Greetings, Martian farmers! 🌱🚀
Happy New Year and belated Merry Christmas to all our readers! 🎄✨ This month marks a small milestone for us: welcome to the fifth devlog for AGRONOM! Thank you for being part of this journey. We hope you had a joyful and restful holiday season — we certainly did. But don’t worry, we didn’t slack off too much. Between celebrating and reflecting, we had time to get a lot done. Stick around to see what’s new!
Visuals
Concepts of new buildings
Robot Assembler
A specialized machine designed to assemble helper robots for automating your farm. Below are three visuals: an initial concept by our art lead, design details outlining interactivity and animations, and progress on the 3D model.
Robot Charging Station
This structure will serve as a recharging hub for robots. Imagine robotic vacuum cleaners heading back to their docks to recharge — except on Mars! Robots need more than just quick energy breaks — they also deserve a little recharge through five-minute dance sessions! And don’t forget to interact with them and give them a pat behind the ears. You wouldn’t want to lose that special connection, would you? Robots will automatically make their way here when their energy runs low.
Universal Compartment
A hub for players where most crafting machines can be installed. It’s a safe haven from Martian storms and a perfect space to strategize your next greenhouse setup. Check out the external and internal concepts!
Arboretum
Designed for larger plants like trees, this new building lets you grow and nurture Martian flora without worrying about flooding the floors. (We’re serious — no flooding here!)
Working on 3D models and updating the designs of familiar buildings
Rusty the Robot
In the last devlog, we showcased Rusty’s new concept art. Now we’re excited to reveal its 3D visualization!
Updated HUB Concept
The HUB (Household Utility Base) is a crucial structure in AGRONOM, serving as the command center for helper robots and defining the boundaries of their operations. The new HUB design is taller, covering much larger areas than before.
Electric Pole
Its design remains consistent with the previous version, featuring a birch-like trunk inspired by Uncle Makar’s memories of Earth. We’ve added variations for the top section, allowing for upgrades and expanded device connectivity.
Greenhouse Interior
Here’s a sneak peek at the ongoing work on the greenhouse interior! The design team is collaborating with 3D artists to define lighting sources and identify interactive elements. It’s all coming together beautifully, wouldn’t you agree?
Wind Generator
This concept has undergone further refinements since its last iteration. The updated design is more recognizable and fits seamlessly within AGRONOM’s aesthetic.
Solar Panel
Sunflowers were something Uncle Makar knew well. He used to sit on the bench in front of the house and chew seeds, enjoying the simple pleasure of the moment. Take a look at our 3D workup on this model.
Environment
We’ve been hard at work bringing life (and rocks) to the surface of Mars! This month, we integrated ore deposits into the new map. These deposits don’t just look good — they’re inspired by real photos from the Curiosity rover, ensuring they feel natural and believable.
On top of that, we’ve begun testing and balancing the map with our updated buildings. Our focus? Ensuring there’s plenty of room for smooth and stress-free base building. After all, a Martian colony should be as efficient as it is enjoyable to construct — so you can focus on building your dream Martian base without stress!
Gameplay
Our programming team has been busy this month with updates and fixes to improve your gameplay experience. Here are the highlights:
- We introduced a new quest: “Automation Training,” which unlocks after completing “Mars, Farm, and Robots” This quest will teach you the basics of setting up automated workflows, a crucial skill for running an efficient Martian base.
- Specialized Robots are here! Each robot, except for assistants, now sticks to its primary task, making your automation workflow more streamlined and predictable.
- We’ve doubled the build radius of the HUB, giving you more freedom to expand your colony.
- Conducted experiments to improve user experience with automation and customisation of our robotic pipelines.
- Large structures like compartments and greenhouses now have temporary lighting to make your base feel alive even in its early stages.
Narrative
This month, we focused heavily on testing new quests and models, ensuring they integrate smoothly into the overall experience. We’ve also been fine-tuning the balance of automation systems and farming mechanics on the new map. Our universal compartment saw a major update — it’s now a central hub for all crafting machines, creating a cohesive and functional workflow for you.
On the audio side, we began working with sound engineers to define the game’s auditory identity. From mechanical whirs to the soothing hum of greenhouses, every sound will contribute to the immersive Martian farming experience. We’re compiling references and creating a detailed list for our first round of sound integration.
Coming Soon 😏
Here’s what’s next for AGRONOM:
- We are continuing to optimize the most complex algorithmic aspect of the game — the automation of robots and how HUBs distribute tasks. Our goal is to ensure the gameplay remains intuitive and comfortable for you. Robots should assist with every task because, let’s face it, managing Mars solo is a bit much!
- Wrapping up the development and integration of new models: from buildings to robots with animations.
- Creating sounds and music. Special mention goes to their integration into the game, where we’re implementing procedural sound adaptation technologies to enhance the experience.
- Conducting testing and balance optimization. Feedback constantly reveals new opportunities for improvement, pushing us to refine quests and rewards, building schemes, resource creation, and more.
That’s all for this month’s devlog! We’re thrilled to keep sharing our progress with you. Your feedback, suggestions, and support mean everything to us. Let us know what you think about these updates — drop a comment below or join the discussion on our Discord. Until next time, keep farming those Martian dreams! 🚜✨ And remember, even Mars can feel like home with the right crops!
And don’t forget to wishlist AGRONOM if you haven’t already:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2893250/AGRONOM/
With love,
The AGRONOM Team 🧡