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R3 Update: Patches, Troubleshooting, etc.

Discussion in 'Announcements' started by DarkStarr, Feb 21, 2014.

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  1. DarkStarr

    DarkStarr Executive Producer SOTA Developer

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    Greetings Avatars,

    Thank you so much for helping us test Release 3. We know that many of you are having issues and we are troubleshooting these as fast as we can. The biggest issue seems to be performance so let me address that first.
    1. Optimization (or lack thereof): As mentioned in my notes about each release we only spend a minimum amount of time on optimizations each release so that means we don't have LOD's (Levels of Detail) for everything and we don't have a lot of fallbacks in place yet.
      • Solution:
        • For now the best way to fix any client performance issues you might have is to crank the graphics settings down to "Fastest".
        • Run in Full Screen
        • Disable second monitor (if you have one)
    2. Memory: Because of the above we are really greedy with memory which means that sometimes the game can need more than 2 GB of RAM at any given time. This increases over time as you collect more items, move between maps, etc. For those of you running on 64 bit machines this is usually no problem if you have a ton of RAM but 32 bit machines can only address a total of 4 GB (this includes system RAM, VRAM, etc.) so you will quickly run out of memory since your system needs some of that RAM to run the OS (among other things). At best this will result in poor performance but often it will mean you cannot even load the game. This is compounded by the fact that while we have managed to fix all the memory leaks we could find there might be some lingering ones which means memory utilization will slowly creep upwards.
      • Solutions:
        • Make sure you are not running any applications other than Shroud.
        • Run in full screen
        • Disable second monitor (if you have one)
        • Restart Client
    3. Maps in bad states: Certain conditions and/or bugs will put a map in a bad state that will degrade performance for everyone connected to that map. For currently unknown reasons the map can sometimes recover, but not always.
      • Solutions:
        • Switch maps as soon as possible and adventure elsewhere. You can try returning to the map you were having issues with at a later time to see if it has recovered.
        • Switch to Single Player Online mode and play there for a while. You can try returning to the map you were having issues with at a later time to see if it has recovered.
    Yesterday we patched the following items:
    • Audio fixes for taverns
    • A fix for being unable to open some doors
    • Reduce overall music volumes
    • Fix for a few memory leaks
    • A few map updates
    • Added dresses to some of the treasure chests
    Today we are working on a patch for the following:
    • Chest Respawns: We found a bug where only the first player ever got the chests to respawn. This is why they re-spawned in Single Player but not Multiplayer (for most folks)
    • NPC Convos: In multiplayer NPCs will now no longer respond to chat unless you target them first. In Single player NPCs will still react to chat without being targeted.
    Thanks,
    Darkstarr
     
  2. enderandrew

    enderandrew Legend of the Hearth

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    Any chance of future 64-bit clients to allow the game to use more memory if it needs it?
     
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  3. Floors

    Floors Avatar

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    Something I've noticed that some of you might not be aware of is that when you first join the game, the framerate might be unplayable.

    I noticed this in previous releases too - if you wait for a couple minutes instead of quitting the game, I've found that once some "loading" is done, the game speeds back up to an acceptable framerate.
     
  4. tekkamansoul

    tekkamansoul Avatar

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    Thanks a ton DarkStarr!


    Haha, now I don't have to make a thread suggesting this.
     
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  5. Dame Lori

    Dame Lori Avatar

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    [​IMG]
     
  6. E n v y

    E n v y Avatar

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    Does that mean you won't be running around without your clothes anymore? :(

    Sad times ;)
     
  7. Browncoat Jayson

    Browncoat Jayson Legend of the Hearth

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    It would be great if NPCs would close open doors; it looks like a hurricane of 8-year olds ran through the world and left every door open in their wake...

    Oh wait, that's pretty much what did happen.
     
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  8. Dame Lori

    Dame Lori Avatar

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  9. tekkamansoul

    tekkamansoul Avatar

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    I noticed, I just didn't want to say anything and make you put on clothes.
     
  10. Floors

    Floors Avatar

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    Was it really appropriate ? I think not.
     
  11. Duke Gréagóir

    Duke Gréagóir Legend of the Hearth

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    Is it just me that the number of moose numbers increased due to Dame Lori was running around like that?

    Wait. Maybe those articles are not related?

    My bad.
     
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  12. enderandrew

    enderandrew Legend of the Hearth

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    I thought the second article was about male avatars running around nearly naked as well, raising the number of moose-knuckle sightings.
     
  13. HoustonDragon

    HoustonDragon Avatar

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    I foresee a great many more entries for Dame Lori in the next contest. ;)
     
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  14. Akeashar

    Akeashar Avatar

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    Thank you whenever it gets rolled out. :D

    Now we just need a separate chat channel for talking with NPCs so everyone in the zone doesn't see folks picking up the cute redhead NPC in the new town... not that I did that. ^^;
     
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  15. Dame Lori

    Dame Lori Avatar

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    LOL, you know, I had a lot of fun saying silly things to NPCs in previous releases, but I felt a little weird saying anything, even serious inquiries, to NPCs in multiplayer knowing everyone could read it. It would be nice if we could hold private conversations with NPCs.
     
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  16. NRaas

    NRaas Avatar

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    It seemed to work very well early this evening (it was rolled out in Patch 73).

    Chatting next to the barkeep in FireLotus tavern did not issue any sort of NPC response.

    Very nice. :)
     
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  17. Kirthag

    Kirthag Avatar

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    It was funny. I told Rhiannon that I saw Lori in her skivvies, and Rhiannon stated but she's be wearing her "Dame" tag... nope. Knew it was her! Brave woman to run amok in the vale like that! I'm surprised a guard didn't slap her (toosh) with a fine! :p
     
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  18. Rhiannon

    Rhiannon Avatar

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    I just hate that Kirthag is always right. I'm also VERY excited to find a dress today. I wasn't able to be in New Britannia yesterday and am envious of all you folks who have been running around the world. I'll be joining you with my slow computer (thanks to DarkStar for the performance tips!).
     
  19. Retro

    Retro Avatar

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    Has the test been extended?
     
  20. Kirthag

    Kirthag Avatar

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    sure has!
     
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