I have been working on another project, tentatively titled PARAGON QUEST, in the same game engine as EXCALIBURIAN!!

As I have been developing PARAGON QUEST, I have made many improvements to the performance of the engine alongside the addition of other various features. I have ported over a few of these system-related changes to EXCALIBURIAN!! and have published this update in order to assess if the performance issues players have reported have been solved. If I continue to receive performance issue reports, I will consider switching my development of PARAGON QUEST to a different game engine.

The main content of this update is detailed below.

System Updates

• An engine-specific error where the game’s image would freeze has been fixed.
• Once a music file is played, it will be cached instead of being reloaded in each instance.
• The default resolution of the game has been changed to 1280x720.
• Clicking the maximize button in the upper-right corner of the game window will now fully expand the game to the size of the screen.
• An exit option has been added to the title screen. This option can be selected to close the game.
• The following options have been added to the configuration menu.
  • Fullscreen mode can be toggled on or off.
  • The game window size can now be chosen.
  • Nearest-neighbor scaling can now be toggled on or off.
  • The SE Volume option has been renamed to SFX Volume. The BGS Volume and ME Volume options have been removed and their functions have instead been combined with the BGM Volume option.
• The camera has been changed to always center and follow the player. All locations in the game have been expanded in order to accommodate this.
• The graphics for navigating the shop menu while using a mouse have been changed.
• When equipping new gear, changes to a character’s parameters will be indicated by color. If a parameter increases, the number will appear yellow. If a parameter decreases, the number will appear red. If there is no change, then the number will continue to appear white.
• Within the magic, equip, and status menus, you are now able to cycle between characters with the left and right movement keys.
• New sound effects have been added that play before player attacks, enemy attacks, and player spells.
• The volume of the sound effect played when the player collides with a wall or object has been slightly lowered.
• The STR and RES parameters have been renamed to ATK and DEF, respectively.
• The name of the save file slots has been renamed from File to Journal.

Gameplay Updates

• The encounter rate in the field map now changes based on the terrain. For example, mountainous regions have a higher encounter rate, while the sea has a lower encounter rate.
• The ship can now be boarded by having the player walk into it. Similarly, it can be docked by simply approaching land. The previous method of boarding and docking, which was through pressing the confirm button or clicking the mouse, is still available as well.
• Within the beginning areas of the game, Grape Slimes can only be encountered in the lowest level of the Midura Mines.
• The conditions for obtaining the dragon equipment have been changed. Previously, you would still obtain the piece of equipment even if you lost the fight, and you would not be able to attempt a rematch. Now, if you lose the fight, you will not obtain the piece of equipment. You will be able to continuously attempt rematches until you succeed. After succeeding, you will obtain the piece of equipment.
• Collision detection for certain areas has changed to allow for smoother traversal.
• A rare issue that occurred while using the slot machine where the image of the first slot would not appear has been fixed.
• The slot machine can now only be used when the player is facing the correct side of it.
• A minor issue with the transformation of a boss encounter at the end of the game has been fixed.
• A message now appears when interacting with skeletons.
• A few minor text changes have been made.

No further updates are scheduled for the near future, as I am prioritizing the development of PARAGON QUEST at this time.

Thank you all for your support!