Dear Stormworkers,
This week we discuss the poll results and start Halloween!
Starting on 24th October, Stormworks celebrates Halloween! As always at this time of year, expect extra character customisation, and spooky decorations at some of the coastguard bases! And if you see glowing red eyes in the water, do not go for a swim!
We have also been releasing new modular engine parts and balance changes on experimental. Check this out and let us know your thoughts if you get the chance! Experimental change logs are posted in the Official Discord Server.
2 weeks ago we ran a features poll on the Official Stormworks Discord. The features were mostly chosen from the most popular and highest voted feature requests on the official bug and feature tracker site (see the buttons in game!).
Your response was overwhelming and completely broke Discord, which could not handle the sheer number of votes / emotes submitted! However, we had our own screenshots from before Discord started to struggle so here are the results to discuss!
One thing is very clear from the results. Players do not all agree with each other, and there are many players who strongly believe in a minority viewpoint. Our job is difficult here because we want to make all players happy, and we obviously cannot immediately do this.
While the poll results isn't necessarily the order in which we will extend the game, and we can't promise any particular feature will become part of the game, we can say that major updates have almost always been features highly voted in an Official Stormworks Discord poll.
We take players feedback very seriously, we consider all players equal, and players come first.
Let's discuss the top voted features!
Nuclear Reactors
Nuclear power? Many submarines and even some ships are powered by nuclear reactors. As developers, we have to get the balance right. These reactors could be large and very heavy, positioning them as a great energy source for the largest vessels. We think they could be modular so that players have the most control over designing their reactors. Due to the level of popularity, and the fact this feature does fit well in the world of Stormworks, we think this is likely to be developed.
Weapons
Wow. Weapons have been included in polls in the past, but have never been so popular. Unfortunately, they have also proven to be very controversial, with many players believing they will damage the search and rescue theme.
Over the last few years, players have uploaded thousands of very detailed military vehicles, with imitation weapons. These vehicles look amazing, and we get that it is kind of disappointing that the weapons don't function, when so much in the world of Stormworks is so mechanical and so functional.
We have to listen to players, and most players obviously really want weapons. We cannot forget that Stormworks is an SAR game and we must allow all players to continue to play Stormworks as the SAR game they bought into if they wish.
We want to honour the majority of players who voted this feature up, but also respect the many players who are protective of Stormworks as a non-combat SAR game. For these reasons, weapons will come to Stormworks, but only as an optional expansion or DLC.
Weapons will include warheads, naval cannons, and some smaller vehicle mounted guns.
Sails
Sails have been highly voted in polls a couple of times now. We think they would be awesome and a great addition. Balancing wind power, and getting sail boats to function isn't something we set out to do, and this kind of mechanic is a game in itself. It is difficult to integrate into the existing rules of the game. We want to honour the many many players who have asked for this, but we are still discussing how the editing and forces would work.
Natural Disasters
This is a great concept, a great fit for the game, and already has some detailed implementation suggestions on the official features website. Volcanoes? Meteors? What else could this involve? Let us know! Is this one update or multiple updates? We don't know yet, but we do know that it is highly voted.
AI Ships, Planes, Helicopters
The world of Stormworks is a lonely one. Could ships sail by, or aircraft pass above? We would love to add more to the world, and we are discussing how we can do this.
Cooperative Vehicle Building
Many players do play Stormworks primarily as a building game, spending the majority of time designing in the editor. On large creations, it would be great to collaborate in real time, or even just to help a friend who is new to the game. We think this would be a great addition. At 6th most popular, and being a lot of work to develop, it probably won't be the next thing we work on, but we will not forget the many players who voted for this feature.
Arctic Ice-Breaking
What if the arctic was surrounded by a massive ice shelf? In places the ice could be meters thick, while in others it could be thinning. What if weight and force could break this ice? Ice breaking ships may suddenly become a big part of Stormworks, while players must use caution driving vehicles across the ice. This is a huge feature to add, and will probably not be added before the next poll.
Space
What if the atmosphere in Stormworks had a maximum height, and with the right vehicle and design, you could reach a geostationary distance from the surface? Above the atmosphere, we would have to add the concept of air versus vacuum, space walking suits, zero gravity, satellite radio communication, and more. In a similar way to weapons, this is too far from the core concept of the game to become part of the base package, and could only become part of Stormworks as an optional expansion, and probably requires more votes.
Stormwoofs
OK. This wasn't a top voted item, but many many are players asking us what Stormwoofs is. Stormwoofs is your dog and loyal companion. He can sit, fetch, woof, and help find survivors. Working rescue dogs are highly trained and frequently used in search and rescue operations. He is also a very good boy and needs your votes in the next poll! Can you really say no to that little face?
Thank you again to everyone who contributed to the poll! We are carefully listening to your feedback and will work hard on the next major new features with your guidance!
Don't forget to check out the experimental branch and help with your feedback and thoughts on any in-development content!
Much love <3,
The Stormworks Developers