Hi Hunters!
Just wanted to give an update on the game's progress and a window into where the game is headed.
First, the biggest news: Public Land Hunter will be participating in steam's NEXT FEST in February. This will provide players with an opportunity to play the game's demo, after which the game will be released shortly after (aiming for a FEB 16th)! *Note I'll be looking for players to beta test the demo before the festival.
Next bit of news is what I have been working on:
After a brief development hiatus due to some family health concerns I've gotten back into working on the game and have been focusing on adding variety. One of the things I noticed in Alpha gameplay was that a lot of the hunts felt quite similar. I believe this has often been an issue with hunting games (even the ones I love) and I really want to avoid his in PLH. As such, I've reworked some of the hunts to give them their own unique mechanics and feel. While this comes at the cost of some realism, I think it ultimately makes the game a lot more fun to play. I still want to keep the deer hunting as much of a simulation as possible as that to me is the heart of the game, but the new mechanics in some of the other hunts keep things interesting.
I've also looked to add some variety through the various mini games that the player can do around camp. I'd already worked out a horseshoe game the player can compete in and am currently putting the finishing touches on a fishing game. These sorts of activities serve a dual purpose for the player: 1. It will be an avenue for unlocks like cosmetics and new friends at the hunt camp 2. It provides variety from the standard hunting gameplay loop. I suppose as a third bonus it also helps build character and relationships with the members of the hunt camp.
Lastly I wanted to post a roadmap of what is currently in the game and what I'd like to add before release (or for free after release if any of the features don't make in by Feb).
Current features:
Hunt camp: a base of operations for the player where they can play mini games, unlock hunts and meet npcs who will give missions and compete in challenges.
Hunter’s cabin: a place where players can unlock weapons and upgrades, see high scores and play the dysentery trail arcade game for more unlocks.
Randomized maps: all hunts are programmed to take place on randomized maps to make hunts unique and increase replayability.
Seasons: hunts take place in either summer, fall or winter. Seasons affect the aesthetic and the mechanics of the hunt. Tracks are left in snow, fall leaves crunch under foot and summer foliage provides lots of cover.
Weapons: currently the player has access to a .22 varmint rifle, shotgun, recurve bow, assault rifle, .308 scoped rifle.
Animals: each of the animals has their own unique AI and mechanics to add variety to the hunts. Rabbits are plentiful and graze in the fields near the tall grass. They will scatter if the player gets too close or at the sound of gunfire. Grouse lurk in the thick stuff and need to be driven out by the player or a dog before getting a shot opportunity. Ducks need to be called in with a rhythm game before a shot opportunity presents itself. Feral pigs storm farm fields in the night and need to be culled before all the crops are destroyed. Deer follow a realistic pattern of feeding at dusk and dawn and sleeping during the day. With most weapons they will need to be scouted, patterned and ambushed for a successful hunt.
Camp friends: there are currently five npcs who will join the hunt camp as the player progresses. These camp friends provide missions, unlocks and competitions for the player.
Mini games: horseshoes and fishing currently give the player a chance to take a break from hunting and compete against the other members of the hunt camp for cosmetics and hunter upgrades.
Planned features:
More animals: I’d like to add more animals to the game, keeping with the idea that each hunt should have its own unique mechanics. Planned animals include turkeys, bears, coyotes and goats.
More weapons: compound bow, muzzle loader and a spear are in the works.
More biomes: desert and alpine hunts are high on the list.
More camp friends: each animal has an associated camp friend so I’d look to add a new one for each new animal.
More mini games: more friends means more games. Things like skeet shooting, axe throwing and tube racing down the creek.
Fishing: a fly fishing variant for the fishing mini game.
And that's all for now. Hopefully this gives you an idea of what's in store for PLH and I'm getting very excited for people to finally have a chance at playing it! I look forward to seeing you all in camp!
