Bay 12 Games Forum

It's a new release with a special event for Halloween, and more!

Let the ARG begin :D



Release notes with details.

The full ambient soundscape is here, and it's not alone! Cogmind Beta 10 is a major release that also comes with expanded bothacking abilities, two more alternate endings, many more types of drones, and of course lots of other features to improve the overall experience.

For more details and demo images check out the release notes on Steam or the forums. (Only the latter has the entire changelog in text form, though, because it's huge and vastly exceeds Steam's character limit on news announcements xD)

REXPaint has a new update, and we're going all the way to 1.50!

This release combines all of the cumulative feature request patches released on the forums over the past couple years, and most importantly includes what was originally planned to be a 2.0 feature: unlimited character bitmaps! Custom fonts are no longer limited to CP437's 16x16 grid, and can add as many rows as you like to include additional glyphs or otherwise expanded tilesets--lots and lots of room for especially the gamedev REXPaint users out there ;)

REXPaint 1.50 (200803) changelog:

• NEW: Support for more than 256 glyphs in a single font (scroll with wheel or PgUp/Dn)
• NEW: Adjustable wheel-based extended glyph scrolling ("glyphScrollRowCount" in cfg)
• NEW: Manual provides additional information about extended custom fonts and tilesets
• NEW: Multi-layer support for Copy/Cut/Paste tools, use 'd' and Shift-d to adjust the desired operational depth
• NEW: Full layer copy (Ctrl-Shift-c) obeys current multi-layer copy depth setting as well
• NEW: Cycle images while in Paint mode using Ctrl-Up/Down
• NEW: Reload all image files via Ctrl-Shift-r or the Browse window's "R" button
• NEW: Batch export of all .xp images to PNGs supported via command line (see manual Appendix H)
• NEW: Export to format used for art in Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead (Ctrl-j) (see manual Appendix I for more info)
• NEW: Toggle transparent cell visibility with 'n' (only shows current layer)
• NEW: Switch between two different preset transparency visualization color schemes (editable in skins.xt) (hotkey Shift-Alt-n)
• NEW: Manual explicitly states that alternative paste modes affect the results of any copy action
• NEW: Manual explicitly states that custom fonts always treat index 32 as a space, regardless of what the bitmap contains there
• MOD: Font config for custom fonts requires specifying the number of columns and rows present in each bitmap font
• MOD: Options menu Default Image Background (applies to new images, expansions from resize, layer 1 areas) now defaults to transparent instead of black
• MOD: Holding Alt while cursor hovering over font glyph highlights matching glyphs across a layer using a different style rather than simply flashing them
• MOD: "Shift all layers in indicated direction" hotkey changed to Shift-Arrow/Numpad
• MOD: Color Shift Mode hotkey changed from Ctrl-h/s/v to Shift-h/s/v
• MOD: Keyboard's Pause key no longer has an effect
• FIX: Canvas-sized image created on opening also obeys Default Image Background setting
• FIX: Version check functionality restored after an unexpected server change broke the previous connection system
• FIX: Using separate fonts for GUI and art was not compatible with the new selected glyph preview in the Apply box
• FIX: Optional glyph hover ID display was off by one

You can download REXPaint here, and note that as of 1.04 it's also available on itch.io.

Regarding the new extended font support, here's the relevant excerpt from the manual:

Although the default number of rows in a font bitmap is 16, and that is the largest number REXPaint will display at once, fonts with additional rows are supported, essentially allowing space for an "unlimited" number of glyphs in an image. Simply specify the proper number of rows available for the relevant art font in _config.xt and it will be loaded normally (16 columns is still a requirement), then you can use PgUp/Dn or the scroll wheel (with cursor in the glyph area) to see and use glyphs beyond #255. The mouse scrolling rate can be adjusted in REXPaint.cfg via glyphScrollRowCount. If any art fonts have more than 16 rows, the font window will display numbers at the top right indicating the number of rows currently above and below the current view. To make it easier to use large tilesets, by default right-clicking on an image glyph to select a glyph currently outside the viewable glyph window does not automatically scroll the view to show it unless you right-click on the same selected glyph a second time, though you can overide this behavior and have it always scroll immediately by setting glyphSelectAlwaysAutoscrolls in REXPaint.cfg.

