Once again I would like to thank every who has taken the time to play my early access game! I'm extremely grateful to everyone who has written a review or left me feedback about the game!

One of the most popular suggestions was to add multiplayer into the game. This is something I really wanted to work on personally but I had very zero experience with networking games. Since my previous game update at the beginning of February, I have spent the last month and a half working on adding multiplayer into the game. I decided to do this early on in the development process because with each and every feature that I add it would take more work down the line to backport into multiplayer. Now that I have the update ready in its beta form I will be getting back to adding more levels and features!

As a solo developer, with only one VR headset I'm at the point where I've done all the testing I can alone. Because this game is Early Access, I decided to release this update as is. This is the fastest way for me to gather feedback and bug reports. If you have any suggestions or run into any bugs please leave a post in the community thread.

Multiplayer is still very much in its alpha stage so you can expect bugs but overall everything is working as it should! There is still quite a lot of polish that needs to be done to this system and I hope to improve the experience in future patches!

This update is will be available as a Beta Branch for the next week. This will allow everyone to leave me feedback and report bugs. Once everything is ironed out I will switch this update to the default branch.

To access the Beta Branch -> Right Click on the game in your Steam library and click "Properties" from there click "Betas" and then select the "Multiplayer" from the beta list. Steam should automatically download this update. You will know found a lobby browser menu similar to the Leaderboard.

In its current state, this update is best suited for playing with your steam friends in a discord call.

1. First click "Create Lobby" -> You can pick if the lobby is either public or friends only.
   
2. After creation, your lobby will appear on the list. If its public, anyone can join up to 4 players. If private, you can use your Steam Friends List to invite your friends to join your lobby, or your friends join you.
   
3. Once you are ready, click "Start Host". This will then start the multiplayer server. After it syncs, you should then see everyone.
   
4. Each additional player in the game currently increased monster health by 10%.

• Selecting a level - > This will also sync the desired game mode.
  
• Quiting a level.
  
• Start a wave
  
• Purchase Talents - > All host talents are synced to each player.
  
• Modding Tools - If you have customized the game data via the included modding tools all of the host changes will sync with each user.

• Buy / Sell / Upgrade Towers

• NonVR Support - There is now unofficial support for NonVR users. This feature is still SUPER early access. If you start the game without a headset you will find a basic UI that allows you to interact with and play the whole game! It even supports multiplayer and playing with VR users. My goal is that eventually, I will have a full NonVR version of the game as well. The controls in this mode are very rough at the moment. Using the Bow, in particular, is very rough.

• After you finish a level on Multiplayer, every player will have that saved to their local game save. Each player will also unlock any achievements applicable.
  
• While anyone can join a server that has already started, I recommend that you start a lobby, allow players to join first, and then once ready click "Start Hosting". This will cut down on some bugs.
  
• Currently, there is a sporadic bug that will sometimes cause the selected Level not to spawn for non-hosts. This can be fixed by the host quitting the map and reselecting it.
  
• Nearly all errors in regards to multiplayer are handled and shouldn't crash the game. Errors will usually result in either the Host stopping the server or a non-host leaving the server. Players should be able to join again without requiring a game restart.

• Private/Friends Lobby Improvements -> Currently, the host can use the "Invite Friends" button to show an overlay, or either a host/client can join a friends-only lobby by using their Steam Friends list and either Invite or Join via an active friend.
  
• Lobby Management -> Currently, any player can join a public lobby. I plan to add a popup that lets a host decide if they will allow the player to join. I also plan to add the ability for a Host to kick a player from the lobby.
  
• Host Game Options -> Currently, the only change with multiplayer is that each additional player increases monster health by 10%. I plan to add a more robust options menu that will allow a host to customize the scaling of all monster stats, and tweak other game options.

• 3/18/21: Fixed an issue where host talents weren't properly syncing to clients in certain cases.
  
• 3/19/21: Fixed an issue where selecting quick-mode would crash the level and cause it to show 0 gold. There is also a new "Invite Friends" button to make it easier to add friends to your multiplayer game.
  
• 3/20/21: Fixed a multiplayer issue where starting a wave would sometimes cause two monsters to spawn at the same location. Fixed an issue where a non-host would shoot for 0 bow damage.

If you haven't already, please leave a review!

Link to game modding tools guide

https://steamproxy.net/steamstore/app/1322370/Uphold_The_Realm/

I've made great progress in regards to multiplayer. There are some visual bugs for a few things due to network position syncing, but it's mostly bug-free in regards to the internal code.

