I've just finished uploading new test beta 0.995, which includes the new skill rebalancing, starter quick recipes, and two new sprawl services.

Abilities now have costs according to their usefulness.

The build is available to anyone who owns the beta at bluebottlegames.com, or on Desura and Steam. Desura (and therefore, Groupees) users can use Desura Connect to gain access here, or even get their Steam keys and try it on Steam.

To access the test build on the official site, simply visit the beta page, and click any of the download links below the usual Windows, Mac, and Linux buttons.

Steam users can access the test build by opting into the beta for it.

Updates Included in the Test Beta

Test beta 0.995b includes the following changes:

Added code to warn user if confirming with unspent ability points.

Added "Last Chance" Canteen to DMC Sprawl.

Added St. James Parkade to DMC Sprawl.

Added code to allow encounters to remove campsites from hex.

Added code to give player basic and skill-specific quickrecipes when starting game.

Added resting effects to eye surgery at Haggerty.

Added new "GameVars" table to xml, for loading one-off data and settings info.

Changed skill select screen to be point-based, instead of size-based.

Changed Skill select to use "Abilities" and "Flaws" instead of "Skills" and "Traits."

Changed Skill select UI to be more symmetric, and have more concise text, to make it more intuitive.

Changed all eye augmentations to use new ability and flaw system.

Changed Battle GUI to reduce text overflow in conditions area.

Changed slots to disappear if invalid while dragging an item.

Changed ATN market fire to be small version, to free up space.

Fixed a bug that caused certain status conditions to get stuck if item degraded in player's inventory.

Fixed a bug in Martha encounter outside Grayling that caused entrance to appear in adjacent hex after player teleports.

Fixed a bug that allowed vehicle to be accessed after entering Grayling.

Fixed a bug that prevented first node in an encounter from giving treasure.

Fixed a bug that caused ATN Joe treatment to skip Michelle when it shouldn't.

Fixed a bug that caused unlocked laptops to not allow exact time of day.

Fixed a bug that prevented left shoulder slot from having sort button.

Fixed a bug that prevented music volume from changing on options screen until returning to the game.

Fixed a bug that caused creature clothing sprites to get stuck when surrendering/being looted.

Fixed a bug that caused shoulder slot items to show over torso when no shirt worn.

Fixed a bug that caused Yezinka to not spawn anymore.

Fixed a bug that caused dead-end encounter when meeting Martha at Grayling.

Fixed several typos in encounters.

The big change here is the new skill-select screen. Skills are now called "Abilities," and Traits are "Flaws," to make it clearer. The player spends points on abilities, and they can choose flaws to get more points. Each ability and flaw has a different point value. "Basic Human" flaws are now gone, and instead, players start with a budget of points to spend.

I've also added two new services to the DMC sprawl: a food truck and a flophouse. Players should be able to spend money on food and shelter now, without needing access to the DMC.

Players also now start with quick recipes appropriate to their abilities, for convenience. All players have basic knowledge recipes, and specialized characters get bonus recipes. Recipes can still be obtained in the usual ways.

The likelihood that this version of NEO Scavenger will work with previous saves is: unlikely.

As usual, the older the save game version, the less likely it is to work.

As always, let me know what you think of the changes, and if you notice any issues with the new build!