-LOCKED - Community Update #88!
Posted on 2020-11-13 16:06:42

Community Update
As we mentioned before, aside from event news and the 2nd Friday of the month being focused on coding/art updates all at once, all other Fridays are centered around the community!

SEPARATION

Official Lioden Raffle


LINK - This is our Official Lioden Raffle. Everyone gets a chance to win a rare prize, plus something extra for any runner ups. These raffles have a very minimal ticket price, and there is a limit of 1 ticket per account to make it fair! Good luck!
This raffle will automatically end on 2020-11-20 00:00:00.


SEPARATION

A Look into Lioden's Revamp


Within the development update for October 2020, we announced that Lioden is going to be recoded and revamped. We're laying down the blueprints for every step of how Lioden's code will be reworked. We want all of you, the community, in on this—so we've prepared a bit of a "slideshow" explaining our recode process. You can review the slideshow below (the images have been annotated for anyone that may not be able to view images). We'll be providing more details in future as the recode process moves along, and we'll be giving you all live updates as things progress.

Lioden Revamp: A look at the road ahead.

Where we are: Lioden's current code is outdated and inefficient.  Many of Lioden's features could be streamlined for user experience (UX).  The design of the site is outdated and not well-optimised for mobile.  Continuing to maintain a scattered and outdated code base is time-consuming and lowers overall productivity.

Where we want to be: Complete refactoring of Lioden's code base and back-end systems.  Brand new mobile-optimised web design.  New logo and branding.  Pre-planned overhaul of Explore system and encounters.  Visual overhaul and recode of Hunting system, keeping the same reward structure in place.

Refactoring versus Recoding versus Overhauling.  What do we mean when we say these?  Refactoring: the process of taking existing code and improving it, without any change in functionality.  Recoding: re-writing existing code to be more optimised or to work in a different way, and may result in changing how some functionality works.  Overhauling: fresh code working from the ground up with the intention to change how functionality works.

How we're going to get there: We plan to cease coding for any monthly big updates and focus on the refactoring and recoding.  We will continue to maintain and update the monthly events.  Much of the art for the explore overhaul is already completed so art updates can continue on Lioden.  As with Wolvden, we will not be projecting a completion date until we are very close to completion - though as this is a refactor/recode, we anticipate it will be quicker to complete than a new game.

Workload Approximations.  1) Server Setup: We expect the server setup to be a quick part of the process.  2) New Layout: New layout involves reconfiguring every single page in the game with the new styling.  3) Refactoring Code: This is the meatiest chunk of the process - refactoring every single feature in the game will take time.  4) Overhauling Systems: There are very few systems we want to overhaul with the exception of Explore—this will take a bit of time.  5) Testing Phase: We would like to have a short testing phase before we launch to make sure everything is working as intended.

Further Clarification: The overall challenge of the game is not changing. Hunting results are expected to remain the same as they are now, just with a different visuals.  The main feature changing will be explore, with encounter rewrites and balancing. This has been planned for a while. There will be no major functionality change, it will still be the same method to explore as now.  The biggest change visible to players will be the new layout, which will be more modern and run better in both browser and mobile devices.  No lions, accounts, items or other will be lost during this.  Lioden as it currently is will not be paused or shut down. As we get close to completion, we will communicate this and schedule a maintenance session to move everything over. Nobody will have to sign up again and everyone will be able to login the same as before once we are complete.

As a final note... We love you, Lioden!  Thanks for sticking with us and supporting us, and we hope you'll be just as excited as we are to see the site get updated to a more modern, slicker system. ♥



SEPARATION

Raffle Lioness


Congrats Vulture (#168498)! You have won last week's Hellebore lady, woo!
A new Ruffian lady with Feline 3 Black, Saffron Lace, and the fourth Shores of Burundi background is up for impressing in the Special Lioness area linked here!

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Tags!
Shad has added 32 new tags this month in the Arcane, Breeding, Miscellaneous ➜ Lions, Miscellaneous ➜ NPCs, and November categories!

Note: Some older tags in the November category have been redone. If you were using any of these old tags, you will have to set your tag again!

Poll Results - Sangoma Tefnut definitely appears to be the majority favourite. Now, would that be because her quests might be easier, or is that Tefnut x Tefnut encounter pulling some extra love her way?

NEW POLL - What would YOU like to see for the new December encounters? All of these options are so great, how could anyone choose?! Let us know your preference by voting for your favourite!


SEPARATION


Next Development Update: December 11th!

Friday goofy doodle comic:


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Fairy | Dirty | 6M (#62615)

Blessed
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Posted on
2020-11-13 18:46:18
a revamp? I can’t wait to see that! :D



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Spectre [CLEAN
Pastel Festive] (#8762)


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Posted on
2020-11-13 18:47:57
Seconding the Tiger King reference, show's a hack and so is Joe. Better to not reference him at all in a positive light imo.

That aside I'm curious about the revamp of the site. I doubt it will be a carbon copy of wolvden though. Things can be revamped but still have its own character. And things can also achieve the same result via different ways as well. I highly doubt they'll be "turning it into wolvden" or anything.



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Edited on 13/11/20 @ 18:48:53 by Spectre [CLEAN Pastel Festive] (#8762)

Bronzewing
[Storymode] (#213942)

Demonic
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Posted on
2020-11-13 18:48:40
Nice! And all of those December ideas look so good...



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Pooping Around Xmas
Tree (#186130)

Confused
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Posted on
2020-11-13 18:53:12
Sound both nice and scary,tbh .

Why scary ? Because I'm afraid that they make Lioden as difficult as Wolvden,cause nobody want hunts who fails everytime,illness that can be devastating for new players and the overall much more complex mechanics of Wolvden,'cause I'm a pretty young Wolvden player who struggle a lot because of much more difficult this game is,compared to Lioden .

