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Changelog

Release notes for Echoes of Esker.

v0.12.3
2026-05-07
Echoes of Esker is now available on macOS for the first time. This patch also improves ground-targeted casting feedback and makes local AI setup smarter across supported hardware.
  • Added the first macOS build for players.
  • Ground-targeted spells now give clearer feedback while choosing an area.
  • Combat HUD spell slots now better reflect when ground targeting is active.
  • Local AI recommendations now consider graphics card details for better model suggestions.
  • Improved startup reliability for bundled local AI components, especially on macOS.
v0.12.2
2026-05-05
This patch improves NPC conversations, model selection, and controller/menu behavior while making combat information clearer. It also refreshes the recommended local AI model lineup and improves spell presentation in the Grimoire.
  • Improved NPC dialogue responses and player reply options across a wider range of local AI models.
  • Added smarter NPC brain recommendations based on your hardware, with clearer model tiers and download progress.
  • Updated the recommended model lineup, including a stronger small-model option and refreshed choices across most tiers.
  • Added richer spell descriptions and tooltips so damage, scaling, cooldowns, and range are easier to compare.
  • Extended several spell ranges to better support long-range caster builds.
  • Improved controller and keyboard menu flow, including consistent Escape/B behavior, a P pause shortcut, and cursor hiding when using a controller.
  • Fixed shutdown cleanup for NPC dialogue so closing the game is cleaner.
v0.12.1
2026-04-23
This patch increases the importance of weapons by tying your primary attack to what you have equipped, which changes how spell loadouts and builds come together. It also improves controller menu navigation and makes older saves more reliable to carry forward.
  • Added weapon-linked primary attacks, so Slot 1 now changes with your equipped weapon.
  • Added a dedicated wand auto-attack to give wands their own feel in combat.
  • Updated the Spells tab so Slot 1 is clearly marked as weapon-controlled and auto-attacks no longer appear as assignable spells.
  • Improved controller navigation with shoulder-button tab hints in menus like the Grimoire and Settings screens.
  • Improved save migration for older files so existing progress is more likely to carry forward after this update.
  • Hardened save loading against outdated world, loot, and progression data to reduce failed or broken restores.
v0.12.0
2026-04-20
This update adds the first full loot and inventory pass, with visible item drops and a dedicated Satchel tab for managing gear. It also improves save safety, input handling, and menu behavior across keyboard, mouse, and controller play.
  • Added loot drops with visible pickups for gear, materials, and gold.
  • Added the Satchel tab to the Grimoire so you can review and manage the items you collect.
  • Added new item models and inventory icons for weapons, shields, helms, and magical off-hands.
  • Added loot variation and item rarities so tougher enemies can drop better gear and larger payouts.
  • Improved pickup targeting, interaction prompts, and nearby loot selection so grabbing the right item feels more reliable.
  • Improved UI scaling and controller navigation across the Grimoire and Satchel, especially at very large interface sizes.
  • Fixed input and menu edge cases, including stuck guidance popups, hotkeys stealing typed text, and controller remapping after returning to single-player.
  • Improved save reliability so interrupted saves are less likely to corrupt progress.
v0.11.2
2026-03-29
This update adds tougher enemy variants to the world and introduces a new ground-targeted casting option. It also improves combat readability, menu flow, and a few moment-to-moment gameplay edge cases.
  • Added elite and champion enemies to encounters.
  • Added ground-targeted casting for Molten Rune.
  • Updated target rings so enemy threat is easier to read at a glance.
  • Improved close-range target selection during combat.
  • Improved controller spell prompts and Back/Escape menu behavior.
  • Fixed paused gameplay visuals so combat effects stop more cleanly.
v0.11.1
2026-03-25
This patch sharpens combat readability and control, with a more forgiving targeting flow, clearer target information, and better moment-to-moment feedback. It also updates trait progression pacing and trims down enemy durability so fights move faster.
  • Added soft target assist so nearby enemies can be previewed and highlighted before you fully lock onto them.
  • Added new targeting options in the settings menu, including auto-locking targets when you cast and when auto-attack kicks in.
  • Expanded the combat HUD with a dedicated target card that shows the current enemy's name, level, health, and targeting hints.
  • Added spellcasting presentation on the player character so casts read more clearly in motion.
  • Improved combat and interaction failure messages so blocked actions explain what went wrong more clearly.
  • Updated trait progression so deeper rings unlock based on points spent, with new tier progress shown directly on the Traits screen.
  • Rebalanced enemy health to make regular encounters quicker to finish.
  • Improved controller play by hiding the mouse cursor while using a gamepad and restoring it when you return to mouse input.
v0.11.0
2026-03-21
This update introduces the first major guardian fight, a rebuilt trait screen, and more control over combat targeting and display settings. It also improves enemy reset behavior, projectile interactions, and spell presentation across battles.
