Ancient Go news & patch notes

Very excited to release Ancient Go! I hope to bring this amazing game to many new players.

Changes:

• Updated menu system fully integrated
• Visual for board size changes
• AI marking of dead stones

Development is not stopping here, this is a long term project and a passion.

Very excited to release Ancient Go! I hope to bring this amazing game to many new players.

Changes:

• Updated menu system fully integrated
• Visual for board size changes
• AI marking of dead stones

Development is not stopping here, this is a long term project and a passion.

Pretty big update in preparation for full release next week. A bunch of it is still rough around the edges but I am very interested in what people think, if there are bug etc. Still more to do to polish and layout the new menu system. The online game menus and in game menus still need to be integrated but it is coming. I really want to put the best foot forward in case any new player come in this week while AlphaGo plays.

Changes:

• Updated menu system
• Visual warning for any of your stones in atari (can toggle in options)
• First time you load the game, some professional game records are replayed on the board
• Stone placement and capture effects (can toggle in options)
• Added noise for game resumed from stone removal phase
• Added noise for pass in multiplayer
• Added loading screen
• Fixed bug with autoscore displaying board territory incorrectly after game completed
• Fixed bug with AI not capturing dead stones in autoscore
• Fixed bug where tutorials allowed play after a review
• Light theme temporarily disabled due to menu update

P.S. You should all watch AlphaGo play live tonight at 10:30PM EST. More games on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night!

Pretty big update in preparation for full release next week. A bunch of it is still rough around the edges but I am very interested in what people think, if there are bug etc. Still more to do to polish and layout the new menu system. The online game menus and in game menus still need to be integrated but it is coming. I really want to put the best foot forward in case any new player come in this week while AlphaGo plays.

Changes:

• Updated menu system
• Visual warning for any of your stones in atari (can toggle in options)
• First time you load the game, some professional game records are replayed on the board
• Stone placement and capture effects (can toggle in options)
• Added noise for game resumed from stone removal phase
• Added noise for pass in multiplayer
• Added loading screen
• Fixed bug with autoscore displaying board territory incorrectly after game completed
• Fixed bug with AI not capturing dead stones in autoscore
• Fixed bug where tutorials allowed play after a review
• Light theme temporarily disabled due to menu update

P.S. You should all watch AlphaGo play live tonight at 10:30PM EST. More games on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night!

Bug fixes, quality of life.

Changes:

• Fixed score and territory display after agreement phase and when in review phase
• Fixed states and displayed string getting confused after returning to games from the main menu
• Fixed displayed names sometimes showing incorrectly
• Fixed menu mouse-over bug

Bug fixes, quality of life.

Changes:

• Fixed score and territory display after agreement phase and when in review phase
• Fixed states and displayed string getting confused after returning to games from the main menu
• Fixed displayed names sometimes showing incorrectly
• Fixed menu mouse-over bug

Minor update.

Changes:

• Game Settings Remembered for Future Games
• Fixed Bug where Accept/Reject Appear at Wrong Time
• Fixed Rare Bug where 1st Stone didn't Show on OGS

Minor update.

Changes:

• Game Settings Remembered for Future Games
• Fixed Bug where Accept/Reject Appear at Wrong Time
• Fixed Rare Bug where 1st Stone didn't Show on OGS

Changes:

• Advanced Options Menu
• Check Box to Enable Dead Stone Removal Phase for AI Games
• Check Box for 'Hint' Stones
• Dropdown for Default Scoring Rules
• Score Shows Correctly for OGS Games (Only Fully Enclosed Territory Counted)
• Restrict by Rank Difference for OGS Games
• Fixed Steam Invite Bug
• Improved OGS Challenge Logic

There are lots of other background changes in this update, combined they allowed for the most requested feature to be included, the dead stone phase in AI games. At the moment all dead stones must be manually marked, and territory attached to those stones must be manually set. I should be able to get some basic auto-marking in soon. By default (for the moment) AI games are still auto-scored and require all stones to be removed, but in the options menu there is an 'advanced' button where you will find the default rules, and well as a check box for manual scoring and turning off the 'hint' stones. I am very interested in all feedback about what you would like to see happen, how you would like it to work, as right now it is a pretty basic implementation.