I haven't decided on it yet, but if you have any interest in having beta access to a private Multiplayer build leave a comment below. Performance seems to be fine on my end, but it might be helpful to have a range of computer configurations.

I've been testing the game out by running both a Server/Host Client with a 2nd Client on the same PC. Performance should still be just a solid as it was before.

In the previous post, I mentioned I was targeting this multiplayer patch to be released this week and that it would also accompany a Week-Long Sale @ 40% Off. I will most likely still have the patch ready this week, but since a Steam Week-Long Sale has to start on a Monday, I will probably push the update back to Monday 3/15/21.

Below is a list of the current progress. As is, the game is currently playable with up to 4 people.

EDIT: 3/15/21 1 PM EST - I'm working on the final polish of the update and it should be out later today and if not early tomorrow morning. I ran a Windows Update and it's completely broken my computer since this morning. The weeklong sale will be active today though. Thanks! Sorry for the delay.

Edit: 3/15/21 8:50 PM EST - I just now finally fixed my computer after the failed windows update from this morning. I'm going to start my final round of bug testing and hope to have the update out tomorrow evening. Once again I apologize for the delay!

Edit: 3/17/21 9:50 AM EST - The update will be out after I get home from work! I will create a new post with more information at that time.

• Players - Head and Arms Syncing
  
• Levels / Maps - Selecting & Quitting Maps. Game Mode Selection.
  
• Towers - Buy / Sell
  
• Monsters - Health / Position Syncing
  
• Floating Damage Text
  
• Gold Syncing
  
• Lobbys - You can hot join an existing game with ease with up to 4 players per lobby.
  
• Lobby UI
  
• Host vs Client Permissions

Link to Previous Multiplayer Development Roadmap
https://steamproxy.net/games/1322370/announcements/detail/3022449021141980512

Hello! I would like to thank everyone who has continued to leave me feedback and suggestions!

If you haven't already, please leave a review!

I had my wisdom teeth removed on Feb 8th and was out of commission for about two weeks. I wasn't able to get much work done or be as active in the community threads as I would have liked. But I'm happy to say I'm feeling better and started back on the next update!


If you haven't seen it already, check out the previous Development Roadmap!
https://steamproxy.net/games/1322370/announcements/detail/3019069421682253534

While I have a few of the below ideas already implemented, I would like to have the alpha build of multiplayer ready as well.


One of the most popular suggestions and something I would love to add.
I have begun rewriting the internal codebase to support multiplayer. I only have limited experience with Client / Server Architecture. This is my first attempt at a multiplayer game. There is still a lot of work left to do. Since this is an Early Access title, I will be releasing the alpha build as soon as I have a finished bare-bones implementation.

• Steamworks Multiplayer -> Multiplayer will be powered by Steam and will have full Steam Integration (Join Friends, Steam Lobbies).
  
• Party System -> Up to 4 players can join a lobby. With each additional player adding extra difficulty. I have yet to finalize this, but you can expect higher health monsters and longer waves.
  
• NO Voice Support -> This initial build will just include the party system. You can of course still play with other people that are online, but I imagine this would be more fun with friends in a Discord call for instance.

• Level 7 -> I have finished designing the map for Level 7. I just need to balance how long it will last. I received multiple suggestions that the levels were too long. Levels 4&5 took around ~30m. In the last update, I added Level 6 and I tried to cut down the time to ~20m, but it looks like the fastest leaderboard is around 23m. I will probably continue to target the 20-25m range for future levels. If you have any feedback on this let me know!
  
• Level 8 -> I have an idea for Level 8 and it will most likely be included as well.

• AOE Fire Ball -> In the previous roadmap I talked about adding room-scale abilities. In this update, you will be able to throw a fireball onto the map dealing AOE damage. It has a high cooldown and will only be useable a limited number of times per Level.

• Monster Plant -> In the previous update I added two new monsters(Wizard & Monster Plant). The Wizard was given a unique ability to freeze towers. With this next update, the monster plant will have a new unique ability to heal nearby monsters!

• Level Durations -> How do you feel about the current duration of levels? Should I continue with the targeted 20-25m duration?
  
• Level Monsters -> Should I add the two new monsters from the last patch to some of the previous levels? (Maybe Just Level 4)

This update contains some of the ideas from the Development Roadmap post. It also has includes a new level and many bug fixes and changes.

• Quick Mode - This new mode is identical to normal mode except that monsters spawn 20% faster.
  
• Added Level 6 - With new Achievement and Leaderboard.
  
• Wizard - This new monster appears on level 6. Towers do little damage making in a primary target of the player.
  
