Devlog #2 – Dynamic Heatmap System Improvement
Yesterday, I worked on a complete overhaul of the Dynamic Heatmap System that controls the distribution of heat across the map in Afterheat. The goal of this update was to make the system more realistic, stable, and immersive.
What is the Dynamic Heatmap System?
The Dynamic Heatmap System is based on a grid covering the entire game map. Each grid cell holds its own temperature value that updates dynamically based on several factors, including:
The sun’s position and direction
The base heat intensity of the sun
Shadow and lighting conditions in the area
Wind strength and direction
Various local environmental influences
This setup ensures that temperatures vary naturally across the map — for example, cooler temperatures in shaded areas or near water, and hotter temperatures in direct sunlight.
What has been improved?
In this update, I have:
Fixed several bugs that caused unrealistic temperature fluctuations and sudden jumps
Enhanced shadow handling so areas not directly exposed to sunlight stay cooler
Smoothed transitions between hot and cold zones for a more seamless gameplay experience
Optimized calculations for better performance without sacrificing realism
Why does this matter?
A more accurate and dynamic heatmap system creates a more alive and challenging survival experience. Players will need to consider where it’s hot or cool, seek shade or shelter, and plan their activities around changing weather and temperature conditions in the game world.
Inventory System Progress
I’ve also been working on the Inventory System recently. The current focus is on making it stable and user-friendly as a foundation for future features.
Upcoming Work: Looting System & Crafting Plans
Today, I plan to improve the looting system, aiming for more balanced and dynamic item spawning across the map.
Next week, I hope to start working on a Crafting system. Players will be able to harvest cactus plants and use specific tools to extract water from them. This should add an interesting survival mechanic tied directly to the environment.
I also want to experiment with water physics — figuring out how players can find and interact with water sources in a natural way. The exact implementation is still uncertain, but I’ll explore possible solutions and iterate from there.
I’m excited about the progress so far and eager to keep improving Afterheat to deliver a rich, engaging survival experience.
Thank you for following the development of Afterheat.
Make sure to wishlist our game, if you wish to support us further.
Your support and interest means a lot — more updates coming soon!
— Afterheat Developer