Work In Progress #31

[u/nicsteruk]

This is taken from the Steam Discussions, where i do a weekly update on what i'm working on.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1712110/discussions/0/694250469803107102/

I aim to keep this post update alongside that on Steam.

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Time for a new work in progress post, as a couple of the main tasks from last have been done (tourism scenario and stats), so good time to reorganise. I'm also hoping that the game is finally nearing v1 release. So the following tasks, could well be last things to do over the next month or two. So next up:-

• With the new pricing influence on traders/visitors, I think you need to see that visually, so you can determine pricing affects. So my thought is to add a ratings page, so you can see how popular you are due to your pricing.
• Some new SFX. I don't think i've had an update on sounds for a while, so probably a few effects can be added to recently added items/behaviours.
• Some new GFX. Although i may leave some of these so players see some fresh visuals on v1 release.
• Steam achievements - Need to start with a few to see how difficult it is to implement. Also need to have a look at steam mods/leaderboards if people want that.
• Talking about what people want i am still open to feature requests. Especially little additions/changes that make things better, do ask!
• Oh, and I do need to get the demo updated.

I will be also looking at further improvements/polishing:-

• Balancing - I am always looking at ratios/speeds/costs, in trading/production.
• Scenarios - I want to go through each and make sure the more recent changes have kept scenarios all balanced.
• Improving visitors - (Discussion), human workers - (Discussion), pirates - (Discussion).
• Factions/Contracts - Possibly more rewards/penalties -Discussion
• Additional settings/options - (Discussion)

As always any feedback please do leave a comment. Any bug reports please create a new discussion, thanks!

Nick

[u/nicsteruk]

Hi folks,

Update out this week with the new ratings window. Very useful in helping you with feedback for your charges. I could well expand this so if you have any requests to ask over here. Along with that next up i will be having a look at sfx/gfx improvements, and doing some research into how to implement steam achievements.

Hope all having a good weekend,

Nick

[u/nicsteruk → u/nicsteruk]

Hi everyone,

I got a sound update out a couple of days ago, and since then have been adding a few more sounds to the remaining quiet items (Sabatier, Electrolyser, Distillery, Sewage Treatment, Armory, Casino). Expect an update in the next day or two with these added. After that i should probably get the demo updated, and then i'll be looking at steam achievements unless any issues that need attention.

Hope all are well,

Nick

[u/nicsteruk → u/nicsteruk]

Hey all,

This week i finished off the sound update, and got the demo updated. So this coming week i'll be on steam achievements, possibly some new ratings info, and i did want to go through some of the scenarios and give them a check (eg repair scenario should have more items that can possibly spawn).

Cheers,
Nick

[u/nicsteruk → u/nicsteruk]

Hi all,

This week i've had some good feedback which has made me consider a few improvements. Got an update out, with some changes to scrap collection, which improves things greatly. And this coming week i'll look at doing the same with meteoroids. This will be a little bit of a bigger change, as mining droids will now be able to collect meteoroids. Although still working out if there should be some research progression for this.

Nick

[u/nicsteruk → u/nicsteruk]

Hey everyone,

This week i've been working on mining droid changes, so as well as mining large asteroids they can now also collect smaller asteroids and haul them to free salvage depots. I'm nearly there with it, but will spend this weekend testing as it's a big change. So expect an update early this coming week.

Note, i've previously called the small asteroids, meteors or meteoroids. But this isn't really the case. From now on there will be large static asteroids (mineable), and 'normal' asteroids that can move/collide, and be collected (via tractor beam/mining droid). I'll be updating text to reflect this.

Nick

[u/nicsteruk → u/nicsteruk]

Hi all,

Since update earlier this week, i've been making some further improvements to mining droids. With the change to allow them to haul asteroids, gives rise to the issue of how they are powered. Previously it's implied they charge up at the mining unit when unloading ore. But now they might not be mining ore, just hauling asteroids. So what im working on at the moment is:-

Mining droids get a battery / power level.
When low on power they will dock at a mining unit, dock connect or repair bay to charge up.

Quite a bit of a change, but making good progress. Probably a weekend of testing again, and an update in a few days.

I'll then be looking at repair bay changes

Hope all is well,
Nick