Hey all, welcome to this week's progress report.
Level:
We worked together with code and game design to develop a tool that will help our designers to distribute collectable resource items across the world map easily.
We are also working on a set of mesh decals that will help us add details to the Alpha Camp so it will have that nice sci-fi look to it.
For Umbar we wanted to change the design philosophy for its buildings and architecture to get a more unique and open feel to it. Check out these awesome designs that our level team came up with.
Code:
This week, we implemented shooting of ranged weapons for the new combat system. There are 4 different shoot modes:
- Charged: The shot is charged up by holding the left mouse button and is fired when releasing it. Speed and damage get scaled depending on how much the shot was charged. This mode will be used for bows.
- Semi-Charged: Similar to charged with the difference being, if the shot is not fully charged, it counts as a normal shot. This mode will be used for energy weapons which can fire powerful charged shots that use up more ammo.
- Semi-Auto: Standard one left click, one shot mode. This mode will be used for handguns.
- Full-Auto: The weapon will keep shooting as long as you hold down the left mouse button. This mode will be used for rifles.
In addition to the shoot modes, we implemented reloading as well as an overheat feature. If a weapon overheats, you will not be able to shoot until it has cooled down again. Only some weapons can overheat (e.g. energy weapons).
On a different note, we have been experimenting with and started implementing upscaling technologies (DLSS, FSR and TSR), as well as their frame generation capabilities. While upscaling will not make a meaningful difference in CPU bottlenecked areas (like story mode at the moment), graphically intense sandbox scenes or playing on higher resolutions will have a positive impact on performance when upscaling is enabled.
Character:
The male fantasy sexy armor outfit is almost ready, once the model has been implemented for some Sethro-based characters we will transfer it over to some other models, too. The wildfire outfit redesign has also been completed and we are very happy with the results, it is a welcome quality increase for this titular piece of equipment that one of our protagonists starts out with.
Animations:
In the animation department, we are now back on combat. The Blackwing is finished on the animation side now and has been given over to Game Design for its proper implementation. While they are getting its moves and AI ready, we are moving on to the Sandshark - a large centipede-like creature lurking under the desert sands. We also did a little polishing pass on the energy mace and heavy wrench move sets this week, improving the feel of blocking and some attacks.
On the sexy side of things, we are currently working on some Maya x Kral animations.
Design:
This week we have been designing some special moves for combat: Dropkick, Sandshark underground movement, Gobbler tongue and grab moves in general as well as movesets for the Feral Boar and Sandshark.
We also started iterating on the Warrior Village quests. Maya's dialogue with Zyke is being improved to use the new emote feature and a new, short minigame in the style of the 'suck out poison' scene from Max X Janara was designed as a predecessor to Maya and Zykes actual sex scene. The purpose is to give the player more options to flirt while also making it more interactive.
Additionally, proper log texts were added for the 'Uncle Zyke' quest and the warrior guard at the pod will now be abducted at the start of chapter 3 and can be found at the pod on guard duty before that, where Max can get some info about the warrior's claim on the metal.
The new world quest for Iljah has progressed, as well. Max can find him between Alpha Camp and Warrior Village, rescue him in the Umbar jungle from cannibals with a taste for fatty meat and finally fulfill IlJah’s gastronomic desires in the guest house in Umbar. After doing so, Iljah will move to the Mayor's party where he is available as a sex encounter for Maya.
Thank you for all your continued support,
-Wild Life Team