I am pleased to announce the release of TFC Version 4.0.

In reality, many of the features added over the past several years were goals that were on various version 4 implementation lists. For version 3.0, we implemented many changes in a test environment, tested all of those changes in a separate beta testing environment, and finally migrated all the changes to the live game.

We did things differently this time. Each version 4 feature was developed, tested, and then migrated to the live game when it was completed. This incremental approach has proven to be easier to test and troubleshoot, and was less disruptive as each major change was introduced separately.

This release of TFC includes the following new features:
  • A new continent, "Outland Frontier".
  • A new character selectable race, "Sahuagin".
  • Bard is now a selectable class.
  • A new Scavenger hunt quest mode.
  • Tradition is to change the colors for random potions when a major release is launched. So, the potion colors for newly popped potions will be different than they were before. Potions popped before version 4.0 came out will continue to work, and their colors will stay the same.
Some of the other Version 4 changes previously incorporated:
  • The bard class and abilities.
  • The thug class and abilities.
  • Moderated sparring.
  • Small casino featuring a slot machine.
  • Enhanced whois and Immortal roster.
  • Ability stats have more influence on combat, SvS, mana, hit points, spell potency, and regenning; stats limits raised to 25.
  • Mish given the ability to locate equipment (broker), store equipment, and even conduct her own auctions.
  • Soul rift power tied to intelligence and wisdom.
  • Offline equipment purging to help insure that inactive PCs are not keeping powerful limited items out of circulation.
  • Archmob quest ability.
  • Ability to abbreviate mob and PC names, instead of having to type them completely out.
  • Ability to re-roll character stats during the creation phase.
  • Created Algenara, newbie quest, pummel stick, and newbie advice channel, to help new players.
  • Added location quest.
  • Added mobhunt quest.
  • PK classifications (pacifist, sociopath, etc.).
  • Floating damage.
  • Added archmobs, and made them a bit smarter and more powerful than the typical mobs.
  • Started tracking individual PK statistics.
  • Major modifications for how skills are handled "under the hood," which made memorization, archmobs, and other skill enhancements possible.
  • Corpse eating ogres!
  • Created Amulets of Health.
And many, many other smaller changes

Version 4.0 has been a major team effort from the God+ staff and has taken many years to get to the point we felt was right to roll the version number.

Our Area Writers are commended for their hard work. They helped to shape the world itself, and their efforts give countless explorers... well, places to explore! If you are interested in contributing to this vital process, see Tokugawa or Tamar.

Our thanks to you, our players, for submitting suggestions for improvement! And thanks for continuing to play. You're the life of this party.

We hope you will enjoy it and look forward to the continuing changes to come.