As this edition of the Next Fest draws closer to the end, we're still a few days away from it, and that gave us a couple more days to make yet another update. This one is the third one during this Steam's event and it is almost exclusively made out of things players reported from their experience with he first demo version. Some tweaks, some fixes, some modifications and a couple of new features.. just the right ingredients to „cook“ a better game demo in time for another good gaming weekend.
This entire week we've been observing dozens of livestreams of Aquatico, reading community posts on Steam, Discord and Twitter, we tried to participate as much as possible and engage with players. The result is an overwhelmingly good acceptance of the game as an unusual underwater experience, but also a pretty wide understanding of the many things that still need improving and polishing. Our lists are ready and combined with the already planned remaining unfinished game features, we're ready to push hard and build the rest of Aquatico to meet your expectations.
Today's update is only the start. We had only a few days, but with this third update, we're hoping to improve the demo for everyone already playing it, but also everyone still waiting for the weekend to try it out.
Some highlights of this update:
Added first decoration objects for your settlement
Added first parts of citizen sentiments system
Added more hints to various upkeep data panels
Improved tutorial section to avoid players being stuck at pipelines placements
Fixed a bug in tutorial with premature research advancement
Improved movements of fish
Added bubble effects intensity slider
Improved character movement
Improved lighting system
Improved HUD
Improved some ambient details
Tweaks to several unclear UI notifications
There are more various bug fixes and optimizations, but the above would be the main highlights of this update.
When the Next Fest closes, development of Aquatico will continue, there is so much more to come and you're all invited to stick around and replay the demo from time to time. The demo will remain available until further notice, and it will be regularly updated to match the internal development of the full game.
Until next update – enjoy the game and have a great weekend! Digital Reef Games
Deep ocean biome – second Aquatico demo update
Hello everyone,
Next Fest is about to start, we wish you all to find something you like and want to play! Aquatico is joining this awesome celebration of gaming and to mark the occasion – we're expanding the demo immediately!
You've already had a chance to download and try the demo of our game, but instead of a single map and a single biome, you'll have a chance to try something different from today. Deep ocean biome is the second type of biome planned for Aquatico (more are coming). The first map from this set available in the demo is named "Wasteland". Enjoy descending into the deeper ocean and finding your way in this darker, more sinister environment.
As mentioned in the earlier announcements, the demo version will remain available on the store page, and will be regularly updated to match the further development of the entire game. We're inviting you to „dive in“ Aquatico, tell us what you think and share your impressions on Steam forums, our Discord server (https://discord.gg/Sqyms6T2P7 ) or via email aquatico_support@overseer-publishing.com
The game is definitely a work in progress, so don't be alarmed if you encounter some bugs or technical difficulties. First two batches of improvements have been released through the last two updates, and your feedback was invaluable in getting that done. The more feedback you provide, the better and faster improvements will be.
Regarding languages support:
With today's update, we've started introducing the some of the planned languages into the game. You'll have access to, in full or at least partial, English, German, French, Portuguese-Brazil, Spanish-Spain and Russian. These languages will now get expanded with each update, and expect other languages to be added with incoming updates too!
As for updates themselves – you can expect them to drop during the entire Next Fest and beyond, so keep your demo version updated and make sure to return to game frequently.
Thank you all for the participation in the earlier Playtest, thank you for trying our demo and thank you for supporting our work and helping us craft Aquatico into something special!
Have a great Next Fest , Wishlist Aquatico and don't miss our livestream!
Digital Reef Games
Aquatico demo receives first update
Hello guys,
Two days after first version of demo went live, we're ready for first update! Thanks to your responses and emails we've prepared a few things in this iteration. Next update to demo will arrive on Monday alongside Next Fest launch, and that will be more substantial update. We'll make sure to announce all the details before it goes live!
Aquatico demo version update – v0.4003.3
• Manually created saves now generate preview image • Resolved dithering of scenery objects when near camera • Resolved dithering of domes that broke lighting • Optimized several farm related calculations that caused game slowing down • Resolved minimap offset • Corrected luxuries hint that indicated false insufficiency • Corrected upgrade button that remained flashing even after upgrade is done • Corrections to tutorial option limits in order to avoid getting stuck situations • During tutorial it is no longer possible to remove buildings and houses • Fixed several text displaying issues when switching between japanese and some other language
Keep having fun!