For those of you updating your install from a previous version in which you're using custom fonts/tilesets, note that due to the new expanded character support, the format of fonts/_config.xt has changed a bit, requiring you to explicitly list the number of columns and rows in each font file. See the default install's included version for the proper formatting.

Some of the new features in action

Playing with a custom extended tileset (specifically Kenney's 1-bit pack).



Using explicit transparency mode to visually isolate layers from one another.



Ctrl-Up/Down cycling through images in Paint mode.



Multilayer copy/paste.



Enhanced glyph usage highlighting.



Exporting art to the JSON format used by Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead (CDDA).



Happy painting/designing/mapping/developing!

Hi Uthimienure, thanks, here's to at least another couple years of expansions to come

Cogmind is finally getting its ambient audio

Just put up an article detailing the systems that are coming to the next release: Building Cogmind's Ambient Soundscape

Multiplayer Cogmind is here!



Are you stuck at home?

Want to play some Cogmind but with extra social interaction?

How about taking on Complex 0b10 with a friend! Don't worry, NO REAL FRIEND NECESSARY, we'll provide one for you!

Welcome to Cogmind Beta 9.5...

This April 1st, just fire up a run and leave the Scrapyard to join forces with Player 2 on the adventure of a lifetime

Use the superior firepower of TWO COGMINDS to teach the Unaware that they should've stayed a safe distance away from you.

Your brand new friend comes with

• new AI behaviors
• most of your same capabilities and will evolve and manage their own build and inventory
• over 600 lines of situational dialogue to keep you company on the way

For the full release notes and feature demo images, see here.

Cogmind Beta 9.5 "Player 2" (200401) changelog:

• NEW: Unique AFD mode for 2020, automatically activates on 4/1 for anyone who has played at least three runs
• NEW: Command line argument "-forceMode:AFD2020" (or "-forceMode:Player2") to enable the AFD mode from 2020, regardless of system date
• NEW: [Player 2 mode] Join forces with Player 2, another Cogmind with most of your same capabilities
• NEW: [Player 2 mode] Adds a special interface displaying Player 2's class and movement data, with persistent access to their loadout (toggle w/'9' or LMB)
• NEW: [Player 2 mode] Cogmind and Player 2's core integrity levels are linked
• NEW: [Player 2 mode] Multiple smarter AI behaviors for Player 2
• NEW: [Player 2 mode] Over 600 lines of situational dialogue
• NEW: [Player 2 mode] 1 new unique superweapon
• NEW: List of item schematics during manual hacks darkens any that are already known
• NEW: Option to block achievement earning while in challenge modes and special modes (advanced.cfg: onlyRegularModeAchievements)
• NEW: Manual "Difficulty" section includes explicit subsection for Rogue setting
• NEW: Manual part list data visualization descriptions further clarify meaning of heat mode values
• MOD: Part autoreplacement feature compares items based on based on current integrity rather than percent integrity remaining
• MOD: Part autoreplacement feature never swaps in known faulty or broken parts
• MOD: Advanced option "ignoreAscendConfirmation" no longer prevents warnings about leaving allies behind
• FIX: Size 36 fonts had become unusable on 4K screens [mudshark]
• FIX: [RPGLIKE mode] Pressing '0' with an open ally order list would open RPGLIKE upgrade menu [NikolayAg]
• FIX: [RPGLIKE mode] Protomatter might have a negative value under some conditions [Terminus, Rumbl3]
• FIX: Part autoreplacement feature was sometimes making undesirable swaps with regard to relative integrity [sunqingyao]
• FIX: Automatic waypoint recall for guided weapon attacks had stopped working [Valguris]
• FIX: Changes for RPGLIKE mode broke Sensor Arrays and Visual Processing utilities, allowing them to stack [Kerapace]
• FIX: Beta 9.5 prerelease bugs hunted down by: [CaptainWinky, Xii, lsend]
• FIX: [Pay2Buy mode] Hotkey for closing CogShop was still '0' rather than the newer '9'
• FIX: New "Broken" prefix for non-functional parts did not automatically update until part changed in some other way
• FIX: New "Broken" prefix for non-functional parts was included in log messages regarding that state change
• FIX: [Abominations mode] Abominations more effectively switch between propulsion modes when more than one available
• FIX: Since AI modifications to support autonomous weapons, disarmed combat bots might continue chasing targets rather than fleeing after loading a save
• FIX: Regular map exit warnings were not displayed if attempting to exit while somehow already on top of stairs
• FIX: Starting XP for RPGLIKE mode was added to score data even outside that mode

Introducing "RPGLIKE", this year's Winter special event and all-new optional way to play Cogmind, with a completely different progression system and other significantly game-altering mechanics!

