Anniversary Update v0.8.4.1

New Features

Simple Shape Texture (GM Version Only)

You can also use simple shapes to force a texture from one object to another object. This does work with every object. It’s an advanced feature, and some textures might not fit on every object, but it unlocks a whole new world of creativity!

We added this feature to remove all restrictions on coloring options.
In contrast to the custom model importing, you can also use this as often as you want on a given map, since it does not impact performance.

Prop Importing with Simple Shapes

You can now also use Simple Shapes to import your own Props in the FBX, OBJ or STL format. To do so, control-click a simple shape and hit the little red button at the top, then follow the instructions. Keep in mind that players have to have the model too in order for this to show up, so this is rather for private campaigns. This is analogue to the mini importing function that was introduced in the last version.

This feature allows map makers to be more creative and less bound by what the game already brings to the table. However, this feature should not be used excessively: If something can be solved without importing custom props, it should. With this feature we also want to show you that the game we want to create is open for your input - we want to make a game engine, not a marketplace for asset packs.

Importing a Palm tree that I made in 3 minutes in Blender - I’m sure you can do it better! ;)

Sound Objects

You can use a Sound object to either play sounds that come with the game or import your sounds. This is meant for long-playing sounds such as music and soundscapes. Control-right-click the sound object to see your options.

We added this feature to allow for greater immersion and 3D control of sounds in your campaign. For many DM’s, sound is an essential part of their gaming, and this tool allows a lot of control and integration of sound into the 3D environment.

Forced Perspective for Camera Nodes

The Camera Nodes have been massively improved with the ability to bind your players to them with forcing the camera’s perspective for them. You can even move the camera around with the players attached to it, thereby moving their vision around.
Also, you can now jump to the camera’s position with the “Preview Camera” function, though this does not root you to it (neither does it rotate your vision).

The camera nodes where an older function of GME that was never really efficient, but nevertheless was popular with a lot of users, so we decided to improve it. This also allows for cinematic sequences, self-made loading-screens, game pauses and so on.

Spline Dragging

You can hit N on an object to drag a spline from it. This will make a new version of the object that stretches following your mouse. This is useful for walls, rivers, and roads, but also to deform props in a way that was not possible before. If the object is facing the wrong way, you can use Alt-N or Ctrl-N instead to find the right alignment.

We added this feature because there was a great need especially for roads, and no easy way to create them. Now you can!

There are three splines in this image: the rune wall, the pipeline, and the wooden logs. You can drag a spline from any object in Game Master Engine.

Improved Import / Export

By Pressing CTRL-F, you can bring up the Object Options window, where you can do a bunch of useful tricks to change large portions of your map at once. One particularly useful feature here is Import/Export. With this, you can export parts of your map or your whole map to a .txt file which you can easily share with others. These can then be imported into other existing maps - so you can take your friends castle and incorporate it in your map! The resulting text files are called “Schematics” and can be found in C:\GME Map Exports\Schematics (If you don’t have that folder, export a map and the game will create it for you). That’s also where other people’s files go!

We added this feature since it allows people to migrate constructions between maps and share them more easily with each other.

Angle Snapping

While holding the I key (as in ice-cream) while placing an object, the object will try to snap to the angle of whatever it is on. This only works with Z-Snap activated. It also works for miniatures.

We added this feature to work in conjunction with Spline dragging. While Splines automatically have this behaviour, other objects did not, so we enabled this.

New Content

Over 50 New Painted and Recolorable Minis

Our awesome community has created a lot of recolorable versions of the minis that were in the game before. With their friendly permission, we included these into the game. Thank you! They come pre-colored, but using the paint-brush menu in the mini menu (right-click the mini) you can select which zone to repaint in which way. If you want more freedom than that still, you can recolor these minis using the simple shape.

We added this because the uncolored minis were always a weak point of GME. More minis are to come in the upcoming versions. We also host the weekly Mini Painting Saturday, where we meet to paint even more minis.

Finally the gelatinous wizard has found a town that is as accepting and friendly as himself! The two dragonborn children are the same base model.