  • Added the Ring One Guardian encounter at the first gate, with the objective now surfaced in the info panel.
  • Added manual combat target selection with target cycling, clearer on-screen indicators, and improved target persistence.
  • Rebuilt the Traits screen into a radial skill tree with icons, better labels, and smarter tooltip placement.
  • Expanded settings with display mode options plus brightness, contrast, and saturation controls.
  • Added a collapsible info panel so guidance can stay visible without taking over the screen.
  • Improved enemy leash behavior so foes reset more cleanly, return home faster, and recover while out of combat.
  • Improved projectile behavior after dodges and let homing attacks continue past other enemies instead of fizzling early.
  • Added new spell and boss attack visuals, including a cone attack telegraph and upgraded fire projectile effects.
v0.10.1
2026-03-13
This update improves progression clarity and moment-to-moment controls, with better guidance as you level and cleaner skill management. It also sharpens combat feedback and smooths several local co-op and input edge cases.
  • Reworked trait progression and skill-tree layout for clearer upgrade paths and more intuitive planning.
  • Added in-game guidance popups and improved level-up messaging to better explain next steps while playing.
  • Improved damage readouts so spell hits now display full dealt damage more consistently.
  • Added keyboard camera rotation controls for easier play when using trackpads.
  • Improved local co-op input routing and hotkey display reliability, including second-player binding visibility fixes.
  • Fixed tap-vs-hold input behavior to prevent accidental quick actions at the start of held inputs.
  • Adjusted ring gate generation to reduce back-to-back gate placement patterns.
v0.10.0
2026-03-05
This release delivers a major combat and presentation upgrade, with a rebuilt spell system and much richer audio/visual feedback across battles and exploration. It also improves co-op camera behavior, controls, and settings for a smoother play experience.
  • Reworked spellcasting with more flexible targeting, projectile behavior, and effect combinations for more responsive combat.
  • Improved dodge and projectile interactions, including clearer mitigation feedback and better area-effect tracking during casts.
  • Added new enemy variants with expanded ranged animations and smoother movement/attack behavior.
  • Upgraded spell visuals with new projectile, impact, and telegraph effects, plus improved ring terrain and obstacle presentation.
  • Expanded game audio with exploration/combat music, new spell and UI sound effects, and cleaner local co-op audio mixing.
  • Expanded options with a dedicated settings menu, UI scale controls, and controller camera zoom support.
  • Fixed multiple local co-op edge cases affecting camera collisions, split layout readability, and player input/menu interactions.
  • Saves from older builds before this update are no longer compatible.
v0.9.2
2026-02-20
This update expands combat flow with auto attack and level-based skill unlocks, while adding new in-game player options. It also improves cast interruption behavior, rebalances spell pacing, and fixes progression and input edge cases.
  • Added auto attack for your primary attack while engaged in combat.
  • Added level-based unlocks for core combat skills: Auto Attack at Level 2, Dodge at Level 3, and Sprint at Level 5.
  • Added a new Grimoire settings tab with toggles for Auto Attack and skill cooldown timer visibility.
  • Improved cast interruption rules: switching spells can now interrupt eligible casts, and dodging now cancels in-progress casts instead of letting them complete.
  • Updated projectile timing so casted projectiles launch when the cast finishes, improving visual sync.
  • Rebalanced several spell cooldowns to reduce spam and put more emphasis on movement and positioning.
  • Fixed XP gain rounding and a menu-close input issue that could trigger an accidental dodge.
v0.9.1
2026-02-19
This patch improves local co-op input reliability and cleans up several interface rough edges. It also fixes model download progress so large files report correctly from start to finish.
  • Fixed a co-op issue where one player's open menus could block the other player's dodge and combat inputs.
  • Improved controller assignment in local co-op so each connected gamepad is routed to the correct player more consistently.
  • Updated on-screen input prompts so each player's HUD responds to their own active device instead of cross-triggering.
  • Improved controller label detection and button naming for PlayStation and generic pads for clearer prompts.
  • Fixed model download progress so very large files no longer reset to 0% partway through.
  • Polished Grimoire tab layout with better spacing and margins for improved readability.
v0.9.0
2026-02-18
This release adds a full progression layer with traits, spell loadouts, and waypoint-based exploration tools. It also introduces save slots, stronger co-op combat scaling, and broad controller and UI improvements.
  • Added persistent save/load with multiple save slots so runs can be resumed later.
  • Introduced waypoints and a new in-game Grimoire with dedicated tabs for traits, spells, and discovered waypoints.
  • Added trait progression that now directly affects combat stats and spell behavior.
  • Added spell loadout management and auto-fills empty hotbar slots with newly unlocked spells.
  • Expanded combat with crowd-control slows, player death handling, and clearer enemy health feedback.
  • Rebalanced encounters with party-size enemy scaling, zone-based spawn difficulty, and lower mage damage.
