I'm really excited to share some new fun features with you!
Disclaimer: A lot has changed in this version. If you see tracks (particularly Collectors) or props missing from a previous playthrough or things aren't lining up the way they used to, it's likely from the changes mentioned below.
The biggest new feature is the introduction of Fabricators!
These add a new layer of depth to the game. Previously you would just collect resources from deposits using collectors and buy new tracks. But, now some resources must be crafted in Fabricators in order to progress in the game. To use these you provide the input materials by ensuring the proper input and output storage units are attached in any order to the Fabricator.
Due to the addition of Fabricators, several deposits have been removed or replaced with other resources.
Train coloring and switch track logic are now released!
As mentioned in the previous post, You can now change the color of your trains!
While coloring them is fun, you can also use this color to determine whether a train should go in a particular direction of a switch track or not.
I've decided to unlock the entire Grassy Plains scenario for the demo.
Enjoy!
Removed all props
One of the features I was very hesitant to remove for a long time was props. There are many reasons why I wanted to remove them, but the primary reason is that they in no way served the core gameplay, therefore supporting and maintaining them would steal my focus away from developing the core game. I've only disabled them, so I may at some point in the future re-enable them.
Lots of bug fixes!
There have been lots of bug fixes and improvements. One particular bug that was driving me (and probably you) crazy was where the game would hitch slightly every few seconds. Since the game uses C# I thought it was a garbage collection issue. But, I got the garbage collection down to a very small amount, something like 1MB per minute. However, the hitch was still occurring. I finally found the issue which was a mesh that was being rebuilt every few seconds along the path the train goes, for development visualization purposes. I didn't realize turning this off only keeps it from being visible, but doesn't keep it from building the mesh. I now simply delete this object if it isn't being used.
I hope you're having a great new year so far!
- Nathan
Here are the release notes for this version:
Added fabricators
Removed all props from the game.
Fixed a major hitching issue when trains recalculate the next path of track they will go down.
Defaulted the rendering device on Windows to d3d12
Enabled baking shaders into the build so they don't compile at runtime
Energy collected now multiplied after acquiring the golden caboose
Collected energy indicator floats up at the same realtime speed regardless of speed controls.
Updated the message dialog to have a centered label and updated upgrade text.
Fixed the message dialog not showing when the scenario is completed.
Fixed a bug where if stone was collected before iron it wouldn't show up in the profile panel, except after the iron was collected.
The profile screen no longer rebuilds all buttons each time energy changes.
Profile UI now updates energy values delayed by 1 frame to prevent buttons flashing.
Refactored PlayerAttributes, primarily changed Experience to Energy.
Fixed most train crashes. Trains mostly just crash into each other when moving head on and sometimes when converging on a switch track.
Fixed back key and other input not working on options menu in the title screen.
Enabled all tracks in demo.
Camera forced to look at the track being replaced in the tutorial.
The first track in the tutorial can no longer replace another track as this breaks the tutorial.
A bridge can now be used to get onto the counter top in the living room.
Input now blocked from passing through to world on certain controls.
Added a directional arrow to train stations.
Changed the font to Lato Bold.
Made some minor edits to the tutorial.
Added a delay to opening dialogs to remove flicker in case it needs to resize.
Updated some deposits in the living room scene to account for fabricators.
Updated the UI element heights on several tracks.
Fixed the living room initial railway from having a wood collector by default.
Reduced more garbage collection.
Fixed an exception when reading curve data.
Added internal stats for speed adjusted time played and real time played.
- These will likely eventually be something the user can view.
Made showing/hiding resource icon and collector progress better.
Updated the resource icon visuals.
Adjusted some resource graphics.
Adjusted track costs.
Added a failsafe in the case that a train stops working due to a bug.
Auto collectors now auto collect after they have maxed out their accumulation.
Fixed the platform in the dirt seller to be larger
Fixed upgrade points node being visible in camera when actually behind the camera.
Fixed a UV issue on the dirt mound in the grass scene.
Renamed the resource storage and collection objectives to use the word "lifetime" instead of "total".
Changed the wood storage objective to be 2 storage units.
Made several adjustments in tracks, resources, costs, objectives, deposit locations, etc to account for fabricators.
Resource icons now visible for collectors, storage, and fabricators.
Fixed a tutorial from showing when it shouldn't
Reset the run scene to be the init scene.
Fixed some improper menu behavior.
Fixed a screen flicker when opening screens.
Updated collector and deposit graphics.
Auto collector indicator now fades at a distance and hides in spectator mode.
Cached the curve from the path 3D.
Added dropdown and color selector for station tracks.
Added a color options screen for trains.
Fixed a bug where the train could not travel down very long tracks.
Fixed a bug when changing the mode or the switch track when the train is about to go over it.
Finished UI and implemented color logic for switch tracks.
Initial implementation of color logic UI and data.
Renamed Split to Switch for code and track extension.
Added a complete bridge track. Primarily for the grassy plains scene.
Merged Station_Small 01 and 01 into just one Station_Small.
Stations now match the color of their trains.
Fixed a bug where the train and tracks could be triggered as overlapping.
Deposit tracks now need to also be snapped to another track.
Fixed a jitter bug where tracks don't spawn at the same place as the previous one.
Fixed a bug where UI elements would flash in the upper left corner on the title screen.
Added the build number to the title screen. Removed the old title label.
The user can now switch trains in spectator mode.
Added a grid sized switch track.
Updated ways to get to the help screen. Cleaned up the help screen.
Updated some of the models, scenes, and lighting.
Added a message dialog with upgrade messages and other various refactors.
Fix the train rotating strangely and getting stuck when at 5x speed.
The grid no longer shows on walls.