Changes:

• Advanced Options Menu
• Check Box to Enable Dead Stone Removal Phase for AI Games
• Check Box for 'Hint' Stones
• Dropdown for Default Scoring Rules
• Score Shows Correctly for OGS Games (Only Fully Enclosed Territory Counted)
• Restrict by Rank Difference for OGS Games
• Fixed Steam Invite Bug
• Improved OGS Challenge Logic

There are lots of other background changes in this update, combined they allowed for the most requested feature to be included, the dead stone phase in AI games. At the moment all dead stones must be manually marked, and territory attached to those stones must be manually set. I should be able to get some basic auto-marking in soon. By default (for the moment) AI games are still auto-scored and require all stones to be removed, but in the options menu there is an 'advanced' button where you will find the default rules, and well as a check box for manual scoring and turning off the 'hint' stones. I am very interested in all feedback about what you would like to see happen, how you would like it to work, as right now it is a pretty basic implementation.

Got up to speed with some more background OGS changes that happened today. Also there is a bunch of the code related to OGS which I was working on going live that should fix a bunch of edge cases problems. Lucky it doesn't seem like people have had any issues as nobody has mentioned them but they were little time-bombs. The most noticeable change will be that games vs the computer AI now have an undo option. This will revert the game to let you take your last move over.

Got up to speed with some more background OGS changes that happened today. Also there is a bunch of the code related to OGS which I was working on going live that should fix a bunch of edge cases problems. Lucky it doesn't seem like people have had any issues as nobody has mentioned them but they were little time-bombs. The most noticeable change will be that games vs the computer AI now have an undo option. This will revert the game to let you take your last move over.

Ancient Go should now be compatible with the new version of OGS, fixing online play. The only noticeable change is that the authentication process. OGS removed the application specific authentication code so from now on logging in will use your regular OGS username and password. Ancient Go does not store your password, but you wont have to log in every time as OGS is able to use the authorization for a good period. It might be a good idea to play unranked, shorter games for a while just in case there are any issues I missed. In my testing everything is functional but there might still be edge cases etc.

Ancient Go should now be compatible with the new version of OGS, fixing online play. The only noticeable change is that the authentication process. OGS removed the application specific authentication code so from now on logging in will use your regular OGS username and password. Ancient Go does not store your password, but you wont have to log in every time as OGS is able to use the authorization for a good period. It might be a good idea to play unranked, shorter games for a while just in case there are any issues I missed. In my testing everything is functional but there might still be edge cases etc.

Quick update before the holidays!

Changes:

• Hopefully the issue where closing a web browser logged into OGS resigns a game even if the same game is still open in Ancient Go is solved.
• AGA, Chinese, Japanese rules available for online games
• Ranked option available for online games
• Player strength shown in online games when menu is open
• Online game list time display is improved
• Options and OGS authorization should persist between updates (may not for this update)

Note that the scoring still shows incorrectly in most places. That is what I am working on next. I just wanted to get in some simpler things before the holiday.

Quick update before the holidays!

Changes:

• Hopefully the issue where closing a web browser logged into OGS resigns a game even if the same game is still open in Ancient Go is solved.
• AGA, Chinese, Japanese rules available for online games
• Ranked option available for online games
• Player strength shown in online games when menu is open
• Online game list time display is improved
• Options and OGS authorization should persist between updates (may not for this update)

Note that the scoring still shows incorrectly in most places. That is what I am working on next. I just wanted to get in some simpler things before the holiday.

Finally pulling OGS into the main branch! WARNING! Please do not open OGS in browser while playing on Ancient Go There is an issue just identified (thanks!) that OGS will resign if you close the browser window even though the game is still open in client. I am talking to the OGS admins about it, hopefully it will be resolved soon. You can play on OGS from Ancient Go just fine, but don't open both at once :) The beta branch will match the main branch for now. If you are opted in to the beta branch, you might want to switch back incase I use the beta branch for testing other features you may not be interested in. It is not strictly necessary though. There are still some finishing touches to do but they shouldn't be a big deal like all the networking stuff was. Highest priority items are getting the score estimator to match OGS (final score does) as well as implementing additional rulesets and game options. Steam friend matches will now happen on OGS as well. This update also adds single game self review. You can go back over a game once it is completed using the arrows in menu or the keyboard arrow keys. If you play out side branches, the arrows will travel along the new branch at that point. Pressing the revert button will then bring you back to the main branch, at the point you split out.

Finally pulling OGS into the main branch! WARNING! Please do not open OGS in browser while playing on Ancient Go There is an issue just identified (thanks!) that OGS will resign if you close the browser window even though the game is still open in client. I am talking to the OGS admins about it, hopefully it will be resolved soon. You can play on OGS from Ancient Go just fine, but don't open both at once :) The beta branch will match the main branch for now. If you are opted in to the beta branch, you might want to switch back incase I use the beta branch for testing other features you may not be interested in. It is not strictly necessary though. There are still some finishing touches to do but they shouldn't be a big deal like all the networking stuff was. Highest priority items are getting the score estimator to match OGS (final score does) as well as implementing additional rulesets and game options. Steam friend matches will now happen on OGS as well. This update also adds single game self review. You can go back over a game once it is completed using the arrows in menu or the keyboard arrow keys. If you play out side branches, the arrows will travel along the new branch at that point. Pressing the revert button will then bring you back to the main branch, at the point you split out.

