Hey adventurers!
We've had our heads down for the last few days, and today's update is one we're genuinely proud of. Two big things landed: the server got a serious performance overhaul, and our new anti-macro system is now live.
A smoother XileRO
XileRO runs the whole world on one main thread: every monster, every skill, every player. Anything that slows that thread down, you feel as lag. So we went hunting.
We put the server under far heavier load than it has ever seen, with every corner of it fighting, looting and casting at once, and profiled every part of it. What we found and fixed:
- The game loop got leaner. Monster AI and target searching for Auto Attack used about 22% less CPU under the same heavy load, with the same kill rate.
- Empty maps take a nap. Ordinary monsters on a map nobody is on now rest, and come right back the moment someone walks in. MVPs and mini-bosses stay put, so nobody loses a spawn.
- Saving data never slows the game. Everything we record about the server (it's how we balance and fix things) is written in the background, off the game thread. If the database ever hiccups, the data waits and retries instead of being lost.
What this means for you: a server with plenty of headroom to grow, and smoother play at peak hours and during WoE.
Meet the Macro Police
Macros and third-party tools ruin the game for everyone who plays by hand. Today we're switching on a brand-new anti-macro system we built from the ground up for XileRO.
- It's always on. Fields, dungeons, PvP, and War of Emperium.
- It's tested. Before going live it ran against real hand play and real macros, again and again, until it could tell them apart.
- WoE is protected. Anyone caught using a macro during a siege is removed from the castle on the spot. Castles are won by players, not scripts.
- You'll hear about it. Macro users get a warning in game and by mail.
We won't say how it works, and we never will. That's the point. If you play by hand, nothing changes for you. If you think you've been warned by mistake, come talk to us on Discord and we'll look into it personally.
Thank you
A huge thank you to everyone who reported suspicious behaviour and put up with our restarts while we tested. This one's for the players who play fair.
See you in XileRO!