Hey guys,
Let's talk about some progress.
Version 0.1.5 passed beta testing and went live earlier today. We've already talked about the new additions in our previous dev log, so I won't go into detail here. That said, while this update was undergoing testing we've already started work on the next upcoming release. Right now there are three main areas of gameplay we want to address in the near future: combat, survivor/base management and visitor mechanics.
Combat is rather skeletal at the moment. The foundational mechanics of melee and gunplay are there, but we still have many basic and advanced features planned that need to be added for a fleshed out experience. Management has a number of features that were almost ready for launch but ultimately had to be cut before the deadline. Now that there's less time pressure we want to finish them and get them into the game proper. Visitor mechanics are currently the most barebones and placeholder. We needed something to allow recruitment and discovery of new expedition targets and while the current setup is technically functional, it leaves much to be desired. We have big plans on how to extend visitor interactions in the future, improving both quality of life and expanding on the mechanic as a whole.
AI Refactor, Combat Controls
After some deliberation we've decided to start by focusing on combat mechanics first. Combat and exploration are the main points setting the vision for our game apart from other colony sims, and while the latter has additional prerequisites combat is something we can work on now to help distinguish ourselves and give prospective players a better idea of what we're ultimately about.
We'll start this upcoming update with a major AI and animation refactor. The backend for those systems is in need of a major overhaul and this refactor should fix many of the issues we've been experiencing with AI agents locking up or generating errors. The refactor will also pave the way for a major update to the control scheme of survivors in combat: we'll be adding a new tactical planning mode to allow queuing different commands and environmental interactions. Aside from being one of our original Kickstarter stretch goals, this planning mode will shape gameplay and many other features depend on it, so it makes sense to get it done before anything else.
Once the control scheme is ironed out we'll be looking towards extending the medical system with new status conditions, internal body parts, missing limbs and prosthetics. Another update will focus on adding more advanced combat mechanics like stealth, consumable items, active abilities and an overall more dynamic and interesting enemy AI. Finally we're planning to do a major expansion on weapons and weapon mechanics, including things like weapon mods, different ammo types, emplaced weapons and artillery.
While combat updates will make up the bulk of new content for the foreseeable future we'll still include a few management mechanics and miscellaneous UI improvements here and there, so those areas should see some improvement as well.
That’s it for today. Until next time, stay safe and keep surviving!