# ------ Announcements ## Sprint 2nd sprint, of the 4th cycle. Chapter 01/Pass 03. Play-tests are always welcome open. If you want to help me with your feedback, please contact me :) Enjoy. **Explanation and showcase** # ------ Game ## General NEW: Improve: * Using camera rotatio
# ------ Announcements
## Sprint
2nd sprint, of the 4th cycle. Chapter 01/Pass 03.
Play-tests are always welcome open. If you want to help me with your feedback, please contact me :) Enjoy.
**Explanation and showcase** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tyTXHmzzDo
# ------ Game
## General
NEW:
Improve: * Using camera rotation smoothing. * Reorganized feature manager and ghosts.
Known issues:
## Settings
NEW:
Improve: * Added comfirmatino before deleting savegame. * Improve video settings' quality's layout.
## Art
NEW: * Added elephant.
Improve: * Quite some work improving ui buttons. including message box. * Improvements on templatizing UI sliders.
## Chapters
All: * Kept fixing books on shelves.
CH00: CH01: * New cabinet * Added elephant, toy, hanger
CH02: CH03: CH04:
# ------- Subsystems and plugins
## All
> Public repos for the plugins are updated on a later date, according to availability.
## Flashbacks
New:
## Dialogs
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Diags
LifeDev: * Added rain as "effect".
Plugin: * Added ability to have "Effects" on any dialog.
## Interactions (and animations)
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Interact
LifeDev: * Fixed relative end transform on drawers. Something that is prone to issues. * Added show condition on ppl.
Plugin:
## Inventory / Flags / Teach
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Inventory
LifeDev: * Refactored the flag init flow. Fixes a few issues with the Outro and savegame.
Teach (NUX):
Plugin:
## JSignificance
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JSig
## JUtils
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JUtils
New: * Added material for scene shadow. * Added slider widget style data asset/utility.
Improves: * Improved buttons for msgbox. Added ShowNow. * Moved the UTPInput to JUtils, to UJPInput
## Sounds
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Sounds
LifeDev:
Plugin:
## Story
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Story
LifeDev:
Plugin:
# ------ Links
Play on Steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/2450230/LifeDev/
# ------ Announcements ## Sprint 1st sprint, of the 4th cycle. Chapter 00/Pass 03. New cycle! Play-tests are always welcome open. If you want to help me with your feedback, please contact me :) Note: I've messed the version numbers from 0.5.1 onwards. They should roughly indicate
# ------ Announcements
## Sprint
1st sprint, of the 4th cycle. Chapter 00/Pass 03. New cycle!
Play-tests are always welcome open. If you want to help me with your feedback, please contact me :)
Note: I've messed the version numbers from 0.5.1 onwards. They should roughly indicate something like "XXX.Cycle.Chapter.Build" but somehow i messed it up. Also XXX is not very indicative, at the moment i've decided to increase to 1. 1... usually is considered a finished product, but not for me, i want to use it as a "milestone". At first i considered using the year. But it has been about 2 or 3 years, and it's hard to line up with chapters' end times. I thought about using the Cycle as major, but i feel there should be another metric in between. In terms of cycle it would be at version 4.0 which seems odd. So i'll use the major as a sort of "milestone". After 3 full cycles, and almost 3 years, i think the game deserve to jump to 1.0. So i will go with 1 for now. If something else major happens, i might increase again. Keep in mind my versions and numbers are 0 based. So even if the current version uses 0 for the chapter, it refers to the 1st chapter. Enjoy.
**Explanation and showcase** https://youtu.be/51pPZkZB7NQ
# ------ Game
## General
NEW: * Added force feedback! * Added "ppl"! This is a bit of a stub, and still work in progress.
Improve: * Several optimizations and refactors. * * Adjusted scalability for `r.Forward.LightGridPixelSize`, `r.Lumen.DiffuseIndirect.Allow`. * * Optimized scalability for all niagara systems (including ghosts). With different configurations. * * Optimized lamps, shadows, lights attenuation, light animation interval and duration, sunlight. * * Optimized vsm invalidation, clipmap levels, max wpo distance. * * Optimized materials blending and inheritance. * * Optimized fog volumes, disable local fog volumes. * Several fixes. * * Bra collisions, piano keys, piano mesh, hints, screwdriver, kitchen light, plate fade. * * Possible crash when reloading the game during a hint or inventory animation.
Known issues: * The phone on ch0 doesn't activate. * The ppl don't disappear, and appear too soon. * Books have disappeared, i'm adding them back one room at a time. * Flashing during chapter transitions (it's an ue thing).
## Settings
NEW: * More feature flags. ForceFeedback, Ray traced shadows, Dust. * Added "Back" button. * Implemented new key rebind flow and mechanisms. Some rework. * Added a couple of `SetDefaults` buttons. Quite some work.
Improve: * Fixed fps limit setting getting reset. Improved how fps is applied. Added option for smooth fps. * Improved savestate flow. Fixed a few issues (Inventory getting cleared, double loading, ...). * Improved default key bindings. * Improved/fixed some ui elements not working well.
## Art
NEW: * Dust particles. * Ppl. * Fire particles on stove.
Improve: * Reworked flashback material a bit. * Optimized clouds fb, now supports nanite. * Improved central target icon. * Blur target fps. * Adjusted lights, shadows, auto exposure, distance fields. * * Some work around distance fields and their shadows. * Rework card 0 "Range" effect. * Updated ghost based on fb. * Updated toy (not yet in game). * Reworked all materials to improve performance! * * Improved fading and masking settings. * Improved character name readability (brightness). * Fixed streetlamps volumetric shadows. * Removed "speed" post process.
## Chapters
All:
CH00: * Keep polishing and extending chapter 0. Dialogs, interactions, etc. CH01: CH02: CH03: CH04:
# ------- Subsystems and plugins
## All
> Public repos for the plugins are updated on a later date, according to (my) availability.
## Flashbacks
New:
## Dialogs
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Diags
LifeDev: * Added, fixed, removed a bunch of dialogs. * Fixed disable inventory during dialogs.
Plugin: * Improved the code and ui flow. * Added ability to auto-skip dialogs while holding a button.
## Interactions (and animations)
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Interact
LifeDev: * Interactable hanger and toy. not yet in game. * Puzzles: * * Fixed race conditions. * * Added `SetStateNow`, force feedback, and others. * * Fixed word cube's hinting.
Plugin: * Reworked and improved the flow for interaction hovering detection. (`CInteractor::DoStart`) * Implemented "Look" action. Added sfx, force feedback, delegates, and stuff. * Added force feedback for locked, unlock, trigger, and look. * Improved `SetHidden`.
## Inventory / Flags / Teach
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Inventory
LifeDev:
Teach (NUX): * Rework to use only one data table. * Added ability to use actual input names, and other variables. * Rework the way the current input type is handled, as well as the data types. * Change the message input automatically when using the `UTPInput`. And re-show on change. * `ShowNow` was made public.
Plugin: * Added `UTPInput` Player Input with a delegate for input type change (gamepad, keyboard, etc.). * Moved inventory select inputs, to the plugin, instead of character.
## JSignificance
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JSig
* Fixed registering during cooking. * Added ability to set initial significance, and change it during runtime manually.
## JUtils
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JUtils
New: * Ability to change the shader batch mode. Allow for dynamic optimization on loading. * Added `WorldToScreenUV`, `WindForceFix`, "Interleaved Gradient Noise" (based on Acerola's stuff). * Added `PlayInEditor`, `GetMutableDefault`.
Improves: * `CamFade`, `DepthFadeMask`. * Moved input stuff to new `JUtilsInput`. * * Added a few things, like `ResetMapsAll`, `ResetMap`, input types.
## Sounds
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Sounds
LifeDev: * Added a bunch of sounds. * Fixed heater sound. * Optimized loading settings for sfx sound class.
Plugin: * Optimized some components with `AutoManageAttachment`.
## Story
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Story
LifeDev: * Added heartbeat force feedback on ghosts. * Fixed destroying ghosts after step.
Plugin: * Improve load wait on bg thread. * Change shader batch mode on load. * Added force feedback option on steps. With optional loop flag. * Avoid double loading steps.
# ------ Links
Play on Steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/2450230/LifeDev/
# ------ Announcements ## Sprint 5th sprint, of the 3rd cycle. Chapter 04/Pass 02. (The last chapter). All chapters are at the same pass, Next sprint is a new cycle! Play-tests are always welcome open. If you want to help me with your feedback, please contact me :) **Explanation
# ------ Announcements
## Sprint
5th sprint, of the 3rd cycle. Chapter 04/Pass 02. (The last chapter). All chapters are at the same pass, Next sprint is a new cycle!
Play-tests are always welcome open. If you want to help me with your feedback, please contact me :)
NEW * Added app icon to windows. * Added basic haptics (force feedback) to interactions. Can be toggled in the settings.
Improve: * This build contains LOTS of refactor and improvements. * * More soft object pointer usage. * * Refactor and cleaned the book class. * General cleanups, optimizations, small fixes, and documentation everywhere. * * Optimized Nanite's "Pixel programmable distance". * * Enabled GarbageCollector's actor and asset clusters. * * PSO cache and precache. * * More stringent cooking to reduce package size. * Updated to Sentry 1.1.1. * Fixed issue with shaders not compiling for low quality scalability settings.
Known issues: * Outline effect looks odd with TAA at a shallow angle. * Shelf has issues on proton with non-nanite mesh. * The plate at end shows up and the fade starts later. * Missng hint for poem on chap 02.
## Settings
NEW: * Added configuration for "color aberration" visuals, and a feature toggle. * Added ability to set defaults on game settings.
Improve: * Improved setting full screen mode, resolution, and resolution scaling. * * Resolution scaling now shows the actual resolution %. Might not be accurate if the main resolution changed, and it has not been applied yet. * Added (performance) trace start/stop for debug builds.
## Art
NEW: * Working on the new hall01, and toy. * Adjusted the character energy particles. * Added light importance volumes. * Added reflection captures. * Added and optimized cloud material. * Added meshes for: cup. Not yet in build: cabinet-02. * Improved UI style for: "big button", checkbox.
Improve: * Optimized ambient occlusion. And enabled them for baked lights. * Optimized lamp cover. * Optimized shadows. * Optimized drawing using Packed Level Actors.
## Chapters
All: * Added/Improved hints. With more complex conditions :). * Added interactions: clothes hanger, more light switches. * Configurable range for Card-00, and foxified it.
