What changed in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord in 2018

A new persuasion system allows players to negotiate and influence NPCs through dialogue, enhancing diplomatic gameplay.

Resolved an issue where townsfolk appeared as children in full armor and oversized weapons.

Fixed a bug where caravans could lay siege to settlements they were inside.

Focus on the transition of babies into childhood and children into adulthood, including player interaction.

Ongoing adjustments to the Barter feature in the game.

A new governor role allows players to delegate management of their fiefs to a clan member, providing bonuses.

Players can now improve their fiefs through military and civic upgrades, enhancing both defense and economic capabilities.

Players can now have children in the game, starting with the birth of Ruwa, the first child in Calradia.

Players will be able to interact with their children, share experiences, and develop them as they grow.

Confirmation of in-game cutscenes, akin to those in Warband.

Innovations in the game engine to facilitate modding, including a model viewer.

New MoCap recordings to enhance falling animations from horseback.

Preparation of newly added dog animations.

Interactable NPCs are grouped by their roles for easier access, enhancing player navigation in towns.

Detailed explanation of how towns are designed to reflect their real-world counterparts, including marketplaces, slums, keeps, military districts, and taverns.

Players can access most town functions directly from the campaign map through the settlement menu, minimizing downtime.

Introduction of a 'siege state' for town scenes to enhance immersion and reduce performance load during sieges.

The AI has been completely revamped to include individual, formation, and tactical AI for improved combat performance.

Tactical AI creates overall battle plans based on terrain and army composition, influenced by the commanding lord.

The AI's separation into three levels allows modders to create custom AI without breaking existing systems.

Each agent in battle is controlled by its own AI, improving responsiveness and execution of combat actions.

Formation AI issues commands to agents and determines formation behavior like attack or defend.

The Gauntlet UI framework provides modders with total control over each screen, addressing previous limitations in Warband.

A new UI library named Gauntlet has been developed to improve the user interface creation process, allowing for faster changes and better control.

The Policies tab allows players to propose new policies or repeal existing ones affecting the entire kingdom.

A new Kingdom screen has been added, allowing players to manage their kingdom more effectively.

The Armies tab enables players to create and manage armies, providing details on army composition and objectives.

The Fiefs tab displays towns, castles, and villages under faction control, with options to retract fiefs from other lords.

The Clans tab shows detailed information about every clan in the faction, including influence and members.

Focus on creating a UI that balances information delivery without overwhelming players.

Finalizing UI screens with animations and visual improvements post-Gamescom.

Introduction of 'Gauntlet' framework allowing modders to modify UI layouts easily.

Redesigning tutorial panels to be more noticeable and effective for player guidance.

The quest screen has been redesigned for clearer information presentation, improving user experience.

Quests are generated in response to current game situations, impacting the game world significantly.

Added exclamation points to NPC portraits to indicate available quests, enhancing quest discovery.

A detailed particle editor allows users to create various particle effects, though a built-in flock algorithm is not currently available.

Implementing a modern technique using parallax mapping to enhance the transition between actual trees and billboard trees.

Resolved a jittering issue in cloth components caused by gameplay-engine communication.

Cloth simulation is optimized to run efficiently on low-end hardware, taking less than a millisecond per frame.

Players can have family members and children, with time flowing faster in the game.

Both players and NPCs can permanently die, but an easy mode option will be available for players.

Co-op will not be included at release but may be added later as a DLC.

The ability to build castles in villages has been removed to streamline fief management.

Players can hire minor factions as mercenaries but cannot join them as members.

The developers are considering Early Access to gather community feedback.

Introduction of character skills that improve through associated tasks, with a focus on One-Handed skill.

Details on how perks provide bonuses and customization options for characters.

Explanation of the character leveling bar and focus points system.

Overview of how companions can be assigned roles within the party to gain bonuses.

A new Concepts page explains various game mechanics and concepts to players.

The Clans screen provides detailed information about each clan, including members and current wars.

The encyclopaedia now includes a search function with auto-complete suggestions to improve navigation.

A new Troops screen allows players to view the full troop tree of every unit in the game.

Players can now filter entries in the encyclopaedia by categories such as settlements and character attributes.

The battle report screen will also appear when resolving battles on the campaign map, adding excitement to simulated battles.

The overlay can be accessed during battles with the tab key and provides an after-battle report with detailed breakdowns of troop composition and casualties.

A new battle report overlay has been added to provide detailed information during battles, including troop performance and casualties.

Party morale impacts battle outcomes, with low morale leading to potential desertion and loss of control over troops.

AI now makes more rational decisions during sieges, considering factors like army power and strategic importance.

Clan wealth is now more realistically managed, with leaders controlling income and expenses, affecting gameplay dynamics.

Focus on fixing bugs related to the simulation of the game world, improving overall stability.

Players can locate and speak to NPCs through portraits in the menu, reducing the need to enter town scenes.

Illustrations used as background for the smaller town menu options.

Players can now perform actions like selling prisoners and accessing crafting directly from the town menu.

The town menu is now an overlay on the campaign map, improving fluidity when visiting settlements.

