Tonight's build includes some updates to the optimizations and a preview of the new trees!

In the title screen settings you can choose from three different tree options using the slider.

The first option is the current trees. The second option is one of the new trees, set to static, meaning it doesn't animate with the wind. And the final is the same tree, but animating. The non-animating tree setting will eventually be the default for the best performance. I'll be adding more options as I set up the new trees, eventually creating one that has all of the new trees, with different leaf colors, and animating as the top quality option.

The new trees should work the same as the old trees. However, you will notice some popping in and out of other things in the game since these don't hide what is in front of you as much as the old trees did. I'll be updating the map to account for that too.

One last note is that these aren't optimized. So even the low tree setting will get even better!

Edit: I should also mention that right now the tree option choice doesn't save. So you'll have to select it each time you load HammerHelm. When this is fully in it will save of course. Adding the new trees is my focus for this week.

This build also includes:

• Updated the optimizations to no longer hide townspeople. The system was a bit too aggressive and would hide them even when you should see them. I'll be working to add this back in once I figure out the issue.

• Fixed an issue that sometimes caused the shadow of something that is behind you to disappear while you could still see the shadow. So the shadows would pop in and out as you moved. This should no longer happen.

• Also updated your weapons to ignore the optimization system as they should always be in view.

• Made a change to the NPC pathfinding code to resolve an issue where an NPC could walk away from you during a conversation, leaving you stuck in place.

• Removed a large collider from the tall, thin, green trees. This was way too big and was causing NPCs to get stuck while pathfinding and cause you to get blocked by what felt like an invisible wall when walking near the tree.

• Fixed a few quests that were not saving correctly if you were on part 2 or part 3 of the quest.