Demo version now available!
Hello guys!
We are very happy and proud to finally give you all access to the demo version of Aquatico! Current version of the demo doesn't represent the finished game, but it already contains a number of improvements based on your invaluable feedback from the recent Playtest weekend. As development continues, this demo will also be updated regularly, all the way until it matches the release version of completed game.
A NOTE ON THE LANGUAGES IN AQUATICO:
This first iteration of the demo version still doesn't have all the planned languages implemented. We will immediately offer all the languages that are already done, possibly partial translations for languages that aren't yet ready in full, while the remaining planned languages will be introduced over time as they are prepared, implemented and tested.
Currently implemented languages:
Portuguese - Brazil
Spanish - Spain
Japanese
Expect more languages to be introduced via updates already during the next few days and during Next Fest. Several languages are almost ready, so we'll add them as they arrive. At this moment, we can confirm the following languages as planned: English, German, French, Spanish - Spain, Portuguese - Brazilian, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Russian. More might be added according to Your feedback.
A LITTLE BIT ON THE DEMO ITSELF
The demo version available today will be updated frequently, starting in next few days. Since the game is still in development, and in a very dynamic part of development, lots of things are being introduced on a regular basis. That will reflect in the demo updates as well, so don't be surprised to see many changes.
The demo will be, much like the recent Playtest, limited to 2 hours of a single playsession. Number of new sessions isn't limited, and the demo itself will remain available through the Next Fest and beyond.
Anyone who tied the recent Playtest version will already see some improvements, and you're all invited to report your impressions back to us, ideas or any problems you might encounter as well. We'll jump on all feedback and introduce further improvements as fast as possible.
If you enjoy the demo and like the path game is heading - don't forget to WISHLIST and follow all the news!
Have fun, and thank you for joining Aquatico! Digital Reef Games
Aquatico demo incoming
Hello Undersea people,
In a few days, Aquatico will get a free demo version, available on the game store page for everyone to download and try it out. It is already an improved recent Playtest version, but still doesn't represent the entire game. The difference is that everyone can try it out, no registration needed, and this demo will continue to be updated as we draw closer to the final game version.
We're looking forward to all of you - come, download the demo, try it out yourself, and let us know what you think! Our Steam community channels and Discord are open for your feedback, ideas and suggestions.
As we did with the Playtest version, everything you report back will be used to further improve the game and steer it in the direction most of you will approve. This type of community driven development is something we feel really benefits the game greatly.
If you wanna see how the early versions played for several well known players out there, you can check out their videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2B4t-NnjEc&t=1899s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOgHvXYFsRU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcwpAZbdUEE&t=2s
Apologies in advance for possible bugs, we are eliminating them one by one and your impressions also help us remove them faster!
And, of course, if you already like the experience, and feel that Aquatico might be a great pick for you once finished, WISHLIST the game to get notified of any and all news in the future!
Our first Playtest weekend has passed, and we're still gathering impressions here. In short – it was awesome! Several thousand players got access and tried Aquatico for the first time, and we couldn't be happier with response.
The very idea of an underwater city building experience seems to resonate strongly with a lot of players out there who were really enjoying the early shown atmospherics and general mood of the game. Since this was only the alpha game version, there were bugs and issues and we're taking into account everything reported back to us. Improvements are already underway, based on feedback and data files you've sent us.
At this moment, our entire team wishes to thank all of you who participated in the Playtest. You gave us a very good idea of what things you enjoy the most, what needs improving, and where the current issues are. Thank you for this invaluable feedback, thank you for all the suggestions and thank you for your time to provide us with the data files.
What's next?
For all players who didn't get the chance to try the Playtest version, we are preparing a first demo version of Aquatico! This will already be an improved version of the Playtest build, and that version will continue to be updated as development goes ahead. Expect this demo to be available in time for the Steam Next fest. Note that this demo version will also be an incomplete game, but already one step closer to it.
