Hi
I just wanted to give you a quick update on the promised new customization features I'm adding to the game in the next patch.
New models:
In order to implement customization I needed to add new humanoid models for the game. Right now I have a new female raider model which I'm using to test different combinations of accessories, hair, helmets and textures for skin, eyes, armor and face paint.
You can see one of my tests in this gif:
The idea is to do the same for the rest of the classes (at least the human ones) so the game will have male and female variants for raiders, mercenaries, assassins and techno sorcerers. Of course, you'll have a new UI panel where to edit all this, from simple accessories and textures, to hair, eyes and even some sliders to alter (slightly) faces.
Facial Expressions and Face Sliders:
Besides accessories and textures I'm also using "blendshapes" to modify faces a bit. Of course, since I'm a one man dev don't expect something as varied as what studios like Bioware and Bethesda can offer but it should still help with variety a lot.
These blendshapes are also useful to implement facial expressions, as you can see in the gif below I'm testing for basic stuff like blinking, side-eyeing and even some facial expressions that should give more character to the soldiers. Adding to that they can be called during combat, in that way the soldiers won't have blank stares when they are injured or they are shooting a target.
NOTE: gifs reduce a lot of quality and framerate, the original expression transitions are smoother in-game.
Beta Patches:
One last thing: before I make the patch public I'll be testing these new features in a Beta branch, if you want to see the changes before most players (and help me catch any last minute issue *wink wink*) you are always welcome to join the open Beta branch, to opt-in you need to follow these instructions:
- Go to Library and right click the game.
- Click "Properties" in the menu.
- In the Properties panel go to "Betas" tab.
- In the "Enter beta access code..." field write the password PiratasDelVacio
- If there's a beta patch available then it should start downloading.
- If you want to leave the Beta branch just use the dropdown in the same window.
Of course, since this is a Beta branch (and for an Early Access game), bugs could be more possible to find so it's up to you if you want to try it. If you do and find any issue please let me know in the forums.
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Anyway, I still need to do this work for the rest of the classes so the next patch might take a while but it will be worthy in my opinion, I believe that extra customization options are not only fun to have but characters with proper faces instead of just helmets tend to feel more valuable to players (especially when they lose them tragically). I also think I've improved a lot in my 3D art since I started the game (but you'll be the judge of that) so better looking characters are always a plus.
Regards,
Jorge