Hello Steam Users!
I know it's been a while since the last update. Doing my best to get an update together - hoping for next weekend. Main blocker is the crew system, as there's a lot of little parts to it that need to be functional for anything to work. That said, a first iteration of crew is very near release, along with a number of other minor changes. While I expect it will launch in a somewhat limited state - I'd like it to be functional, and useful.
The following functions are largely complete, and will be the main crew capabilities at the launch of the crew system:
Mast Control -
Currently, you can set your desired sail setup (in terms of reef%), and the crew will work until this is complete. If a single crewmember is present, they will queue these actions and complete in sequence. Otherwise actions are supplied to crew until all are utilized, then queued for whichever crewmember is expected to complete their task first. This is not instant. The crewmember must travel to the interaction point before beginning their task.
Helm Control -
I expect this will be (to start) the most useful function of crew. You can assign a course (green arrow on compass), and the crewmember will turn the ship from its current heading (white arrow), to align with the given course. This is not a single command. Once aligned with the given course, the crewmember will attempt to stay on the given course until told to stop, or until the player takes command. This will allow the player to focus on other tasks such as fishing/rigging management/faffing about below deck without constantly drifting off course. Additionally, set course can be modified at any time, and assigned crew will begin navigating to new heading. This can allow the player to navigate the ship from anywhere, such as rigging platforms during action or navigation in treacherous waters.
Pump Control -
Crew will work the pumps until told otherwise.
Future functionality is intended to include more complex management of ship systems, guarding, and working weaponry.
The remaining tasks mostly revolve around bug-fixing, persistence, and the actual process of acquiring crew. Eventually I intend to add a method to purchase crew, but there's some lore issues that make this a bit complicated until some other content is ready. At the launch of the update, I intend to have crew 'recruited' throughout the world as something of interest to find. (For those who want to skip this I'll include something as well.) In the future my intent here is to have infinite numbers of basic epitaphs purchasable at Caelean ports, with a set number of more unique versions to be found in the world.
Moving away from the crew system -- I am continuing to address bugs, and hope to have a sizeable list of fixes for launch. This includes the directional instability of the longline caravel, rowboat jitter, and the weird floating mast on the xebec.
For general changes, the provision system will see a bit of iteration, including new goods to be utilized by crew, and a new interface. I've also redesigned the below decks of the xebec somewhat to open it up a bit and remove the constant risk of getting stuck on pillar colliders.
Example of the helm interface:
Below Deck changes for the Xebec (lateen)
The new provisions interface:
Jimothy the Epitaph:
