Hey Everyone,
It's been three weeks since we launched The New Island preview, and you're probably wondering what's coming next. We’ve been reading your comments, reviews, and forum posts, and we are adjusting our plans based on your feedback.
Here is what the near future looks like for Volcanoids.
Next Week: Hotfix #5 & Steam Sale
We'll be releasing Hotfix #5 next week alongside a Steam sale. This patch focuses heavily on bug fixes, lighting improvements, and related gameplay.
Key Changes
Intel GPU Fix: Resolved the issue causing an over-bright screen.
Performance: First batch of optimizations.
Lighting Fixes: Fixed lighting across all three locations.
Darker Atmosphere: Tunnels, caves, and sewers are now properly dark.
Heavy-duty Flashlight: New handheld tool (With the new lighting, a light source is essential under the ground).
Orchard Port Upgrade
Based on your feedback, many players struggled with the Orchard Port gameplay. The pathing felt unclear, keys were in unexpected locations, and it was easy to get stuck.
We are streamlining the gameplay and improving the flow without making it too easy or "dumb." The first batch of these navigation improvements will arrive in this hotfix.
This Summer
We heard you loud and clear: you miss the core Volcanoids gameplay. You want to drive the drillship, fight COGs, mine resources, research schematics, upgrade production, and battle other drillships. The preview's "expeditions" just didn't cut it.
This summer, we are bringing the classic Volcanoids gameplay loop directly to the New Island!
What’s Coming
Full Drillship Progression: 5 segments, Tier 3 modules, all weapons
Island Expansion: Basic placeholder terrain and vegetation across the entire island.
Endgame: A Boss Drillship to face off against as the final challenge.
Navigation: The old travel map will be used for now.
What's Cut
Expeditions: This feature was a prototype that felt too simple and limited. It is being removed and replaced by the classic gameplay loop.
The Hunt: We have mixed feelings about this one. While it added pressure, for most players it just meant "go hide underground and wait it out." We are removing it until we can redesign it into something more engaging.
Lava Sources: These are not returning for the New Island. Instead, they will be replaced by entirely new, unique boss locations in a later update. You might have seen sneak peeks in previous Steam posts.
Note: The Summer Update will go live on the default Steam branch. The Old Island (version 1.33) will remain permanently available via the v1.33 Steam branch.
This Fall
Following the summer update, each major patch will focus on two things: introducing new locations and improving core features. For the Fall update, we are planning:
New Locations: Wrenchlow Mining Village, Darksaddle Coal Mine, and the Seismotorium Research Station.
Feature Focus: Improved Gunplay.
How to play the preview
Launch Volcanoids as usual.
In the Main Menu, click "New Island preview".
The game will automatically close and switch your Steam branch to "preview".
Wait for the update to finish, then click "Play".
To go back: Simply click "Back to old island" in the main menu.
- The Volcanoids Team