong to them) using the /PropDescriptionAdd command. Staff may also set permanent prop descriptions that persist through server restarts on any prop using the /PermanentPropDescriptionAdd command.
Forcefields have been updated, taking inspiration from Half-Life: Alyx and other sources along with our own touch to them. They work the same way as they did before, apart from the new ‘yellow’ forcefield, which works the same way as the Access Restricted forcefield but is intended to be used in areas that are infested with Xen Flora and the like.
New features
Hint System- OTA Skyshield Uniform.
- DOB characters can now issue permits.
- Workbench bolting/unbolting.
- Log map button presses.
- Map reminder & announcement captions.
- Faction Access Cards.
- Ration Coupons can now be redeemed at Civil Terminal.
- Clientside Performance settings.
- Connect/Disconnect message display config option.
- Local YouTube songplayer.
- Infestation Control system.
- New Vintage Radio songs.
- Setting to hide config changes from players.
- Makeshift adhesive recipe.
- Dynamic Vending Machines.
- POS devices now inverse the transaction recipient and sender if a negative value is entered.
- Prop Descriptions.
Improvements / Changes
Datafile log deletion has been restricted to Rank Leader CPs and above.- Removed solvents.
- Increased the default config value for smuggler money on spawn.
- Cooking ingredients are now cheaper.
Cooking ingredients now have lower level requirements.
Broadcasts are now automatically formatted.
Staff characters can now use dispatch communication commands.- Adjusted smuggled move notification.
- Increased logo rotation speed.
- Small description adjustments.
- Chat display is now enabled by default.
- Charswapping bans are now muted.
- Removed City 24 reminder dispatch VCs.
- Removed leading/trailing spaces from chat messages.
- Adjusted the Civil Terminal letter send dialogue.
- Razors can now be used on other characters.
- Combine characters can no longer open locked map doors (i.e gates).
- The smuggler now deals headcrab & antlion meat.
- The helix help command now automatically redirects to the SAM help command.
- Some melee weapons now cost fewer materials.
- The clothing permit now includes some Vortigaunt clothes.
- Breaking down items now gives more materials.
- Admin observer light now automatically turns off when a character is unloaded.
- Combine characters can now bypass the 200 Sterilized Credit limit.
- Vortigaunt healing now has a 30-second cooldown.
- Ration Coupon Credit amount has been increased.
- Improved Forcefield Visuals.
Bugfixes
Fixed certain OTA models.- Fixed Typos.
- Fixed workbench-related bugs.
- Fixed some Combine doors not automatically closing after a few seconds.
- Fixed 'Unload Character' button ignoring Charswapping bans.
- Fixed a Cigarette crafting exploit.
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