  • Improved controller support across menus, including full Grimoire navigation and late controller connect handling.
v0.8.0
2026-02-12
This update introduces local co-op play, a major visual upgrade for residents, and richer conversations during interactions. It also improves combat readability and resolves several UI and input edge cases.
  • Added local co-op support with split-screen session handling for two players.
  • Residents now use distinct character models, plus accessories and expanded animation sets.
  • Interacting characters now turn to face the active player, and enemies better track the nearest player in co-op.
  • Dialogue has improved context and can now present response options during conversations.
  • Improved projectile spawn/impact placement for clearer combat feedback.
  • Fixed notification routing so player one receives the correct on-screen messages.
  • Fixed multiple input issues, including accidental movement or dodging while navigating menus.
v0.7.1
2026-02-05
This patch focuses on combat clarity and stability, with persistent enemy defeats and more readable hit feedback. It also includes small spell balance adjustments and a safer NPC brain startup.
  • Damage numbers are larger and clearer, with stronger outlines and better placement.
  • Enemies you defeat now stay dead when you leave and return to an area.
  • NPC dialogue brains now start safely on first launch, even if a model isn't ready yet.
  • World transitions are more stable; the simulation pauses cleanly when gameplay isn't active.
  • Spell balance tweaks: Firebolt max damage reduced slightly, Void Lance cooldown increased, and Claw Swipe/Molten Rune damage boosted.
v0.7.0
2026-02-04
Combat has been expanded with stamina-driven movement, new spell targeting options, and more responsive enemies. The UI now makes spellcasting and combat feedback clearer at a glance.
  • Added stamina-based sprinting and a dodge roll for sharper positioning.
  • Expanded spellcasting with new spells, damage-over-time effects, and multiple area shapes.
  • Added ground telegraphs and improved impact visuals for area effects.
  • Made the spell bar clickable and introduced a full set of spell icons.
  • Enemies now aggro when hit and feature improved movement and attack animations.
  • Improved combat HUD feedback, including clearer health and damage readouts.
  • Fixed Esc not closing NPC interactions.
  • Fixed a scene reload issue when returning to the main menu.
v0.6.0
2026-02-01
Enemy encounters and progression arrive with procedural spawns, experience tracking, and clearer combat readouts. Controller support and new menus make sessions easier to navigate.
  • Added procedurally spawned enemies with distinct types and spawn rules.
  • Introduced player experience and enemy levels, shown on the health bar.
  • Replaced the placeholder enemy model with a full skeleton character and animations.
  • Added a pause menu for in-game options.
  • Added basic controller support with on-screen input labeling.
  • Improved combat HUD feedback and interaction prompts.
  • Refined ring terrain visuals with new textures.
  • Improved the download portal with a refreshed theme and easier archive access.
v0.5.0
2026-01-28
This update expands procedural exploration with ring-based generation and smoother streaming around the player. Simulation math now uses fixed-point values for steadier outcomes.
  • Added ring-based procedural world generation.
  • Streamed terrain chunks around the player for smoother exploration.
  • Switched simulation and procgen math to fixed-point for more consistent outcomes.
  • Press Esc to cancel NPC interactions.
  • Added Vulkan backend support for Noema to improve GPU compatibility.
  • Refreshed branding and build metadata for the game.
v0.4.0
2026-01-23
Combat arrives with new UI, health feedback, and the first spellcasting options. The simulation now produces more consistent outcomes as systems expand.
  • Introduced core combat mechanics and targeting.
  • Added health bars for combatants.
  • Added the flame burst spell.
  • Made spells data-driven for faster iteration and expansion.
  • Added combat and information UI panels.
v0.3.0
2026-01-21
Upgraded the player presentation with a proper model, animation, and improved scene organization.
  • Replaced the player capsule with a full model.
  • Added animations to the player rig.
  • Added outfit and hair meshes for the player.
  • Improved node references and reorganized scene files.
  • Added a textured ground surface.
v0.2.0
2026-01-19
Expanded NPC interaction systems with a new runtime layer, streaming responses, and improved model downloads.
  • Introduced the impure runtime layer for ticks, IO, and scheduling.
  • Added deterministic interaction input frames and timeouts.
  • Added dialog input and conversation history.
  • Enabled streaming LLM responses.
  • Improved model download flow and signed URL support.
  • Added a default model refresh and reduced emotes.
  • Showed a loading message while the llama server starts.
  • Extracted Noema process management into its own class.
v0.1.0
2026-01-14
Initial prototype with core simulation, Godot integration, NPC interactions, and export tooling.
  • Scaffolded the simulation core with tests and deterministic movement.
  • Added Godot project scaffolding, camera movement, and player control.
  • Added NPCs, interactions, and basic LLM integration.
  • Moved world data to files and added map chunking.
  • Bundled llama-server and added game export support.
  • Built a minimal website scaffold with auth wiring.
  • Added initial design docs and ADRs.