Town menu structure now mirrors town scenes with options for various districts and applicable actions.

The campaign map system has been completely redone using a new scene editor, improving quality and efficiency.

Different terrain types on the campaign map will control AI behavior and affect party modifiers like movement speed.

The introduction of terrain types will provide modders with new tools for creative gameplay mechanics.

City icons on the world map now visually represent the actual city scenes, allowing players to recognize cities from their map icons.

Details on the level design process for both single-player and multiplayer modes are shared.

New maps are being created and existing ones are being improved for multiplayer gameplay.

Sieges have been improved to reflect the climax of campaign efforts, showcasing unique gameplay elements.

The game will feature handmade battle scenes instead of randomly generated ones, ensuring consistent quality.

Maps are being designed to create fun interactions between cavalry and infantry units.

A robust scenario editor will be available for modders, featuring a streamlined interface.

Work is ongoing to create settlements and add details to the world map.

Introduced a new camel mount with a dynamic neck and tail for realistic animations.

Animations are crucial for balancing the unique and responsive combat mechanics.

Modders can use different types of skeletons and add custom actions and animations.

Focus on animating different types of NPCs to enhance the game's atmosphere.

Players can still recruit from captured prisoners and mercenaries.

AI lords now recruit troops similarly to players, eliminating magically regenerating doom stacks.

Players now recruit units from specific NPCs called notables, enhancing control over troop types.

Added different horse breeds including Charger, Desert, Hunter, Mule, Saddle, Steppe, and Sumpter, each with unique stats.

Implemented a horse mark variation system for leg and facial markings, enhancing visual diversity.

Horses now have an equipment slot for saddlebags, harnesses, or armor, allowing for customization.

Players must provide mounts when upgrading troops to cavalry class, changing the troop upgrade process.

Horses enhance party movement speed and increase maximum carrying load for traders and looters.

A new system allows modders to tag objects and automatically replace default entities in scenes based on shop properties.

Players and AI lords can establish multiple businesses in a single town, leading to competition that affects profits.

Creation of numerous interior scenes to match the architecture of different regions for each productive enterprise.

Productive enterprises are now linked to physical locations in towns, enhancing immersion and gameplay mechanics.

Players can set up productive enterprises in towns to earn income by crafting products from raw materials.

Sturgia banner features a Viking shield design with dark blue color representing their environment.

Aserai banner features a deep golden yellow color inspired by Islamic decorative arts.

Battania banner showcases earthy woodland green, inspired by Celtic culture.

Vlandia banner uses a deep red color with a lion symbolizing strength and military might.

Empire banner features a double-headed eagle with variations for each of the three factions.

Khuzait banner incorporates sun and moon shapes with a light sky blue color.

Introduction of unique faction banners for each faction in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.

Javelins are heavy, slow, and deadly, effective for destroying shields and can be used in both ranged and melee modes.

Crossbows are accurate and powerful but take a long time to load, requiring strategic use of cover.

Throwing knives can be toggled into melee mode but cannot block incoming attacks.

Throwing axes are designed for throwing, fast, and effective against shields but can be inaccurate.

Different types of bows available, each with unique characteristics affecting projectile speed and reload time.

Overview of various ranged weapons available in Bannerlord, including throwing knives, axes, javelins, bows, crossbows, and rocks.

Rocks are included as a humorous yet ineffective ranged weapon option.

Different types of damage (blunt, pierce, cut) and their effectiveness against armor types.

Overview of various melee weapons available in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.

Blunt weapons are versatile against all armor types but do not excel against any.

Daggers cannot block attacks, emphasizing movement and timing for effective use.

Introduction of farm tools as weapons, adding variety to the gameplay.

A large selection of swords with crafting options for players.

Two-handed axes require player skill to control distance and land hits.

Polearms have reach and versatility, effective against cavalry but weaker in 1v1.

A physically based scabbard system that reacts to character movement, improving visual fidelity.

Characters can now visually display each weapon type carried, enhancing immersion and gameplay assessment.

Introduction of a castle upgrade system that allows for greater variety in castle designs and gameplay experiences.

Players can upgrade castles from level 1 to level 3, enhancing their defensive capabilities and strategic options.

Players can choose between commanding from the rear or fighting on the front lines during sieges, with castles designed to support both styles.

Discussion on the historical influences and design considerations for castles in Bannerlord.

Castles are designed based on historical influences, particularly from the British Isles, to enhance immersion.

Players can choose between commanding from the rear or fighting on the front lines during sieges.

Siege towers provide protection for troops as they assault walls and lower a drawbridge for attackers.

Ballistae can be used by both attackers and defenders to target troops and siege engines.

Battering rams are used to break through outer gates of castles.

Trebuchets can devastate defending troops and destroy fortifications from a distance.

Details on how sieges work, including supply cut-offs and the construction of siege weapons.

Siege ladders allow troops to scale walls and exploit weaknesses in defenses.

Mangonels can create breaches in castle walls and have a fire variant for increased damage.

Both attacking and defending armies can use ballistae to target troops and siege engines.

Siege ladders allow troops to scale walls and exploit weaknesses in defenses.