CH00: CH01: CH02: CH03: CH04: * Added LogicCard 04. Not enabled yet. * Added word puzzle, changed flow. * Added world text.
# ------- Subsystems and plugins
## All
> Public repos for the plugins are updated on a later date, according to (my) availability.
## Flashbacks
New: * Experimental Anim FB Fps. Adjusts the fps of the animations based on the flashback. Has a feature toggle in settings. * Added cloud effect. * Added sound filter (echo/panning) on flashback.
# ------ Announcements ## Sprint 4rd sprint, of the 3rd cycle. Chapter 03/Pass 02. Less challenging than previous sprint, still quite difficult. Play-tests are always welcome open. If you want to help me with your feedback, please contact me :) **Explanation and showcase** # ----
# ------ Announcements
## Sprint
4rd sprint, of the 3rd cycle. Chapter 03/Pass 02. Less challenging than previous sprint, still quite difficult.
Play-tests are always welcome open. If you want to help me with your feedback, please contact me :)
Improve: * General cleanups, optimizations, small fixes, and documentation everywhere. * * Added `AdaptiveAddToWorld`. Also "Skip generate overlaps" on stream. Reduces hitches on load. * * Shadows on floors. * Moved a ton of things from hard ref to soft references.
Known issues: * Screen might flash when loading the next chapter. It's a UE thing.
## Settings
NEW: * Added option to set the default RHI. Experimental. Requires a restart. If it breaks, delete your config files (but not your savefiles).
Improve: * Moved a ton of code to cpp.
## Art
NEW: * Added outro animation! * Started using style assets for ui elements. Most noticeable on the settings. * * Unified and improved the style of some elements.
Improve: * Moved everything possible to "Packed Actors Level Instances". Improves performance a bit. (A ton of work involved). * Improved "ppl" materials. * Optimized some material's permutation count. * Still working on the hall01.
## Chapters
All: * Implemented more card effects. (I think "what works" doesn't have anything to work with, but the logic is there). * * Redesigned and reorganized their effects a bit. * Improved the hints all around. Added more hints, and tweaked how and when they get enabled. * Improved doors quite a bit. Optimized windows too.
CH00: CH01: CH02: CH03: CH04:
# ------- Subsystems and plugins
## All
> Public repos for the plugins are updated on a later date, according to (my) availability.
## Flashbacks
New: * New clouds effect. * FX on the effects.
## Dialogs
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Diags
LifeDev:
Plugin:
## Interactions (and animations)
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Interact
LifeDev: * A lot of rework with `SetHiddenInGame` and `Fade`. * * It works well during construction. It helps a lot with Puzzles too. And allowed to move `ActorsShow/Hide` to the Story Plugin.
Puzzle: * Rework how hints work, using the new `SetUseHint` virtual. * Improved properties initialization. Now more reliable.
Plugin: * A ton of work relative to `SetHiddenInGame`. * * Some rework to use `SetAutoActivate` on constructors. * Removed the spot. Moved functionality to regular `Interacts`. This required extra work in the game itself. * Rework item use. * `UseHint` is now a function `SetUseHint`, and virtual. * Improved collisions and auto-activate. * Refactor `CInteractor` so that the collision profile is local to the component (as opposed to the same for all interactors). * * Allows for having multiple `CInteractors` doing different work. * Added `CAnimatorSFX`. Animates submixes effects. * Added field for comments on interactions.
## Inventory / Flags / Teach
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Inventory
LifeDev: * Animations on the inventory! * * Took a ton of work, since i had to rework the whole implementation.
Teach (NUX): * Rework the style a bit.
Plugin:
## JSignificance
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JSig
## JUtils
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JUtils
New: * Added a couple of helpers to use style assets on ui elements. * Added experimental ability to get/set the preferred RHI. * Added ability to get hardware info. * Added ability to get number of remaining precompiles. (For PSOs) * Added `AddOutlinerSection`. * * Added sections for `Story`, `Interact`, and maybe others. * Added `IsInConstructor` and `NeedsInit`.
Improves: * Added `ShouldCreate` to `LoadScr`. * Reworked how some UI elements expose some initial properties.
## Sounds
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Sounds
LifeDev: * Reworked the menu fx on music. * Added phone ring, hanger squeaks.
Plugin:
## Story
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Story
LifeDev: * Reworked the code for managing the end of the game. * * Updated StepEnd to unload all data layers. * Moved to the StoryManager, the code to manage chapters loading, starting, next, etc. * Removed `RewardIntersTriggerClass`, `RewardIntesActiveClass`. * Created a new class for the books. Starting porting some objects to it. WIP. * Ported a ton of dialogs to "auto dialogs". So that i can remove some declarative dialogs (old system). * * Was a considerable amount of work. * * Removed `LockedDlg`, `TriggerDlg`, `DlgId` from step. * Added "auto flags" for step's start/stop. * Removed `InterFadeIn/Out` in favor for new `ActorsShow/Hide`.
Plugin: * Added field for comments on steps. * Removed unused `TeleportCharAfter`. Reworked `TeleportChar`. * Removed unnecessary `FinishPostWait`. * Added/improved blocking load of assets, during step change, when it's set to block on load. * * Including pso generation. * * Added garbage collection during step fade. * Rework showing and hiding actors. * * Moved `ActorsShow/Hide` to the base plugin. Now they work better. * * New `SetHiddenInGame` refactor ensures that interacts fade in/out. And that puzzles also work well. * * Removed hiding actors on `Begin Play`. * `Story` now depends on `JUtils`. It was something i was delaying, but it actually cleans the code.
# ------ Links
Play on Steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/2450230/LifeDev/
# ------ Announcements ## Sprint 3rd sprint, of the 3rd cycle. Chapter 02/Pass 02. This sprint was even more challenging. My aim was to do more on narrative, and i did manage to do some. I also made a ton of refactors, which were difficult, but also important. I haven't detailed
# ------ Announcements
## Sprint
3rd sprint, of the 3rd cycle. Chapter 02/Pass 02. This sprint was even more challenging. My aim was to do more on narrative, and i did manage to do some. I also made a ton of refactors, which were difficult, but also important. I haven't detailed the refactors and fixes so i've done more than what's shown here.
Play-tests are always welcome open. If you want to help me with your feedback, please contact me :)
Improve: * Game save time is now on UTC (warning). * Patched Sentry being called in a background thread. * Regular optimizations, cleanups, and so on. * A good amount of refactoring and moving stuff. * * Moved chapter loading to `LStoryMan` (not in the build, but scheduled for the next one). * * Moved menu to `LFeatsMan`. * * And more listed in their own category.
Known issues: * Screen might flash when loading the next chapter. It's a UE thing, not my code.
## Settings
NEW:
Improve: * Reworked buttons for key binding. Now using button styles. Styles are planned to be used more in the game. * Fixed the message box for re-loading the current save-state.
## Art NEW: * Added new plant, cup, 2 types of towels (one unused), coat hanger (unused), toy (unused). * Attempt at adding an app icon.
Improve: * Improve item use colors. * Modified flashback material! (again). Removed gooch and changed it a bit. * Improve the intro UI. * * Improved warning screen. * * Reworked savegame screen. * Improve a few of the settings screen. Included key binding. * Fixed issue with roundedness of the dialog box and blurred background. * Adjusted rounded corners for `Teach` and `Prompt` ui. * Changed font for `Teach`. * Disabled some material's "set automatic usage". To reduce the required shader permutations. This is also an optimization. It's a work in progress. * Refactored the dialog animation to use a "retainer" box. * Fixed outro text style.
## Chapters
All:
CH00: CH01: * Fixed phone text.
CH02: * Reworked the flow considerably. (Quite some work). * Modified which rooms it uses. With this, finally, each chapter uses different rooms. * Improved data-layer usage. For chapter 02. Still remaining are 03 and 04. * Added `LogicCard02` and `LogicCard03`. Stub, not used. * Reworked hints. Added a bunch. * Improved the character dialog animation. * Added some world-texts.
CH03: CH04:
# ------- Subsystems and plugins
## All
> Public repos for the plugins are updated on a later date, according to (my) availability.
LifeDev: * Removed code for old item-use. * Consume used item. * Deprecated the `Spot` class in favor of the improved `LInteract`. * * Moved two spots to an interact. This is a work in progress. * Improved unlocking with items. * Renamed auto-dialog for trigger locked. * Removed `LockedItemDlg`, `ULockItemReq`, `ULockItem`. * Added item `OnLook` delegate.
Plugin: * `SetUseHint` is virtual. * Improved the collision profiles. Added some docs. * Some rename and refactor on `finishFlags`, `finishItems`, `itemsRem`, `itemEnsure`, etc. * Improved unlocking. * Deprecated the spot. * Added editor-only field `Comment`. * Fixed ability to trigger multiple times on a self-destroy item. * Conditions and comments are searchable in the Asset Registry.
New: * Added a `LoadScr` subsystem. It's a useful asynchronous loading screen. * * Unfortunately it's not enough for me, so i'm not using it. But it's available for those who might use it.
LifeDev: * Fixed some sound location on the cabinet doors. * Ported the last `SFXTrigger` to the new `SFXs`. `SFXTrigger` got removed. * Re-imported some audios with an improved sample rate. * Adjusted some levels. * Sounds for: screwdriver, scissor, toilet flush, chair.
Plugin: * Moved some meta-sounds to the plugin. E.g. `SoundSheet`, `RampAndSwitch`.
LifeDev: * Removed `WaitTime` from step. * Modified `ActorsShow` to not hide automatically, and added `ActorsHide`. * Modified a bunch of the character dialog animations to use teleport after blend. * * It feels more natural, and helps with the flow, as well as fixing some quirks.
Plugin: * Improved data layer loading. To allow to (optionally) block during load. * * The next step doesn't start until loading is done. You need to specify the streaming to `Blocking` on the data-layer. * * Improves reliability and determinism a bunch. * Implement teleport after camera blend.
# ------ Announcements ## Sprint 2nd sprint, of the 3rd cycle. Chapter 01/Pass 02. This sprint was challenging too. My aim was to do more on narrative, and i did manage to do some. I also made a ton of refactors, which were difficult, but also important. ## Moving to Steam Huge n
# ------ Announcements
## Sprint
2nd sprint, of the 3rd cycle. Chapter 01/Pass 02. This sprint was challenging too. My aim was to do more on narrative, and i did manage to do some. I also made a ton of refactors, which were difficult, but also important.
## Moving to Steam
Huge news. Time and effort are extremely critical aspect for me (not by choice). In order to optimize my time, and make the most of it: I've decided to move fully to steam. For that i've just *released my game on steam*. So: * You can now buy it on steam (please don't buy it on itch.io unless this is the only place you can get it). * I'm not going to update itch.io anymore (though i truly love it). * Also, i've opened the community on steam, and closed the one on itch.io.
The game is not finished yet, it's on early access. I've made a mistake setting up the game, and now steam won't allow me to set it as EA. I know that will be confusing, but i can't change it now.
I will keep improving the game, and the price will keep increasing, just like on itch.io.
Play-tests are always welcome open. If you want to help me with your feedback, please contact me :)
This build contains massive amounts of refactorization: * I've decided to change the mechanic for using items with interactions. This impacted the flow considerably. * Refactored data-layers to have layers per room, and per chapter. * * Helps to manage assets much more flexibly. Improving load. * Refactored to use `SoftObjectPointers` on several classes. * * I did not need it before. But now it helps me to set up some references by code, as well as improving memory and load a bit. * * It was a considerable amount of work. * Dialogs support multiple data tables now. * 731 commits vs 637 on previous sprint. Not the type of metric i care about, but still a ton of work.
NEW * I've also added a new system for small prompts (hints) on how to use the game. "Teach" (See Inventory). * * It's called "Teach" instead of "Hint", since the hint system is another thing. * I've also integrated Sentry. This is a service that reports crashes and bugs to me. * * Sentry and the new "Teach" was fairly quick, but took a considerable amount of work. * Added support for SM5 shader model on linux. As well as SM6. * The feedback form is show upon closing the game. Feedback is welcome :) * Added `Thanks` file :) * New feature flags, mostly for debug.
Improve: * Lots of optimizations and bugfixes. A more than usual. * * One of them is the `Garbage Collector` async performance. * * Improved build sizes. * * Implemented some new micro-optimization technique. * Improved spawn/init cycle.
Known issues:
## Settings
NEW: * Added toggle for `Auto Exposure`. Off by default. * Added toggle for `Status` screen message. Off by default. * * Useful for debug and speedruns. * Added a feedback box right on the settings!
Improve: * Reworked how the settings ui is activated. * Show play time on save slot.
## Art
NEW: * Have been working on a room. Not yet in the usable. * New assets: Phone, Clock, Scissors, Notebook, Screwer. Not yet in usable. * Switch spark particles. * Started working on a new entity, with nice shaders. * * I've put a lot of work in this. (Not yet visible, though :P)
Improve: * Improved the shoes of one of the characters. * Optimized reflection method. * Removed camera aspect ratio change. * Improved material memory usage a bit. * Improved the necessary permutations a bit. (Space, load time, memory usage, build times). * Improved PSO cache settings. * Reworked all light values. So that it works better with baked lights, and Lumen. * Improved the ghost post-process.
## Chapters
All: * Implemented the effect for the Card 0 (intention). When i say "hint", i refer to this. * Added new mechanic/effect for Card 1 (What works). Took quite some work. Though it's not noticeable yet. * I've done a ton of rework on the flow to: * * Accommodate for the new item usage flow. * * The cards are not used as items anymore. You can still use them by themselves. * Implemented camera animation for *some* of the chapters. This is a work in progress. * Fixed a lot of text that was not localized. So that from now on everything can be localized if it needs to. * Added some decorative assets (pencil, screwer, pictures, books, etc.). * Added interactions: Notebook, screwer. Not yet usable. * Added phone puzzle and interactions. * Improved a bunch of collisions, and audio sources. * Text on walls. Improved the visuals too. * Have added and improved a bunch of dialogs.
CH00: CH01: * Added a bunch of `Hints` (Card 0).
CH02: CH03: CH04:
# ------- Subsystems and plugins
## All
> Public repos for the plugins are updated on a later date, when i have the time to.
## Flashbacks
## Dialogs
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Diags
LifeDev: * Did a TON of refactor of dialog variables. * * And, I've moved many of the dialogs to the new "auto-dialog" system. * Improved some item descriptions and other text like that.
Plugin: * Added ability to have multiple data-tables at the same time. * * For both, groups and dialogs. * * This allows to have data-tables per chapter, and also more general ones. * Improved flag for printing warnings on missing dialogs. * Improved flow for adding dialogs and groups.
## Interactions (and animations)
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Interact
I've done a TON of work and refactor with interacts.
LifeDev: * Added `UseActiveOnce`. Manages an item to be activated only once. Regardless of chapter. Using the savegame. Useful for items in multiple chapters. * Refactor: Moved the functionality from the "Spot" to the LInteract. Fixed some bugs. Still work in progress. * Refactor to consume items on unlock. For the new item usage flow. Work in progress. * Fix hide interact prompt on reward. * Improved puzzles so that: * * They can be `Hinted`. * * They can manage the puzzle pieces `SetActive`. * Removed `RewardStep`, as it was redundant with the step.
Plugin: * Added ability to set particles to use for each state. * Added `CInteractor::OnTrigger`. * Added `Interact::TriggerForced`, so force trigger even if locked. * Improved sound playing. For looping sounds. * Refactored the activation and auto-activation flow. * * This was a big piece of work. It improved much more how interacts are initialized and set-up. * * Added a flag `UseAutoActivate` that can be set on the editor. * Fix interactor triggering `OnHover` on a destroyed actor. (Took some effort). * Fixed/Improved hiding, deactivating, fade, etc. And their flow. * Improved flow for unlocking. Now using condition. * Hints * * Refactored the collision settings, to allow objects to be hint-able but not active. * * * Work in progress that i might refactor in a different way, on the next sprint. * * Fix ensure to hide stencils on deactivate.
CAnimator: * Added `UseDilation` option. To ignore/compensate time dilation. * Added a `CAnimatorTime` to animate global time dilation.
Anim subsystem: * Added `TimeFade`, global time dilation animation (here too).
## Inventory / Flags
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Inventory
LifeDev: * Fixed inventory refresh on item usage.
Plugin: * Fixed `Mod` and `Use` with `Consumable`. * Added `OnlyConsume` on `Mod`.
Teach: * Added a system, to prompt the user with hints. Called "Teach". * * It's the typical "you can use an item with the mouse". (Also known as New User Experience (NUX)). * Has plenty of work on it. Interacts with the `Flag` subsystem.
## JSignificance
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JSig
## JUtils
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JUtils
New: * Added `SoundSheet` to audio. (To be moved to the Sounds plugin) * Added `FakeLight` material function. A material based quick and cheap dynamic light. * Added `KawaseBlur` for post-process. * Added `SphereNormal` and some materials to work with pseudo water. * Added `FastMod`. A micro-optimized modulo function. * Eval: * * Added a list expression. With "random pick" and indexing. * * Added round function.
Improves: * Improved `QuickMesh` collisions. * Fixed `ReadTable`, `LoadCSVTable` and `LoadJsonTable`. * Improved material functions for water, and `Choose`.
## Sounds
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Sounds
LifeDev: * Upgraded some meta-sounds' versions. * Added a bunch of sounds. * Refactored sounds to use the interact plugin's sfx-state functionality. * Fixed location of some sounds. * Adjusted audio volumes.
Plugin: * Have a way to specify the sound of each state of the Interact.
## Story
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Story
LifeDev: * Fixed step `FBDlgAuto` with manual dialogs. * Added/Improved finish a step with flags and or items. Made them a list. * Fix possible crash due to flags.
Plugin: * Implemented ability to tween camera positions in sync with flashback and dialogs. * Improved camera tween on steps. * Fixed loading on steps. Made step transition to wait for data-layers and other async load. * Improved avoid unload and load the same datalayer. * Improved advancing step on interact trigger, and flags.
# ------ Links
Play on Steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/2450230/LifeDev/
# ------ Announcements This sprint i've focused again on a chapter. Like usual. This is the 1st sprint after the first alpha. The previous cycle was composed of 2 passes on each chapter. So it could be considered 2 horizontal slices (and 2 cycles in one). That was a super importa
# ------ Announcements
This sprint i've focused again on a chapter. Like usual. This is the 1st sprint after the first alpha. The previous cycle was composed of 2 passes on each chapter. So it could be considered 2 horizontal slices (and 2 cycles in one). That was a super important milestone, because it meant the game was playable on all chapters in its minimum expression.
This is the 1st sprint of the 3rd cycle. The third horizontal slice. My plan for this and the next sprints in this cycle is to focus on improving the quality of the content, without adding much more content, and avoiding moving more features, while also improving the narrative and dialogs.
So, ideally, it will be more focused on narrative design, than technical features.
Still i tend to work on new features and technical stuff, because i love it.
Play-tests are still open. If you want to help me with your feedback, please contact me :)
NEW: * Added a feedback form, that opens when the game is closed. To make much clearer the intention of the build, as well as making it much easier for play testers. * Added ability to load datatables from external jsons. In the future it will allow to load fan-translations during runtime. (As well as adding/removing dialogs.) * * If you're interested in helping translate (without chatgpt or other AIs), please contact me. * Added ability to change the language. But since i only have english at the moment, it's not showing. * Make the demo have 2 chapters. Demo is now available at Steam. * Added some features for captures (e.g. trailers). Show/hide pointer, text, etc.
Improve: * Fixed light count stats. * Added a DataLayers for each room. This allows me to organize/load assets based on location. Previously i did it only based on the chapter. * * Chapter DataLayers do still exists, and they work together. * * This is a work in progress. I've only organized the chapter 00. The rest will be done later. * Some improvements to the GhostPool. * Limited camera pitch movement to avoid gimbal lock.
Known issue:
## Settings
NEW: * Now showing: Time (for speed running?), Build version, Engine version. * Ability to change the foxify value on new game plus.
Improve: * Reworked pausing the game. Now a bit more animated (time dilation), and better timings. * Fixed `FeatsGroup` scrolling. * Added a button to delete the current game config (in case something went wrong on an update). * * Reworked where the config is stored.
## Art NEW: * Dustpan, Broom, Screw driver ... * Started working on a new room. (Not finished/added yet.) * New spark particles.
Improve: * Reworked the `Flashback` material (again). * Improved Ghost materials. For the particle ones and the GhostPool. * * Now with fading on distance to camera and other objects. * * And proper particle color and alpha fades. * Fixed some shadows. * Reworked the `Range` scan effect for the "Hints" (Card0). * Done quite some work exploring dynamic lights. But removed them for now. * Reworked the intro menu. Improved the logo animation, and other stuff. * "Fixed" stereo z-fight on windows.
## Chapters
All: * Fixed a bunch of texts that weren't localized (into being localized). * Reimported and optimized a bit a couple of rooms (Hall). * Optimized room 01 and 03 walls loading. * Fixed issues with the radio.
CH00: * Added some dialogs, and hints (card 0 (intention)). * Added some new interactions. Specially books, a toilet, a shelf, some light switches. * Added a couple puzzles (phone, bottles). * Started working on a book-based puzzle, but could not finish it. So it's not added.
CH01: * Fixed small issue with a tape that was not properly occluded. * Fixed wait on C1S5
CH02: * Fixed poem's dialog being truncated.
CH03: CH04:
# ------- Subsystems and plugins
## All
> Note that usually i update the repo for the plugins a few days after the devlog (if i have extra time).
## Flashbacks
* Added some texts on the walls.
## Dialogs
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Diags
New:
LifeDev: * Moved one of the old dialogs to the new auto dialogs (Unlock Dialogs). * * This was a low-hanging fruit, the next ones are going to be much harder. * Improved a lot of dialogs. Including card pickup. * Added some dialogs.
Plugin:
## Story
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Story
LifeDev: * Fixed step activating interactions on Start. `IntersActive`. * Added ability to animate the camera's transform dynamically with the FlashBack. `UseFBAnim`. * * Works in tandem with the Dialogs automatic flashback change. Used on Chapter 0's end. * Added ability to end a step when one or more flags are set. `FlagsFinish`.
Plugin:
## Inventory / Flags
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Inventory
LifeDev: * Added item usage animation. * * Did some extra work on item usage on code. * Improved how items look. Colors, icon for item cooling down, etc.
## Interactions (and animations)
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Interact
LifeDev: * Added ability to activate an interact only if it has not been triggered before. This is persisted to SaveState. `UseActiveOnce`. * TV now follows `Flashing lights` feature flag. * Fixed puzzle to clear on reset with `IsOnShot`. * Fixed (auto) label generation on init and runtime. (Used for auto dialogs and auto flags). * Added light switches.
Plugin: * Added `Label`. Used for auto-dialogs and other features. * * Updates automatically from the actual label in the outliner. Can be used, and changed, at runtime. * Added ability to start/stop particles for each state on an Interact. `Particles`. * Added ability to start sounds for each state on an Interact. `SFXs`. * Rework how the interacts initialize their Active state. * * Added a function for setting the state on constructor. This was quite some work. `SetStateNow`. * * Fixes some issues behind the scene with initialization and triggering events on object begin play (on spawn and chapter load). So now it's much cleaner, and deterministic. * * Added a flag for `UseAutoActivate`. Which can be toggled on the Outliner. * * * So that i can easily set up instances without having to create new classes. * * Rework how the `CAnimatorTransform` initializes its transforms. Added `CopyTStart`. * Added ability to remove hint on Trigger (`UseTriggerDeHint`). * Fixed issue with `Unlock`. * * Reworked the unlock flow, and unlock overrideable. * * Added `ShouldUnlock` overrideable. * * Added `UnlockCondition`.
Puzzles: * Fixed `CPuzzle` `OnDone` delegate for Sequences, to only trigger at the end. * Fixed bug on `OnUpdate` delegate. * Added `GetCurrents`. * Added `OnUpdate` auto-dialog.
CAnimator: * Made `CAnimator` default to 60fps. (Affects all types/children of `CAnimators`.) * * This improves a lot the fluidity of animations. 30fps can lead to the impression of the game being less performant. * * While this requires technically more processing power than the previous 30 fps. I've decided that 30 is just too little for transformations. * * They also CAP at 60, (means they don't go over that). And most of them are also hooked to the `Significance` subsystem, so they adjust their fps dynamically. * * Some animators have been optimized to run at 30. Like the one for Sounds and some used for Lights. * Added ability to selectively not be affected by the World Time Dilation. `UseTimeDilation`. * Added `CAnimatorTime` to animate time dilation (super fun to use). * Reimplemented bounce functionality without modifying the `IsBouncing` flag. More re-trigger-able. * `Update` is public. Since that's super useful.
Anim subsystem: * Added loop, bounce, and reversed. * Reworked fades' parameters to use a structure. * Added faders for a Generic fader. Has a curve, loop, bounce, reverse, duration, etc. But you can use your own code.
## Sounds
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Sounds
LifeDev: * Sounds for toilet, switches, radio.
## Utils
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JUtils
New: * Added `LoadJSONTable` and `LoadCSVTable`. To load a data table from a json/csv file at runtime. * Added `SetLocale`, `SetCulture`, `GetCulture`, `GetAllCultures`. * Added `GetUsername`.
Improves: * Removed game pause from `ShowUI` and indirectly from `BaseUI`. * Fixed `ArrayShuffle`.
## Significance
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JSig
* Avoid register on editor non-play. That is, avoid triggering a distracting, but harmless, warning.
## Behave
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Behave
* Added priorities to tasks. * Added `TaskGet` and `TaskRem`. * Added task `Wait`, `Pick`, `Random`, and maybe others. * Added `PlanSpread`, and cost fuzzing. * Added looping. * Fixed plan triggering multiple times. * Improved cost calculation. * * Recalculate plan on running task. * Implemented parallel (multithreaded) plan on pick. * Some optimizations. * Reworked the flow a bit. * Reworking loading, creating, adding, and removing actions. * * Removing actions is new. * * Now more data driven.
# ------ Links
Play it on itch.io https://jerobarraco.itch.io/lifedev
Wishlist on steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/2450230/LifeDev/
> This is the time between time. This sprint i focused on polish while i was doing other stuff, like waiting for feedback, and other real life things that required my attention. I tried to work a bit on marketing, narrative, and design, but without much progress (though trying
> This is the time between time. This sprint i focused on polish while i was doing other stuff, like waiting for feedback, and other real life things that required my attention. I tried to work a bit on marketing, narrative, and design, but without much progress (though trying is as success, and i did a lot of research). I still wanted to keep progressing with the game, and programming makes me happy, so i did some polish while things settled and i was a bit more in a place to continue with the regular sprints. So the new sprint (the one after this devlog) is the start of the 3rd cycle! Yay! Super amazing. So i hope you get excited about this devlog and the upcoming progress :) As always thanks SO SO much for your help and support <3.
Play-tests are still open. If you want to help me with your feedback, please contact me :)
## New plugin for emergent behavior
I've created a new plugin for emergent behavior gameplay! Read more down below on its section ("Behave").
## Plugin now use the MIT license!
So, this is an important change. I rather LGPL3, but i've decided to change to MIT. The major reason i prefer LGPL is that it incites people to also release the modifications of the plugin back to the community (AFAIK). That's actually quite important to me. Unfortunately MIT does not enforce that. The downside with LGPL is that i've had the misfortune to know people who did not understand much about licenses and only used MIT due to being simple to understand. The only point that i find reasonable to not enforce LGPL though, is a clause that states that you either need to release a relinkable object file or use a dll. A clause that i do not care *at all*. But since i know how unlikely is that someone will actually take the time to evaluate a license (with a lawyer maybe), an edited lgpl is not useful. So in the hope that more people can use the plugins and feel at peace, i've decided to use a license that's easy to understand and permissive enough. I'm sure the people that would like to contribute will do it regardless.
# ------ Game
## General
NEW: * Implemented a few modes: New game plus, Kiosk (for expos), and Demo (demo build). * * Just a stub at the moment.
Improve: * Some cleanups and general improves. * Improvements to the GhostPool management. * Improvements to handling the chapter flow, and improved handling the end of the story. * Fixed and improved subsystems and manager initialization flow. For great stability and determinism! Fixes some issues with feature flags. * Moved the outro stats to its own screen. * Improved packaging flow. Changed a few things to work with the Feature flag system, so it's set automatically to the correct group (file saves, test data layer, etc.).
Known issue: * The boxers have some weird color on a side due to a bug in ue.
## Settings
NEW: * Show current foxy value. * Ability to tweak foxy value on new game plus. * Ability to change blur amount. * Ability to change the ui scale! * Ability to invert Y coords on camera movement B) * Attempt to add a debug panel. * Added (experimental) flag to disable saving game during runtime.
Improve: * Reworked saving * * Added a saving icon! * * Improved loading and saving. * * Improved saving handling. * * Added experimental version tag to the save game. * * Fixed saving settings (flags and feats) when changed on the intro menu. * * Fixed loading settings and feats on game start. * * Ensure saving new feature flags.
## Art
NEW: * Light switches (1 base with 3 options). * (Shampoo/conditioner) Bottles. Might not be on the build.
Improve: * Generalized two ui buttons and replaced them on a bunch of places. * Improved the MsgBox. * Improved dialog aesthetic. Colors and such. * * Fixed issue with pop-in animation and different line counts. * Basin position. * Improved the dithering effect and used it in a few more places. Now everything looks a bit more coherent and nicer. * Reworked inventory ui. Items' Colors, number, logic. * Reworked shaders for hint (intention) and hover. * Improved a couple of cameras positions.
## Chapters
All: * Reworked how the walkman/tape/batteries interact/flow (a big work). * Tweaked some dialogs. * Attempt to add precomputed lights (when disabling lumen). Also, HLODS. * Tweaked arrangement of some objects. (Fixes some issues).
CH04: CH03: * Improved interaction with door. * Improved piano puzzle. CH02: CH01: CH00: * Experimented adding some messages on the flashback side.
# ------- Subsystems and plugins
## All
* Some plugins got updated. * Overall cleanup and improvement. Removed old stuff, tobjectptr, branch prediction, constness, crash prevention. * I've changed license to MIT!! (see explanation above)
## Flashbacks
* Fixed issue with FB values not changing at the correct speed between chapters.
