Hold on to your scoops! This is going to be a long one!
We have seen quite a lot of interest in the game so far and would love to get some feedback from you all. As such, we will be doing a weekly update series where we discuss changes in the game and keep everyone up to date on what's going on behind the scenes.
Our goal is to be completely transparent with our progress. Comments are open to everyone and we would love to hear your thoughts!
So What's New?
As it has been about a month since the launch of our Steam page, there's quite a bit of news. A quick overview:
New Features
- Sprinkles
- Wafer rolls
- Ice Cream scoring system (in progress)
Other Changes
- Refine visuals
- Performance Tuning
- Order Bubble overhaul (almost complete)
- Audio overhaul (in progress)
In-Depth Details
Audiovisual Overhaul
Beachville in all its Ultra glory.
Our major focus over the last month was getting Beachville to look and sound how we imagined it should. We want to show what you can expect from the game in terms of appearance.
We are close to completing this step (should be done by next week.)
Performance Tuning
Beachville on Very Low settings.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the experience of having a hectic ice cream job, so we offer six levels of visual fidelity, from Very Low to Ultra.
The lowest setting will be tuned for maximum performance and completely disables shadows, post processing and hides most world details. It may not be as pretty, but it offers the same amount of fun even if you don't have the latest and greatest computer hardware.
Sprinkles & Wafer Rolls
In more tasty and tangible news, we have implemented sprinkles and wafer rolls. Customers will order these and give you more or less tips based on how balanced you make the ice cream. Read more below in the scoring update section.
Order Bubble Overhaul
An order for a vanilla soft serve with a wafer roll in a paper cup.
Along with the addition of sprinkles, we have improved the look of the order bubble to better convey what the customer wants. It still needs some work to ensure the ice cream remains centered.
Customer Scoring
The system for customer evaluation of ice creams is mostly complete. They will judge your ice cream based on:
- Toppings - Which and how many (see below)
- Cone - Type of cone used
- Scoops - Number of scoops
- Flavor(s) - Which flavors and the balance between them if multiple
- Amount - Customers don't want a tiny ice cream! The more the merrier!
This score will be used as a multiplier on top of a slightly random value to decide the size of the tip the customer gives you.
Toppings have topping-specific requirements.
For sprinkles, customers have a sweet point when it comes to the amount. They are pretty forgiving, but nobody wants just ten sprinkles nor an ice cream drenched in them.
When it comes to wafer rolls, customers will be neutral about it if you give them more than they asked for (up to a point, don't get too excited and make it weird.) However, don't give them any unless they specifically asked for some.
Sound like a lot to take in?
Don't worry. The game will ease you into it. Your very first customers will be quite predictable to help you (and your potential partner-in-dimes) acclimate to the options.
That's it for this week!
Plans for Week 8
- Complete audio overhaul
- Complete order bubble overhaul
- Complete customer scoring
- Start work on menu system (planned completion by end of Week 9)
Plans for February
-
Visual refinement- Done - Audio overhaul - In progress
- Oorder bubble overhaul
- Customer scoring
- Implement menu
- New trailer & screenshots showing new features, visual refinement and audio overhaul
Before Early Access Release
This is a list of major topics that must be completed before the game is considered ready for release into early access.
In essence, early access will be 75 - 80% complete, only lacking two areas and their respective unlockables.
- Everything Above
- Finish Beachville
- Implement upgrades store (using in-game currency, not real money!)
- Implement outfits store (again, in-game currency only)
- Implement "Twilight Island" (island where players stay between rounds and buy upgrades, customize characters etc.)
- Add all Beachville vehicles
- Add user interface for character customization
- Add hands-on tutorial (no walls of text, we promise!)
- Add upgrades
- Implement rounds system (AKA in-game days & weeks)
- Implement "boss round"
- One month minimum of QA with beta testers (Interested in being a tester? Let us know!)
If everything goes according to plan, early access release can be expected early fall 2022.
Before Full Release
This is an extremely high level overview of our road map.
- Release Early Access
- Finish Beachville, Farmtown and Metrocity
- Add area-specific unlockables (upgrades & outfits)
- Adjust game balance as necessary
The game should only need additional maps and whatever upgrades and outfits are unlocked to be completed. Perhaps some balance tuning to keep it challenging.
If everything still goes according to plan, a full release can be expected before summer 2023.
Closing Thoughts
How did you find this post? Was it too long & detailed? Not detailed enough? Too technical? Let us know by commenting below!
Come back next Monday for another progress report!