• Faresthest Arrow Shot - This new leaderboard tracks your farthest arrow shot.
  
• Game Speed / Time Scale Option - This new option found in the menu lets you switch the games speed from: 1x -> 1.25x -> 1.5x
  
  
• Status Effects / Damage over Time - Various Towers and Monsters now have abilities.
  Pyro Tower: Has a 10% chance to inflict burning. This lasts for 10 seconds and does 1-3 damage every 3 seconds.
  
  Poison Tower: Has a 20% chance to inflict poison. This lasts for 15 seconds and does 1 damage every 2 seconds.
  
  Artillery Tower: Has a 10% chance to stun monsters in place. This lasts for 5 seconds.
  
  Wizard (Appears on Level 6): Upon seeing a tower it has a 25% chance it will stun a tower for 6 seconds. This causes the tower to be unable to shoot. The wizard will then be unable to do this again for 15 seconds.

• Towers now always show their range when selected even if at max upgrade.
  
• Reworked Arrow Distance Multiplier. Should be much more accurate.
  
• Increased short arrow shot damage penalty multiplier from -20% to -35%
  
• Smooth Locomotion will now automatically adjust for terrain height.
  
• Added Level Mode descriptions to the Level Info popup to more clearly explain the difference
  
• Changed Arrow Long Range hit colors to be slightly more purple.
  
• Increased Leaderboard size to show 7 entries.
  
• Added Entry County to the leaderboard.
  
• Slightly moved the level 6 button.

• Normal Mode - Monsters spawn 5% faster.
  
• Hard Mode - Monsters Spawn 20% faster and Monsters have 10% more health.

• Each new Status Effect has an accompanying particle effect that will appear on the target
  
• New Pyro Tower target hit effect.
  
• New Artillery Tower target hit effect.
  
• New Monster Portal Open / Close effect.

• Pyro Tower Level 1 damaged range reduced to 12-24 from 15-25.
  
• Poison Tower Level 1 range increased to 4 from 3.6
  
• Poison Tower Level 2 range increased to 4.4 from 4
  
• Poison Tower Level 3 range increased to 4.8 from 4.4

• Fixed a bug where the leaderboard would report that you have no rank if you're in the top 10.
  
• Fixed a bug with the leaderboard not displaying properly if you have no rank for a level completion time.
  
• Fixed a bug where the tower range circle would still show if you selected a tower then quit / lost on a level
  
• Fixed a bug where damage multiplier colors were not properly displayed.
  
• Fixed a bug where achievements wouldn't unlock if you had already beaten the level before the achievement was created.
  
• Fixed an issue where if you were using Smooth Locomotion you could float above non-flat terrain on some maps.

• Fixed various bugs that occurred when changing monster data.
  
• Fixed a bug that occurred when deleting monsters from a wave.

I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to play my early access game so far!

If you haven't already, please leave a review.

Early feedback has been phenomenal! I'm honestly surprised how well people seem to like the concept of the game. I appreciate everyone who took the extra time to leave me feedback. I continue to read every comment and encourage anyone who has feedback or ideas to make a community post.

With the latest Leaderboards Update - I have finished implementing the last of the core ideas I wanted to have in the game. Now that everything is implemented in its base form I can switch back to improving and developing new content.

I have taken all of the future concepts/ideas I originally had and combined them with everything the community has suggested so far. I tried my best to include everything but I did prune some suggestions that either: didn't fit the current theme of the game, would have required substantial game engine changes, or ideas that I thought could work but would most likely be added in a future patch after some of the ideas on this list were implemented.

A majority of these ideas I plan to be introduced into the game at some point. This post is for the community to decide what should be given priority.

Please leave a comment with what you would like to see implemented first! If you have a question or a suggestion about one of the ideas below please leave a comment!

• Room Scale Abilities: Cast spells while you overlook the map table. For instance, you could throw a fireball onto the map dealing AOE damage. This would have a high cooldown of either a certain amount of time or maybe it could only be cast once every X wave depending on the level.
  
  
• Room Scale Traps: Add the ability to buy placeable traps for gold that decay over time. These traps would be reliant on implementing the new DOTs system. Traps would either decay base on a timer or the number of monsters that interacted with it.
  Spike Trap: This trap would deal a small amount of damage to each enemy that walked over it.
  Slime / Oil Trap: This trap would cause any monster that walked over it to have reduced speed.
  
