Hi there, I thought it was time for a post, to let you know what I'm up to and reassure you that I'm still on the task here at Dream Games Studio.
A Big Thank You
But first a quick thank you to those of you that have shown your support this month so far and purchased a copy of Hannon. Your support during this Early Access development stage means a lot so thank you!
Exploration in the Works
I had been mulling this one over for a while now and it seemed to be a logical addition to the game. As you flit around the Galaxy ZED is always keeping an eye out for things to bring to your attention. No, leaving Pizza in the microwave for too long not being one of them!
He has now been given the ability to spot 'Derelicts' These can be pretty much anything from a small ship adrift in space to an abandoned space station.
Now, of course, you are going to need to don your Spacesuit for these EVA activities and I suggest keeping your sidearm loaded. You will be informed when ZED detects such a Derelict and given the choice to investigate or not.
If you choose not too don't expect the derelict to be there on the way back. More than often simply exploring a derelict can cause them to break up. Or the derelict may be ransacked, errr I mean explored by another captain and then destroyed to hide the fact they had been there.
Exploring these 'instanced' derelicts will give you an opportunity to test your hand blaster skills and feed then insatiable appetite you all have for looking for loot in every nook and cranny.
But... Beware with great loot often comes great danger. New dastardly bad guys, well half automaton half-alien yukky fest! Either way, they really don't take well to visitors.
Loot will be varied but will be a great way to top up on all kinds of things of use in your journey around the Phoenix Galaxy.
I'm currently testing this build and working out a few kinks, but once I have it all ironed out I will get this to the live Steam build. Of course, this will also come with a smattering of Bug fixes and small additions.
Cooperative / Multiplayer Galaxy
When we first set out to create Hannon we knew that initially, the game would have to be a single-player entity. For the most part, this is a limitation of the engine.
But as we progress further down the path we are also aware that there are elements of Hannon that could have each of you taking part in a joined-up cooperative Universe.
Take for instance the use of a Galactic Buyers market. A location where you could post a Contract for goods or resources. You decide how much you're willing to pay per unit and set the amount required.
You're of course charged upfront the full cost and the contract is placed on the G.B.M. Other players can then review the G.B.M contracts and drop off in part or whole as much as they have to spare.
You'd be able to cancel the Contract at any time and get back any funds still outstanding on the escrow you were initially charged. Players dropping off items would get paid as and when they dropped off items on to your contract.
Then let's consider the creation of Player based 'Emporiums'. Got a tonne of this and that currently sitting in your Commercial Storage. Why not open an Emporium on a Station or planet and put your items up for sale to other players.
Then let's consider Joint player challenges. We could hold competitions where players would have a set of goals to complete. Not as individual players but as a community. Goals set that each of you would contribute to by simply 'doing your bit' in the Galaxy.
With the advent of creating these multiplayer links, it also means we can work on adding rewards and special packs to the game for taking part in these challenges.
This would all be contingent on us being able to get the game to connect with our servers and this, in turn, is dependent on support. It is an eventual goal for us to merge the players into a 'community' game and allow you to trade and work side by side. Time will tell how much of this we can achieve but I wanted to impart that to you, and especially those of you on the fence about a purchase.
OK, back to my desk...
By the way, if anyone is passing my desk and wants to drop off doughnuts and coffee, please feel free to do so...