## Dialogs
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Diags
New: * Major rework to the dialogs. More data driven. Easier to add tons of them without the need to code. (Inspired by the GDC talk for Firewatch and Steam's L4D/Portal/Etc.) * * This inspired the additional features for 'dialog conditions'. * * To support this i've also added a bunch of automatic (generic) dialog events, as well as flag tracking. * * Still experimental, i'm confident i broke something, and i haven't added many dialogs just yet. Still some technical features missing. * * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj-2vbiyHnI * * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAbBID3N64A
LifeDev: * "AutoDialogs": Item.Look, Item.Fail (not usable, not ready, bad target, no target), Item.Use, Inter.Trigger, Inter.Look, Inter.Unlock, Inter.UseItem, Inter.State, Inter.Activate. * * Most of these are also automatic flags. So now i can (and super easily) have logic on the dialog, puzzles, and interaction; to check for any of the above things. Via the shiny Eval subsystem and conditions (or directly via flags). * Finally removed all \n from items and dialogs. In favor of multiline text fields. Small performance gain.
Plugin: * Renamed sequences to groups. * Added a `Condition` field to dialogs and groups. To be evaluated by the new and shiny Eval subsystem. * Ditched changing the behavior depending on row names' postfixes. * Added group types. Sequence, Random, Match (pick first matching condition), Pick Loop (pick one using a condition, loop around), Pick Clamp (like PickLoop but clamp instead). * Added `Comment` field to both dialogs and groups. * Some other fixes and improves. * Cleanup. Removed unused stuff.
## Story
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Story
LifeDev: * Added `FlagsFinish`. Which allows to finish on certain flags. * Reworked some old steps to take advantage of new features, and also work better. * Generalized screen shakes for any step. * Other improves.
Plugin: * Protected against a really unlikely crash.
## Inventory / Flags
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Inventory
LifeDev: * Added a bunch of "Auto flags". For stuff happening in the game. * * Many are the same from "Auto Dialogs", but also: "Story.Step.Start.xxx".
LifeDev: * Fixed issues with Puzzle finishing timings. * Added text for the current letter on word cube puzzle to help during flashbacks. * Added a new puzzle with books (not in the build yet). * Added a new puzzle with the shampoo bottle (not in the build yet). * Added `RewardIntersTrigger`, which points to other interacts to trigger as a result of the current interact trigger (yes, it makes sense to have it :)) * Improved `IsOneShot` and `DisableWhileAnim`. * Added Interact `ULockCondition`. Unlocks the Interact using the new Eval subsystem. (Soon to be ported to the Interact Plugin). * Added overrideable method for `Unlock`. (To be ported as well). * Spot: * * Added `UseOrder` to require items to be used in order. * * Added `UseStateInc` to increment state on each usage. * Added light switches. This is mostly a test. only added to a couple of rooms.
Plugin: * Improved fading material handling. * Interact: * * Fixes on `Interact::DisableWhileAnim` and `!UseAnim`. * * Added `HintCondition`. Enables hint using the new Eval subsystem. * * Added `UseStateLoop` to loop states when triggering past the last state. * * Added `SetActive` to control whether it's enabled to be interacted with. * * Added `SetState` to control the current state. Also fixed an issue with the state count. * * Moved `Texts` from Anim to base Interact. * * Added `OnHint`. * A big rework on Puzzles to be Interacts. * * removed `DisableOnInter`. * * Added a Type `Condition`, that uses the new Eval subsystem to unlock/complete a puzzle. * * Fixed sequence always locking.
## Sounds
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Sounds
LifeDev: * Added a new song, that plays on the main menu when new game plus is available. * Fixed issue of music initialization on the main menu. * Fixed outro music. * Re-enable optimization (Auto manage attachment). * Fixed music playing twice. * Fixed music volume levels on intro/outro screens.
## Utils
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JUtils
New: * Added `JUtilsMath`. Moved two functions there. Added a few more. * Added `MathEval`. A function that evaluates simple math expressions. Super useful. * Added `ToggleDataLayers`. * Important: Added `Eval` a subsystem for advanced math evaluations. * * With many operators of my own. * * Allows to use user defined variables. * * Helps decouple the system and plugins. * * Uses pure UE c++ code. No external dependency. Uses optimized UE classes. I can extend it in the future quite easily. * * I've started experimenting with this to add conditions to the dialogs, interactions, and other things :)
Improves: * Improvement to the MsgBox class. * * Buttons creations. Hide on done. * Pool * * Fixed issue with reducing pool on ItemMax < Current. * * Ensure pool empty on destroy.
## Significance
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JSig
## Behave
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Behave
NEW: * New plugin for emergent behavior. It's pretty nice. Aims to allow mechanics like the Sims, or Slime rancher, (Or FEAR/TombRaider/Others). * I've made this after watching the Slime rancher and sims talk. So it's a bit inspired by it (thanks so much GDC for the talks). But the design is my own idea. Later on, i've found about GOAP and StateTrees and i've included some of it. It can behave as any of those. * This plugin is on a beta stage (experimental). * The architecture/design is pretty stub/prototype. And has not undergone much optimization. * I'm still testing whether it's going to be useful for this project or not. It's quite possible i won't add it, since it detracts a bit from the current scope, i don't really feel the emergent behavior mechanic fits with the feeling/idea i want to transmit, and could add a ton of extra work for no real value (real value would be a mechanic that reinforces the narrative and tells the story). In any case i'm pretty sure i'll add some sort of emergent narrative in some way. The work with the Dialog/Flags/Eval systems already provides a great deal of power for emergent narrative. * I haven't published it just yet. But i plan to do so sometime soon (when i get some free time, energy, and motivation). Even though it's beta and the code quite not up to my standards, i will publish it anyway in case someone wants to try it out, or help with, or have fun, or learn.
> In any case i think i might just move to use StateTrees by UE. (which i discovered *after* doing this plugin). I think it's much more mature, and also a good skill to learn for my professional career. Though i'm certain that being able to create my own GOAP/StateTree improves my skills more (and require more skills) than knowing how to use a StateTree. So i think of this was a great exercise and learning experience for me. Though maybe i use it in another project just for fun, specially if i discover it's more flexible or performant than state trees. One cool thing about this plugin is that it's compatible with the Significance subsystem, planning happens on a background thread, And the tree is totally dynamic at runtime.
> This is the time between time. This sprint was done while i was preparing other things. I've been organizing a couple of playtests, and gathering feedback. I'm also preparing to tackle the next cycle of the game (a whole horizontal slice that could last another year and a ha
> This is the time between time. This sprint was done while i was preparing other things. I've been organizing a couple of playtests, and gathering feedback. I'm also preparing to tackle the next cycle of the game (a whole horizontal slice that could last another year and a half). So i'd like to have a good idea of where to go.
I'm looking for people who would like to playtest the game and give me feedback. This is truly important for me at this point, and your feedback will shape what the game will become. Please contact me if you're willing and able.
## PLUGINS!
I've decided to publish my plugins already. They are free and open source. The links are below, under the title of each one.
I haven't put time on the documentation (since i had other things to do), but the code it's well documented and easy to understand. I plan on improving the documentation, as well as cleaning them up as i go. Then i want to publish them on Fab, though that proved to require more time than what i have available at the moment.
My wish is that someone finds them useful.
# ------ Game
## General
NEW: * Started working on a hint system. That works with the card 00. * * Done a lot of work. It's working, but barely used. * Added on-screen icon while autosaving (top-right).
Improve: * Improved and tweaked some dialogs. * Enabled PSO precache and other PSO optimizations (less chance to get a stutter). * Lots of cleanup. Removed lots of unused stuff. * Improved savegame stuff, including startup flow.
Known issue: * Timer might reset when reloading from a savestate.
* no パラメーター adjustments.
## Settings
NEW: * Added confirmation before going back to menu and quitting. * Added feature flags for: * * Dialog text, Hint (Card Intention), * Added work in progress story "Backlog". Temporarily hosted in the settings window.
Improve: * Disabled the "speed" post shader by default. * Improved the feature flag for using savegame.
## Art
NEW: * Redo the toilet. * Cleaned up some materials.
FIX: * Hover post process after DOF. Changes how it looks. I like it more and works better with the other post processes. * Re-exported more assets. * A bunch of missing dynamic shadows. * Drawer meshes. * Windows' opacity.
## Chapters
All: * Improved dialogs.
CH04: * Matches flow rework.
CH01: * Rejig some drawers.
# ------- Subsystems and plugins
## All
* PUBLISHED FIRST VERSION!!!!!!! * Added lgpl-3 license (work in progress). * Overall cleanup and improvement. Removed old stuff, tobjectptr, branch prediction, constness, crash prevention.
## Flashbacks
* Reworked flashback post process. * Added/improved some flashback material functions.
## Dialogs
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Diags
Plugin: * Added `OnAdd` delegate.
## Story
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Story
## Inventory / Flags
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Inventory
LifeDev: * Fix on inventory item change.
Plugin: * Added field for sound on item's usage. Also implemented in the game but haven't added any sound :D * `Item.Description` is now an array. * * Allow the game to show multiple dialogs for very long descriptions.
## Interactions (and animations)
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Interact
LifeDev: * Puzzles: set the cubes to read the current letter on the hover. * Piano: show rotating error message on failure. * Fix stove's hitbox. * Added a few basic features to support hints easily.
Plugin: * Wait for puzzle anims to finish before finishing the puzzle and trigger actions. * Fix `ItemLogic` world creation and `BeginPlay`. * Expose AInteract::HintTime to settings. * Big rework on `Anim` subsystem. * * Now handles dynamic materials (float, vectors), custom primitive data (float, vector), material parameter collections (float, vectors), actor/component transform, and sound parameters (float) (e.g. metasound). * * improved the code a lot. * * improved delegates. * Added several features to support hints. (In a custom way). * Default config file. * Added `UseSweep` to `AnimatorTrans`.
## Sounds
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/Sounds
LifeDev: * Moved FB stuff out of generic `AMusicMan` into the game music man.
## Utils
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JUtils
* Lots of work on material functions. Add and improves.
NEW: * Added TWO new dither methods. DitherBayer and DitherHalfTone. * Added simple column sprite-sheet (flip book). * Added EqualsStencil.
Improves: * Improve material functions: Quantizer, QuantizeUV, ShiftRange, Fade, BoundsFade, DitherBayer, DitherHalfTone, Voxel*, others. * Cleaned up old voxel materials. Finally deleted old materials. * * Not using color correction by default.
## Significance
https://codeberg.org/jerobarraco/JSig
* Avoid printing warning during cook. * Other minor improves.
