Update Notes For 0.2.1.1
Important Changes
- Optimized AI pathing scripts
- Implemented touch screen support
- Back buffer is cleared now
- Removed asynchronous auto-saving
- Changed UI for skeleton loot object and the wood chair
- Removed debug message from "How To Get An Achievement"
- Enabled Steam for Linux users
Bug Fixes
- Fixed Bug: Wood chair would crash the game
- Fixed Bug: Forging table was not working with the new indoor vision system
- Fixed Bug: Saved games could not be deleted
- Fixed Bug: Hitting Nomad NPCs would crash the game
- Fixed Bug: Auto-saving crashes every build besides Windows
- Fixed potential crash with nomad AI
- Fixed Bug: Animals were not dropping items
- Fixed issue with native compiled code regarding plants
Lets Talk About This Update
I usually update Project Explore every three days or so but I broke down and finally set up touch screen support. I have been talking about it for quite some time and have discussed my interest in involving the Android platform in the final release of the game. This is the step I needed to take and in the process of doing so I've made sure to set it up for the desktop audience as well.
Along with this update I have patched up the many leaking holes I had created with the new NPC update. There were more issues than I had even thought possible. If you hit a nomad the game would crash. That is pretty broken even for an early access title. I have made sure to fix all the issues I was able to find and that the community had made me aware of. Performance was one of the big issues I was unaware of until a couple of people posted on the forums about it. I'd like to personally thank each and every one of you for letting me know, and staying involved with the games development. I'm really lucky to have such an awesome community surrounding the game.
Dear Linux users, sorry for never enabling Steam. I have enabled Steam in this build and will continue to do so from now on. I just had to stablize everything for it first. Also to anyone experiencing issues with the Linux build of the game, please post the issues on the forums and I promise I will do all I can to figure it out.
Story Time With Seabass
The development process for Project Explore has been a long and scary one for me. When it first got greenlit I ran around my house shouting and screaming... I was ecstatic. My hard work had been accepted by the community as if it were worthy of being on the Steam store. I had lost hope a month prior but had continued checking the greenlight page every single day multiple times. I loved this game and it was a part of me.
After it reached the Steam store I began working on the game any time I could. It became intertwined with my being. All I could think about was what I needed to add and what could be improved. What to do next and what that one person suggested on the forums. Gazelle (my significant other) would worry over me and ask that I try to not focus on it so much. I can't blame her because it is all I ever talk about.
Seeing My Reflection
Gazelle has brought it to my attention just how much this game has become a reflection of myself. I never noticed to be honest but looking at it now I see it more evident than ever.
Your character is all alone. Although there is a sense of peace and calm there is also a deep feeling of loneliness. I haven't had a close friend in proximity of me in over two years. Even before that I was alone in a self-driven escape from social contact. I update the game constantly and that is almost a perfect reflection of how much I focus on my own self-improvement. It's all really quite strange to see it now.
Now before I get too deep into this with every stranger on the internet I just want to explain that I'm saying all this because I feel like a lot of people see Project Explore as some sort of product. It was never intended to be seen as such. It is a passion project. I love what I do and I want the game to become something of its own. I want people to play the game and actually experience it.