Raise levels, select permanent upgrades, repair your core and parts--keep your build :)

This mode plays with the concept of making Cogmind a little bit more like other traditional roguelikes, though combined with Cogmind's unique content opens up quite a few new strategic horizons.

For the full release notes and feature demo images, see here.

Cogmind Beta 9.3 "RPGLIKE" (191217) changelog:

• NEW: Special event for Winter 2019, automatically activates between 12/17 and 1/1 (inclusive) for anyone who has played at least 10 runs
• NEW: Command line argument "-forceMode:Winter2019" (or "-forceMode:RPGLIKE") to enable the Winter mode from 2019, regardless of system date
• NEW: [RPGLIKE mode] Cogmind does not evolve, instead uses leveling mechanics with an XP system enabling free-form assignment of permanent upgrades
• NEW: [RPGLIKE mode] Gain XP by exploring and/or raising the alert level
• NEW: [RPGLIKE mode] Start with much higher core integrity, but only one of each slot type (can upgrade immediately in Scrapyard)
• NEW: [RPGLIKE mode] 90% of incoming damage to parts instead transferred to core, thus losing parts is relatively rare
• NEW: [RPGLIKE mode] Use Protomatter to restore integrity of core and parts
• NEW: [RPGLIKE mode] Storange units do not exist and Cogmind starts with no base inventory, optionally expand capacity with level upgrades
• NEW: [RPGLIKE mode] Dynamic build type analysis always shown above parts list, even before activating showBuildType advanced.cfg option
• NEW: [RPGLIKE mode] Fewer Relay Couplers spawn, but all that do have double their normal value
• NEW: [RPGLIKE mode] Extra "RPGLIKE" section in scoresheet containing mode-specific stats
• NEW: "Alternative Rules" section of manual describes all previous special modes/events and how to access them
• NEW: Mouse movement pathfinding and running via keyboard both stop on spotting a hidden door or phase wall
• NEW: Keyboard mode pathfind to cursor (Shift-Alt-g in examine mode to set, same key outside examine mode to continue approaching if stopped)
• NEW: Ctrl-Alt in keyboard mode also highlights path to most recent keyboard pathfinding target, if still valid
• NEW: Pathfinding directly to an interactive machine automatically initiates hacking on arrival
• NEW: Scan window shows faint map label buttons while no object info loaded
• NEW: Item labels outside FOV remember which are Faulty or Rigged, include this status in label name
• NEW: Item labels both within and outside FOV also reflect the "Non-functional" status (marked as "Broken")
• NEW: Option to always close robot/item info windows instantly rather than animating the close (advanced.cfg: disableInfoWindowCloseAnimation)
• NEW: Option to adjust movement interval for running and pathfinding (advanced.cfg: movementDelayInterval)
• NEW: Option to have parts list always sort destroy-on-removal parts like Processors to the top (advanced.cfg: partSortSeparatesDestroyOnRemoval)
• MOD: Running via keyboard stops before reaching corners and doors rather than continuing one space past them
• MOD: Running via keyboard now supports layout-based autostopping on diagonal movement as well
• MOD: Removed disablePersistentScanInfo/disablePersistentAccuracyInfo advanced.cfg options, both now default behavior by necessity
• MOD: Keyboard running behavior matches mouse pathfinding when approaching stairs, allowing a run to exit a map if recently confirmed the exit action
• MOD: All Gyrokinetic Inverter overweight penalties increased from 30 to 40
• MOD: "Perfect Aim" achievement description specifies accuracy bonus from utilities only
• MOD: Class name modifier "Mechanic" renamed to "Machinist"
• MOD: Unidentified parts no longer display their integrity in Scanalyzer lists
• MOD: Sorting inventory by type or integrity groups all unidentified parts together
• MOD: Allies reactivated via Datajack no longer recalled automatically for subsequent "attacks"
• MOD: Updated some major NPC parse text
• MOD: Temporary allies gained via streamctrl_ hacks no longer follow to other maps
