As it includes multiple new features and the launch of the new tutorial server, the update process might take longer than usual. The servers will go down at around 16:00 CET on that day and will be unavailable for a few hours.
While the update will ship all new features onto the live servers at once, not all of them will be available instantly. We need some time to set up and verify the new portals and the new tutorial server, and might even have to delay their launch a bit if something unexpected happens during testing.
Everything else will be available right after the servers come back up however. We are doing it this way to keep the server downtime for you as low as possible.
Below you can find a preview of some of the biggest changes. The linked topics are test server announcements or feedback threads, so don't take them as final. We are still tweaking things according to your feedback, and will continue to do so after release. The full patch notes will only be available on launch day.
New tutorial server: "Guidance"
We are launching a new server aimed at new players together with this update. It has some special features and restrictions, and should make learning how to play Wurm a lot easier.
It will feature a new quest system and some other special changes such as no deeds, a skill limit of 30, no strong dangerous creatures or infinite newbie buffs.
Please check out its announcement post for more details: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1179680/view/5998312279131303318
New portal system
We are finally linking Southern Freedom Isles and Norther Freedom Isles together through a portal system, allowing you to play with any of your characters on any server, including the new tutorial server.
While there are some restrictions for item transfers and such between some clusters, you'll finally be able to move your character to any server.
Please check out its announcement post for more details: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1179680/view/5998312279131231252
Rework of the action system
The whole action system has been reworked, and a few changes to existing features were made.
Your action queue will be visible in the user interface now, the way toolbelts work was changed and a quick bar was added to the UI. You'll also be able to set default action behaviours for specific item combinations and keybinds for almost any action. For more details about these changes, please check out the public testing announcement of this feature: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1179680/view/4196868529812485777
Client renderer improvements
The client received some major rendering changes, which are available on the test server for a while already.
New features include a new terrain renderer with terrain tessellation, better lighting and environment reflections, eye adaptation, improved compatibility for MacOS and a better rendering performance in general.
Fore more details about these changes, please check out the public testing announcement of this feature: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1179680/view/4156338308018336474