The beta branch is hopefully pretty solid now. I want to let you all test it just a big more before going into the main branch. Still some OGS features to add for game options, but as long as the backbone is stable I would like to do them in the main branch.

Changes:

• Can fully recover from internet and all other server outages as long as Ancient Go stays open.
• Cancel button now shown instead of resign when OGS will allow it (number of moves < size of board).
• If no move comes in after seconds = (size of board x 10) connection status is shown as well as an abandon game button.
• Hopefully fixed the error on close, please let me know if you see it!

If you abandon a game, it is live but you are no longer watching. You can still lose on your OGS record if the opponent is actually thinking or is trolling and makes a move after you leave. In my experience though it normally needed because the opponent didn't know they could/should resign.

The beta branch is hopefully pretty solid now. I want to let you all test it just a big more before going into the main branch. Still some OGS features to add for game options, but as long as the backbone is stable I would like to do them in the main branch.

Changes:

• Can fully recover from internet and all other server outages as long as Ancient Go stays open.
• Cancel button now shown instead of resign when OGS will allow it (number of moves < size of board).
• If no move comes in after seconds = (size of board x 10) connection status is shown as well as an abandon game button.
• Hopefully fixed the error on close, please let me know if you see it!

If you abandon a game, it is live but you are no longer watching. You can still lose on your OGS record if the opponent is actually thinking or is trolling and makes a move after you leave. In my experience though it normally needed because the opponent didn't know they could/should resign.

There are a good amount of improvements to the beta branch. OGS play is much closer to coming into the main branch, it probably will with the next update. Thank you everyone who provided feedback, it makes everything happen much faster and with much more stability.

Changes:

• Automatic reconnect and game state update on disconnect
• Tutorial and AI play working
• Last time period has distinct time warning sounds
• Greatly improved up automatic game posting and cancellation logic
• Stone removal accept phase prevents and warns of accidental accepting of new change from opponent
• Game list prevents and warns of accidentally joining a new or moved game in the list
• Page explaining how to link to OGS much more clear
• Logout button and improved logic around logging in
• Fixed bug that would flash a blank screen when opponent connects
• Fixed bug showing weird score numbers while waiting for a match
• Fixed bug where Ancient Go would look like it had not closed to Steam

If you hear a random low beep, it is the disconnect/reconnect warning. I am curious how much it might be happening. It will be removed before merging into the main branch. Due to the way the network library works, it actually means things are fixed if you hear it. There is still a network library bug that will show Ancient Go as having crashed on exit, but it doesn't do anything and I am working on it. It has taken up far more of my time than it should have and is pretty far out of my control :( The score preview/breakdown is still off. The final score at the top of the page that determines the winner, and the score the goes on record at OGS are both correct.

There are a good amount of improvements to the beta branch. OGS play is much closer to coming into the main branch, it probably will with the next update. Thank you everyone who provided feedback, it makes everything happen much faster and with much more stability.

Changes:

• Automatic reconnect and game state update on disconnect
• Tutorial and AI play working
• Last time period has distinct time warning sounds
• Greatly improved up automatic game posting and cancellation logic
• Stone removal accept phase prevents and warns of accidental accepting of new change from opponent
• Game list prevents and warns of accidentally joining a new or moved game in the list
• Page explaining how to link to OGS much more clear
• Logout button and improved logic around logging in
• Fixed bug that would flash a blank screen when opponent connects
• Fixed bug showing weird score numbers while waiting for a match
• Fixed bug where Ancient Go would look like it had not closed to Steam

If you hear a random low beep, it is the disconnect/reconnect warning. I am curious how much it might be happening. It will be removed before merging into the main branch. Due to the way the network library works, it actually means things are fixed if you hear it. There is still a network library bug that will show Ancient Go as having crashed on exit, but it doesn't do anything and I am working on it. It has taken up far more of my time than it should have and is pretty far out of my control :( The score preview/breakdown is still off. The final score at the top of the page that determines the winner, and the score the goes on record at OGS are both correct.

http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/26285596/ce9b72c3e9c0239b4340094995886f63cced1dc7.png This is a beta branch only update. You will need to opt in, detail below. There are now the basics to play using an account from http://Online-Go.com (OGS), a community of almost 400,000 players. Accounts are free and it is an English website with a modern interface so it seemed like a really good fit. Due to the likely-hood for issues, PLEASE don't use an account where the record is important to you yet. If you only create games and don't join, they will be un-ranked which should help avoiding account losses. Please post any issues with the beta in the 'Roadmap, Suggestions & Bugs' community group discussion forum. This update does not change how the tutorial or AI games play as far as the stone removal phase.

