We want to share our plans and thoughts about the Early Access development of Botlike with you. That way, you can get an idea of what to expect in future updates and what the final release will look like.
Please note that the following is just a rough draft and may change whenever we feel it helps the improvement of the game
We'll try to update the game on a bi-weekly basis but will adjust that to the game's needs – that means that certain big updates may take longer and of course we will try to hotfix occurring game-breaking bugs. That said, let's take a look at the roadmap.
Of course there are ongoing tasks we want to mention quickly - these tasks will run independently from the bigger goals.
So, ongoing tasks are:
Bug Fixing
- We'll try to prioritize urgent/critical bugs and eventually fix them with hotfixes
- Minor bugs we will fix with the other normal updates
Balancing
- we plan on expanding the game with new content, enemies, items and weapons - balancing all of that is an important task and will happen parallel to the other tasks
Polishing
- While working on the game, we always find little things that can improve the overall experience. We try to pay as much attention to detail as possible.
Milestone 1 - Interface and Item Merge
Item Merge Feature
We've already communicated the item merge feature - but sadly it hasn't yet found its way into the game. We want to change that first because it's an important part of the game. If you're not familiar with this system, let us explain briefly:
The items you can find during a run (like inverted magnet, scrap clover pin, and so on) can be combined into super items. It takes two normal items to 'build' a super item. The new item will consume the two normal items but keep their stats and advantages + it gets a new effect. The game design aim is that this new effect builds synergies with the effects of the two normal items it is merged from, or builds up a super wombo combo for the monster item. A monster item is, as you can guess, an item merged from two specific super items. It will be a game changer - it supports you with really strong powers like orbital lasers or deadly knock-back combos.
With this update we plan to introduce the item merge system and probably a set of super items.
HUD Overhaul
We've already designed and started to work on an HUD / Interface overhaul. It will address quite a few problems that occurred during testing - we also need the overhaul for the item merge, so it makes sense to update them in a bulk.
The new HUD will address the following problems:
- Better overall visibility and readability of the HUD
- players didn't see their health bar
- better communication of available weapons
- Putting the dash cool down in the player's field of vision
- Adding a combo timer and making the combo system more visible
- rework of pickup notifications
Inventory
We want to give players the chance to find out in-game what a specific items does. We will introduce an inventory where you see all your collected items and their effects. If the item is a super or monster item you will see all the items it is merged from.
Interlude - Game modes
Right now the game has only one difficulty level. We want to change that and introduce an easy mode as well as 1-2 harder modes for those who seek a challenge. This should improve the replay ability and help new players get into the game quicker.
Milestone 2 - More Items
A lot of the fun in Botlike emerges from the combination of items and weapons you find during a run. We're planning to implement up to 28 normal items, 8 super items and 4 monster items until final release. Of course these numbers may be subject to change but should give a rough overview for what's coming up.
We won't implement all items at the same time - but this milestone should introduce some of them in a bulk, while the rest will find their way into the game in other updates.
Milestone 3 - Options
Everybody wants to individualize their games - and we totally understand that. In this milestone we want to bring you an option menu, accessible from the Main Menu, where you can configure at least:
- Game resolution
- Window mode
- Vsync
- Sound / volume
- Screenshake amount
- Key bindings
- lock mouse cursor
Milestone 4 - Champion System
Champions are something we're really looking forward to implementing. They will bring more challenge and variety to the gameplay.
In a nutshell, champions are randomized special enemies that will spawn randomly in the level. They will have special abilities randomly picked and combined from a pool of possibilities. So every champion you encounter will be unique and a new challenge. Of course, they will have a higher chance of loot drop...
Milestone 5 - More Enemies
Right now we have a good amount and variety of enemy types in the game. But we feel that it's not enough. We will continuously add more enemies to the game. We've already planned out a bunch - but we're also looking forward to your ideas for enemy additions.
Milestone 6 - The next level
More levels means more content. We are planing to add at least two additional levels to the game, each with its own biomes and level boss. The work on the assets is the main part here. We'll start working on these parallel to the other tasks right away.
Milestone 7 - Who's the boss?
No new level without a good boss to defeat at the end of it, right? We don't want to reveal too much, because bosses should be a thing to encounter in-game. So please be patient :)
Milestone 8 - New Weapon(s)
We plan to add 4 more weapons with 5 upgrades each till the final release. Probably not all weapons will find their way into the game in this milestone - but will be added in different updates. Planned so far are:
- Lazzzzer
- Tesla Gun
- Grenade thrower
The last weapon is not really mapped out yet. Feel free to give us suggestions!
Milestone 9 - Steam Achievements + Trading Cards
We know that this is a feature a lot of players are looking forward to. But we feel that it's important that we first add more content to the game before we go into the meta.
Milestone 10 - Powerups + more traps + more upgrades
We want you to feel great and suffer at the same time ;)
We have plans for temporary powerups - which will boost you for a short amount of time. We also want to bring in more upgrades to the base upgrade merchant. This might include an upgradable stomp, a drone that follows you, or a luck enhancement. Please note that these might be subject to change!
Milestone 11 - Final Level
We are slowly reaching the end of the scope here. In this milestone we plan to bring in the final level, an additional biome and of course the end boss. Enough said!
After That
There are still a few things we are considering bringing into the game at this point. But please note that we are a small indie developer and we depend on how much support we get from you - the community.
Things we have planned are:
- Slot System
- Enables the player to have different game states saved
- More Level variants
- Building on top of the current foundation and make the game more versatile
- Base Extension + Art
- Build in some fun in the base, improve the art and show some of the remains of the once brimming rust town
- Blueprints
- You first have to find and secure upgrade blueprints to buy upgrades in the base
- Proper Intro
- Give Botlike a proper intro with art and animation