# Links
Play it on itch.io https://jerobarraco.itch.io/lifedev Wishlist on steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/2450230/LifeDev/ Support on patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/jerobarraco Support on liberapay https://liberapay.com/nande Interact on the forums https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/solodev-lifedev-my-dream-game-about-overcoming-cptsd/1172122
> This is the 2nd pass of the chapter 04. This is a HUGE milestone. Now all chapters contains 2 passes. This can be considered a release point. The Alpha version. It contains some new content, and also quite a few improvements all around, and a TON of fixes. This sprint was st
> This is the 2nd pass of the chapter 04. This is a HUGE milestone. Now all chapters contains 2 passes. This can be considered a release point. The Alpha version. It contains some new content, and also quite a few improvements all around, and a TON of fixes. This sprint was still very challenging, but i've managed to keep progressing. I'm actually quite happy with the amount of work that i've managed to achieve. Thanks so much for everyone following the project and supporting me in one way or another! My humble appreciation for you :) So i really hope you enjoy this ! If you want to help me test it, please contact me.
> Important note: If the game has problems, make sure to delete old config files.
### General
NEW: * Moved to 5.5!!!!! * Added FBUtility editor widget to speed up tests.. * Added MegaLights support.
Tweaks: * Improved the docs all over the place. * Constness, TObjectPtr, Branch prediction hints (Un/Likely). And other cleanups docs and fixes. * Improved build pipeline for windows.
Fixes: * Fixed settings menu on the intro not working well. * Fixed crash on hot-reload (yes, hot-reload). * Ghost pool flag is saved.
* no パラメーター adjustments.
### Settings
NEW: * Added new features. * * MegaLights are working now ;) * * Dialog auto skip, with configurable time. * * Configurable default flashback duration. * * Configurable Interact drag. * * Experimental: Batch ticks & Concurrent tick. (see engine docs). * Added Dynamic resolution, FPS cap, AntiAlias mode. * Added version number. * Added Main Menu button. * Revamped ui. Works better.
FIX: * Issue with menu interfering with music and flashback on intro level. * Fixed issue with speed min/max + foxification.
### Art
NEW: * Re-exported and adjusted a bunch of assets for improved performance/space and visuals. (bra, clout03, shirt01, clout01, bed, card, fake window, tv00, door00, walkman00, shirt01, ghost03, kitchen, rice box interact size, door collision). * * Finally deleted a few more deprecated materials. * Added more stub assets to the level.
FIX: * Fixed a bunch of assets (bed). * Removed a bunch of unused assets (char18, char22, test char, snake). * Fix TV button's outline. * Improved Flashback post process (a lot, medium rework). * Improved Ghosts. * Fixed a couple Vertex Interpolators broken from 5.4. * Fixed some DataLayer assignment on some assets. * itsraresight changed name to Ovlune.
### Chapters
CH04: * Added card and modified the flow. * Added matchbox, knife, fork, pictures. * Fixed poem03 look at description. Added patch to allow multi-dialog item description. * Added matches and reworked pot interaction, also with stove. * Added and improved dialogs.
CH02: * Fixed card reward soft-lock.
# ------- Subsystems and plugins
### Flashbacks
LifeDev: * Fixed flashback post process with outline. * Fix animation duration on multiple triggers. * Fix flashback auto increment on dialogs working better with current value. * Improved the GhostPool actor and ghost items. * * Made some stuff on ghost item configurable through Ini files. * Experimented with objects only on flashback side. * * Created a new material and functions. * * Added FB_Depth, FB_Offset functions.
### Dialogs
LifeDev: Plugin: * Removed (unused) dialog type and emotion.
### Story
LifeDev: * Fix step stopping RandFB at end. * Disabled input during camera blends. * Disable pointer text on blend.
Plugin: * Improved handling wait time (in tandem with camera blends).
### Inventory / Flags
Plugin:
### Interactions
LifeDev: * Improved how interactions can interact with other interactions. (And reworked some instances). * * Added Interacts to fade out. * * Added ability to select instances at runtime based on the class. * Fixed checking for rewards. * Fixed fade and active on failed item reward.
Plugin: * Added HoverStencilID property. Configurable by default via Ini file, and also per instance. * Updated default config ini. * Fixed crash with StateNum==0. * Removed network code. * Changed some pointers to WeakPointers. * Added instigator.
### Sound
LifeDev: * Added TV noise. Removed unreal engine's sound. * Updated musics' MetaSound version. * Adjusted some sound levels. * Fixed certain sound effects not working on windows.
### Utils
NEW: * Added CamFade function. (fade according to distance to the camera). * Added FakeWorldUV function. (something with screen coords to uv). * Added Float3ToUV function. * Added Equals function (to quickly test for equality). * Added CQuickMesh::SetUseCustomDepth. * Added GetPIEWorld and IsPIE. * Added Hidden material. * Removed some old materials. Now voxel material defaults to non-color correction.
### Significance
NEW: * Added ability to calculate distance based on the origin component.
# Links
Play it on itch.io https://jerobarraco.itch.io/lifedev Wishlist on steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/2450230/LifeDev/ Support on patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/jerobarraco
> This is the 2nd pass of the chapter 03. It does not contain a lot of new content, but it does contain a good amount. Also, it contains a lot of improvement all around, including stability and performance. This was the 1st sprint after my forced pause, it was very challenging
> This is the 2nd pass of the chapter 03. It does not contain a lot of new content, but it does contain a good amount. Also, it contains a lot of improvement all around, including stability and performance. This was the 1st sprint after my forced pause, it was very challenging, but i've managed to keep progressing. So, here it is. Enjoy!
> Important note: If the game has problems, make sure to delete old config files.
### General
New: Tweaks: * Improved the docs all over the place. * Constness, TObjectPtr, Branch prediction hints (Un/Likely), cleanups. * Improved initialization and load flow. * Tweaked the interaction distance. Fixes: * Fixed the music not loading correctly. * Fixed Ghost pool being active during intro. * Fixed a few collisions (cabinet, wardrobe, shelf). * Fixed some foxification initialization.
* no パラメーター adjustments.
### Settings
NEW: * Added new default features (Nanite, ghostpool, speed, megalights (not yet working ;)) * Added new speed post process.
* Enable LifeDev.ini to be overrideable by the player. * Fixed loading the settings during the intro stage. * * Fixes move sensitivity start at 0 on a rare case.
### Art
NEW: * Pictures. Not yet in the level: matchbox, knife and fork.
* Re-exported a bunch of assets for improved performance/space and visuals. (wardrobe, fluorescent, wordcubes, clouts, piano, key, tap) * * Finally deleted a few deprecated materials.
### Chapter 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4
CH04: * Tweaks to some interacts. * Fixed the matchbox. Added sounds.
LifeDev: * Improved UI working. Moved some stuff to cpp.
### Story
LifeDev: * Added functionality to activate and deactivate (separately) interactions on each step. * Fix step destroying asset during fadeout. * Added ability to query the current chapter. Plugin: * Fixed logs for dialogs not found.
### Inventory / Flags
Plugin: * Fixed "hot" items not changing on the ui.
### Interactions
LifeDev: * Improved collision settings. * Interact managing Hidden on fade. * Fix fade hidden when not using fade. Plugin: * Improved default auto activation flow. Added some logs to detect incorrect setup. * Puzzle: Improved auto activation. * Simplified code. * Better support for 0 seconds duration animation.
### Sound
LifeDev: * NEW: Added a bunch of new sounds. * Adjusted a bunch of (loudness) volumes. * Fixed an issue with ambience sound volumes. * Fixed issue where environ would not fade-in after disabling the music feat., when the fb is >0. * Fixed attenuation on the environment. * Improved attenuation occlusion.
### Utils
NEW: * Added ability to use lambdas on DelegateWrapper. * Added array shuffle. * Added static array length. * Added Plot4 material function. * JUtilsSys, JUtilsNet.
* Improved ease of usage for CodeCurve. * Added new default to CQuickMesh to improve performance.
### Significance
* Improved header usage. * OnChange also notifies the old value.
Play it on itch.io https://jerobarraco.itch.io/lifedev Wishlist on steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/2450230/LifeDev/ Support on patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/jerobarraco
> This is some work after 0.4.0 . Life got busy and stuff happened. And it made sense to publish a new DevLog with the bits and pieces i've collected. Before starting the new sprint. There were tons of things going on outside this project. Which made it really hard to make pro
> This is some work after 0.4.0 . Life got busy and stuff happened. And it made sense to publish a new DevLog with the bits and pieces i've collected. Before starting the new sprint. There were tons of things going on outside this project. Which made it really hard to make progress (if any progress at all). Anyway, i tried my best, and decided to at least push to keep momentum. That proved to be hard and even impossible at times. But i've managed to do a bunch of .... stuff, which led to a lot of interesting improvements and additions. So, i'm making this devlog to start the build with from a more stable point. And also because a lot of time has passed and i feel it'd be nice if i give an update. The build published won't have any new content, but it will have all these improvements.
* New: * * PORTED TO 5.4!! :party: * * * This was less work than expected. But still required an effort. * * Intro logo. * Tweaks: * * Rework character collider size. * * A lot of rework and refactors. * * Improved the docs all over the place. * * Constness, TObjectPtr, likely. * Fixes: * * Settings confirmation dialog. * * Various fixes on stuff that wasn't working. * パラメーター adjustments.
### Settings
* Reworked the whole settings ui: * * Ton of work. * * Ported a bunch of things to cpp. * * Created base widgets for features and feature groups. * Improved graphics settings. * Added AntiAlias, Dynamic Resolution, Frame rate, something else? * Added confirmation dialog on game load, and slot erase. * Audio audio volume preview. * Audio filter on pause. * Bunch of new feature toggles. (Ghost pool, flashback post process, speed post process, fov). * Fixed scroll on qualities. * Fixed control sensitivity to only apply on apply. * Improved screen resolution scale. * Fixed/improved loading and applying.
### Art
* New: Match box. * Optimized a couple of assets. Re-exported a bunch. * Fixed some outside meshes. * Removed unnecessary collisions. * Updated text colors. * More houses on the outside. Light blockers. And spaced lights. * Added speed post process. * Animation for the text.
* LifeDev: * * Animate camera FOV with Flashback. * * Fixed lights state after fb. * * Added ghost pool. And feature flag. * Added OnTo and OnEnd delegates. * LerpStable.
### Dialogs
* LifeDev: * * Made text color white. * * Added new dialog material. * * * With performance switch based on quality settings. * * Fixed animation.
