Somewhat of a combined thread, but I'd just like it to be known that regarding the previously raised issue of travel time to and from Master Li's tasks we hope to release the Warp Ring some time over the new few weeks or more.
The Warp Ring will work differently to how it has in the past both pre and post NPC-Server.
Once obtained you will be able to set a warp location where you encounter a certain type of statue in game. These will be located at strategic locations such as Master Li's and Graal City castle. So while you're tackling the Master Li tasks you'll be able to near instantly warp to the ninja encampment.
Eventually you'll encounter other statues where if used will set your warp location to them.
As for how we plan to release the Warp Ring, we're making a side-task albeit fairly simple that will be possible to complete at any time after obtaining the shield within the ninja trial.
The technique required to complete this will be using the shield to deflect projectiles (not reflect, this will be level 2 shield and above).
For this, we have scripted and implemented a fully custom projectile system where in the past the built-in shoot function had been used.
On-top of salvaging old features such as deflections and arrows lighting on fire, this will enable us to make alot of technical and visible improvements.
Here is a preview video showing projectile effects we've had prepared for a while combined with the new system where arrow deflection is occuring:
These are some of the new effects Thor showed me earlier, it looks very well planned out and professional, this will certainly give a good impression to new players that visit the server.
I mean the effect he saw on UN for the special event. Don't think you can have something removed from UN that was used one time over a month ago?
All it is is a rotation and zoom on an image using the particle engine for the version seen on UN.
This is obviously under the assumption that it is exactly the same and not just something else that looks similar, which admittedly I wouldn't know for sure.
This effect however does have multiple images of the singular explosion and a particular lighting, so it should be distinguishable to an extent.
Is there something "wrong" with it?
Is rotation seen as generic?
Is it because it's not the same as the original?
It may not be up to a developers tastes where ofcourse things can be bettered but nevertheless it's something players have been impressed with and haven't critiqued.