Hello, Manufacturers! 👨🔧
This month, we continued working on the NPC AI, and we finally hit a major breakthrough! Alongside that, we’ve been giving the factory a visual refresh and experimenting with post-processing and the overall feel of the new production space.
There’s quite a lot to show this time, so let’s get into it and see what’s been happening behind the scenes!
NPC AI – Finally Under Control ⚙️
The NPC AI has been cleaned up, unified, and finally brought under control. Warehouse workers can now understand where to take a container regardless of its type or contents, and they know how to properly pack or unpack it when needed.
The only thing left is teaching them what to do when a task gets cancelled by something happening elsewhere in the game world. One step at a time.
NPCs Are Starting to Get It 💡
As mentioned above, NPCs are finally starting to understand what’s going on around them. They can receive a signal and actually act on it — for example, when the player places an order, the warehouse worker knows to head to the Order Zone and then look for the appropriate storage location for the contents of the package.
It may sound simple, but getting all these little pieces to work together reliably has been a pretty big step forward.
If the player defines what a particular container should hold, the warehouse worker will now take that information into account. Instead of simply looking for the first available storage, they’ll deliver the items to the designated container, making it much easier to keep the factory organized.
The Factory Takes Shape 🏬
But we didn’t stop there. The factory itself is also starting to take shape, and it’s already looking quite different from before. Take a look for yourself, although keep in mind, this is still far from the final version.
Here are a few closer looks at some of the details.
Setting the Mood 🎚️
Beyond the new layout, we also want to give the factory its own atmosphere. The goal is to create a grey, modest reality where the player starts from the bottom and gradually works their way to the very top.
We’ll also be making some adjustments to the lighting, so this is not the final version yet, although it’s already a step up from the garage. The darker look will of course be optional for players who prefer a brighter experience.
For now, let us know what you think about the current look of the factory.
That’s everything for this month’s update! We’ve made a big step forward with the NPC AI, while the factory is also starting to develop its own visual identity and atmosphere.
There’s still plenty of work ahead, but things are finally starting to come together. What do you think about the new look of the factory and the progress on the NPCs? Let us know in the comments, and see you in the next devlog!
Freemind Temus