Over 400 New Props of different genres

We added many many props from different genres, for example Asian-Style, Arabian-Style, Snowlands, Steampunk (in Sci-Fi) and others. Have a look through the menus and see what’s new!

These were added to allow people to create more and more diverse maps. I would include a screenshot here, but it’s simply too much stuff to show in a screenshot. Just check it out in the game! :)

One-Off-Effects (GM Version Only)

You can find new one-off effects in the effects category. Players see those in your hand, even without placing them, but they are invisible as long as you hold shift. This is GM version only because it only makes sense in multiplayer, and you need the GM version to host games.
When you place the effect, it will instead turn into an explosion of its appropriate type (so fire turns into a fireball) and then vanish. If you don’t want such an explosion, just end with a right-click instead. Currently, only the GM can place these effects.

We added this feature because it provides a versatile and spell-independent way to create stunning effects in multiplayer.

The Magic Academy is a dangerous place indeed! The effect seen here is a one-off-effect that you can place, and then it will explode like here.

Placeable Smoke, Fog and Butterflies!

Also among the effects you can find Smoke and fog. The effects are very visible in the night and not so much in daytime. The butterflies are cute too!

We added this because it provides a great way to play with the feeling and lighting of a scene. Also we love butterflies.

Feature Improvements

Improved Dice Rolling

With the new dice roller, you can now roll any combination of dice. You can roll these in 3D (Standard) or hold alt while clicking “roll” to directly roll them via random number generation (that is quicker and easier on the PC/Network).

We added this to improve the usability of GME as a Virtual Tabletop. We’re also working on more Macro options for the next feature Update.

I rolled poorly, so our adventurer survived the skeleton’s attack. Before, you could only roll one dice type at a time, now you can roll 11d10+3d6+5.

Improved First Person Camera

The performance of the first person camera mode was drastically improved, especially in multiplayer. You can switch into first person camera by hitting CTRL-O, or by using a mini to switch into its first person view (via the round menu you get by right clicking the mini, then hitting the silhouette-shaped button).

The camera was a bit laggy at times in multiplayer before. This is now relieved.

Improved Mini Quick Access

When saving a Mini to Quick access, it now saves up to 20 material changes and up to 10 attached objects right away in the quiver, so when you bring the Mini back at a later point, it will come with these objects attached to it. That means you can put a helmet and a shield on your rogue (click the helmet, hover the rogue, hit ctrl-g) to potentially turn them into a fighter. In principle, you can make your mini from props using the empty Mini plate in this way.

This improves the customizability of minis even further - because who doesn’t want their very own Mini creation?

Improved Lighting

The lights in GME now look significantly better, and the distance fog is back, giving scenes a way more realistic look. Also, there are now overhauled placeable light sources, not only as point lights but also as spotlights. These come in different colors, but can be recolored to your liking if needed.

We added this to give you the ability to make your maps look more awesome. Light is a significant factor in presenting an arrangement.

Improved Atmosphere Settings

You can now set a bunch of new options in the atmosphere settings, like cloud color and cloud height (move the clouds to the ground and tint them orange to get amazing sandstorms!) and other options like sky color. You can even set a day/night cycle!

We added this feature to give you more control over your scene, but also to enable the creation of maps that were impossible to make before. Want to fight the back of a dragon in the clouds? We have you covered!

Left: Parchment Filter. Right: Original Scene. The filters in the atmosphere settings can be combined with the new options for atmosphere and lighting.
Also, this is not an after-effect when taking a screenshot - You could play like this if you really really want to!

Other things

Video Tutorials available on Discord

In order to contextualize the new features, we’ve created a new section for video tutorials on the discord discord.gg/gamemasterengine
Feel free to have a look, while we are working on overhauling the complete tutorial section for all the other topics as well :)

Mini Painting Saturdays

Also on our discord, we meet with our community on Saturdays to paint some minis and chat about what’s going on, just having a good time.
You are more than welcome to join us there :)

Next up: Sci-Fi Update

You’ve asked about it so much that we took it to heart. The next update will be on Sci-Fi of all kinds, from Grimdark to Solarpunk, while also
adding props for near future modernity and steampunk settings. ETA for this update is April 2024.

If you made it to here, thanks for your time, and enjoy the game!