This patch adds more in-game settings and fixes a number of issues. We're still working through more fixes and tweaks from feedback, as well as working on the loot and Seeker balancing. We have also improved the logging we capture for the Feedback form to help us identify and resolve some of the bugs that have been tricky to replicate.
New Settings
These new settings are available in the settings menu. The screen settings will override your resolution/window choice made in the launcher. We will remove the launcher entirely once we have moved all settings into the game menu.
When you land in the desert the Seeker now follows the same noise system as in locations.
Pressing escape now closes the current menu.
Players who were unable to deconstruct their platforms on saved airships should be able to do so now (if not please send feedback).
Nails are easier to see in locations.
Fixed bug where canteens and revolvers placed in containers would lose their water/bullets on save/load.
Fixed bug where non-stop jumping would prevent Seeker from hearing your movement noise.
Fixed another bug that could have your airship slide along the ground or fly off without you.
Early Access 1.6
Early Access 1.6 brings TWO new locations, including our first oasis, and a surprise - our first NPC!
The Hermit Oasis
This oasis is home to a friendly hermit who would love some company. Drink the water, eat fresh fish, and enjoy some peace and quiet. You can take a break and work on your airship without fear of the Seeker hunting you.
Restaurant
No reservation is required at this fine dining establishment since the critchers ran everyone out of town. Come along and see what was left behind, just make sure your don't end up on the menu!
New Seeker System Change
We've hidden the Seeker noise bar, as we felt it removed the tension of not knowing how close you were to the seeker's arrival. It's still the same system behind the scenes with the noise you making bringing the Seeker ever closer, now you just won't know how close it is until the rumble begins.
Next Patch - Bugs and Improvements
We're going to spend some time focusing on bugs and quality of life improvements, including rebalancing loot and Seeker difficulty. We've got a list of issues and suggestions from the feedback you all have sent in that we're going to work through, thank you so much!
Early Access 1.5
New Seeker Spawn System
Today's update overhauls the Seeker spawn system, we think it's a lot more engaging now!
When you approach a location a noise bar will now appear on the left under the fuel bar. This represents how aware the Seeker is that prey (you) is running around the desert. The noise you make while exploring a location will be sensed by the Seeker and the bar will increase until it fills up and the Seeker arrives!
The new system will give you some control over whether and when the Seeker will arrive at a location. Play around and you'll figure out the rules - one hint we'll give you is that your footsteps are only sensed when on the sand.
We don't want the new system to take away the surprise and panic of the Seeker's arrival though, so we've added a few new noise-making elements. Watch out for random patches of gravel while you explore, and be aware that the worn wooden doors of the West can sometimes open with a bang!
This is a brand new system and it's going to need some balancing. Please let us know whether you think some things add too much noise to the bar - or too little. Once we've got a good balance we'll soon start adding other noise-making elements to the locations to keep you on your toes while you explore.
Deconstructing Platforms!
We've received quite a few feedbacks requesting this so we got it in this patch. You can deconstruct platforms and descenders so long as they're not supporting other structures or work stations.
Other Fixes
We added more anvils to the early game and a bit more obvious (I don't know why the blacksmith took his anvil to the outhouse!). We're thinking about how we can ensure people don't miss those key early game items without having other players end up with 4 anvils in their inventory.
Fixed a rare save game bug where if you saved at the right (wrong?) moment the game wouldn't load.
Fixed the issue where if you killed the Seeker shortly before the showdown location then it wouldn't spawn there and so the doors wouldn't open, trapping you inside.
Crafting stations now show if they will produce more than one item (eg "Craft 5 Nails").
Next Patch
The next patch will bring our first oasis location, and with it a cool surprise. At an oasis you'll be able to take a break without fear of the Seeker arriving to chase you away.
Feedback
We've been overwhelmed by the amount of feedback sent to us, thank you! Be assured that we read it all and add so many items to our todo list based on it. We'll reply as we can over the coming days.
Roadmap and Hotfix EA.1.4.1
We have updated with a hotfix that addresses a number of bugs we've received via feedback. We know there are more bugs to fix, and we will keep working on them for future patches.
We also wanted to talk a bit about our roadmap for Desert Skies in the near future. In addition to the reworked seeker spawn system for the next patch, we're also working on a number of new features including;
More locations for the first zone.
