m (Initial updated based on PTS) |
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!Release Date | !Release Date | ||
|March 29 | |March 29 | ||
|- | |||
|+ | |||
!PTS Begins | |||
|March 2 | |||
|- | |||
|+ | |||
!PTS Ends | |||
|March 6 | |||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
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**Potential rewards will be handed out for players that prestige. | **Potential rewards will be handed out for players that prestige. | ||
=== | === Economy changes === | ||
A large part of the Economy will change with '''Season 3''', outlined below are some of the changes. | |||
* | * Weapons will have their costs changed. | ||
* | * Crafting will have their cost and recepies changed. | ||
* | ** Some new crafts will be added for attachments. | ||
* | ** New craft for Grenade using howler-materials. | ||
*New | * Ammo will be split into several rarities for each type and may require scrips. | ||
* | * Key-usage will change and some keys will be available in the shops. | ||
** New key available "Progenitor Corridor Key". | |||
** Rarity of some keys will change. | |||
* Loot-rooms will be overhauled with new appearance and changed loot. | |||
** Loot-rooms that have their keycards rarity increased will have vastly more and better loot. | |||
* Quest rewards will be reworked. | |||
==== MK I and MK II weapons | === Quests === | ||
A large part of the quests are being reworked, with some new quests, some removed, as well as entirely new questlines. | |||
Baddum will also offer prospectors more than just words of wisdom. | |||
=== MK I and MK II weapons === | |||
'''Season 3''' will add MK-variants of existing weapons, these will be of a different rarity than the original weapon, with seperate stats and modding-capabilities. | '''Season 3''' will add MK-variants of existing weapons, these will be of a different rarity than the original weapon, with seperate stats and modding-capabilities. | ||
| Line 63: | Line 81: | ||
=== Public Test Server === | === Public Test Server === | ||
A public test server | A public test server is available from 2'nd of March until 6'th of March. Seperate client-download is required. | ||
Content in the PTS is not final and might be unavailable or might be work-in-progress. Players should expect bugs and issues to occur. | |||
=== Howler === | === Howler === | ||
[[File:Howler-new-menace-01.jpg|360px|thumb]] | [[File:Howler-new-menace-01.jpg|360px|thumb]] | ||
| Line 90: | Line 106: | ||
=== Loadout presets === | === Loadout presets === | ||
Prospectors will have the possibility to save | Prospectors will have the possibility to save up to 3 different loadout-presets in order to more quickly get back on the surface for further prospecting. | ||
=== Free Loadout Runs === | === Free Loadout Runs === | ||
| Line 136: | Line 152: | ||
* [https://thecycle.game/news-and-media/season-3-a-new-menace A new menace], Howler is coming in '''season 3''', along with minor map-changes, new loot, quests and more. | * [https://thecycle.game/news-and-media/season-3-a-new-menace A new menace], Howler is coming in '''season 3''', along with minor map-changes, new loot, quests and more. | ||
* [https://thecycle.game/news-and-media/season-3-the-war-on-cheats The war on cheats] is continuing on all fronts. A lot has been done but more is on the horizon and Yager is dedicated to reduce the impact from cheaters. | * [https://thecycle.game/news-and-media/season-3-the-war-on-cheats The war on cheats] is continuing on all fronts. A lot has been done but more is on the horizon and Yager is dedicated to reduce the impact from cheaters. | ||
*[https://thecycle.game/news-and-media/season-3-prospect-station-upgrades Prospect station overhaul] will give a new face to the station, making it feel more alive, but also represent the constraints of living in space. | * [https://thecycle.game/news-and-media/season-3-prospect-station-upgrades Prospect station overhaul] will give a new face to the station, making it feel more alive, but also represent the constraints of living in space. | ||
*[https://thecycle.game/news-and-media/season-3-a-bigger-arsenal MK I and MK II weapons] are coming in '''Season 3''', giving the weapons we have come to know, new utility and broader usage. | * [https://thecycle.game/news-and-media/season-3-a-bigger-arsenal MK I and MK II weapons] are coming in '''Season 3''', giving the weapons we have come to know, new utility and broader usage. | ||
* [https://thecycle.game/news-and-media/the-cycle-frontier-season-3-the-public-test-server Season 3 Public Test Server] is available from March 2'nd until March 6'th. | |||
=== Media releases === | === Media releases === | ||
| Line 155: | Line 172: | ||
*[https://discordapp.com/channels/469039260163637249/469039260868149249/1063214849783504986 More redeemable codes can be expected in S3]<ref>Feralus, Discord Message: [https://discordapp.com/channels/469039260163637249/469039260868149249/1063214849783504986 "What exactly of it? The code part, yes absolutely."] was stated in response to [https://discordapp.com/channels/469039260163637249/469039260868149249/1063214570258321438 "If I had to guess the Frosty Frontier Fest was a systems test for S3 things. This is all wildly speculative though"]</ref> | *[https://discordapp.com/channels/469039260163637249/469039260868149249/1063214849783504986 More redeemable codes can be expected in S3]<ref>Feralus, Discord Message: [https://discordapp.com/channels/469039260163637249/469039260868149249/1063214849783504986 "What exactly of it? The code part, yes absolutely."] was stated in response to [https://discordapp.com/channels/469039260163637249/469039260868149249/1063214570258321438 "If I had to guess the Frosty Frontier Fest was a systems test for S3 things. This is all wildly speculative though"]</ref> | ||
