(Updated 6/11/16)
Content Update slightly delayed. Hopefully released within next 24-48 hours.
For immediate announcements please check Twitter @elushismusic until patch is live. Announcement will also be on Steam once live. Apologies for delay everyone!
(31/10/16)
Hi everyone,
The latest update is almost complete and just going through the last few rounds of polishing. The planned release for this update is 5/11/16 (this coming weekend).
Below is a comprehensive list of of the major changes, features and additions to the core systems, as well as a few other things.
Notes/Patch Notes for the upcoming After The End: The Harvest Crash Landed-
Notes-
After The End: The Harvest Sandbox is a standalone update which uses most of the core systems, and graphical engines/assets from the upcoming full version of After The End: The Harvest. The Sandbox contains it's own unique planets, and section of space which won't be present in the full game. ATE:TH Sandbox will be free for all Early Access players.
This update will contain over 30 new quests, new weapons, unique endings and much more. The main purpose of the Sandbox is to stress test some of the new gameplay systems such as Creature Battling/Catching, Real-Time Spaceship Combat and more, that have been worked on over the last few months. The Creature Battling System for example, is constructed universally. Any bugs that are possibly found within this version, the fixes will carry over into the final game. Go crazy with the systems guys!
This build is an official representation of what is to come, and be expected within the final release. The Sandbox has hours of new content, but in comparison to the full game is roughly one fifteenth of it's size. This update is being released to give players an opportunity to experience,discuss and comment on some of the changes that have been made with the overall systems.
Below is a list of Patch Notes, which reference some of the changes made since the last official Steam EA version V0.09u5.
Update Notes-
Creature Battling/Catching-
A new creature catching and battling system has been added. Most creatures/enemies can now be caught if you have the correct launcher.
Creatures are classified into three groups.
(P) Primitive Creatures-
(P) Creatures are generally non sentient, and in their first stage of growth. They are weaker to their more mature (C) and (S) counterparts. (P) Creatures require a "Primitive Launcher" and "Primitive Capture Spheres" to be captured.
(C) Common Creatures-
(C) Creatures require a "Common Launcher" and "Common Capture Spheres" to be captured. Common Creatures are generally more stronger then their younger (P) counterparts. Some Common Creatures have no further growth stages.
(S) Supreme Creatures-
(S) Creatures are the strongest that can be caught. All Supreme creatures have no further growth stages. (S) Creatures require a "Supreme Launcher" and "Supreme Capture Spheres" to be caught.
Defeating an enemy with the launcher captures it, and sends it to your registered "Creature Habitat". Creatures can evolve, level up, be equipped with different items, armours and more. Battle Masters can also be found around the Galaxy, which when challenged, initiate a turn based battle system between yours, and the Battle Masters creature. If you defeat a Battle Master, you are awarded with an Arena Coin, which can then be traded in for better catching equipment. All creatures caught, also help you fight against enemies, and travel with you as a companion across the Black Eye Galaxy.
Real Time Spaceship Combat-
Real Time Spaceship Combat will finally make it's debut. Combat works seamlessly alongside exploration, and includes collectable ship armours, powerful launchers and more. There is also different classes of Spaceships ranging from Fighter to Cargo Classes, that all have their own weapons and unique enhancements. Different ships can be bought, or stolen.
Visual Armour-
When equipping armour in V0.09u5, there would be no visible changes to your character. When equipping armour now, your character will change in appearance. If you wear no armour, you can run around shirtless.
Control Changes-
Controls have been completely overhauled and simplified. Excluding armours and accessories, There is now only two equip-able Weapon/Ether Spell slots, rather then the 8 before. Players can equip usable Weapons/Ether Spells into the "Main" And "Secondary" slots within the equip menu. Mouse controls have also been completely removed to accommodate the changes, as well as help simplify the controls and open up seamless Gamepad Plug 'N' Play functionality.
