Friday Dev Update: Going Forward
Today I want to talk about some of the updates we'll be working on going forward into 2015. It's going to be a great year, and we are excited to bring more content to Salt.
A New GUI
One of the updates we are excited most to implement in 2015 is the GUI overhaul. The system and interface we have in place now is really more of a placeholder than anything. Not only will we be completely redesigning how the interface looks and feels, but we'll also be adding in new screens such as a character screen for you to view your player stats. This will be particularly fun for players who love stats and numbers. You'll be able to see stats such as damage, defense, sneak stats, health numbers, and more.
Controller, Mac, and Linux Support
Another feature we can't wait to fully implement is controller support. While you can play with a controller currently, it isn't fully fleshed out and some things still don't work. Full controller support will come and will allow you do everything you need with a controller. We will also be ensuring that it works well with the new redesigned interface once the GUI gets an overhaul. In addition to controller support, we'll also be bringing Salt to Mac and Linux machines!
New Islands and Wildlife
We've got some really fun ideas for adding new island types and varieties to Salt. One idea we've had is to have snow islands start spawning as you get farther north. These new island types will not only be a nice visual change, but will also feature new resources and wildlife for you to encounter. We've even tossed around the idea of having some super rare islands as you get really far out into the sea. There are a lot of possibilities, and we'd love to hear your feedback regarding new islands and what you'd like to see!
Weather, Clouds, and Stars
Weather is going to be a great addition to Salt and it will really add to the feeling of a dynamic world. We want to ensure that weather is randomized, dangerous, and fun. You'll never know when a huge storm is going to pop up and you're out in the deep sea on a dinky boat. In addition to new weather, we're also going to be adding in clouds and stars. We've got some interesting ideas for how we'd like to use these to be more than just a skybox, such as actual constellations and things of that nature.
Settling
I can't tell you how many times I've been exploring an island in Salt and thought, "This would be a great place to build a home." Well, we want to make sure you can actually do that. During 2015 we'll be adding in a settling update that will allow you to build your own home on an island. We'll also be working hard to ensure that settling actually benefits you. We want a reason for you to build your home and a reason to leave.
Graphical Improvements
As we've said before, Salt will not be receiving a 'graphical overhaul' in the sense that we'll be keeping the stylized graphics and working within that vein. However, we do want to improve where we can. One way we'll be doing this is improving the grass and improving the models, particularly the pirate models. We want the graphical style of Salt to enhance your experience and not take away from it. We'll be working hard to ensure that all the graphic elements of Salt are cohesive and help to immerse you into the world.
Overarching Story and Quest Line
There is a back story to Salt and a reason for the mysteries you find in the world. Over the course of 2015 we'll be adding in ways for you to discover that overarching story and progress along it as well. We want the story to be there for you to find, but not forced upon you. Should you choose to search for it, you will be able to progress and discover the story behind the world of Salt, but you will also be free to ignore it and simply explore.Multiplayer
Last but most certainly not least, multiplayer. If you haven't already read it, we've written an entire blog post about our thoughts on multiplayer, answering player questions, and giving some insight into that process. In short, multiplayer is something that will come to Salt. First, we want to make sure we get the above mentioned elements in. We don't want Salt to be dependent on multiplayer to be fun, but rather to enhance an already complete game for those who wish to adventure with friends.
These are just some of the things we'll be working on in 2015. You can also look forward to updates to combat, AI behavior, and new enemies, bosses, and items. We hope this clarifies our directions and ideas for 2015, and we would love to get your feedback on the process!
- Will Sterling (Game Audio and Design)
Great game! Great work! I look forward to seeing the additional features as the weeks roll by! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteThanks Daniel!
DeleteNice post (once again :))
ReplyDeleteHave you given a priority to each topics for 2015?
Or do you plan to do a poll to know what people would prefer to have first?
Me, I'm looking forward a bigger diversity for the islands (landscape/wildlife), an improved GUI, and ability to settle which would be great :)
We're going to be meeting soon and discussing some of the priorities and what will flow best. Settling, new islands, and a new GUI are all things we want to work on really soon so they will likely be high on the priority list!
DeleteDont forget to put binoculars in the game! I need them
ReplyDeleteBtw love the game! Cant wait to play it with my friends :)
An update just rolled out today and i love the new grass texture! It makes the islands look much more lush and living! I'd love to see you add (I assume it's not in yet) volcanic islands...I've seen some islands with very pointed hills at their center on the horizon, it'd be great to see one with a smoking cinder cone, especially one that might actually erupt! I've been doing a let's play on the game, and hopefully it will inspire others to buy and enjoy it as much as I am. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDelete