***Preliminary*** Version 1.3 Patch Notes

 

General Notes

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  For testing purposes, Version 1.3 is being released to the Public Test Server in phases. Version 1.3(A) represents the first phase of a multi-phase set of feature upgrades.  Once we are comfortable with each phase of functionality, we will release the next phase to the Public Test Server.
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  The sequencing and timing of deployment to the Live servers will be dictated by what is found in Public Test Server testing.
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  In future phases, we will be introducing Alliance vs Alliance changes, Open PvE Zones, a 64-person PvP Warzone and much more, coming to the Public Test Server soon. For a discussion of the currently planned development roadmap and the reasoning for the phased implementation, visit here.

Tester Guidance

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  The Public Test Server is not expected to go live until late on Friday, May 7 (USA Time). Once live, availability of the test server may be sporadic as changes and updates are made or other Hi-Rez internal testing needs are fulfilled. Follow GATestSvrStatus on Twitter for updates on the test-server status.
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  For the weekend of May 7 - 10, 2010, we will be focusing on early-level progression with the new weapon system.  All players logging into the Public Test Server will need to create new characters for this weekend's test. Please complete the tutorial and then progress your character.
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  To access the Public Test Server Client, go to the TOOLS menu on Steam, and look for "Global Agenda Public Test Client". You should be able to login using your normal Global Agenda credentials, however, the user name database is synchronized on a scheduled basis and you may need to use your old password if you recently changed password. If you just bought the game, you may also have issues logging in.
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  Use "/bug" and/or the VERSION 1.3(A) TEST forum to report problems.
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  Importantly note that you can play PvE missions solo or in a group of less than 4 by checking the flag SMALL TEAM CHALLENGE on the queue (although it can be quite difficult). If you are looking for a challenge, we would specifically like to see how quickly someone can complete Medium Security solo, and whether High Security can be completed solo.
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  There are a number of known issues and incomplete features that are being worked on ahead of live deployment. For a list, see thread on the Version 1.3 Test Forums (note: We are still going through our own internal testing rounds, so more will be added over time).

Weapon Acquisition and Upgrades

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  Weapons now carry a quality level (Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic). The distinction of Rank 1 to Rank 4 weapons, as well as the system to manage Device Points to control what you can equip within each slot, has been removed.
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  Weapons are now obtained through the following means (versus being automatically acquired when you level up):
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    Common weapons can be purchased from a Vendor in Dome City using credits.
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    Rare and Epic weapons can be obtained from a Vendor in Dome City using Mercenary Tokens (more below).
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    Special weapons (all of Epic quality) can be obtained from a Vendor in Dome City using Conquest Tokens (more below).
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    Weapons of all quality levels can be obtained as loot for winning a Mercenary PvP mission, or killing a boss in a PvE mission.  Low and Medium PvE missions drop only Common and Uncommon weapons. Higher level PvE will drop higher-quality loot (based on a dice roll). Mercenary PvP drops all quality levels of weapons (based on a dice roll).
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  Weapons that drop as loot will have randomly generated stats based on their quality level, creating 1,000's of possible unique weapons, each designated by up to 3 characters after the name (for instance: Vulture Vision [TTC]).
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  You may receive weapon loot that does not unlock until you reach a later level. You will see this noted on your Agent Profile.
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  Weapons now degrade over use. Once a weapon is fully degraded, its stats will reflect those of a common weapon until repaired. (So, after repeated use, an Epic weapon will eventually have Common stats unless repaired.)
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  When you first enter the game after the patch, all weapons will be removed from your inventory except for the base starter set that comes from the tutorial. You may go to the Vendor in Dome City to purchase new weapons. All pre-existing characters will be given 1,000 credits for each level (so, a Level 50 player will get 50,000 credits) to purchase initial weapons with.
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  Weapons are automatically bound to character and cannot be put on the Auction House or mailed.
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  Given the volume of weapon changes, players should review each weapon's stats at the vendor or on the Agent Profile screen to understand the current weapon stats.

Armor

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  Armor increases your health, allowing you to live longer in battle. Armor comes in various quality levels (Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic). There are seven armor slots (Head, Shoulders, Chest, Arms, Hands, Legs, Feet).
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  You may purchase Armor at Hawk's Suits and Armor store in Dome City, or receive Armor as loot from PvE missions. Importantly note that Suits and Helmets (also sold at Hawk's) are cosmetic only and do not modify stats. Armor modifies stats only and does not change your character's look.

Upgrades

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  The old system of "Upgrades" has been eliminated and replaced with a new system of "Modifications", or "Mods."
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  "Weapons Mods" enhance stats on individual weapons.
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  "Armor Mods", enhance stats on Armor.

Modifications (Mods) and Crafting

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  Weapon Mods are craftable items that improve stats on an individual weapon. Use the Item Modification Shop to apply a mod to a specific weapon.
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  Armor Mods improve stats on Armor. Use the Item Modification Shop to apply an Armor Mod.
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  Modifications come in varying quality levels (Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic). Any level Modification can be applied to any level Armor or Weapon (so, you could apply an Epic Modification to a Common Weapon if desired).
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  Modifications are crafted from materials earned as loot in PvE or purchased on the Auction House, using Blueprints purchased from a vendor in the Crafting area of Dome City. (Note: Blueprints no longer drop as loot in PvE).
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  Non-subscribers are limited to crafting Uncommon Mods only (Crafting Level = 100).
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  Trial users may now craft (Uncommon items only).

Mission Queuing

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  Players will default to a Mission Server (North America, Europe, PacRim) based on their IP address. You may still opt to use another server, but your preference will be reset on each login.
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  The MISSION screen has undergone a significant UI overhaul.

Special Ops (Co-Op PvE)

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  A new option has been added as a checkbox on the the Special Ops Queue for "Small Team Challenge". This is defaulted off for all players and can only be checked by subscribers (once subs start). If checked, you will enter the selected Special Ops mission with only your current teammates, regardless of team size (up to 4 players). If you queue solo, you will enter the mission solo. The mission difficulty is the same as if you entered the mission with a full team, but your potential for loot and XP is greater if you are able to fully complete the mission.
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  Low and Medium Security missions now have both Mine and Factory maps in their rotation. Previously, Low Security had only Mine maps and Medium Security had only Factory maps, so this effectively doubles the maps in rotation under each mission type.
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  High Security, Maximum Security and Double Agent PvE are subscription only (once subs start).

Arena

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  You may now join the Arena queues solo or as a partial team and you will be match-made into a full team.
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  A 10v10 Arena (PvP) queue has been added. You may join this queue solo or in a pre-made team of up to 10 players. Currently, the gameplay  highlights two new Scramble-format maps: Trafalgar and BlackwaterLoch.
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  A new 4v4 Arena map has been added: Osprey.
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  The Arena gameplay is subscriber only (once subs start).

User Interface

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  Patch 1.3 introduces the first stage of a User Interface makeover for the game. Some menus and screens have been adapted fully to the new UI; others have not. Additional UI changes will be added in upcoming phases.

Character Progression

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  The Skill Trees have undergone changes for balance and to accommodate the new weapon systems. The UI has also undergone significant enhancement.
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  Players will see an improved animation when they level up.
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  Once players reach Level 50, they will now earn additional credits instead of accumulating additional XP. Players that reached Level 50 before the 1.3 patch will be granted an allotment of credits when upgraded, and their XP reset to point at which they reached Level 50.
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  A variety of new Epic-level weapons unlock between levels 30 and 50.

Token System

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  Players may now earn both Conquest and Mercenary tokens through participation in missions, in addition to credits (in-game money).
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  Mercenary tokens are used to purchase high-quality (rare and epic) weapons/armor from the standard weapon set (available to all levels).
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  Conquest tokens are used to purchase special weapons/armor available only to Levels 30+.  Conquest tokens are not earned for playing missions until Level 30; you can earn Conquest tokens through AvA and the subscriber bonus prior to Level 30.
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  Each token type has a limit that can be earned per day. Subscribers have a higher limit than non-subscribers.
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  Subscribers automatically earn 20 Mercenary tokens and 4 Conquest tokens each day (even if they do not play). In addition, they have the opportunity to earn up to 20 additional Mercenary tokens and 6 Conquest tokens each day through playing missions, or through participating in an agency that owns hexes in AvA.
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  Non-subscribers can earn a maximum of 20 Mercenary tokens and 2 Conquest tokens each day through playing missions, or through participating in an agency that owns hexes in AvA.
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  Subscribers can hold a maximum of 200 Conquest tokens and 400 Mercenary tokens in their inventory. Non-subscribers can hold a maximum of 100 Conquest tokens and 200 Mercenary tokens.
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  Tokens are earned at the "player" level (i.e., shared across all of your characters). They cannot be mailed or sold on the Auction House.
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  The <<<following article -- to be published later>>> more fully describes how Conquest and Mercenary tokens can be earned.

New Weapons



A variety of new weapons have been added to the game. Inspect each weapons stats and description at the class-specific Vendors in Dome City.

