Hi, AreaZ introduces points of rescue and make first map fully accessible on the first year of Early Access Anniversary this weekend. Game will be also featured within the upcoming Czech and Slovak week on Steam.
Map includes following so called Area(z): coast, beach, jungle, meadow, volcano, river stream, bamboo forest and a large swamp. Each mentioned biome provides different survival opportunities, resources as well as dangers. Ocean tide cycle, as unique game feature, greatly affects the coastal and beach area(z).
The gameplay is based on real survival – cast away situations, as character loses its energy reserve in order to survive, to crafts items and shelters or even during movement. In order to survive the energy must be replenished in form of calories from various food resources, that player can acquire by different strategies. Same as portrayed in books, movies and popular survival shows on documentary channels.
The game now tracks the character vital steps during survival. The death reason – low health, dehydration, being drown, or venom. How long did character survive, calories input and usage. Locations where player saves the game or builds a shelter.
Current record is to survive 6 days a 21 hours ingame time with 24,000 calories consumption. This represents about 3,500 calories a day, which is actually same to real life daily calories needed in extreme situation. Just to compare – 1,200 calories is minimum real life required daily calories income in long term situation.
Thanks to provided data I can now optimize the survival requirements, solve problematic parts and identify areas on map, which need to become more attractive. I will be adding new, so called Point of interest, which might be used in future story line.
About half of the dry land on the first map is covered by difficult to pass swamp area. It is designed as a maze including dynamic barriers. So the right path is changing on each gameplay and players cannot rely on youtube tutorials.
Swamp is the final frontier player has to conquer. To do so, character needs to create a sufficient energy reserve and avoid dangerous animals as crocodiles and venomous snakes. Illnesses such as malaria are planned as well.
Even the first map is fully accessible, the development will continue. Game should be transferred on upcoming Unreal Engine 5. Together with new graphic cards 30XX series it will allow us new possibilities in graphical design and overall development.
Currently developed features and game mechanics include firearms, drivable boats and horses. Those will be available on second map situated in Inlands area(z), featuring fields, forests, and villages. The third map will focus on snowy mountains area(z), with low temperatures, limited food resources and dangerous animals.
Juraj Bachar Game Creator
Update 0.32 Survival tips and Spike Barriers
Hi, this update includes new bamboo spikes and bamboo spikes barriers! You can use them to prevent larger animals to lure into your camp. As they are attracted to smell of the meat, fish or eggs. Barriers will currently not harm animals.
To make bamboo barrier: 1) get bamboo and cut it into half by knife to small bamboo 2) get 1 small bamboo and sharp it with knife to bamboo spike 3) get 5 bamboo spikes, 1 liana, and combine with 1 long bamboo rod on ground to craft bamboo barrier *please note you can sharp only 1 small bamboo into spike at once. This might be changed based on feedback.
Added new Survival tips - accessible from Menu. They will also appear during loading screen.
Following recipes have been changed - hope them to be more realistic:
1) Open crate - Crate in left hand and tool (stone, obsidian, knifes or axe) in right hand. Opened crate will be put on ground
2) Shelter step 1 - Long bamboo rod in left hand plus liana in right hand while standing next to another long bamboo rod on ground (highlighted)
3) Shelter step 2 - Long bamboo rod in left hand plus liana in right hand while standing next to Shelter Step1 (highlighted)
4) Shelter step 3 - Long bamboo rod in left hand plus another long bamboo rod in right hand while standing next to Shelter Step2 (highlighted)
5) Bow - first you have to craft bowstawe (bowbody) from long bamboo using knife. Then add liana as string to complete the full functional bow!
Added new Taro Root model with texture.
Fixed some bugs and issues.
On October 24-25 2020 we plan to celebrate first year early access anniversary with major update - that will completely open the first map including the rescue point!
Thank you for your support!
Juraj Bachar Game Creator
Update 0.31.015 Vegetation Bending on animal presence
Hi, pushed new update with vegetation reacting to character and larger animals (bear, crocodile, komodo dragon) movement.
So be aware when you see the reeds moving - there is a crocodile rushing towards you!