Trebuchets can devastate defending troops and destroy merlons from a distance.

Battering rams are effective against outer gates and can be destroyed by defenders.

Siege towers provide protection to troops while allowing them to scale walls.

Details on how sieges work, including supply cut-offs and the use of siege engines.

Mangonels can breach castle walls and deal area damage to troops.

Shields now react differently based on the direction of the impact, enhancing combat immersion.

Shields now react differently based on the direction of the impact, enhancing immersion in combat.

Full Steam integration allows players to join friends' games or invite them to parties.

Captain Battle is a new team-based mode where players command a regiment of AI troops, winning by eliminating the other team or controlling the battlefield.

New game modes are designed to discourage camping by encouraging players to actively engage and control different locations on the battlefield.

A new mode for players to test their skills in a controlled environment.

Siege mode has been fully overhauled with a variety of siege weapons including ballistae, catapults, siege towers, and battering rams.

Full Steam integration allows players to easily join friends' games or invite them to parties.

Duel Mode allows players to test their skills in a controlled environment.

Siege mode has been fully overhauled with a range of different siege weapons including ballistae, catapults, siege towers, and battering rams.

Skirmish Battle is a competitive mode designed for 6 vs 6 gameplay, featuring multiple lives per round and troop cost management.

A competitive game mode designed for 6 vs 6 matches with multiple lives per round and troop cost management.

New game modes are designed to discourage camping by encouraging players to actively engage and control different locations on the battlefield.

Captain Battle is a new team-based mode where players command a regiment of AI troops to eliminate the opposing team or control the battlefield.

Skinning calculations moved to a separate compute shader stage, reducing rendering time by 60%.

Introduced a global illumination system for better lighting of static and dynamic objects.

Skinning calculations moved to a compute shader stage, reducing rendering time by 60%.

New engine version includes many graphical improvements and performance updates.

Particles shaded in a compute shader stage using a global texture atlas, improving visual quality.

Particles shaded in a separate compute shader stage, improving visual quality and reducing GPU costs.

Introduced a global illumination system for better lighting of static and dynamic objects.

New engine version includes various performance improvements.

Camels added as pack animals and cavalry in the Nahasa desert region, providing tactical options.

Camels added to the game, usable as pack animals and in battles, particularly in the Nahasa desert region.

Refactor on the agent rendering system improved CPU performance by nearly 15%.

The editor includes a resource browser, particle editor, cloth editor, atmosphere editor, and more to support modding.

Tinkering with the editor to improve usability based on artist feedback.

Collaboration with an artist to improve tree shading.

Established an automated test system to prevent issues from affecting workflow.

Support for real-time reloading of resources to ease artists' workflow.

Finalized a significant refactor on the agent rendering system which improved CPU performance by nearly 15%.

Polishing stage of contact hardening shadows for high-end configurations.

Working closely with an artist to enhance tree shading.

Polishing stage of contact hardening shadows for high-end configurations.

New features and tools added to the editor to support modding capabilities.

The Empire faction features troop types and equipment inspired by the Byzantine military from the ninth to eleventh centuries.

Cities can now show economic strength through the number of workshops and defensive capabilities via outer wall levels.

New minor factions represent regional variations within the Empire, including frontiersmen and the Akritai.

Players can experiment with combined arms tactics, supported by improvements to morale calculations.

Cities can now show economic strength through workshops and defensive capabilities through wall levels.

New morale calculations include shock effects from defeating large numbers of troops.

Upgraded command system allows players to experiment with combined arms tactics.

New minor factions representing various cultural influences within the Empire.

New troop types and equipment for the Empire, inspired by Byzantine military structure.

Imperial cataphracts now use two-handed kontos lances, allowing for opportunistic attacks but making them vulnerable to missile fire.

Added a system that sets animations for NPCs based on their personality traits and relationship with the player during conversations.

Modders can override existing dialogue animations and add new ones, enhancing customization.

Improved dialogue system with animations based on NPC personality traits to enhance immersion.

Modders can override existing dialogue animations and add their own animations to enhance conversations.

The Jawwal, Bedouin nomads, and Ghilman, a brotherhood of slave-warriors, are introduced as minor factions within the Aserai culture.

The Aserai, inspired by Arab tribes before the Islamic conquests, are introduced as a new faction with unique cultural traits and gameplay mechanics.

The Jawwal, Bedouin nomads, and the Ghilman, a brotherhood of slave-warriors, are introduced as minor factions within the Aserai.

A new events system will create a backstory of grudges and feuds for the Aserai, impacting gameplay dynamics.

The Aserai will feature a balanced mix of cavalry and infantry troops, including unique characteristics for Aserai horse breeds.

The Aserai will feature a balanced mix of cavalry and infantry troops, including unique horse breeds and javelin-using warriors.

The Aserai armies will feature improved visuals, including banners and robes that react to the environment.

The Aserai, inspired by Arab tribes before the Islamic conquests, are introduced as a new faction with unique cultural elements.

New physics model allows for dynamic visuals with banners, horsetails, and robes in the Aserai armies.

The new events system will create a backstory of grudges and feuds for the Aserai, enhancing gameplay dynamics.