Hello All!
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support and valuable suggestions. I've been diligently going through all your comments and working tirelessly to implement the requested features and improvements to make ACRES the best game it can be.
As we embark on week two of this journey, I'm thrilled to introduce several exciting updates:
Calm Mode: Plants Thrive on Water Alone
In response to your requests for a more relaxed gaming experience, I've made significant adjustments to Calm Mode. Soil requirements to grow healthy crops have been relaxed. Plants now only require water to grow and no longer experience stress due to soil nutrient deficiencies. Soil nutrients are still present but they will not restrict growth if conditions are not met. This mode now offers a more simplified gameplay experience, where soil conditions have a minimal impact.
Challenge Mode: Mandatory Orders
Challenge Mode has undergone a significant change as well. In this mode, all orders are now mandatory; there's no opting out. Each morning, all orders will automatically be added to your queue, up to the maximum allowed. This resembles the "Auto Select All Orders" option, but in Challenge Mode, it's strictly enforced.
New Weed Management Tools
I'm excited to introduce three new tools to help you combat those persistent weeds:
Plastic Mulch Layer
A new cultivator implement has arrived, the Plastic Mulch Layer! Say goodbye to weeds throughout your crops' entire lifecycle with the Plastic Mulch Layer. While plasticulture is relatively expensive, it guarantees maximum growth by eliminating weeds completely.
Chemical Weed Suppression
Weeds can now also be suppressed with two new amendments: Natural Herbicide and Commercial Herbicide. When applied, these herbicides gradually hinder weed growth over several days. Natural Herbicide is effective for seven days, while Commercial Herbicide can keep weeds at bay for up to thirty days.
Natural Herbicide is a vinegar and salt solution that also lowers soil pH and water in the acre. The commercial alternative is pH balanced and doesn't affect soil nutrients, but it's pricier and has negative effects on soil structure.
Dark Mode UI
ACRES now features an optional dark mode for the HUD. You can enable it in the Settings -> Game menu.
Additional changes:
- Added support to save Tractor Control Devices current state.
- Increased size and opacity of amendments meu to improve readability.
- Added new Rock Dust amendment for an additional source of magnesium and micronutrients
- Separated Placeables category into 3 new tool categories: Tools, Buildings and Livestock to may room for upcoming additions.
- Increased night time brightness.
- Moved saving icon to lower left corner.
Once again, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all of you for helping make ACRES a fantastic community. Your feedback and support mean the world.
Jimi