[previewyoutube="XWsh_6ZvQuA;full"]
Best regards
Juraj Bachar Game Creator
Update 0.31.014 Swamp Loot
Hi, this week I have made several small updates to test the loot spawning, availability and visibility especially in new swamp area.
Due to dense vegetation in swamp - loot - like sticks - is too hard to spot. So new dry bush can be cut down to sticks using something sharp. Also I have added new wood piece in swamp as wood was washed on beach during high tide only. To this a big wooden pile was added as well. It will be used in future crafting. All wood can be used in fireplace with different burning length.
Taro plant is new in swamp. It can be picked up and will provide you Taro Root, which can be eaten to get some calories.
Bones on Stone Altar in Vulcan area can be now picked up. Please note Vulcan area will be developed later.
Loot zones have been generally improved - so loot should be now spawned more even. Also I can now switch on/off loot spawning for each zone.
I will keep up with small (even daily) updates to optimize the first map based on players gameplay prior major update - that will make the first map fully accessible.
Thank you for your support and have a good time!
Juraj Bachar Game Creator
Update 0.31.013 Swamp
Hi, just released new update - devoted to Swamp Area. The most of the swamp is now opened and ready to explore. I will be still adding new loot, animals and details to this particular area.
In this update I just need the feedback from players, how is the swamp playable. Also if they can access the top of canyons somewhere - which should not done. If yes - please use Numerical minus to show debug table with coordinates and make and send me the screenshot.
Please note the swamp area is large - about 1/2 of all dryland.
If there are no major problems - I will make the first map fully accessible including its final extraction point in next major game update.
Thank you for your support.
Best regards
Juraj Bachar Game Creator
Update 0.31.012 Players Feedback
Hi, made some changes based on streamers and players feedback - especially UI, to help new players, until game, GUI and tutorials are finished.
Key Map Help is set visible by default now for new players (new installations). It changes and highlighting keybindings depending if player is swimming or on basebuilding. It will fade away in several minutes. Will pop up again if swimming, basebuilding or closing inventory. Can be completely switched of in Game Settings - Key Map. Do not forget to Save.
This solutions should help new or returning players and on other do not ruin screenshots. You can switch off the HUD by pressing H as well.
Inventory screen
Clicking in Crafting - on Crafting Recipe item Image will show all crafting that involves the item. regardless if as needed input or desired output. To return to normal view - just click on Available or Show All.
Ruined items will be indicated by red X instead of red circle to make it more noticeable.
Also camera movement was set properly when changing standing and crouching stances while aiming with bow.
Thank you for your valuable feedback, reports and reviews.
Best regards
Juraj Game Creator
Update 0.31.011 Swamp Entrance
Hi there,
started to rework the swamp area(z). As it is a large area - about 1/2 of dry land, it will be added in several updates.
Once fully reworked, you will be able to brake the blocking entrance to swamp labyrinth if you have the right tools and enough calories.
But be careful - the are dangerous predators and venomous animals.
Fixes: - fix when trying to melee when picking up / crafting - fix when character did not die on dehydration on Eden setting, when calories are depleted - tweak for animal sensing distance when character is dirty
Changes: - camera movement when going from standing to sitting ( doing this in ADS is not set yet) - physic on dead animals corpses have to be done - so they might behave strangely.
Thank you
Juraj Bachar Game Creator
Update 0.31.010 Shelter
As my lead artist has now school holiday - we decided to upgrade the shelter to more realistic one. You can see it supports a variety of palm leafs from fresh to completely dry. The previous prototype shelter is on left to compare.
Enjoy
Juraj Bachar Game Creator
Update 0.31.009 Grass Optimization
Hi, changed the smallest grass to procedural due to performance costs. The rest of medium and higher grass is still hand-placed.
Also working on small of hanging small animal corpses. So dead animals especially carried in hands might behave strangely.
Thank you for your understanding.
Juraj Bachar Game Creator
Update 0.31.008 Cave and Pond
Hi, just recreated the pond, stream and "secret" cave area(z). Will continue on Vulcano and Swamp in upcoming days.
You can now grab your copy of the game on 20% Steam Summer Sale!!!
