Hi All, After putting out a number of patches focusing on improving the onboarding experience and fixing bugs, I ended up taking a bit of a break from Foreign Sun. The last few months of development were particularly arduous, and I felt really burned out by the end so it was something I really needed to do.
I am back on the horse as it were, and focusing on additional content and features. I've planned out a rough road map on how I think things will go with each major patch. Things may change and some things may come earlier or later than initially planned:
Major Patch 1 - Boss Rush / Biomass Samples
This is pretty self explanatory - a few patches ago, you might have noticed that certain bosses started dropping Biomass Memory Samples upon defeat. Currently, this doesn't do anything.
With the release of this patch, you will be able to put them into good use! You will be able to refight any boss who's memory sample you've collected, along with some extra lore on the subject. It doesn't cover every fight, and does not include the ones with slight variations, but it covers all the major ones.
If you unlock all the memory samples, you'll be able to take them all on in a subsequent gauntlet - and a special prize will await anyone who manages to overcome the challenge.
There might even be a way to unlock the gauntlet without unlocking every memory sample... but it would only be available to the bravest of pilgrims... This shouldn't be too far off. I don't want to put a timeline on it, but should hopefully have it available in the beta branch sometime soon.
Major Patch 2 - New Weapons / Mods / Post Game Faction
I was pretty happy with how the game came out, most things I planned ended up making it into the final game.
One of the few things I did cut was a certain post game faction that actually tied in to one of the key routes / events. I ended up structuring things a bit differently and cut them out of the game altogether. However, I have decided a new way of integrating them into the game's world.
Along with this new faction, there will be a number of new unlockable weapons (both main and secondary), as well as a couple of new mods. One thing that people have been requesting is alternate beam colours for the main Beam Sabre. I will implement this through the use of mods, along with slight differences in stats for each colour.
Major Patch 3 - Enemy Logs / Additional Boss Fights
Something else that has been requested is a bestiary of sorts. I've been kind of hesitant of implementing one as I feel like I might give away too much of the game's truths with one.
However, despite my best efforts it seems I have made Foreign Sun's story and world even more cryptic than Biomass so it might be for the best! I've quite enjoyed writing the extended lore in the memory samples so I've decided to add a beastiary to the main game too.
Aside from that, there's a couple of additional boss fights I have made a blueprint for but not implemented. Honestly, the main thing holding these back has been the need to record a new music track for each one, I feel really done with the Foreign Sun soundtrack and sound hehe
Things planned at some point but don't know when
Soundtrack
I've had a few requests for the game's soundtrack and want do upload it on steam eventually with proper mastering, but I want to wait until I have made the additional tracks I will need for the extra content. For the moment, I have uploaded some of the tracks to my old soundcloud. If there's a particular track you want to listen to that is currently missing, let me know and I'll upload it. The link is https://soundcloud.com/user-554742669
Translations
I really wanted to have the game translated to as many languages as possible, but given the sheer number of text in the game it would prove to be a costly endeavour. I think even doing one language would exceed how much Foreign Sun has made. I definitely do not want to go through the AI route. Having said that, I was lucky enough to be approached by an academic who will be providing a Spanish translation for free. I am actually fluent in Spanish but I've become really rusty over the years so with his help I am sure the translation will be better than I could have ever have hoped of achieving. As part of this process I am hoping to open up the game and make it easier to translate in case the community wants to provide their own translations.
Game Guide
Since the game didn't get much traction, there's very little in the way of video guides and walkthroughs. I often find myself helping people online with issues which would be much easier to solve if I could direct them to a video playthrough. When I get the time, I really want to record one showing the main routes. If anyone wants to beat me to it, be my guest :)
General Thoughts
Thanks to everyone for playing, and especially those whom have left reviews! Biomass is so close to 100 steam reviews, I can't believe it! Foreign Sun has been a bit slower raking them in but I think on a sale to review ratio its been pretty good so I really appreciate everyone that has taking the time to do so.
B.