Summary of v0.8.0 Development
Game System
- System Update - Third-person player character
- System Update - Camera system
- System Update - Scrollable environment map
- System Update - Trader selling system
- System Update - Coin chest system
- System Update - Coin tax system
- System Update - Environment interactions
- System Update - Tutorial and cutscenes
Art and Content
- Art Update - Viia Character Portrait
- Art Update - Viia third-person sprites
- Art Update - NPC third-person sprites
- Art Update - Bouch's Retreat settlement
- Art Update - Lumber Fyve settlement
- Art Update - Warkin Keep settlement
- Art Update - Heaverforge settlement
- Art Update - Environment interaction UI
- Art Update - Dialogue UI
- Content Update - Narrative and dialogue
- Content Update - Music and SFX
- Bug Fixes
It's here, the big v0.8.0 update! Much of the remaining out-of-date systems have been much improved and revamped, and from this point on, expect new chunks of content with every update!
Featured Updates
Third-person Player and Environment
One of the biggest updates yet to Ten Thousand Coins. The player is able to take control of Viia and explore various settlements, enter buildings, interact with characters and objects. This was a feature planned for a long time and was only implemented in this build to coincide with the new environment art of each settlement.
New Settlement Art and Buildings
The environment assets, especially towns and cities, were some of the oldest art assets dating back to as far as 2017 in the v0.4.x builds. Much of the art is dated, and cramming a miniature settlement on a single screen did not properly represent the atmosphere and feel for each settlement. With the help of our talented artist Elena, each settlement now features a new large map and settlements assets, including buildings to enter. Much had to be updated on the programming side as well, as a new camera system had to implemented to fit with the UI system.
Trader Selling and Coin System
In previous builds, it was possible to deposit and convert goods into coins immediately using the coin chest. Upon more testing, we feel this system cut out a bit too much of the trading experience as a merchant, hence the ability to sell goods for coins has to implemented back into the game. As selling goods for coin incurs a certain amount of tax from each trader, the player must also search and sell goods the correct trader to maximize coin return. This system works together with the barter system (still the main trading method to gain a profit) to give the player more strategic choices with trading goods. The coin chest now acts much like a bank term deposit, stores your coins safely to meet milestones.
Dialogue and Tutorial System
Behind the scenes work on the tutorial system. While appearing much the same on the surface, the system is now much more optimized with easier management and far fewer instances of gameplay bugs (especially bugs that locked the gameplay indefinitely).
A lot of updates also require a lot of game testing! Next alpha playtesting session coming very soon, stay tuned and remember to sign up for alpha testing at https://www.tenthousandcoins.com !