And while on the subject of Steam Next Fest – yes, Aquatico will participate in this event, you'll have a chance to view livestreams of the game, grab the demo and give it a spin, and of course – throw additional feedback at us. There is still much more to come and we'll make Aquatico the best experience it can be!
Once again – thank you! Digital Reef Games
Aquatico Next Fest Livestream Returns!
Hello!
Aquatico is a survival city builder set within the depths of the sea. Strategically build an underwater city atop the ocean floor and face the challenges that accompany oceanic life.
Our live-stream will take place during Steam Next Fest. We'll be showcasing the latest version of the game, the same one you'll have the chance to download as a demo and try it out by yourself.
You're all invited to join us, discuss the game and everything planned for it, download the demo and give it a spin and wishlist the game if you're enchanted with amazing underwater world as we are!
You can also click on SET REMINDER button, and let Steam ping you in time for this event. Don't miss our livestream where we'll explore the harshness of building an underwater city together.
In case you're wondering what Aquatico really is, glance at the main features overview:
A survival city builder in a unique underwater environment
Gather and produce resources by creating underwater production chains
Build a submerged base and develop it into a thriving underwater city
Unlock new technologies and buildings through a vast research tree
Explore the mysteries of post-apocalyptic ocean depths
Utilize vertical building system and erect pressurized domes for everyday life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_-0H6gS1DE&t=1s
We're expecting you! Digital Reef Games / Overseer Publishing
Aquatico Next Fest Livestream!
Hello!
Aquatico is a survival city builder set within the depths of the sea. Strategically build an underwater city atop the ocean floor and face the challenges that accompany oceanic life.
Our live-stream will take place during Steam Next Fest. We'll be showcasing the latest version of the game, the same one you'll have the chance to download as a demo and try it out by yourself.
You're all invited to join us, discuss the game and everything planned for it, download the demo and give it a spin and wishlist the game if you're enchanted with amazing underwater world as we are!
You can also click on SET REMINDER button, and let Steam ping you in time for this event. Don't miss our livestream where we'll explore the harshness of building an underwater city together.
In case you're wondering what Aquatico really is, glance at the main features overview:
A survival city builder in a unique underwater environment
Gather and produce resources by creating underwater production chains
Build a submerged base and develop it into a thriving underwater city
Unlock new technologies and buildings through a vast research tree
Explore the mysteries of post-apocalyptic ocean depths
Utilize vertical building system and erect pressurized domes for everyday life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_-0H6gS1DE&t=1s
We're expecting you! Digital Reef Games / Overseer Publishing
Last day of Playtest in progress
Hi,
It's been an interesting couple of days, and we've started the final day of our first Aquatico Playtest. SInce a lot of you still register to try out the game, another group of players will be granted access today. Later today, registrations will be closed, and tomorrow Playtest will officially end.
We'd only like to thank again to everyone that participated, and everyone that will still participate today. Your feedback has been fantastic - you pointed us to good sides of the game, pointed out what needs to improve, and also shared huge amount of suggestions. We'll have an interesting time going through all of the data received, but in the end, this effort will help us make a better experience.
Upgrades to game, based on this feedback have already started to happen, and this will intensify as we make progress to next major milestone - a demo version.
Hope everyone will enjoy last day of testing, keep us flooded with impressions and HAVE FUN !
P.S. special thanks to spirited players on Discord - you really do your best to find innovative ways to play this game - unexpected and crazy ways, but it revealed some hidden things to work at. And you made us laugh hard at times!
Continuing the Playtest, Day 2
Hello everyone!
First day of Playtest was incredible! You sent us so many responses and various impressions. It is so incredibly useful for us as we prepare to improve the game and make it better. Thank you for engaging discussions, constructive criticism, praises, and all of the bugs you're discovered.
It's been a great afternoon and night. Many of you are really enjoying the game, albeit an early alpha. Many of you also found incredibly inovative ways to break the game, and it's all so very insightful!
Thanks for every Discord chat line, every email and every Steam reaction. Results of your involvement will be loads of improvements to future versions of the game.
Anyways, since there were a LOT of additional registrations last night, we will open the gates for additional Playtest participants today, and if needs be, tomorrow too.
So, if you haven't been notified about registration acceptanace yet, you can still get it.
And we'll be happy to get even more of your reactions!
