Increasing the map size sets the baseline for all the improvements planned in Alpha 6. The focus is now going to be on adding more POI's and resource areas that players will need to travel around the map to source what they need. The new world map system sets up the framework to build and improve the dynamic events sytem that I've been planning for some time.
This update may not add a hell of a lot of new things to see and do but it definitely has changed the game and sets a path for many improvements on the next few months. I'm keen to hear feedback and ideas for POI's and resource gathering areas as well as feedback on performance and gameplay balancing in general. Links to all the community pages below the patch notes.
Changed
- Origins map
- Greatly Increased the size of the map
- Added Ocean, Coast and large bay areas
- Added Fishing Village
- Added Rivers around map
- Moon Phase now starts full and overall brightness has been increased a little
Video showing map size increase
Some pics
New World Map and Minimap
- Upgraded world map and compass and added minimap.
- World map now has fog that needs to be cleared and you explore
- Player can add waypoints to the map that show in the world
Default Keys
- World Map – M
- Minimap toggle – O
- Minimap toggle zoom level – J
- You can right click on the world map to add waypoints
Fixed
- Character meshes not changing in multiplayer
- Day count not updating on game load
- Traders not spawning
- Enable/Disable zombies setting
- Fixed AI getting stuck on quad and applying too much damage
- Improved Quad physics so its less floaty and easier to handle
- Player not exiting Quad before it blows up
- Quad destroyed effects too loud
- Increased pickup mass so it’s not so floaty
- Menu UI issues
Changed
- Dynamic music no longer triggers for passive animals
- Suicide Key (Default K) now needs to be held down for a second before it kills the player
Performance
The AI and resource spawning systems have been recoded to be a lot more controlled. This was necessary due to the map size increase but ended up being a massive improvement to how spawning is managed to optimise performance.
Links
Threat Vector Discord
Steam Forum
Youtube
Trello Game Dev Roadmap