Devlog: Nokandu Update 0.1.3 - January 16, 2023

The past few weeks were rather slow while I spent time with family and subsequently ramped back into development mode (which is why this has taken longer than other updates). The primary focus of this update was to fix the residual issues from the game's December playtest event so that I can start work on version 0.2! 

Upcoming Version 0.2 

Version 0.2 is slated as the Explorer's Update! My goal for this update is to make the world feel even more immersive and set the stage for version 0.3 and 0.4 (already planned out). I'm hoping to add landmarks, a new system for achievements and collections, sandstorms, a workable tent, a lava river, a crystal bone cave scene, a working death system, sprint to run, and more. I'm hoping to have my first 0.2 update out in early February.

Life Updates:

I met with some Chicago developers this past week during an open work day at their co-working space. After more than a year of developing games largely on my own I expected it to be refreshing and energizing working and cohabitating with other like-minded professionals. While it was both refreshing and energizing it felt more like a cold shower than a sip of coffee. Being in a room of professional developers made me hyper-aware that I am doing this with no formal education, no mentors, no publishers, no income, and no team. But no worries! If I let insecurities or fear of an unknown stop me I would have been done long ago. I'm having a great time working on this game and am taking slow but steady steps to learn as much as a can in the hopes that game dev will one day pay my bills (even just one measly electric bill). I am also hoping to return to that co-working space next month, this time with a few familiar names and faces in my back pocket. 

Version 0.1.3 Updates:

Bug fixes:

• Fixed issue with apparel pivot point on chopping animation
• Fixed bug where cursor text frame was not disabling when a menu closes
• Fixed bug where recruiting an NPC in the valley (Mae, Quincy) after the market is unlocked wouldn’t work
• Fixed bug where escaping out of dialogue would advance the dialogue but not complete the actions that come with advancing the dialogue

System changes:

• Tweaked SmelterHouse transparency collider
• Navigating to the crafting menu or library menu from within the TAB menu will now disable the OnScreen button highlight animation
• Left clicking and pressing SPACE will both now place a highlighted placeable object in your inventory in the shown position
• Reformatted MarketUI text
• Tweaks to transparency system 
• Market item description will now display the recipe of the book instead of “Recipe Book”

Gameplay changes:

• Removed book from Jules campsite
• Added cursor text to crafting menu that shows you how much of an input you have and tells you how to craft 
• Now more market books than slots→ when you buy a book, next time you visit a new recipe book will be available
• When placeable object highlighted in your belt inventory, will now show it ghosted for easier placement
• Added a dialogue option that appears for each NPC if you find them before you find a place to set up camp
• Added a recipe book for scrap
• Changed color of village wood to yellow color of tooth (alien wood)
• Added wind blow animation for the 3rd (and last) bluevine bush
• Added a sound and notification when a tool breaks