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  All classes
  
  
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    Handsfree Jetpack
    
    
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    Combat Jetpack (Level 40)
    
    
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  Recon
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    Dual Daggers (Melee, Level 32)
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    Raven SMG (Ranged, Level 34)
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    Deconstructor (Offhand, Level 36)
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    Vulture Vision (Offhand, Level 38)  
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    Targeting System (Specialty, Level 42)
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    Shatter Bomb Boost (Morale Boost, Level 44)
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  Medic
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    Life Stealer (Melee, Level 32)
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    Rockwind SMG (Ranged, Level 34)
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    Soul Stealer (Offhand, Level 36)
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    Multi-Boost Beam (Specialty, Level 38)
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    Triage Wave (Offhand, Level 42)
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    Oathbreaker Boost (Morale Boost, Level 44)
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  Assault
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    Impact Hammer (Melee, Level 32)
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    Rhino SMG (Ranged, Level 34)
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    Beserk (Offhand, Level 36)
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    Longbow Launcher (Specialty, Level 38)
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    Overcharge (Offhand, Level 42)
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    Super Smash Boost Morale (Morale Boost, Level 44)
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  Robotics
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    Mace and Shield (Melee, Level 32)
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    Harken SMG (Ranged, Level 34)
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    Flame Turret (Offhand, Level 36)
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    Nanite Repair (Specialty, Level 42)
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    Force Target (Specialty, Level 38)
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    Personal Vandal Robot (Morale Boost, Level 44)

New and Modified Vendors (Dome City)

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  Cyber Cuts - Now Open!  Change your avatar's hair style and color. This vendor includes exclusive hair styles and the ability to add secondary hair color.
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  Recon Gear - Purchase class specific gear (Recon).  Basic weapons and armor for credits, Mercenary (Rare and Epic) weapons and armor for mercenary tokens.  Advanced (new) weapons for conquest tokens.
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  Assault Gear - Purchase class specific gear. (Assault)
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  Medic Gear - Purchase class specific gear (Medic)
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  Robotics Gear - Purchase class specific gear (Robotics)
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  Prototyping Center - Crafting Stations are used to craft Mods.  A new Item Mod station allows crafted Mods to be applied to Weapons or Armor
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  Hawks - Purchase Armor (that affects your stats) in addition to Apparel (Suits and Helmets) that are visual only

Agent Profile

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  The Agent Profile screen has undergone substantial UI modification.
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  Players may now inspect other players (i.e., view how they are equipped and their stats) by selecting the player in your reticule when in Dome City and right-clicking.

Voice

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  Trial users may now use in-game voice but may occasionally hear 5- to 15-second audio ads. Players that buy the gamewill not have advertisements. Voice can be configured or disabled through the SETTINGS | SOUND menu.
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  Players may now access out-of-game voice through http://www.globalagendagame.com/voice (requires installation of the Vivox Toolbar, available for Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome). This can be used to talk to your Agency mates or others in lieu of a dedicated voice server such as Teamspeak or Ventrillo, even when playing other games outside of Global Agenda  <<<<MORE WILL BE RELEASED LATER>>>>

Achievements

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  40+ badges have been added for Achievements (displayed on Stats screen, which can be inspected by others).

Chat

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  The ENTER key may now be rebound as the method to enter chat.
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  A Trade channel has been added.
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  A Looking for Group channel has been added.
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  Trial users are not able to talk in certain chat channels more than twice a minute.
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  The chat emote system has been added, allowing you to emote individual players on certain commands. For instance, "/wave HirezStew" will wave at HirezStew. Currently included emotes are: Agree, bye, dance, disagree, followme, hello, hug, laugh, no, nod, point, positive, sigh, thank, wait, wave, welcome.

Matchmaking

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  Adjustments have been made to the algorithm for determining user skill, which is utilized for PvP match-making. Some players may see changes to their Combat Stars based on these adjustments. The new algorithm more heavily favors your most recent matches than the old approach.

Other

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  DirectX 10 is now supported. You may specify whether to use DirectX 10 on the VIDEO tab of the SETTINGS menu. You must restart the game client after a change for it to go into effect.
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  On the Settings menu, Mouse Sensitivity can now be set with a numerical value (versus just the slider).
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  Adjusting Mouse Sensitivity on the Settings menu now also adjusts the Camera Control on the XBox 360 Controller for Windows.
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  The position and look of the "You've Got Mail" icon has changed to make it more easily seen.
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  Improved notification raining system for alerting users of the need to do certain activities.
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  Support for Limited Edition Auction Items, to be placed on the Auction House by Hi-Rez. Show as a new category and in a special color.