New Store Changes

Good news, everyone! Some new store changes have been included with today's patch:

• Free Play Time has been increased from 12 hrs/month to 7 hours/week
• Verified Account Play Time has been increased from 24hrs/month to 14hrs/week

Also note that purchased cosmetic items have become permanent upgrades and can be retrieved if lost or stolen. Due to the nature of permanent death in Haven and Hearth, this is an important change.

A new patch item has been added to the online store as well. I imagine that the developers may have gotten the idea from the recent events...

New Payment Scheme

While I was planning to post about early game play impressions, I couldn't help but highlight this new and unexpected change first. If you look at the home page, Haven and Hearth now has an online store.

Note that every previous iteration of this game was completely free to players.

Free accounts start with 48 hours of in-game play time, which is refilled with an additional 12 hours every month.

Verified accounts start with an additional 24 hours of play time, 24 hours refilled monthly, access to the old version of Haven and Hearth and an in-game hat. This all costs a one-time fee of $15.

Unlimited play time can be bought in 1, 3, 6 and 12 month increments. Note that this comes in the form of an in-game token that can be freely traded or given away to other players.

You can also support the patch with donations for unique in-game hats.

Subscriptions are also available, offering a number of different payment options.

While there is much debate in the official forums, a number of players have already joined the new version of the game. I'll be posting more news as events unfold.

Soon...

The current Haven and Hearth server was just shut down in preparation for the new release. In a few hours, a new world will be ready for players to enter.

The official forum is bustling with activity. Take some time to visit and read about the upcoming features.

Note that custom clients will not work with the new version. Everyone will start using the new and improved default client.

The start of the new world is sure to be exciting. Hope to see you there!

One Week Left!

The new and improved Haven and Hearth will be released on August 28th! Despite the delays, the game looks pretty good from the previews.

In this screenshot, you can see that the developers implemented some light and shadow effects. The new version will also feature height as part of the terrain.

The quest for metal will continue to be an important part of the game. From this screenshot, we may possibly have to deal with more than one kind of cave troll when mining.

Release Postponed to August 28, 2015

Unfortunately, the release of the new version of Haven and Hearth has been postponed by one week from the original scheduled release date. You can see the trailer above if you haven't already viewed it.

You can also view the video above that was released by the developers last Christmas.

I have linked some additional previews that they released through the Haven and Hearth forums below:

• Paving the ground with stone
• Planting seeds
• Building walls
• Building an anvil
• Building a meatgrinder

One Month Left

Only one month left to the release of the new version of Haven and Hearth! Besides the much needed graphics upgrades, the developers shared some improvements such as stockpiles to store materials and drag-and-drop user interfaces for basic tasks like plowing fields and planting seeds.

One of the major changes planned is the removal of hearth secrets and most forms of teleportation / fast travel. This concept is often debated in the Haven and Hearth forums. On one hand, this greatly discourages the abuse of alts and village oaths. But on the other hand, this makes it difficult (if not impossible), for players to start up together at the same location.

I look forward to the game's new features: horses, plum trees, firebrands and more! Hopefully, these changes all lead towards a great new chapter in the history of Haven and Hearth.

Release date of the new and improved Haven & Hearth: August 21st, 2015

Source: http://www.havenandhearth.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=38988&sid=834ea4d66192f715254865cb44e7cd13

Last May 20, 2015, Seatribe did something unthinkable - they announced an actual release date for their upcoming update to the Sandbox Survival MMO Haven and Hearth. Since first bumping into this unique game in 2011, I was pleased to hear that they have finally decided to take the game to the next level. See the old intro video below for a quick visual comparison.

 
Besides the obvious graphical improvements, they have made a number of changes to improve the mechanics of the game. Needless to say, I am quite hyped. Dust off your stone axe, sharpen your bone saw and put on your top hat. Another new adventure awaits!