Hello,
Sunny Side Up here.
We are happy to continue with the commentary of the previous demo version since last month.
- 1st demo: The demo that was on Tumblbug and Steam Next Fest
- 2nd demo: Updated ver. of the demo that was released only for patrons in August
In the 1st demo, as the various recipes were spread across the map as obtainable items, player could have felt the joy of finding hidden recipes by exploring through different places. However, we came up with 3 major issues regarding this method.
- There were no explainable clue or probabilities for the specific recipes to be found on the random field.
- Lack of the information of next recipes besides from player’s initial recipe, adding up with lack of player’s choice upon the selection of next recipes. For that reason, player might have difficulties planning their next move.
- Difficulties of level design due to the size of map and shortage of puzzles.
In order to deal with these problems, we came up with the purchasing method in the 2nd demo by letting players buy what they appetite through NPC vendor Witch Crow.
In the current version, we think that the game’s vendor system is not functioning well enough.
Thus, our dev team is working hard to come up with proper vendor system in order to improve player’s gaming experience.
In the 1st demo, there was no limitation in the usage of processor. Player could access every tools in the early stage of the game.
On the improvement procedure of the tutorials in the game, we found out that too much information (2 processors, detailed functions of potion making, etc.) were given to player at the first time player enters the making room, so it might be confusing to players.
And due to the circumstance that contents including potion making and gathering were unlocked to player (Ellie) at the first place, we thought that player (Ellie) might have less motivation for further expedition.
In order to deal with this problem, we intended to change the processors to be fixed by player, so that it would intrigue player’s motivation.
As we have found several players who were stuck in repairing process, we will come up with improvements in the future.
As the quill has been introduced in prior dev notes,
It initially functioned automatically as soon as the player acquires new items. However, it has been changed to be functioned when Ellie manually draws the object in the encyclopedia.
The encyclopedia intended to support player by providing useful information of gathering.
Initially, as it provided information upon the acquisition of the items, we think that it did not work as a proper guide.
After several tryouts, we came up with the idea that Ellie sketch the item on the encyclopedia by using the quill.
We were inspired by scanner tool in ‘Subnautica’ and killer shape in ‘Dead By Daylight’.
From now on, as Ellie can describe in the encyclopedia prior to the acquisition of items, player can get useful information even before gathering activities.
Additionally, as it will take some time for Ellie to draw an object, this action might have slight delay.
And our dev team think it will intrigue player’s motivation and entertainment as it provides minor challenge to the gathering activities.
As we think our intention was not fully represented in the current demo version, we are currently working to find better solutions to improve this matter.
Ritorings have been added across the map!
Regarding the placement, we tried to balance the difficulty to provide achievements for the players who are willing to find them might find them.
We think it will intrigue curious players who like to find details in the map.
In order to entertain our players with various contents, we are positively considering to add more challenging way of acquisition for players in the future.
But, it has not been decided yet.
Additionally, Ritoring will give you some improvised gifts for you to use it in further contents update.
As always, our dev team is working to provide players with meaningful and valuable gaming experience in the future update.
That's all for today's Dev Note.
We will see you again with another dev note in the near future.
Thank you!