### Story
* LifeDev:
### Inventory / Flags
* LifeDev: * * Dialog shown count at end of game. * * Time count at game end. * * Added foxy flag. * * Actually removing post processes on features. * * Improvements on handling feature flags.
### Interactions
* LifeDev: * * Fixed double enabling. * * Improvements on fade. * * Fixed lights starting "off". * * Added item use result. Added Error. * Made Interactions replicated. !!!!!! * CAnimator: * * Animation and subsystems using lerpStable. * * Added CAnimatorData to animate primitive data. with HSV. * * Added CAnimatorMPC. with HSV. * * Added ::Flip ::Mirror ::PlayMirror ::UseLog. * * AnimMat: Fixed removing duplicated animations. Added removing for data anims. * CAnimatorPID: * * Improved workflow. Added OnGetVal. Improved docs. * Randomizer: Added ::AnimValue ::AnimRandReverse ::AnimMirror. * Not grabbable by default.
### Sound
* LifeFev: * * Base widget for sound slider.
### Utils
* Added JNetUtils. * Materials: * * OKLab Palette Material function * * Palette with HSV * * Added: Checker, Alternate, DitherQuant. * * Added Kawase functions. * Pool: * * Fixed unlikely crash using console commands * UI: * * MsgBox: * * * Fixed MsgBox multiple accept. * * * Reworked style. * OctTree: * * NEW: Oct tree class that handles lots of actors. Works in tandem with the pool. * * ::Rebuild, ::Update, ::Add, ::Iterate, ::HasLoops, ::Contains, ::Overlaps and many more! * QuickMesh: Disable worldpositionoffsetwritesvelocity by default. ### Significance
### JSceneView
* added stub plugin for sceneview.
Build at : https://jerobarraco.itch.io/lifedev/devlog/817605/devlog-18-0410-life-happens
New build is available! New chapter is available! > This is the 1st pass of the 5th chapter (#04). It's quite stub. Sprint log: **Explanation and demo** ------ Game > This was a very challenging sprint for external and internal reasons. Since this is the "last" chapter of t
New build is available!
New chapter is available!
> This is the 1st pass of the 5th chapter (#04). It's quite stub.
> This was a very challenging sprint for external and internal reasons. Since this is the "last" chapter of the story, i decided to do many things differently. That includes changing the scheduling method. So it took way more than usual, but i think it was worth it. So everything is quite barebones and possibly confusing. Enjoy!
> Important note: The button for erasing a save slot does not ask for confirmation! (That's on TO-DO)
> Important note: Compared to version 0.4.0.4, version 0.4.0.8 has less testing and a couple considerable changes, so it's deemed more likely to have issues. Yet 0.4.0.8 fixes a couple really important features, and adds some interesting features. So i highly recommend trying 0.4.0.8. But if you were to have issues with that, please try 0.4.0.4.
General
* New: * * Data layer for outside houses is now more granular. * * Added lights and puzzles to the outro. * * * Saved flags to the save. * Implemented light flicker based on sound. And a somewhat elaborated sound system. * Settings: * * Improved remapping options. * * New: Implemented movement and look sensitivity! * * New: Beta: Implemented different audio submixes (channels), with different volumes and attenuations. * * * This was plenty of work and is still a new feature. Issues might arise. * * * Reworked the attenuations, classes, levels. * Tweaks: * * Interact drag. * * Sound attenuation. * * Improved logging. (It's log log log log, It's better than bad, it's good!) * * Improved movement input. * * (Created and) Fixed some packaging issues. * * Improved characters pose utilities, and base classes. * * Added end of game count for dialogs shown. * Fixes: * * datalayers, hitboxes, sounds, materials, plants, tv interact, cabinet, texts, chapter titles, map dependencies. * * A bunch of issues related to load a chapter directly from save. * パラメーター adjustments.
Art
* New: Pots, stove, boxes, fridge, egg, pencil, particles, plates, sponge, sink. * Optimized a couple of assets. * Fixed some missing shadows. * Redone char18.
Chapter 4
* New: New chapter! * * New room, new flow. * * New music with new mixing system.
Chapter 0, 1, 2, and 3
* Some tweaks on dialogs, items, story flow. * * Improved some dialogs, books.
------- Subsystems and plugins
Flashbacks
* LifeDev: * * Improved FlashBack curve animation. * * Added player movement change based on FlashBack. * Fixed issue with rapidly changing the target value. * Optimized the tick. Only ticking when needed. * Fixed possible crash.
Dialogs
* Tweaks to styles.
Story
* LifeDev: * * Option to automatically increase the flashback based on the dialog. Towards a given target and by a given increment. * * Improved dialog triggering flow. * * Added a few options to show, hide, enable, and disable interacts on step. * * Expanded ability to show/hide actors on step. * * Added option to automatically handle the rain on a step. * * Fixed issue of not destroying actors on step unload quickly. * * Added the FlashBack Randomizer to the step and normalized the usage. * A few refactorings. * Replaced the camera preview mesh with a better mesh. * Fixed the teleport player feature to also set the camera.
Inventory / Flags
* Reworked the flag functions. * Beta: Considerable refactor to how the flags work and the functions provided.
Interactions
* LifeDev: * * Added option to enable an interact as reward. * * Added option to start a new step as reward. * Fix an issue with some fades. * Fixed issue with SetEnable not working on the constructor. * Fixed issue on reward actors. * Fixed double usage of items. * Dis/Enable interacts on fade. * Improved the flow for interactions, rewards, fades, etc. * Some refactors. * Improved system for interact hover detection. Now with two methods to choose from. As well as some parameters.
Sound
* LifeFev: * * Fixed environ playing during intro. * Fixed Noiser not activating on certain cases.
Utils
* Moved GetAnyGameViewportClient here. * UI * * Implemented message box. * * Implemented base button.
Significance
* Various fixes and cleanups. * Fix for android running on background thread. * Added TickWhenPaused
New build is available! New chapter is available! > This is the 1st pass of the 4rd chapter (#03). It's quite stub. Sprint log: **Explanation and demo** ------ Game > This was a challenging sprint for external reasons. So i got less than the previous sprint. Also most of th
New build is available!
New chapter is available!
> This is the 1st pass of the 4rd chapter (#03). It's quite stub.
> This was a challenging sprint for external reasons. So i got less than the previous sprint. Also most of the work was in improving, refactoring, cleaning, and some for the next chapter. So this chap is a bit more bare-bones than i'd have liked. But in truth i always like more.
General
* New: * * Save game is working! (This was a lot of work.) (Please note each release will probably break previous savegames) * * A lot of preemptive work for next chapter. Not visible yet, sorry. * * Added custom StoryManager. * Settings: * * Basic key remapping. (Note this sucks atm so use carefully). * Optimization: * * Re exported some optimized assets. * * Attempt at disabling WPO on meshes. * * Optimized data layers for objects "Outside" and Chap 01. * A ton of minor bugfixes, cleanups, and reorganization. Including plugins. * Added helper to set up character poses.
Art
* New: Piano, plants x2, books, shelves, trashcan, small table. * New: a lot of art for the next chapter (not visible yet). * Improves to light.
Chapter 3
* New: The whole chapter. New puzzle. * パラメーター adjustments.
Chapter 0, 1, and 2
* Some tweaks on dialogs, puzzles, items, story flow.
------- Subsystems and plugins
Flashbacks
* Improvements: * * Fixed SetMax and SetMin default duration.
Dialogs
Story
* Optimization: * * Disable steps' cameras while not active. * New: * * flag to automatically modify the flashback progressively during dialog sequences. * * Delegate for DataLayer changed. * Improvements: * * Fading and step switching cycle. Cover blind for level switching (and others). * * Changing steps, fading, and input enable/disable. * * Data layer loading is not recursive now.
Inventory / Flags
* Improved "Clear" function to Inventory and Flags. * Improved flags SetAll delegates.
Interactions
* Improved delegate handling. * Improved rewarding, fade, and delegate cycle. * Added "IsReversed". Default one depends on the StateNum. * Added "IsOneShot". Adjusted "DisableWhileAnim" * Improved SetMobility, Locked. * Puzzle * * Added ResetOnFail, OnReset, ResetTimer, and other reset utils. * * Moved a bunch of code to the plugin. * * Improvements. SetEnabled, DoneActor.
Sound
Utils
* Added BP async callbacks. * Added IsEditor, IsDebug, CameraFade. * Improvements and fixes to GroupBox.
New build is available! > This is the 2nd pass of the 3rd chapter (#02). It's a bit stub. Explanation and demo ------- Game General * New: * * New feature toggles (environ, music, noises, global illumination, strobes). * * Change features during gameplay. * * Added a bunch of
New build is available!
> This is the 2nd pass of the 3rd chapter (#02). It's a bit stub.
* New: * * New feature toggles (environ, music, noises, global illumination, strobes). * * Change features during gameplay. * * Added a bunch of Light base classes. With some useful features (like animation, strobe flag, intensity). * * Base puzzle class with a bunch of util features (story management, rewards, dialogs). * Optimization: * * Re-exported (optimized) some assets. * * Some managers are AInfo now. * * Reorganization of assets and code. * Settings * * Added custom checkbox class for features. * * Improved widgets initialization. * * Implemented re-load and apply. Also for sounds. * * Improved menu organization. * Fixed cam-shake, quality settings, strobe/animation/flashback flicker, feats reloading on settings, settings resolution scale bar, streetlight flicker.
Art
* New: Word-cubes used for puzzles and others, Wide cabinet, toilet, mirror, bathtub, curtain, bar, Room02, Living00, street light. * New: Sounds for ambiences, noises, and rain. New Music!
Chapter 2
* New: New music! It's pretty cool and quite different!! * New: new character. exchanged them. * New: New puzzle. * パラメーター adjustments.
Chapter 0 and 1
* New: Added some new objects. New puzzle. * Improved some interactions. Re exported some assets.
------- Subsystems and plugins
Flashbacks
* New: AnimSpeed is configurable in config file. * Optimization: Fixed issues with de/activating unnecessarily. * LD: Added debug feature flag. * LD: Fixed setting the correct end value when adding values (as opposed to just setting one).
Dialogs
* New: Added GetIsShowing, Get.
Story
* New: Exposing step flags to be editable in the World Outliner. * New/LD: Added option to finish after dialogs. * Fixes and cleanups. Added logs. * Prevented sequences from having recursive dialogs. * Greatly improved the flow. Specially with child classes. * LD: Fix end step fading in and fading music.
