Hi!
Hopefully you have had a great early summer, mine has definitely been busy and full of interesting events and tasks related to upcoming development.
Since making devlogs on Youtube is rather time consuming and the next video still missing some content and editing, I decided that making some sort of text-based monthly SITREP's (Situation Report) would be a good way to communicate as well.
So here's the first SITREP which covers wide range of topics from this month.
Build 2 & Nomads
In terms of Road to Vostok roadmap, my obvious priority at the moment is the Build 2 (Nomads) which introduces that friendly faction and bunch of AI related improvement.
Work towards this build is going accordingly to plans and here's some relevant info.
The first set of Nomad characters have been made and ready to be "rigged" for the animations and upcoming new AI systems.
The Nomad boss called Hunter is also fully modelled and textured:
Then when it comes to AI improvements, I'm also currently working on the following things:
Reworking the entire AI controller to support more active AI per map
Reworking the AI sensor and aiming behavior for optimization
Adding new target system to support AI vs. AI combat
Implementing new AI behaviors like: Reload, Grenade, Looting, Sleeping etc.
Designing group-based behaviors where AI's can patrol together etc.
On top of the AI improvements and Nomads, the Build 2 will also introduce bunch of new content and one of those is new trader called Driver.
Driver is the first "Dynamic Trader" which means he doesn't belong to a specific map and switches between locations somewhat randomly.
Driver will have a standard set of tasks (x10) and once the Trader Services are added later on (Build 4), you will also be able to use the Driver for certain logistic and transportation services.
Here's a some work-in-progress images related to Driver:
Here's also the lore-related bus that the Driver uses when switching between locations and those upcoming Trader Services (heavily WIP):
Then few other topics that are going to be present in Build 2:
New map & new shelter (TBA)
New crossing point with new mechanic (alternative to mines)
2-3x new weapons (will be updated in Build 4 related to weapon overhaul)
10-15x new items (especially clothing and crafting related)
5-10x new crafting recipes (especially clothing and furniture related)
Character Preview feature will return (meaning you can visualize your outfit with UI)
New radio tracks and audio additions like more voice lines
A lot of bug fixes based on your feedback
Build 4 & Weapon Overhaul
Even though it might seem a bit weird why I'm already focusing on Build 4, but in game development some major overhauls require a lot of preparations and this is definitely one of those.
When it comes to Build 4, the main focus is that weapon overhaul which I'm desperately waiting since all the current weapons in the game are placeholders and not custom-made for this game.
This placeholder topic is also a major headache and prevents me adding multiple new weapon related systems in the game, but luckily since the Early Access launch was really successful, now this limitation can be removed by outsourcing and hiring.
In terms of actual progress that is done towards the Build 4, here's some details:
I have curated and selected x50 weapon spreadsheet (list of guns that will be added)
I have done multiple negotiations and found a suitable contractor for this job
We have done a "weapon pilot" and figured out the key details for RTV specific guns
I have implemented an upgrade system that will be linked to RTV specific guns
I think I have already talked about this upcoming weapon upgrade system few times in the past, but since there's probably a lot of new people here after the launch, here's the summary:
In Build 4 there will be trader services and weapon "modkits" to upgrade weapons
Upgraded weapons has better stats and look visually different (more tactical)
Upgraded weapons has more emphasize on attachments (more attachment slots)
These custom-made weapons are now being done as we speak and you can get an idea of this upgrade system for example with this concept image (AKS-74U example):
So in other words, even though the goal is to get roughly x50 custom-made guns for RTV, that number is actually much higher (production wise) if we consider the modded versions as well to this count.
Probably already in the next SITREP (July), I can share screenshots and renders of the weapons that have been done from scratch and how those modded variants will look as well.
Build 8 & Devices
Now we are jumping from Build 4 to Build 8, but no worries these are just stuff that need to be implemented much earlier and will be fully utilized and refined later on.
There will be a lot of emphasis on lore-related content starting roughly from Build 3 and all the way to Build 8 which "finalizes" the upcoming quest system. This lore-related content will be linked to certain communication devices and one of those devices is a thing called VIRVE:
Here's the VIRVE item that will already be present in Build 2 (without major functionality):
VIRVE means "Viranomaisverkko" in Finnish and roughly translates to "Authority network" which is used by multiple first responders and military.
In terms of lore, since most of the civilian radio frequencies are jammed, this item connects to a TETRA-network which is still partly active in Area 05.
On top of this, Road to Vostok will feature one special cinematic in Build 8 which is linked to end-game event and that cinematic will activate when there's time to press that red button on the top of the device.
My goal is to make this cinematic one of the most memorable cinematics in video game history which is pretty ambitious goal, but since now resources are not a limiting factor, I see no reason why to be modest about this :)
Little more info about devices and how they will be linked to the game:
VIRVE will be the main communication device between you and specific traders (like Scientist)
There will be a separate thing called Nomad Radio which is linked to Nomads that are on your friends list (meaning you can do certain interactions with Nomads)
There will be a rugged laptop as well which will be linked to SIGINT and certain quests
There will be few more devices and more military tech items in general (found only on Vostok)
Random Topics
To end this SITREP, here's some random topics that are somewhat relevant:
RTV Merch Store will open later this year (more info later on)
RTV Steam price will be adjusted for Polish audience (sorry has taken too long already)
All Youtube ads will be removed from RTV videos (should already be removed)
Each new build will have a dedicated trailer & OST-track (WIP for Nomads)
New devlog on YT with lots of BTS-content will release probably next month
There will probably be a small "brand update" in Build 2 (updated logo and new in-game fonts)
Actually few more things that came into mind.
I originally planned to release a small patch some weeks ago [0.1.2.0] but since all this preparation for upcoming builds is extremely crucial, that patch is currently waiting for a suitable moment.
Suitable moment in this case means that if I would release the patch now, it would break a lot existing mods (new bug reports, crashes etc.) and remove me from handling the on-going topics related to Build 2 and could also hurt the milestones and timelines that are in the official roadmap.
So just wanted to let you know that whenever there's a "silence period" between each build, it usually means that I'm doing my best to keep the project on track and sometimes that requires compromises for these smaller patches.
ps. Happy upcoming midsummer if your country is celebrating that :)
-Antti (Developer)