Hey there, fellow ylanders!
Before we get to discuss cool features that you can expect to see in the game in the future, let me first touch two specific topics.
Initially, we planned to release the game at the end of November but it will actually happen in early December. This is more of a marketing decision (you‘ll understand why when we get there) and it has nothing to do with the current state of the game. Also, don‘t mistake this with the release of the Countless Colors update, which will happen in November. So, if you own the game already this doesn‘t really affect you - just don‘t be surprised if you see that the Steam release date changed to December
Also, some time ago we talked about Dedicated servers and what we planned for them. We didn‘t put it aside and forgot about it - next week we‘re going to tell you more about what we‘re going to do, how is the public beta going to work and how, if you feel like it, you will be able to help us with that.
Now let‘s get to game features. For some time now we have been going over our „tech tree“, analyzed what it lacks, which workstations work, which feel unnecessary and which we are missing. We revised ways of creating certain objects, particular ingredients, and their necessity. Based on that we did some changes to the tech tree, which you will experience in the upcoming update. While many changes won‘t be visible right away, we believe we managed to improve the overall crafting experience. The formulas have also been divided into several tiers (or „eras“), which will allow for a better filtering and easier orientation. What we feel still needs to be done in order for the crafting to be really good is to rework workstation GUIs that are still more of placeholders than a real thing and do some adjustments to the crafting panel.
Once the energy barrier generator is added to the game, your cozy rooms will be safe from griefers. Courtesy of Adrie
We proceed with designing the energy barrier generator that you will be able to use to protect your house etc. Currently, in Explore we see it working in the following way - you will start with a portable type of this generator which, unfortunately, got damaged as your ship crashed. The energy bits are intact but you‘ll need to fix some mechanical parts. For that you will have to create some iron parts, meaning that you will have to play for some time in order to make it work. Once it‘s fixed, you will be able to place it and turn it on. From that moment other players won‘t be able to destroy, build, terraform or paint inside of the created barrier (its exact size still needs to be decided). However, there will be a way to overcome these limits for those you consider worthy. Please note that the barrier won‘t protect you from being attacked, your items from being stolen etc.
If at some point you create a better house at a different location, you‘ll simply shut the generator down and take it with you wherever it‘s needed. Later in the game, you will be able to create generators like this (and even more powerful), but be warned that creating those will be anything but easy.
And speaking of securing your things - we can now confirm that in addition to the usual padlock, in the upcoming update even those that use codes or passwords will be available.
And that‘s about it for now. We‘ll be looking forward to talking to you in a week - until then you have a great time and stay classy, ylanders!