Video Update
Several game-changing features have been added in the run up to Lifecycles Act 2's release, this video takes an in-depth look at them!
https://youtu.be/uQPXsRhPuEM
~
Below is a quick overview: (for more in-depth commentary check out the video above!)
Ballooning Spiders
Ballooning, the iconic spider dispersal technique which gained mainstream attention in recent years, is now a part of the game!
Pull your lucky strand of silk out of those spinnerets and up into the air we go!
Hordes & Swarms (Population Density Simulator)
Massively boosting the number of creatures in the map, the population density system depicts large populations of various lifegroups across the map.
These are not props, but creatures that exhibit full lifecycles of their own!
Drunk On Nectar now supports a theoritically unlimited number of creatures in a map thanks to this system! :)
Over time this feature will continue to expand and cover more areas of the game, but for now its main purpose is to ensure Act 2's 25 strong Jumping Spider family has enough to go around for everyone.
New Species: Leafhopper
The species featured in the images above is the Leafhopper, a new species added for Act 2! Watch the video to learn more!
Breaching the 1mm barrier - A 0.66mm creature!
DoN has a new smallest creature! The 1st instar Leafhopper comes in at a mere 0.66mm and is barely visible unless you're paying attention!
Hint: They're smaller than the smallest creature that's visible in this pic :)
Few more Act 2 pics:
Climb atop your elder siblings with the new "universal mounting" support!
The new swarms attract a lot of attention, so be careful out there!
Release ETA
All the basic systems are now in place and the A.I. is now able to complete its entire lifecycle along with the player.
These core gameplay systems now need to be distilled into a more coherent experience with things like quests, a structured roadmap, etc for guiding players along Act 2's rich palette of features and creatures. Finally, Aphids and Springtails are being mooted for possible inclusion.
One way or another, Act 2 will release this month, that is now certain :)
Thanks again to everyone for being a part of Act 2's storied development effort; the wait is almost over now!
With ❤,
Venugopalan Sreedharan