• MOD: Dormant bot systems no longer accessible for RIF hacking purposes
• MOD: High Security dispatch composition expanded to deal with a wider range of threats
• MOD: More time to explore W base, tweaked composition of later attacking squads
• MOD: [Pay2Buy mode] Hotkey for opening Cogshop change from '0' to '9'
• MOD: [Pay2Buy mode] Cogshop windows displaced from bottom/left edges of map view to avoid covering intel markers and exit labels
• MOD: Special game modes now override challenge modes, rather than the other way around
• MOD: Toggling special modes or challenge modes via command line or advanced.cfg will not apply the effect unless game started for a fresh run (no saves)
• MOD: "-forceMode:" command line argument's mode name no longer case-sensitive
• MOD: "Challenge Modes" list in manual moved under new section "Alternative Rules"
• MOD: Simplified Hacking immunity context help accessed via robot info page
• MOD: All achievements are allowed to be earned regardless of active challenge modes or special modes
• FIX: Holding cursor stationary while using 'f' to retarget a previously targeted robot that moved displayed incorrect base hit chance [Valguris]
• FIX: Ejecting Relay Couplers from a just-opened Garrison Access might not be able to create the Couplers in some layouts [Valguris]
• FIX: Any type of damage that didn't destroy a door could cause a malfunction, instead of just EM [Valguris]
• FIX: Unpowered/Broken bots could still have active parts which might cause side effects [Valguris]
• FIX: Controllable ally names might be the same if allies of same class acquired on different maps at the same depth [Valguris]
• FIX: 0b10 Decoders attached to a hostile could give Cogmind info [Valguris]
• FIX: Crash while pathfinding to a distant location and using keyboard to order nearby drones to RETURN and have a Drone Bay with free space [Valguris]
• FIX: Hostile Programmers assimilating Protectors converted them to non-threat faction, causing Cogmind allies to stop targeting them [Valguris]
• FIX: Warlord outpost in caves might have two Commanders, both of which could offer an escort in rare cases [CaptainWinky]
• FIX: Crash in rare layouts while closing hacking window when that target machine is indirectly destroyed by the hack itself [CaptainWinky]
• FIX: Abominations update began allowing Cogmind to use autoswapping to swap in unidentified parts [core_nxt]
• FIX: Crash during a certain special event if player had specifically muted Prop audio levels, or had system audio off at the time [MitchellFJN]
• FIX: Terminal dynamic key increased difficulty of hacks with negative chances of success, sometimes noticeable with hackware or Operator allies [Joshua]
• FIX: Part autopair validity may not always be checked correctly, potentially even crashing on attempting to leave the map [Driana]
• FIX: Becoming enemies with Zion after imprinting could still allow for terminal network hard line cut in 0b10 [Finestep]
• FIX: Post-streamctrl_high behavior of Operators unusual [Benjamin]
• FIX: "Winner's Signature" achievement was still possible if scanned by any Researcher, rather than only in a certain map [sideriver81]
• FIX: Comparing different Datajacks showed a numeric difference next to their effect even though irrelevant to player [aperiodic]
• FIX: Any potential [C]-type Relay Couplers unattached but in inventory on acquiring Crosswire RIF ability became usable from inventory [Pimski]
• FIX: Crash on a Worker following deconstruct_machine orders on a Network Hub [Xii]
• FIX: Beta 9.3 prerelease bugs hunted down by: [Terminus, Zyalin, NikolayAg, Tone, Xii]
• FIX: Stopping a running/pathfinding movement in progress was not completely reliable
• FIX: Potential crash if a Core Expander used while any info window open
• FIX: Temporary allies gained via overwrite_iff hack or Autooverride RIF ability would follow to a new map if exited quickly enough after hacking

Hey Darkening Kaos! Haven't seen you for a while, glad you're still into it, and thanks