Hello Survivor!
Another year has flown by, and before we go any further, we want to express our heartfelt thanks for all the incredible support you’ve shown us. We couldn’t have made it this far without you!
As we reflect on the events of this year, we’d like to take a moment to share some highlights and also give you a sneak peek into what we have planned for the year ahead. Here's to more exciting moments together in the future!
We created EtP primarily as a passion project for ourselves, and it's been incredibly rewarding to see the wonderful community that has grown around it since its release in 2018. We're truly grateful for the ongoing support and valuable feedback we continue to receive from our community. It’s because of their enthusiasm and input that we’ve been able to reach where we are today, and we couldn’t be more thankful for them.
- Peter
While we're not focused on making a profit, we've made a promise to ourselves and to our community that we will keep the game going as long as it continues to cover its costs (Things like Steam fees, taxes, and other necessary expenses). We're committed to maintaining and growing EtP, and we’re incredibly grateful for everyone who helps make that possible!
- Radu
2024 Achievements
We’ve had an incredible year of growth and improvements, and we’re excited to share all the amazing changes that have come to EtP in 2024. Here's a look back at the highlights:
Build 0.63 - A Major Overhaul
We kicked off the year with Build 0.63, which included a huge number of engine and code updates that set the foundation for everything that came after:
- 31,000 lines of code refactored – We took the time to clean up and optimize the game’s underlying systems for better performance and stability.
- Hundreds of bugs fixed – We worked hard to address countless issues, making the experience smoother and more reliable.
- Massive design overhaul – A completely new UI and Custom HUD settings, along with UI scale options, gave the game a fresh and more accessible look.
- Hotkey and control system rework – We revamped 200 actions related to hotkeys, making the controls more intuitive and responsive.
- Expanded gameplay mechanics – New features like Bird Trap, Companion, and Bird Cage Mechanics were added, bringing new depth to the game world.
- Simplified Sailing UX – We improved the sailing experience by splitting the sailing and weather modes, making it easier to navigate.
- New 3D models – We also introduced updated models for key items, like the Knife, Hammer, and Axe, giving them a fresh, detailed look.
Build 0.64 - Performance Boost and Keybinding Overhaul
In Build 0.64, we made a huge leap forward by switching to Unity 2022 LTS, which brought major improvements:
- Performance optimizations – Unity 2022 allowed us to leverage modern hardware for much smoother gameplay, enhancing the experience for all players.
- New Keybinding system – We introduced a fully reworked keybinding system that feels more intuitive and natural, giving players more flexibility and control over their setup.
Build 0.65 - Internal Changes and New Gameplay Features
As we close out the year, Build 0.65 brings even more exciting updates:
- Buff and Debuff system – The new Buff and Debuff system adds exciting new gameplay dynamics, making the world feel more alive and interactive.
- Potions and Effects – Potions now have more impact on gameplay, adding new layers of strategy.
- Grassy Island – A long-awaited addition, the new Grassy Island with a clean water pond and small hill offers fresh exploration opportunities and expands the variety of islands in the game.
This year has been a challenging one for us, both as a team and in our personal lives. Despite the exhaustion, we’re incredibly proud of all the new features we managed to implement. Looking ahead, we’re excited and hopeful that we’ll be able to bring as much of our vision to life in the year to come. Let’s see what the future holds!
The year ahead
In the year ahead, we have some exciting and ambitious goals to improve the gameplay even further in several key areas:
- Raft physics overhaul
- One of our major priorities is to replace the current raft physics system with a more stable, reworked version that will provide a smoother and more reliable experience.
- Instead of taking the easy route and coding sailing mechanics in an arcade style, we decided to implement realistic sailing physics from the start. This means the raft interacts with its environment and the waves, adding a huge level of complexity to the game engine. While this has brought some exciting realism, it has also come with challenges, and we're working hard to eliminate the "Flying Raft" bug once and for all very soon. Thank you for your patience as we continue to improve this feature!
- Fixing long-term issues - We’re also tackling a long-standing problem – the issue of objects dropping underground – and will work hard to finally resolve it.
We’re committed to adding even more depth and excitement to the game with new features:
- Illness and Cure mechanics - This will bring a new layer of challenge, as players will need to manage health in more complex ways.
- Sanity mechanic - Get ready for a little extra thrill with the introduction of the Sanity mechanic, which could add a touch of scariness to your adventure.
- New plant - We’re planning to introduce a new plant with a variety of universal uses, opening up new possibilities for crafting and survival.
- Expansion of the Buff/Debuff system - The recently introduced Buff/Debuff system will receive a significant expansion, providing more strategic options and gameplay variety.
We have some truly exciting features planned that have the potential to elevate the game to a whole new level. We’re committed to working hard to bring as much of this vision to life as possible.
Thank you!
We’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our community, and we hope you’ll continue to share your ideas, suggestions, and positive energy with us. Together, we can make the game even better. Some of the ideas we’ve already received have been incredibly inspiring, and we’re excited to see them make their way into the game in the future!
Next update
Our next build will be released in March 2025.
Final thoughts
As we continue to grow and improve, we kindly ask that everyone stays respectful, positive, and supportive. We’re all working together to make the game the best it can be, and a friendly, constructive atmosphere helps us move forward. Thank you for your understanding and for being a part of this incredible journey with us!
It’s going to be an exciting year, and we can’t wait to share all of these updates with you!
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
- Gamers4Gamers Team.