Keep in Mind

• Time systems are limited to Byo-Yomi and Absolute.
• Games limited to size 7, 9, 13, 19.
• All games posted use the AGA rule set and are un-ranked. Games you join may be ranked and there is no indicator yet.
• Score information breakdown does not currently display correctly on Client. The final score at the top of the game at completion is correct.
• Breaks playing with Steam Friends.

To opt in right click on Ancient Go in your library, go to 'Properties', go to the 'Betas' tab, and select 'Beta' from the drop down. Then go to the 'Local Files' tab and click 'Verify Integrity of Game Cache'. You should see the download start at that point. If you will be playing online a lot, consider becoming an OGS site supporter as they are not affiliated with Ancient Go. Their servers rely on those memberships and browser ad revenue. The OGS admins have been extremely helpful getting Ancient Go connected. Big thank you to them.

http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/26285596/ce9b72c3e9c0239b4340094995886f63cced1dc7.png This is a beta branch only update. You will need to opt in, detail below. There are now the basics to play using an account from http://Online-Go.com (OGS), a community of almost 400,000 players. Accounts are free and it is an English website with a modern interface so it seemed like a really good fit. Due to the likely-hood for issues, PLEASE don't use an account where the record is important to you yet. If you only create games and don't join, they will be un-ranked which should help avoiding account losses. Please post any issues with the beta in the 'Roadmap, Suggestions & Bugs' community group discussion forum. This update does not change how the tutorial or AI games play as far as the stone removal phase.

Keep in Mind

• Time systems are limited to Byo-Yomi and Absolute.
• Games limited to size 7, 9, 13, 19.
• All games posted use the AGA rule set and are un-ranked. Games you join may be ranked and there is no indicator yet.
• Score information breakdown does not currently display correctly on Client. The final score at the top of the game at completion is correct.
• Breaks playing with Steam Friends.

To opt in right click on Ancient Go in your library, go to 'Properties', go to the 'Betas' tab, and select 'Beta' from the drop down. Then go to the 'Local Files' tab and click 'Verify Integrity of Game Cache'. You should see the download start at that point. If you will be playing online a lot, consider becoming an OGS site supporter as they are not affiliated with Ancient Go. Their servers rely on those memberships and browser ad revenue. The OGS admins have been extremely helpful getting Ancient Go connected. Big thank you to them.

Very minor update, fixes scaling issue for non-1080 monitors.

Very minor update, fixes scaling issue for non-1080 monitors.

Hey everyone! The first update is now live. It concentrates on bug fixes and GPU load. The biggest change is that Ancient Go will now render out the scene when nothing is changing. It does this at fairly high quality settings, so if the quality is jumping around for you, it means normally you can not reach this quality on your machine. I am not sure if it might be better to render out at the standard quality, I could see it being distracting. Looking for any feedback from people it might effect. Enjoy!

Update 0.1.1:

• Implemented system where the screen is rendered out when the game is static (camera not moving, board not changing). This will reduce GPU load on all systems and give better static quality on low end systems.
• Lowered maximum AA super-sampling limit. Will reduce upper limit of GPU load on very high end systems.
• Possible solution to infrequent bug where tutorial development mode could get activated accidentally
• Added text to inform of online game list page if no games waiting for players
• Removed test achievements, made 1 attainable achievement. First Victory.
• Fixed bug where multiple copies of Fuego.exe were being left open

Hey everyone! The first update is now live. It concentrates on bug fixes and GPU load. The biggest change is that Ancient Go will now render out the scene when nothing is changing. It does this at fairly high quality settings, so if the quality is jumping around for you, it means normally you can not reach this quality on your machine. I am not sure if it might be better to render out at the standard quality, I could see it being distracting. Looking for any feedback from people it might effect. Enjoy!

Update 0.1.1:

• Implemented system where the screen is rendered out when the game is static (camera not moving, board not changing). This will reduce GPU load on all systems and give better static quality on low end systems.
• Lowered maximum AA super-sampling limit. Will reduce upper limit of GPU load on very high end systems.
• Possible solution to infrequent bug where tutorial development mode could get activated accidentally
• Added text to inform of online game list page if no games waiting for players
• Removed test achievements, made 1 attainable achievement. First Victory.
• Fixed bug where multiple copies of Fuego.exe were being left open