Wolvden is like a Dark Souls,compared to Big Brother Lioden,and I don't want Lioden to become like that .

Change my mind .


Admin Response:
Please review the October development update we linked, as well as the actual images presented. We have not stated anywhere on Lioden that we are bringing over the illness/HP system, the only things receiving an overhaul are Explore and Hunting—and Hunting is going to remain largely the same, it's not going to become more difficult.


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Edited on 13/11/20 @ 18:54:35 by King Upendo,The Grumpy (#186130)

Bloodiath (#141219)

Cursed
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Posted on
2020-11-13 18:53:34
I like the idea of new explore features but... I really hope the HP system from Wolvden isn't used. It's so tedious to have to constantly spend time trying to heal to level and just... makes me not want to explore or battle =/

edit: Thats good to hear! I considered in-explore battling and HP loss to be "part of explore" which is why I brought it up. But it's good to know it's considered separate and will not be changed.


Admin Response:
We are not bringing over the HP system, please review the October development update and the images presented in this news post. Only Explore and Hunting are getting an overhaul!


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Edited on 13/11/20 @ 19:04:36 by Bloodiath (#141219)

Eldritch g1 rl clone
(they/she (#211139)

Sapphic
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Posted on
2020-11-13 18:57:55
i agree. it is kinda annoying



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KenazRavenTooth (#61874)

Lionnister
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Posted on
2020-11-13 18:59:19
I can't wait to see the revamp :3



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GlasGalahad (#72689)


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Posted on
2020-11-13 18:59:34
I truly do understand the need for the coding overhauls, but... if it's going to be similar to WolvDen, I can't say that I'd be pleased. Wolvden's coding feels incredibly convoluted and clunky, and its overall look is incohesive, eye-blinding, and honestly messy.

I absolutely despise the hp system, alongside the bizarre leveling format.
New locations aren't exciting and rewarding, anymore, given scouting is easy and takes no effort or strategy. And don't get me started on the illness stuff... WolvDen is just too hard. It's not casual, at all- and that's what I've always loved about LioDen.

There's very little of the personality that LioDen's explorative and imaginative navigation designs have, which was something that caught my eye first, when I stumbled upon the site years ago.

I get the need for change, but... my apprehension is honestly quite high.


*EDIT*- I appreciate the response, ADMIN~


Admin Response:
If you're worried that we're bringing over the HP system, levelling, scouting, or illnesses, we aren't! Only Explore and Hunting will be adjusted, feature-wise.


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Edited on 13/11/20 @ 19:05:19 by GlasGalahad (#72689)

Cerulean_Soul (#218386)

Holy
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Posted on
2020-11-13 20:03:06
Yes!!! I'm so ready! Please take your time and take care of yourselves, Staff!

And, another great comic as always



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Daoying (#70883)

Dreamboat of Ladies
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Posted on
2020-11-13 20:22:44
Thank you!



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Seolhe (#136122)

Blessed
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Posted on
2020-11-13 21:23:13
I'm feeling a lot less worried about the revamp now after getting some further clarification, thank you!

I was mostly worried about how the hunting feature was going to change to be more like Wolvden, especially with the high fail rate we get there. It's fine I guess when you only have about 10-15 wolves to feed, but I can't imagine trying to feed 40+ lions when your hunters regularly come back with nothing and if they do succeed, a good amount of the time all you'd get is something like a single meerkat or otter carcass, lol. (Basically, the equivalent of the critter trail on Lioden would be a pain in the ass and no fun)

You did mention bringing over team synergy from Wolvden though, and that still has me a bit wary. That's definitely more than just a visual change. I'm not sure how you're going to be able to promise not making hunting any more challenging while also adding this feature which is inherently more challenging.
Like, will it affect hunting results and add a higher fail rate until you get the team synergy up? Will you bring over the personality clashes? What about stats and roles and proficiency? And will the seasonal changes affect the success rate like it does on Wolvden?

I do think most of the things you've got planned for the revamp sound great though!
If there's something I really appreciate about Wolvden, it's how beautiful all the art for the explore feature is, especially with the different seasons, weather and times of day, and I can only imagine how gorgeous the upgraded explore areas will look on Lioden!
Also, I'm so hyped for all the new, exciting content you teased in the October update. I especially can't wait for the "Spirited" male pose! Haven't been this excited about a new feature since the introduction of tigons!
So a big thank you for all the amazing work you do!

P.S. I too would be happy with *anything* but the Tiger King option, please



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Gremlin's Hotel (#130033)

Holy
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Posted on
2020-11-13 21:35:10
i almost feel like i can't vote on the poll because i love all of these ideas equally alksjdf



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Gully || Semi-Hiatus (#188659)

Scourge of Lions
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Posted on
2020-11-13 21:39:58
News!
Commenting on news post for the first time, I think. The one thing I hope won't be an issue with the recode is an all-white platform. (ie. White background and light boxes/colors overall). As someone with severe light sensitivity, it would be impossible to play for longer than a couple minutes at a time. Many websites have gone this route through ”modernization” and it’s >>painful.<
Other than that, super excited about the changes to come!



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Hitashi (#211492)

Bone Collector
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Posted on
2020-11-13 22:49:41
Yay, news!



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Devyn (#145320)

Aztec Knight
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Posted on
2020-11-13 23:28:38
This is my personal opinion, but I looked at the linked update and I am just NOT digging the new layout or logo. The layout looks like wolvden and the logo looks so generic and un-interesting. It's not unique. I shared with a few people and they all agreed the current logo is just better. We even joked that the new one has a 2008 aesthetic.

Again, this is my personal opinion- I am not bashing anyone that does like it. You guys like what you like, and ill like what I like.



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