UI Changes-
The UI has been de-cluttered tremendously. Side bar icons, and bottom toolbar have been removed, as everything has now been redesigned into one handy inventory menu. Everything can now be accessed through the one menu, rather then the clunky icon based system that exists within V0.09u5.
Performance Boost-
Huge performance boost in many areas!
Dynamic Lighting-
Lighting has been added into the game, and helps enhance the overall graphics, as well as play a role in gameplay mechanics and puzzle solving.
Spaceship Boost-
A button can now be pressed/held to initiate a boost in speed.
This boost varies between different class of spaceships but is an invaluable way to travel either way.
Space Redesigned-
The open world space environments are now more beautiful then ever! Nebula's have been added, dynamic lighting, space floating, destroyable asteroids and more.
Space Floating-
Walking off the edge of floating ruins and other areas within space will allow you to freely drift through the cosmos. Make sure you have a Spacesuit if you want to survive!
Spaceship Mode 7 Removed-
Mode 7 has unfortunately been removed. This was because of its incompatibilities with the recently implemented Real Time Spaceship Combat System.
If early players are aware of the original Mode 7 that the game launched with, that will possibly be brought into the final version, but able to be toggled on/off.
Combat System Tightened Up-
Combat feels more weighted, balanced and overall less floaty. Range of weapons has also been overhauled and drastically improved in just about every way. Ether Spells are more organised, and can be combined with items into new, more powerful spells. Spells also have brand new animations.
Combining Items/Ether Spells-
The crafting system has been redesigned into a simpler "Combining System".
Finding recipes, helps players combine two items into something new.
As an example, adding an ingredient from a creature to a spell, will make the spell grow into a newer, stronger spell. Items can also be combined into different items such as Potions,Lockpicks and more. Recipes are not required to make items, but do make it much easier then guessing blindly.
Dialog Choices-
Some conversations give the player dialogue options, which trigger unique story lines and extra information. Saying the right or wrong thing in a situation could mean avoiding conflict entirely. Selecting certain dialogue will also influence which ending you might trigger.
Fuel System Overhauled-
A nifty fuel gauge appears under the players HP bar when the Spaceship is on or under five units of fuel, and gradually decreases as it approaches zero. Fuel decreases quicker now, but is more abundant. The new system really helps the players choose and consider their next destination more carefully.
Crash Landing Overhauled-
When crash landing with no fuel in V0.09u5, regardless of where you were, would trigger a game over. If you run out of fuel now, and crash on land, you survive and can continue exploring. If you crash in water, you sink and get a game over. Crashing landing in open space, enables you to "Space Float".
House Upgrades + Furniture-
Your home on Planet Noorta can be upgraded with new interiors, furniture, and a backyard. New upgrades/furniture also offer practical features such as lighting, and recovering your HP.
Spaceship Additions-
Spaceship can now be called and entered from anywhere on the world map/space. No more losing your ship in the wilds!
Guards + Bounty System Changes-
Bounties can now be cleared by paying a fee within most religious establishments in towns and cities. When attacking a guard, villagers living in that city will begin to run away and scream when you try and approach them. Bounties also clear naturally after a certain amount of time has passed.
Destroy Cities-
If you acquire a certain launcher for your Spaceship, you can attempt to destroy cities. Destroying a city, makes it impossible for you to renter it, but does net some large rewards. Attacking a city also visually destroys it on the world map, and spawns enemy spaceships which attempt to hunt and destroy the player. Destroying a city can also disable certain side quests, or relocate them under changed conditions.
+More
The full game includes ALL of these systems and more, but I hope this standalone Sandbox update, really let's you all know the kind of work that has been put into the game over the last 7 months. The full game is coming along well, but is just simply not finished. I'm sure everyone who has played any prior version of ATE:TH, will understand the future of the game when playing through this standalone prologue, and I hope that anyone new to the game will enjoy it just as much. I hope you all enjoy the beginning story from the universe of After The End: The Harvest.
Thanks guys!