Hartacon Tactics - RELEASED ON STEAM/XBOX 360

[Charlie Fleed]

Hey everyone!! Charlie here. :)

About 12 months after Steam Early Access started it is time for an update! Also when DerVV tells you to post an update, you do that. XD

I will start with the (rather massive) changes log.

7.6

fixed a bug that prevented downloaded maps from being usable
TAB added to emulate LT/RT
increased movement speed
changed the way characters move
fixed a bug that made the game crash when a character has 0 speed
fixed a passability issue in Merak River map
added default character in font to solve crash

7.7
fixed a bug on turn timeout
fixed a bug on online maps ids
removed turn timeout in campaign mode
implemented mouse support

7.8
added Semi-All option in See Through settings
added description for SPEED stat
updated Advance skills to match movement speed option
added command to rename teams
Elo rating implemented for online matches
players avatars displayed in map editor

7.9
added configurable key bindings
fixed a bug affecting movement in rotated maps
fixed a bug that made non targeted characters flash
improved mouse support with on-map selection of movement and attack/skill target 
added option to disable mouse

7.10
restructured the Help section
rebalanced classes, skills and equipment
removed three-tiers online mode 
campaign candidate units increased to 48 and high ranked unit made less common
fixed a bug on damage calculation including adjacent characters that can't attack the target 
increased dead characters timeout
assassin character added
fixed a bug on HP/MP when comparing equipment
updated gold won
added help page on status ailments
added credits for assassin character
tavern added in campaign locations
 
7.11
Sorceress character added using Staves
Martial Artist class becomes Warrior and uses Hammers
Healer uses Knuckles
Support and Counterattack available as passive skills
Assassin's Execution skill deals extra damage from behind

7.12
Archer's skill Bird Killer deals extra damage to Hawkmen.
Sorting added to campaign setup recruiting screen.
Updated spawn positions on most large maps.
Added status ailment effects to some skills.
Updated height reach of all weapons and skills.
Advance and Jump cannot be used if walk range is reduced to zero.
Class specific skills introduced.
Achievements.
More popular online maps displayed first in map editor by default.
On screen directional arrows for skill target selection removed.

7.13
Depth of dungeons depends on difficulty.
Fixed a bug affecting elemental alignment.
Window border glitch fixed.
More on-screen clickable buttons added.
New fire magic animation.
Changed how turns are counted for dead units timeout.
Atom skill damage decreases with distance.
Improved battle command selection with analog stick.
Changed action delay calculation to include distance moved.
Only active locations shown on map during campaign.
Updated a few maps.
New Skills page.

So, what's new in a few words?

• The final two characters are in the game, Assassin and Sorceress.
  
• Improved mouse support and onfigurable keys.
  
• Steam Achievements.
  
• An Elo rating system for online multiplayer.
  
• Passive Skills.
  

What am I working on right now?

• I am trying to add a few props to the dungeon tileset, working with the artist that created the world map graphics for this.
  
• I hired a musician to write an original game soundtrack. I got the first track. It's epic!
  
• I would like to improve the magic efects but finding a good artist or stock animations is proving harder than anticipated.
  

Hartacon has received mixed reviews, with the most common criticism being around the controls. However most negative reiews are from before the improvements I made. 
Multiplayer never really took off so I am going to introduce the option to play online with your single player campaign party. We'll see if that shakes things a bit.
In terms of sales it has sold above 1300 copies. It kind of repaid itself, considering just what I paid the artists, and not the insane amount of hours I personally spent on it. I haven't included this in bundles, even though I have been approached for that and it may mean a lot more players, but I like the idea that those 1300 gamers hand-picked the game.

If you would like to play Hartacon, I have some free keys that I happy to send you as a treat for my fellow Save-Point members. Send me a PM if you're interested.
If you can contribute with a review or a like on the facebook page (click on Hartacon Tactics in my signature), it's all very appreciated.