  
• New Arrow Types: There are three optional new arrow types. Each type would be limited in quantity. They will either have to be bought for gold, or a small amount would be given depending on the level.
  Fire Arrow: When a monster is hit it will do a Fire-based DOT.
  Ice Arrow: When a monster is hit it will cause a slowing effect.
  Bomb Arrow: When a monster is hit it will do AOE damage.

• New Monsters: I have two unique monster designs each with a special ability.
  
  Wizard: It would have stats slightly above the orc with high armour and high elemental attribute immunity(DOTs). Its special ability would be to occasionally freeze towers that it passed making them unable to attack. This would make it a major focus of the player. Its high armour value would make it only weak to the player's arrows.
  
  Monster Plant: I haven't decided on the stats but it would either be (Fast moving with weak stats or Very Slow with High Stats). Its special ability would be a semi-long range attack that targets the Player and causes them to either -
  1. Move / Teleport around much slower, maybe 30-50%. It might just freeze the player in place for X amount of time.
  2. Makes the Player unable to fire the Bow, or makes them unable to fire the bow faster than X per second.
  
  Both effects would be temporary. Please let me know which one you would prefer!
  
  
• Variety Group Spawns: Currently, the game is designed in such a way that each spawned group of monsters can only be of one monster type and can range from 1 to 3 monsters. I could rework the code to allow for a group to contain any variety of 3 monsters. For instance, instead of a group of three slimes, it could spawn 1 Orc in the front with two slimes on the side. It would add a bit of priority to what the player kills.
  
  I could also change it so that a group doesn't have to be limited to a size of 1-3. It could be extended to a cap of 5-6. This would require some balance changes, it would probably be a mechanic of new levels.

• Damage Over Time effects: To add another layer of strategy into the game I could implement DOTs into various aspects of the game. For instance, the Poison tower could be given a DOT effect that causes the monsters it hits to take a small amount of poison damage over time. Implementing this would also allow for things such as an Ice Arrow to slow the monster that was hit.
  Potential DOTs include - Fire, Poison, Stun, and Slowing effects.
  With this implemented each monster would be given Elemental attributes that determine the effectiveness of each effect.
  
  
• Fast Forward Button: I've had a few suggestions that the wave spawns are slow and can get a bit boring. I could implement the ability to speed up the waves. I'm not sure where I would implement this in the GUI. It might be a button you would have to hold on your controller and it would cause the waves to move 1.25x speed. It might also work being added to the edge of the map table. And you could click three different buttons for speed ranging from 1x, 1.25x, 1.5x. If you have a suggestion for this let me know.
  
  This could be due to the fact that the default 5-second group spawn timer is too slow. I could reduce this down to 4 seconds and it would speed up the whole game but might make it feel a bit rushed depending on the individual's playstyle.

• New Towers & Abilities: Along with adding DOTs to the Fire/Poison tower, I have two new potential towers with unique abilities. I would have to redesign my current tower popup to allow for more than 4 choices.
  
  Electric Tower: This tower would do low damage chain lighting attacks. Bouncing to each enemy nearby doing some percentage less damage each time.
  
  Slowing Tower: This tower would have a slow fire rate but would cast a Slowing DOT on the monster it was hit.
  
  
• Tower Target Priority: I could implement a setting that allows the user to pick what target towers should go after. Currently, they target the first monster that enters its range. I'm not sure if I would make this a universal option, or if I would add a setting for each tower. I could add the below options.
  
  First: This would be the existing option. Towers would target the first enemy that it enters its range.
  Weakest: After killing the first target, it would then find the lowest hp monster in its range and target that one.
  Strongest: Similiar to Weakest, it would target the highest HP monster it can find.

• Endless Mode Map: Want to see how long you can survive and compete on the leaderboards? I could create a new map designed with Endless Mode in mind. It would feature extra tower slots and have an infinite number of waves. Each wave would be slightly tougher than the last and would include all available monsters.
  
  
• Bonus / Objective Based Maps: Add optional maps between some existing maps. Each map would have some sort of restriction on playstyle or unique waves. For instance, one restriction might only let you build 1 type of tower. Another might not let you use any towers at all.
  
  
• Archery Practice Map: Create a new map with the sole purpose of practicing your archery. It would feature a variety of targets at different distances.
  
  
• Wave Countdown Timers: Currently the player has to start each wave. I've received many suggestions that I implemented wave countdown timers. I could add in a mechanic that makes certain waves spawn after X amount of seconds. Calling waves early would reward the player with a small amount of gold. This wouldn't be added to every wave, especially the first level or two. It would be a mechanic of the higher levels and some of these higher levels would be based around a limited time to get prepare.
  
