Welcome everyone to the 14th development log for Ecliptica! Let’s break down what’s new.
Atmosphere: Visual Changes and Dynamic Clouds
We have brand-new lighting, and you are immediately greeted by new dynamic clouds. They depend on your current altitude as well as the weather: it can be overcast, a thunderstorm, or clear skies.
Gameplay: Squad System
So, what about gameplay?
Yes, we have added a squad system to the game. It allows you to command groups of colonists, giving them individual orders as well as general directions to complete tasks. For example, here we see that some colonists were initially gathering resources while another group guarded them, and a third separate group attacked them to plunder.
How does it work?
Dialogue Integration: The system is fully integrated into our dialogues. You can approach any settlement resident and invite them to your squad. Naturally, it’s not for free — for them, it’s a way to earn money.
Squad Structure: Within a squad, you can split people into separate sub-units led by officers or simply gather helpers and give them commands. The orders are high-level, and they figure out how to carry them out on their own.
Managing Fighter Issues: The first thing we see is a list of problems currently facing a squad member. You can take them on yourself and resolve them separately, or order the unit to deal with them independently.
Available Commands
Currently, 7 main commands are available:
Combat Orders:
Attack with commander
Protect commander
Avoid enemies
Movement: 4. Follow commander
Economic Orders (for expeditions): 5. Resource Gathering 6. Resource Collection / Mining 7. Resupply
Special feature of the "Resupply" command: Each command is unique and customizable. While the first six are simple and straightforward, resupply is the most interesting. Essentially, you can task a unit with solving the problems of your entire squad, including your personal tasks.
By the way, I forgot to mention: NPC behavior is fully autonomous — they make decisions based on the situation and their own self-interest.
Hired Work: When an NPC Hires the Player
And that’s not all — squads work both ways! Not only can you hire NPCs, but an NPC can hire you.
Contract and Salary: You can start a dialogue with a character and offer your mercenary services. If they agree, you join their squad for a wage. You receive payment every time tick, earning decent money while carrying out orders that come as new quest chapters.
Hierarchy: In the new squad menu, you can check who your commander is and what your rank is — regular soldier or officer with subordinate troops.
Open Economy Integration
All of this is fully integrated into our open economy as a distinct activity. You can trade, build, hire workers, manage properties, and now also join squads and participate in expeditions where anything can happen and any weapon comes in handy!