*[https://thecycle.game/news-and-media/the-cycle-frontier-season-2-and-beyond Events]<ref>Yager, thecycle.game website: [https://thecycle.game/news-and-media/the-cycle-frontier-season-2-and-beyond "Events"]</ref> | *[https://thecycle.game/news-and-media/the-cycle-frontier-season-2-and-beyond Events]<ref>Yager, thecycle.game website: [https://thecycle.game/news-and-media/the-cycle-frontier-season-2-and-beyond "Events"]</ref> | ||
*Audio improvements appear to be coming in S3 according to the [[Frosty Frontier Fest#livestream|Frosty Frontier Fest Livestream]]. | *Audio improvements appear to be coming in S3 according to the [[Frosty Frontier Fest#livestream|Frosty Frontier Fest Livestream]]. | ||
Revision as of 18:15, 2 March 2023
 |
Please keep in mind that this is a community-driven article that is based upon publicly available posts and interpretation of said post. Yager is not involved in the writing of the information contained within, nor does it reflect their internal planning and release-schedule. Anything contained in this article is subject to changes or misinterpretation. We strive to keep it updated with sources that we can verify, but even Discord-posts from CM's may not always turn out as expected. As such, always view any info within as rumors and speculation and then make your own conclusions based on the sources provided. |
| Release Date | March 29 |
|---|---|
| PTS Begins | March 2 |
| PTS Ends | March 6 |
Announcement Video
Roadmap
Each week leading up to Season 3 will contain more information from the development team and will be presented in the below order. CW means Calendar week for each information-release.
- CW 4 - Giving a fair chance to everyone
- CW 5 - A new menace
- CW 6 - Technical updates
- CW 7 - Prospect Station upgrades
- CW 8 - Visions of TC:F
- CW 9 - Public Test Server
- CW 10 - Pass of the Fortuna kind
Fundamental changes
The state of The Cycle will have several large changes in the near future along with the release of Season 3. Listed below are some of the major ones, what they mean and how it will impact the game moving forward.
The game will no longer have forced wipe after each season. The last global wipe will happen on March 29'th along the release of Season 3 and several things are being looked into to accomodate this change.
No forced wipes
No more global wipes does not mean that players themselves cannot initiate a wipe.
- Manual Wipe for players
- Players will be able to manually wipe (prestige) their progress, rather than have the forced wipe. This allows anyone to start fresh at any time, while not forcing anyone who does not wish to do so.
- Potential rewards will be handed out for players that prestige.
Economy changes
A large part of the Economy will change with Season 3, outlined below are some of the changes.
- Weapons will have their costs changed.
- Crafting will have their cost and recepies changed.
- Some new crafts will be added for attachments.
- New craft for Grenade using howler-materials.
- Ammo will be split into several rarities for each type and may require scrips.
- Key-usage will change and some keys will be available in the shops.
- New key available "Progenitor Corridor Key".
- Rarity of some keys will change.
- Loot-rooms will be overhauled with new appearance and changed loot.
- Loot-rooms that have their keycards rarity increased will have vastly more and better loot.
- Quest rewards will be reworked.
Quests
A large part of the quests are being reworked, with some new quests, some removed, as well as entirely new questlines.
Baddum will also offer prospectors more than just words of wisdom.
MK I and MK II weapons
Season 3 will add MK-variants of existing weapons, these will be of a different rarity than the original weapon, with seperate stats and modding-capabilities.
- MK I Weapons will be weapons that are of a lower rarity than their original counterpart and will allow players with less progression to attain and test high-end weapons with less risk.
- MK II Weapons will be weapons that are of higher rarity than their original counterpart and will give players the possibility to use a weapon that they are confortable with, further into the progression.
- Original weapons will be MK I or MK II depending on the new weapon added.
- Only MK I weapons will be available in shops, regardless if they are original or new versions.
Changes to Matchmaking
Several changes as tweaks for matchmaking is planned for season 3 in order to ensure longevity and allow players to manually wipe, without putting themselves in a bad spot, changes will be made to the matchmaking.
Work is also being done in otder to further ensure that players get the best experience possible, with more fair matchmaking, but also making sure to keep the mix of tension and excitement of not knowing who you will run into.
