Hi everyone
My apologies for not putting out any updates recently. I've just been so busy working on the new content. Lot's of changes have been made under the hood as well attempting to further optimize the game.
So what should I talk about first?
Crash-Bug Fixed?
Epic has released the latest unreal engine preview. In it they have claimed to have fixed the crash bug a number of you guys have been experiencing.
I am currently in the progress of upgrading the game to 4.17 preview in order to test it out internally and determine if it is indeed fixed or not.
This means that I have to wait for the official full release of 4.17 before I can roll out an update for STARDROP. But I hope that by god they have fixed it and that this crash bug will become a thing of the past very soon.
The moment that I can confirm that it's indeed fixed and the offical version is released I will put out an update regardless of any new content. It's so incredibly important to me to deal with as many bugs as possible and this one right here was on the top of the list.
So please remain a little bit more patient, It hurts me just as much as it hurts you guys, trust me.
STARDROP Public Dev-Branch Release
Today will mark the first official public developers branch release of STARDROP. This means that I will upload a work-in-progress version of the game with new content and updated game mechanics.
NOTICE: Don't play the public developers build if you don't want to play incomplete portions of the game. You might encounter things that might hint or straight out spoil parts of the narrative.
You will also have to start a new game in order to create a new save file. I will make sure to provie a new save file when the offical update is out that starts just before the new chapter begins.
The idea behind this is that those who want to get a taste of what's to come in the official content update.
In this release I will include the first new levels of chapter 3. Two of these levels are fully finished regarding scenes and gameplay mechanics. It's still not 100% finished nor polished it is pretty representative of what to expect.
The other remaining levels (5 of them in total) are still unfinished and lack any story elements.
This release also includes the first public version of a small mini-game I have been working on called RETRON ONE. More about that later.
How to get access to the public dev-build:
1: In your games tab locate STARDROP and right-click on it to open up the context menu. Select "Properties"
2: After that click on the "BETAS" tab and select "Publicdev".
Steam will now download the Public Developers version of STARDROP.
RETRON ONE
Let's start with RETRON ONE. I've always wanted to have some sort of mini-game built right into STARDROP and last week I took the plunge.
RETRON ONE is a basic arena style single player mini-game. You start off with a basic laser rifle and as you get more kills you will gradually increase the difficulty but also will be rewarded with upgrades to your weapons and unlocking an armor upgrade and even a new weapon.
The ultimate goal for RETRON ONE is simply to entertain you guys. A number of these arcade cabinets will be placed throughout the ship with each cabinet offering a different arena. Each arena will come with it's own high scores (Mine and other team members) for you to beat.
RETRON ONE is not yet finished of course and there's still a number of things I need to add. More information needs to be conveyed to the player and I wil tend to that asap. The main idea is to hopefully gather some feedback to see if you guys like it or not.
NOTICE: If you don't want to play any of the new story elements but you do want to try out RETRON ONE then just watch the first part of the video where I show you how to open up the test level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SZCdNbchPs
Zero G Improvements
The entire Zero Gravity movement system has been overhauled and I think you guys will enjoy the new movement system. There are no more hard stops, when you change velocity it will curve nicely and everything feels much more smooth.
I will take advantage of this and make sure itll be used in the game on a few occasions, mixing up land based exloration with zero gravity thrown into the mix.
Collectible Audio Logs
I've also upgraded the datapad log collection system. Instead of just text I am now able to add in audio logs and will make good use of this new feature. This means for instance that you might need to collect a full set of logs regarding a particular crew member in order to get the full back story which is a neat way for me to add more depth and give a bigger incentive regarding exploration.
I also hope to tie these into achievements when you collect all logs regarding a certain individual.
Chapter 3
Of course the most work has gone into working on levels and new content for chapter 3. I'm very happy with where it's going and I'm able to add some nice little environmental details within to make the ship a more believable place and giving it more sense of it having its own history with its crew.
I am super stoked to finish the new chapter as soon as possible and share it with you all. I'm very certain that the new narrative elements will only further the main story and keep you guys invested.
Some big important questions will be answered yet other new questions will take their place. The biggest question of all remains unanswered untill the end of course: Just what happened and what in gods name is going on?
Final Words
I would like to thank everyone for their support. I've never worked so hard for anything in my life and I can only hope that it will be enough in the end.
I am working very hard to finish up the new full chapter but as always I need the time to make it all come together. It's not easy and there's so much involved in pacing story elements but I'm getting there. A ton of heavy lifting has already been done behind the scenes regarding mechanics and new additions.
Just hold on for a bit longer.
A new announcement will be made as soon as I have something to share. Again thank you for sticking with me, I'll do my best to make this a game to remember....
Lastly, if you enjoyed the game so far, please consider leaving a review.
Joure & Team V