Hi,

I just released a new version of the demo over the weekend.

The main focus of my work was on the Save & Load System, and I'm happy to say that it's now implemented and working well. The game automatically saves when you exit to the main menu, and you can load it from there. Please note that the save feature only works for the regular game, and challenge maps are not saved.

Additionally, I've added a small progress system within the game. This system gradually unlocks new buildings, items, or spells. At the beginning, each player can only build a few buildings until a Townhall is constructed. The Townhall has 4 levels, and with each upgrade, more things are unlocked.

There are some changes in crowd control as well. After considering your feedback and having several discussions, I've decided to remove the limitation of having only 1 Settlings on ladders and bridges. I understand that this restriction felt a bit unintuitive.

While the limitation served a specific purpose by dividing Settlings traffic in different map areas, I recognized the need for a more flexible approach. To address this, I've introduced an automatic splitter dummy. This dummy reacts and changes its states on each interaction, preventing every second Settling from passing.

I believe this is a powerful tool that not only helps in dividing traffic into different areas but also allows control over the amount of traffic in those areas. It can be combined with other items for even more effects. I encourage you to test it and find creative ways to use it.


In the upcoming weeks, my main focus will continue to be on improving the game. I'll be adding quality-of-life features, necessary items for better automation, and fine-tuning the game balance for current demo.

I'm considering removing the tutorial map and instead integrating a simpler tutorial directly into the main game. Given the Townhall mechanic, I'm thinking of incorporating a straightforward tutorial that guides players through the initial phase of the game until the Townhall is constructed.

This is the plan, and I'm eager to see how it unfolds :)

Thank you, everyone, for being around!

Best,
Ariano

Before I talk about the changes I made in the recent update and what the next steps are, I have to share with you this one picture. This has been made by a player from the Discord server, and as I saw it, I became speechless! Crazy things happening...

Despite bug fixes, I've made some changes to address some of the issues you reported recently:

1.) The Vegetable Beds can now be turned off/on like other small constructions. This should help to manage the vegetable load in the settlement.

2.) Regarding hammer softlock: On destroying the building, the player will get a hammer in addition to the blueprint. I introduced it to reduce frustration, especially for new players.

• fixed bug where resources / tools disappear from settling after changing vegetable type in vegetable bed
  
• added option and a sprite to allow closing a vegetable bed
  
• added text to miner shed and builder house explaining how to get carrots
  
• added text to hammer tool-tip explaining that destroying building with dynamite gives you a hammer back
  
• fixed bug where only cargo goods could be set as filter on bridge placement
  
• fixed bug where on the demo "small island" map there was one invisible block where nothing could be build on.
  
• fixed bug where clicking on the top bar opens old, broken shop menu
  
• fixed bug where Settling could walk on a button appeared over the building
  
• fixed bug where blocks remains blocked after killing Octopus boss
  
• reduced the probability (not shore if fixed) Settling stuck in jump animation after receiving a tool
  
• fixed bug where settling parachuting with the item above a balloon will stuck in air
  
• potential fix for Trees areas getting rarely blocked by invisible things where no new trees can be spawned from saplings (potential because I can not reproduce it)
  
• added small victory screen for finishing the demo map objectives.

Probably, some of you already know that I am developing this game alone, and everything, including marketing and finding ways to finance the project, is on my shoulders. That is why things may take some time, and I cannot always dedicate 100% of my time to game development.

I can share with you at this point that I have made some significant steps toward becoming a full-time indie developer. I want to achieve this to be able to focus only on producing a great and fun game. As soon as I have some concrete things I can share, I will do it immediately. So stay tuned.

This does not mean I won't do anything for the game or update the demo. My current focus is to address some issues that have been reported on the Discord server. I want to make the game experience great for any type of player: the veterans, and we have plenty of them, but also new players to make the path of becoming a veteran an enjoyable experience.

One big thing that is missing is the Save & Load system. I want to do it as soon as possible, but I also have to refactor a bit of the code and add necessary functions that will support this whole system.

My focus in the next weeks would be to build the Save & Load System, add necessary new player features and Quality of Life (QoL) features, and improve the overall quality of the game.

This means that there will be no big content updates/new resources/buildings/game mods, or new levels in the near future.

Thank you, everyone, for being around!

Best,
Ariano