Inventory / Flags
* New: Added Flags::Instance
### Interactions * New/LD: Added dialogs for items usage. * Re-parent sfx to the base mesh. * Improved anim logs, stop callable in editor, trigger begin on reset. * Added stub OnTrigger and OnTriggerLocked delegates. Ensure it has no issues with child classes. * Fix animator fade using invalid material. * Optimization: and fix ticking while deactivated.
Sound
* New: * * CSounder: function to set a float param safely. * * Fade music on level and hold. * * LD: Added feature flags for music, noise, and environ. * * LD: Cross-fade music with environ. * * LD: Handling feature flags for Environ, Music, Noises. * MusicManager Fade and SetIntensity are overrideable. * LD: Fix music intensity on restart. Environ start.
Utils
* Optimized QuickMesh WPO evaluation. * Moved a couple of functions to utils. * Fixed fade material on low quality.
Significance
* New: (Optionally) Handle occlusion. * New: Flag to use concurrent/sequential calculation. * New: Debug flag. * Fixed issue breaking animations.
New build is available! New chapter available! This is the 1st pass of the 3rd chapter (#02). It's a bit stub. Sprint log: Explanation and demo Game General * New: Started using the .ini config files more heavily. New LifeDev.ini file. * New: Started working on the save-game. Bas
New build is available! New chapter available!
This is the 1st pass of the 3rd chapter (#02). It's a bit stub.
* New: Started using the .ini config files more heavily. New LifeDev.ini file. * New: Started working on the save-game. Basic structure and methods in place. * New: Started working a bit on custom control mapping. * Started working on reducing the visual stress for people that needs/wants it. * * Disabled Lumen by default. Mostly since it did not made a lot of sense, secondly to improve performance. (It can be enabled with the .ini config files). * * Removed depth of field post process effect. * Performance pass * * cleanup on things loaded * * significance plugin working! Added to a bunch of objects in the scene. * _Lots_ of bug fixes, cleanups, and improvements all around. * * Removed unused assets, variables, and code. * * Updated collisions.
Chapter 2
* New: New chapter. * New: New room. * New: New character. * New: New types of interactions. Including cards. * Attempt to improve the lighting. * パラメーター adjustments.
Chapter 0 and 1
* Added some new objects. * Improved some interactions. * Some tweaks and improvements in many aspects.
Art
* New: New objects: Calendar, wide chair, bathtub, wide cabinet, stand lamp, books, toilet, hall, wide doors, picture frame. * New: New character! * New: Started experimenting with skeletal animations and voxel art hybrid. * New: Started experimenting with a new palette system for assets. * Improved, cleaned, and improved performance of voxel materials.
Subsystems and plugins
Flashbacks
* New: Added feature flag for strobe lights to disable flashing lights. * * It can be toggled at the start, but also can be toggled on the .ini files. * Added duration to SetMax and SetMin. * LD/New: Created new flashback post process. Less visually confusing, more meaningful.
Dialogs
* Not much.
Story
* New: Feat to remove items at end of step. * New: Feat to ensure items at the start of a step. * Fixes on finishing step on item received. * Fix item rewarding. * Fix incorrect transition on last step of sequence. * Reworked the whole step cycle. Start, Stop, StartSequence. Much improved, such determinism, no bugs, good wow. * Improved character teleport. * LD: reworked chapter load cycle.
Inventory / Flags
* New: Added ensure items, which makes sure there's at least 1 of the item. * New: Added remove items, which removes completely an item. * New: Added ItemLogic class and CardLogic. Not much use yet, but allows for having custom logic instance for each item.
Interactions
* Fix not being able to modify the root component in blueprints. * LD: Added UseItemDlgs. Which allows to define a map of items/dialogs, so that when an item is used it will trigger the specified dialog. Speeding up development considerably. * LD: Improves on animation management. * LD/New: Improves on flicker on flashback.
Sound
* New: New sounds for drawers and lamps. * New: New music. * New: Added audio volumes for reverb and stuff. * Updated sounds groups and levels.
Utils
* New: Added material and material functions for palette with vertex colors. * New: QuickMesh can set collisions. * Moved a bunch of voxel color related materials to JUtils plugin.
New! Significance
* New: Finally working significance plugin. in a separate plugin to have clean dependencies. * Configurable through .ini files. * * Use Background thread. * * Update interval. * * Number of player controllers to process. * Subsystem to control everything globally. * Component to easily control each actor individually. * * Can be subclassed. LifeDev has a custom one that works in tandem with animations. * * Everything is per instance configurable. * * Auto register. * * Simple to use. * * Can override the significance calculation. * * Delegates for changes and events. * * Can adjust tick enabled and intervals. * * Can control hiding components. * * Significance depending on: * * * Actor being hidden * * * Last time rendered (visible). Configurable timeout. * * * Distance to camera. With different levels.
New build is available! There were a few factors that resulted in having less content than i expected (i.e. it's pretty stub). But there's a ton of under-the-hood work :). Still this is the 2nd pass, so the focus was on adding content rather than features. Sprint log: Explanation
New build is available!
There were a few factors that resulted in having less content than i expected (i.e. it's pretty stub). But there's a ton of under-the-hood work :). Still this is the 2nd pass, so the focus was on adding content rather than features.
* New!: Upgraded to 5.3.2 on windows and similarly latest on Linux * New!: Added joystick support * * Note: i had an issue with my joystick so that the camera control sucks at the moment * New: Added new shader effects (not in use yet) * * OKLab conversions and Lerps. Gooch filter. Edge detection. And utilities (Lerps, Average, Kernels, etc) * New: Added test data layer to separate test functionality from actual game * New: Added starting chapter feature. Helps on development and will be used for save games * New: More animation curves (noise ramp, incubic) * Performance pass * * Removed unnecessary material creation among others * * Removed a bunch of unused plugins * Improved plugins' documentation and settings * Bug fixes and improvements all around
Flashbacks
* New: Added lights reaction to flashback system
Dialogs
* New: More dialogs on interactions * Improved random dialogs * Reworked flow for dialogs for looking at items * Renamed plugin to avoid issues with another engine directory
Story
* Not much
Inventory
* Not much
Interactions
* New!: Puzzle system leveraging the interact system * * Supports puzzles of type "combination" and "sequence" * * Able to repeat sequences * * No currently playable puzzle in game * New!: Extended interaction lifecycle to have multiple states on each interact * * Integrating the state management in the current flow and design * * Extended texts, transforms * * Works together with the Puzzle system * * Added state reset ability that works with the puzzle system * New: Optionally disable an interact while animating * Cleaned and refactored the reward/fade/destroy cycle * * Many fixes, improvements, and simplifications * * New: Added reward actor * Fixed issues with new materials and fade * Ported two more interaction to cpp
Sound
* New: More noises * New: Added sound to more elements (cards, batteries, clothes spots, etc) * Improved noises randomization and levels * Improved general attenuation settings (they still need much rework) * Fixed an issue with self-destroy and trigger sound
Utils
* New: Add new actor pooling subsystem * * Manages multiple pools by class * * Non-intrusive, class agnostic and non reliant on interfaces * * Actor lifecycle management * * Allows to have pools that can grow or not * * * Also allows to decrease over a configurable time * Progress on the Significance Manager Subsystem plugin * * Moved to a new plugin to free dependencies * * Not in use yet
Chapter 0
* New: More interactions * More rounded * Interactions more connected * Reworked the story flow * Improved some collision and animations * Attempt to improve the lightning * パラメーター adjustments
*New build is available!* *New chapter available!* > Note, there were a few factors that resulted in having less content than i expected (i.e. it's pretty stub). But there's a ton of under-the-hood work :) And the next sprint will be the 2nd pass for this same chapter. Sprint
*New build is available!* *New chapter available!*
> Note, there were a few factors that resulted in having less content than i expected (i.e. it's pretty stub). But there's a ton of under-the-hood work :) And the next sprint will be the 2nd pass for this same chapter.
* update to 5.3 !! * * performance optimization around shadows and global illumination * new: implemented dynamic loading using data layers * * bug fixes and improvements all around * * performance pass * * improved input handling * improved settings menu and quality settings. * * new: added new quality categories. * * new: added basic input hints * * added a couple of shaders * new: moved to newer goxel/vengi with optimized meshes and improved colors (not many new assets though)
Flashbacks
* improvements. * new: Max/Min. handle of changes * hooked to the noises
Dialogs
* improved random dialogs, and dialog system * new: dialog history !! * improved ui and animation
Story
* upgraded chapter flow * improvement to transitions, camera handling, fades * new: dynamic loading using data layers
Inventory
* improved item look at * new: added a flag sub system to track flags (things that happened) * new feature: item can have its own logic
Chapter 0
* less stub than before * * playable * expanded story, dialogs, items
Sound
* new: new musics! * new: new interactions, and noises
New devlog! A month passed since the 1st release, i've re-scheduled the scope and all. I've made a lots of changes and a new build is ready. The goal of this "sprint" was to do a 2nd pass of the Chapter 01 (Whatever works). Mainly focused on quality rather than adding more conten
New devlog! A month passed since the 1st release, i've re-scheduled the scope and all. I've made a lots of changes and a new build is ready.
The goal of this "sprint" was to do a 2nd pass of the Chapter 01 (Whatever works). Mainly focused on quality rather than adding more content or systems. I did managed to implement a couple new systems including the dynamic music and flashback system.
The next sprint (to begin in one week's time) has the goal to rework the Chapter 00 (Intention), which is a stub atm. (And also ue 5.3)
Here's the video version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_g2lzSWzzU
Thanks for playing and please send me your feedback 🙏
Notes: * In case you're interested there's a changelog.txt along the game files, with all the commits. * There's a known issue that happens randomly, where the music stays muted when starting the chapter 01. Which is what i wanted to showcase, so maybe i'll do a hot-fix build at some point.
LifeDev 10th week's DevLog * Completed the chapter ending sequence. * Lots of improvements. * Packaging working well and getting ready to share a build ** maybe on itch.io itchio * Steam page! (wishlist 🙏) steam
LifeDev 10th week's DevLog
* Completed the chapter ending sequence. * Lots of improvements. * Packaging working well and getting ready to share a build ** maybe on itch.io itchio * Steam page! (wishlist 🙏) steam
