As part of the out-of-combat work, last week was somewhat sluggish and filled with non-dev occupations, but still managed to make a few interesting additions and progresses.

For example added interactive elements, which will have various purposes like triggering doors, mechanisms and many more. One is for now a mystic "Power Stone", which can be activated, often acting as an incredible energy source.


Other than that, adding in parallel various map sizes, templates for it and elaborating a workflow for it, to make sure map additions can happen as quickly and efficient as possible. Currently aiming to have ~8 map sizes ranging from "micro" size, which should take only a few minutes to complete, up to "huge", which will be very likely handcrafted key story missions, taking an hour or so to complete.

Related to that, I'm adding the real/game locations in the Milky Way. Gate Project uses real (potentially habitable) exoplanets and locations as reference, since this adds a lot of authenticity. Finding them in online sources, placing them in the correct in-game map takes quite some effort. Also for that, there might be a way better workflow just around the corner, which I'm evaluating.

2025 has arrived, time flies by and it's time to lay out some battle plans for the upcoming time. Thinking about something like following and will move things as needed - given that it is for now a "1 man wolf pack" project, since it's start in June 2024.

• (End of 01-2025) Steam's Real-Time Strategy Fest is coming. For that, might update some of the marketing contents like images and videos, but this has a lower priority
  
• (End of 01-2025) Taipei Game Show - will be there only as visitor, unfortunately, game won't be presented there
  
• (Q1-2025) More dev focus on out-of-combat elements, as combat is already pretty fleshed out, except for some bugs.
  
• (Q1-2025) Including plans to get up a Steam Demo in Q1-2025 - originally idea was to do web-based demos and testing for easy accessibility, but the technical limitations regarding performance and quality are just (too) big. So instead, a regular tech demo on Steam + updates may be the way to go prior the EA release.
  
• (Q2 2025) During next months will evaluate, if may need to move the EA release to Q2 2025, which will give more time for content additions, polish and bugfixing - as releasing a half-baked product is just lame.
  
• (After EA Release) Typical after-release care package: bugfixing, taking care of player feedback and topics, first... and second: addition of more content, preferably based on player feedback

What are the devs expectations/plans for the demo and EA release?

• If it's not good, it won't be released, but postponed, period
  
• If there is not enough content to experience and play, release will be postponed
  
• Major bugs are a no-go and will get max priority, minor ones will be scheduled for fixing them
  
• Placeholder GFX, VFX and SFX should be the exception, and not a common thing
  
• The demo should give a short, representative impression of the game's direction / game-play and be a test for the player, if he wants more of that product
  
• The EA version shall have all key mechanics to fully play the game, while the content variety and stories will be continuously extended - but adequate at all times to enjoy all mechanics... think of the development history of Rimworld, Minecraft and alike

Well, the time after xmas was meant to be relaxing to recharge energy and motivation - so not much has happened regarding game dev. Nevertheless, still made a quick, small update - new weapon packs!