The Mainframe team has released a new dev diary covering ongoing fixes for the R48 patch and details on creating a deep riding system for the Pax Dei sandbox. The developers are already preparing patches to address land clearing and chat interface issues, and have also clarified bugs extending food buffs instead of potions, as well as balancing staff durability with two-handed weapons.
The main focus of the update is horses, and the process of interacting with them will begin with crafting and creating a special saddle that binds the animal to the player. The game will feature several types of horses (riding horses, draft horses, and fast horses), each with their own unique characteristics, including carrying capacity, endurance, and courage. It’s worth noting that horses age and retire over time, losing the ability to carry loads, but the developers have completely eliminated the mechanic of permadeath: a frightened animal can throw off its rider and run away, but it can always be recalled.