Public Demo 2 v2 (Plan)
Added 2024-07-18 20:17:47 +0000 UTCHi!
Here's an updated development plan for the next demo.
This upcoming next demo called Public Demo 2 v2 was originally designed to have the following main features:
New weapons / attachments (Done)
Starting kits (Done)
Task system (Done)
Crafting system (Done)
Armor system (Done)
Dynamic ambient (Done)
AI overhaul (Done)
Map expansions (~25% Done)
Like listed above, I have pretty much all of these new features done, expect the map expansions that I'm currently working on.
When it comes to these expansions, the main decision that I had to consider was how much detail, polish and new POI's (point of interest) I want to add with these bigger maps.
Few posts ago, I talked about this topic and I came to the conclusion that I want to go with "Option 2" which basically means that I will raise the overall "map quality" from stripped down demo versions to near early-access map versions. In practice, this means more visual details, more thought on level design and more polish on top the actual map size increase.
This decision will obviously take a bit more time to implement, but since there's no need to rush this next demo out, I think this decision is going to provide that better "shelf-life" for this next demo on Steam and it will give a good representation on what the early-access version of the game will look visually.
When it comes to development timeline, I think announcing this Public Demo 2 v2 at Q3 this year (instead of Q2) will give me plenty of time to finish these map expansions with this visual quality boost.
On top of this, I will also implement a multi-shelter support and add a second shelter for this next demo. This feature will require save system changes, but after these changes the save system is going to be pretty stable with every other game/demo update since then it has all the necessary components to carry out the entire shelter system ideology for the game.
I will be sharing the first before and after screenshots on some map locations hopefully next week, so you can get an idea on how significant these map expansions are going to be.
ps. After this decision, there's now also going to be an extra devlog episode about these map expansions (next month) and it will include one cool collaboration thing as well.
-Antti (Developer)
Comments
I second with Remi here, a ”public demo version V3” name would sell it to the masses as something with loads more content and updates (as there is) than the previous one and so increase public interest in it
Antton Eskola
2024-07-21 08:35:15 +0000 UTCI am very Happy to read These lines as you Always decide for a better game instead of rushing through for your pockets. Thank you for that!
Patrick W.
2024-07-19 15:55:53 +0000 UTCExciting plans! You probably get this question a lot, but with so much additional content for this upcoming Public Demo 2 v2, wouldn't it make sense to name it Public Demo 3 to make it clear it's a feature update and not just a bugfix? A "v2" of something which is already versioned sounds to me like a hotfix re-release.
Rémi Verschelde
2024-07-19 08:50:12 +0000 UTCA collaboration ? I like surprise :)
Shamnolya
2024-07-18 21:59:37 +0000 UTCOne more potential upside to "option 2" could be reduced time between the demo and the full release, which should be good for maintaining interest. By the way, will that demo include proper loot tables that differ by zone? That is the final substantial piece I feel is missing currently, as without it there is not much need to explore beyond the village.
Henry Carlson
2024-07-18 21:13:53 +0000 UTCVery happy you have decided to go with option 2. Looking forward to seeing what expansions you come up with :)
Infinity
2024-07-18 20:27:06 +0000 UTC