All these changes will be done through changing and adding additional parameters into the matchmaking and should hopefully result in a better experience for everyone.
Changes to starter-packs
How starter packs works will be changed.
More information on this is expected in the near future from the E-commerce team at Yager.
Public Test Server
A public test server is available from 2'nd of March until 6'th of March. Seperate client-download is required.
Content in the PTS is not final and might be unavailable or might be work-in-progress. Players should expect bugs and issues to occur.
Howler
The Howler will freely roam the skies of Fortuna, changing how Prospectors approach each area.
Using sound for locating and attacking prospectors from a distance, this new menace will provide new challenges and tactics for both low and high-tier prospectors.
Promising 2-phases, the howler will require more than normal monsters to bring down, but will not be the only risk involved as other players will hear and see the fight from afar, forcing anyone brave enough to take on this beast, to also keep an eye on their surroundings.
Having multiple different attacks and some attacks that leave behind spines, acting as proximity-mines, even a missed attack from this beast could result in the death of prospects that are not careful and aware of their surroundings.
Howler Nests
Scattered throughout Fortuna is nests that the howler makes, containing eggs that will protect themselves from unwanted threats, slightly altering the surrounding area, making old areas more exciting and giving new reasons to revist old locations.
While a good source of loot, prospectors need to be careful when approaching the eggs in a nest and be prepared to relocate and heal when necessary.
Anyone entering the area of a howler nest will need to stay alert and be able to adjust their plans accordingly as the eggs will protect themselves.
Offering new loot for prospectors, one should not only be wary of the nest itself, but also of other prospectors, coming to discover the new secrets that these infected areas may hold.
Loadout presets
Prospectors will have the possibility to save up to 3 different loadout-presets in order to more quickly get back on the surface for further prospecting.
Free Loadout Runs
When dropping onto fortuna, prospectors will be able to select if they want to use their own gear or use a random faction-based loadout for free.
This Free Loadout Run allows players to land on the surface without the risk of losing any gear, while still being allowed to evac with anything the can bring out.
The feature is aimed to help players that are down on their available gear and items, as well as allow players to try out new weapons and items, without having to worry about losing money in the process.
In order to mitigate large impact on the economy, the loadouts are limited to maximum Rare (blue) items and a cooldown on the system is in place. For those that do not like their free loadout, they can re-roll it once every 24hours.
Changes to the station
The station is getting a rework for season 3, overhauling the experience a prospector have on the station.
Overall feeling of the station will be more of a dirty, gritty place in lack of space. More things are in temporary storage along the walls and areas.
More AI has also been added around the station in order to make it appear more lively and give it a more natural feeling, along with busy robots and drones roaming the station too handle its needs.
The key points that can be seen is as follows:
- Facelift on the shops and faction headquarters.
- More buildings and more compact layout of the surrounding parts of the station.
- Some new objects have been added and some have been removed.
- Most grass, trees and flowers have been removed.
- Some of the signs have had a makeover.
- New NPCs and additional behaviour added for the NPCs.
- Roaming drones that fly around the station.
- New building for Osiris.
- Captured creatures and samples of dead creatures scattared around the station.
New skins and archetypes
As always new skins and archetypes are slated to come with season 3 and we got a sneak-peak on some of those during Frosty Frontier Fest.
-
New archetype coming in season 3 called 'Unbound Synth'
-
New archetype coming in season 3 called 'Artillery'
-
New Advocate skin coming in season 3
Weekly updates and developer media
Below is a list of official articles and media released, covering content and changes for Season 3.
Articles
- Giving a fair chance to everyone by providing Free Loadout Runs for players, reworking the matchmaking and planning for the future.
- A new menace, Howler is coming in season 3, along with minor map-changes, new loot, quests and more.
- The war on cheats is continuing on all fronts. A lot has been done but more is on the horizon and Yager is dedicated to reduce the impact from cheaters.
- Prospect station overhaul will give a new face to the station, making it feel more alive, but also represent the constraints of living in space.
- MK I and MK II weapons are coming in Season 3, giving the weapons we have come to know, new utility and broader usage.
- Season 3 Public Test Server is available from March 2'nd until March 6'th.
Media releases
Youtube videos
Livestreams
Unconfirmed content
Below is content that is hinted or rumoured, but not yet confirmed as part of S3-launch. This could appear before or after the start of season 3 as well.
- Audio improvements appear to be coming in S3 according to the Frosty Frontier Fest Livestream.
See also
References
- ↑ Feralus, Discord Message: "What exactly of it? The code part, yes absolutely." was stated in response to "If I had to guess the Frosty Frontier Fest was a systems test for S3 things. This is all wildly speculative though"
- ↑ Yager, thecycle.game website: "Events"