Another Month, Another Paper Sky Update! We’re back with another update on Paper Sky! Here’s what’s new:
Quick Updates
The big announcement is still in the works, but I’ve shared a sneak peek in an unofficial post on the project Discord!
The new demo release is delayed slightly due to some exciting features I’m adding, including a redesigned upgrade menu. This extra work won’t affect the final release date, as these features were always planned.
Boost Reworked
I’ve finalized the visuals for the updated boost mechanic. Now, recharging your boost charges happens by flying fast and close to the environment; essentially rewarding "cool" and risky maneuvers. This setup reinforces a sense of flow, encouraging you to stay airborne as long as possible.
To guide you, red trails will mark the main route for progression, and flying near them will naturally boost your speed and recharge your boost charges. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this feature once you try it out.
Upgrade Menu
The upgrade menu has been revamped to feel more interactive and engaging. Now, when you open it, a popup book unfolds, letting you turn pages to select and upgrade different paper transformations. Each page is like a mini diorama of the model you’re customizing. Upgrade points are represented by messages left by other players that you find on your journey. I hope this visual approach makes customizing your plane even more fun, the visual here is still very rough.
Optimization Pass
I know the first demo was a bit sluggish on the Steam Deck, though it mostly ran well on PCs. I’ve optimized the lighting model, and the game now runs consistently on the Steam Deck. Moving forward, the Steam Deck will be the primary benchmark for optimization—so if your hardware outperforms a Steam Deck, you’ll have no issues running the game at high settings.
However, there’s one world in the game that uses a different render pipeline and incorporates ray tracing. This area may still be demanding on certain graphics cards, so I’ll be working closely with beta testers to make sure it’s accessible for as many players as possible after the new demo is out.
I’m still exploring ways to make clouds interactive for players. If the current shader approach doesn’t work out, it won’t be a big loss, but I’ll keep you updated!
What I'm working on in November?
I’m focusing on filling out and polishing the art assets for the third world, which will be featured in the upcoming demo. Once that’s complete, the new demo will be released for you to enjoy.
That’s all for now—see you in the next update, or for the big announcement (hopefully soon 💀)!