  
• Variable Player Scaling On Maps: Currently, maps have a fixed scaling ratio. When the player is shrunk onto the map they are 1/16th of the size. This causes a soft cap on level design as there is only so much space for monster paths and tower slots. This would require a good deal of internal rework but would allow for much "larger" maps for the player to explore and would allow for much more variety with monster paths.
  
  
• Just more levels: I have plans to add at least one level already with whatever is decided on in this patch but if you would like to forgo new features and instead get 2-3 new levels let me know. I will note that if this is done first, I will have still have to revisit the new levels and olds ones in order to add and balance new features. This will slow down that future patch.

• Monster Guide / Stat Book: Implement a menu that shows each monster you have encountered and its stats(Health, Armour, Speed, Group Size). It could also show the monsters different hit zones after you have discovered them. (Shooting the slime's eye does critical damage. The orc is protected where its shoulder pad is). This would mainly be helpful if DOTs are implemented as it would show the monster's elemental attributes.
  
  
• Sound Design: Add more sounds into the game.

• Cloud Game Saves: Make all game data and config settings save via Steam Cloud.

• Point-Based Upgrade System: I have gotten feedback that players would like to more actively manage and upgrade their towers. I could create a system where you are given points throughout a level. You could spend these points on the different tower stats and they would provide a minor percentage base increase to the chosen stat.
  These points would either be just for an individual level or they could be given at the end of the stage along with talent points. If given at the end of a stage, the points would be permanent.
  
  This might not be needed if I instead just rework the existing talents.

• Track your skill with the new leaderboards! There is currently a leaderboard for the fastest completion time for each level. There is also a leaderboard for the total number of monsters you have personally killed with your bow.
  This is still an early attempt. If you notice any bugs please let me know asap.

• Achievements are now retroactive as long as you still have your saved data. Just relaunch the game and you should be given them.
  
• Added a slider for adjusting the Snap Rotation Delay.
  
• The tabs in the settings menu now change color when hovering to help indicate where you touching.
  
• The level info popup now shows a different color for the stars earned for a hard mode level.

• Fixed an issue where some achievements weren't properly being tracked.

• The monster kills leaderboard wasn't properly tracking. This has been fixed.

I'm still finishing work on a "Farthest Arrow Shot" leaderboard. Should be ready sometime this week.
If you have any ideas for new leaderboards please leave a comment!

Adding Achievements and Leaderboards was the last of my to-do list.

If you haven't already, please take a look at the development roadmap! If you have any feedback drop a comment in that thread!
I will be making another post very soon with a list of all the outstanding ideas/concepts and encourage anyone to comment in that post with what they would like to see implemented first.

If you haven't already, please take a look at the development roadmap! If you have any feedback drop a comment in that thread!

I will be making another post soon with a list of all the outstanding ideas/concepts and encourage anyone to comment in that post with what they would like to see implemented first.

In-game Leaderboards are in development and will be released soon!

Edit: Currently these new achievements aren't retroactive. I should be able to make these retroactive in a future patch as long as you still have your saved data.
All achievements are now retroactive via the patch on 1/26/21

• Added an achievement for completing each individual level
  
• Added an achievement for earning 3 stars on any single level
  
• Added an achievement for earning 3 stars on ALL available levels.
  
• Added an achievement for completing any level on Hard Mode

• The Level Info Popup now shows how many waves are in the level.

• Fixed a bug where you could purchase the same talent multiple times.

These last few updates have all been about addressing the early feedback I have gotten since the launch of the early access build on 1/16/21. Ranging from quality of life improvements, new mechanics, and bug fixes.

With this latest patch, I've squashed the last few remaining bugs and implemented all of the biggest suggestions so far.

If you haven't already, please take a look at the development roadmap! If you have any feedback drop a comment in that thread!

I will be making another post soon with a list of all the outstanding ideas/concepts and encourage anyone to comment in that post with what they would like to see implemented first.

• Added an option in the settings to auto equip the bow when teleporting to the map.
  
• Added an option to hide empty tower slots while on the map.
  
• Added an option to show the current wave along with the existing arrow combo counter.
  
• Added an option for turning on/off the controller vibrations while using the bow.

• The settings menu code was rewritten to allow for easier additions to this menu.
  All existing settings will be reset back to defaults. I apologize for the inconvenience.

• Fixed an occasional bug that allowed you to start an empty wave after completing or failing a Level.

• While teleporting on elevated terrain(such as in Level 3) you can walk around the teleport area and float above the ground. I'm working on a patch to make the player position automatically adjust to the height of the terrain underneath them.