Hi guys,
This time I don't have a new version for you, but some information about what I'm working on. Earlier I told you that my next bigger update will come in some weeks and after time passing, still, I'm not out with it. So that's why I write now.
Research update
My plan was to give you mostly research updates. As I earlier mentioned, it can happen, that some groups (check out the game's roadmap to understand groups) can affect each other. This is what happens right now.
The new metric called Capacity and the new system of VLSI/CPU and other speeds, the changes around overclocking etc. require changes in the tech side of the game, the hardware/computer design, GUI, and AI as well.
Simply I cannot introduce Capacity and Frequency without changing every single system in the game. The problem isn't around the quantity of the work, but the difficulty to make it in smaller releasable chunks. This is why I didn't put out a new version, yet.
Modding
Another thing that I'd like to share with you, that unfortunately, I failed with something. In the roadmap, I intentionally didn't promise the modding possibility. I'd like to give it to you, but before even starting I thought that it could be extremely hard to make happen. In the first 1.5 weeks, I really tried to implement things in a way so you can mod the techs, but the whole system in the game is just so complicated, and my tools are so not in favor of it, that I failed to deliver it. I'm really sorry about it, but at least I didn't even promise it. I'm just here to tell: I wanted it, and I tried. Maybe in my next game, or maybe after full-release, I will take another look, but the latter is not likely.
Let's talk about marketing!
Another thing, that I'm still thinking about is the marketing part of the game. I had a vision and aims why I've built the system how it is now. But at one point the GUI is kinda broken in telling how it is working exactly.
You know, the game is a Grand Strategy hybrid. Fot those who are unfamiliar with it, just think about Risk and Table games, and you are close. With the marketing tools, my aim was far away from realism. It is much more like a table board game feature, where I wanted really different tools for you with each of the different scenarios to use.
My original thought was that if the billboards, radio, tv etc all have different restrictions, then the player will have to find out when, how is the best to use them. Some actually understood this, but most didn't.
Think about it like this... If the marketing part would be more realistic, you could buy as many ads as you like and it wouldn't even really matter if it is billboards, tv or radio etc. They just would have different power. But now, when you can't use them for everything, and you can't use them everywhere etc. it is more challenging to know how and when you can use them - so the player must make more decisions. More decision in this kind of genre is a good thing in my opinion.
The problem with all of this, that most didn't like this whole stuff. You just would like to use everything & everywhere. Most players feel if they can't start a billboard company in all of his countries, then it is a flaw or a bug.
It makes me wonder if I should just cut out the whole system and replace it with a standard thing, that you are used to from other games.
Although the managers will give you active stuff around marketing (starting campaigns in the way you are used to it), that could result in two separate systems next to each other, that could confuse the player even more.
I'd love to get your opinion on this subject. I'm still far about this, but I'm trying to find out things well before implementation.
So when will we get an update?
I don't wanna promise anything, but I feel like I have to merge the implementation of the first 3 groups. And this will definitely longer the time you must wait for the update. I will try to write you messages like this more often meanwhile. I would say right now, maybe at the end of March you will get something, but that time it will be much bigger than usual.
Also, the update will be released as a beta branch on Steam. You won't get it automatically, you will have to manually update your game.
Please support me with a positive review if you like what's going on, or you already enjoy the game. It means a lot! Also please join the discussions, your help is really important.
The Roadmap Of Computer Tycoon:
http://steamcommunity.com/games/686680/announcements/detail/1673520100901557536
Your friend,
Andris