Oasis locations, where you can take a break and work on your airship without fear of the seeker's arrival.
More story elements in current and new locations.
Random elements to locations, such as different buildings in towns, to add variety to playthroughs.
More engaging location exploration through interactive elements, such as locked doors with hidden keys, or hidden treasures and triggered traps.
New tools, such as a shovel with dirt mounds to dig, and a dowsing rod to help find items.
New work stations, like a grindstone to sharpen your tools for improved performance, and a water barrel to store water aboard your airship.
Some fun interactive things to do while flying on your airship between locations.
More decorations for your airship.
And a few more features we want to keep under wraps to surprise you with.
In the longer term we'll also be adding the second zone, with a new desert and all new desert elements, the next part of the story, and different enemies to fight in different ways. We'll also be adding an engine and propeller, to let you control your airships direction, and to provide an engaging maintenance mechanic during flight.
We haven't planned it out in detail yet, but we'd also like to add airship damage with flying critchers and even bandit airships. We'd love to have airship verse airship fights where you use cannons or the gattling gun to shoot the bandits down to the ground and then loot their crashed airship.
We're brimming with ideas for Desert Skies, some planned out in detail for the near term and others dreams for the long term. We want to keep our minds open and to constantly work on making our game more fun and engaging in any way we can. If there's anything you'd love to see in the game then please let us know!
Early Access 1.4
This update allows you to deconstruct parts of your airship and get their ingredients back! If you want to redecorate your airship then check out the new option in the build menu.
We've slowed down the seeker's arrival early game to give you more time to explore and loot, and we've made ingot molds easier to find. There are also a few new decorations to find in locations, to make your airship feel cozier.
Next patch is going to rework the system that controls seeker spawning, we think the new system will be much more engaging. We are also going to spend some time fixing bugs that were reported through the feedback form - thank you for letting us know about them!
Early Access 1.3
Our first new locations arrives with this update. Whether starting a new game or continuing in the endless desert you will soon discover it.
We also introduce decorations you can place on the walls of your airship. One can be found in a few locations, while the other is a reward for defeating the seeker. More decorations will follow in coming patches.
We have fixed up some issues with the showdown outpost. If you die you'll now have time to regain your loot before the seeker respawns, and if you don't have the means of defeating the seeker you'll now have a way of escaping the outpost.
Next update we will be adding the ability to deconstruct parts on your airship!
Early Access 1.2
This update allows you to continue playing after reaching the current end of the Early Access story.
In the infinite desert locations will appear at random and all resources will be available for harvesting. You can survive, explore and expand your airship to your heart's content. The seeker will continue to hunt you (except in Exploration Mode), but now if you defeat it then you will be safe for a while until a new one arrives.
Our next update will add a new location into the mix, and some collectable decorations you can add to your airship!
Early Access 1.1
We've just uploaded our first patch!
This update adds an Exploration Mode for those of you who'd like to explore the game without the seeker hunting you, a new cactus to the desert with edible fruit that restores some hunger and thirst, and fixes a few bugs.
Happy flying!
Desert Skies Released!
Welcome to Desert Skies Early Access!
We are excited to release our game to the world and begin building a community of players!
We have been hard at work the past nine months getting to this point, but this is the true beginning of the Desert Skies journey. We have a huge roadmap planned with lots of awesome gameplay to come, including more locations, more things to build and craft, and new deserts with different enemies and different combat gameplay. Right now though we're eager to get your feedback and hear your ideas!
We believe that a great survival game comes from its developers listening to their players. We've already made several big changes in response to our small beta and have more on the way. We have put a feedback form right into the game, you can access it from the menu or by pressing F1 at any time. Please send us your thoughts, any bugs you find, or anything at all!
Our number one priority this launch week is responding to any issues you have. If anything major pops up then we will hotfix it as quickly as possible, but even after that we plan on updating Desert Skies every 1-2 weeks with balance tweaks, bug fixes, and new content as fast as we can create it.
We're proud of the foundation we have built, and we hope you enjoy the world we have created. We are excited about what is to come and can't wait to entertain and surprise you with ever-improving journeys through the Desert Skies.
