We wish you will enjoy the fun, and may the Year of the Dragon bring you boundless happiness and joyful moments with family and friends! We hope you all enjoy Sandrock adventures!
Also, here is an exciting collaboration with 'Let's School', check out the 'Let's School' quest in Sandrock's late game. It's the first installment in the 'Let's' series, developed by a fantastic small team in our studio. Many Sandrock elements are now part of it!
In 'Let's School,' Nia becomes an art teacher, and there's a new student, Logan, bringing a playful vibe. As the principal, you get to guide Logan a bit.
Sandrock is now a student source in 'Let's School.' Recruit students with Builders attire and explore the town!
Your feedback is important to us and all Builders. Singleplayer or Multiplayer and Localization Surveys are eagerly awaiting your thoughts. We hope you can take a moment to fill them out.
Howdy Builders, As the Chinese New Year approaches, we, the entire Sandrock development team, extend our warmest wishes for a joyous and prosperous New Year! With the spirit of the dragon guiding us into the Year of the Dragon, may fortune and abundance grace your path. We've had a wonderful year with you., and we're excited to share our latest achievements with you. Here's a recap of what the team accomplished this week:
What Devs Are Working on
[PC] Singleplayer Update
We've been buzzing with anticipation as we gear up for the upcoming seasonal free update of Sandrock in Spring 2024 (V1.3), and let us tell you, we've got some seriously thrilling highlights to share with you all! First up on the list of exciting additions: say hello to Logan's goat, the newest member of the builder's mount crew! Now, after tying the knot in-game, Logan's spouses can proudly hop on this adorable mount, officially earning the title of 'Sheep Riders'. Additionally, X, Fang's beloved pet, can also become a builder's loyal companion? But, there's a catch – this furry friend is only available to those who hold the coveted 'Marriage Certificate with Fang' right from the start. It's a quirky twist that adds a whole new level of charm to your Sandrock adventures! But wait, there's more! Brace yourselves for the 'Super-Size' and 'Super-Cute' feature – the Pet Gameplay Expansion! We're splitting this exciting system into two parts for double the fun. Firstly, we've got pet cultivation and combat, all set to roll out in the Sandrock Spring 2024 free update (V1.3). And for those of you hungry for even more furry friends, we've got a special treat in store: a paid DLC that lets you capture wild creatures, launching alongside the same update. 'Pensky, here I come!' But enough teasing – let's dive into the fun stuff! Keep your eyes peeled for more juicy details in our upcoming developer logs as we peel back the curtain on this exciting new system. Your pets are gearing up for battle, and trust us, they're more than ready to show those monsters who's boss. For the Horde? Nah, for the Builders!
What Builders Are Concerning
1.Concerning the graphic qualities
We've taken note of concerns raised by several players in our community regarding specific graphic changes. With the recent shift in rendering pipelines, we acknowledge that there have been adjustments to the graphics that may have caused some unease. Your feedback, especially from our valued Builders, is incredibly important to us. Our dedicated art team is actively engaged in addressing these concerns, but we also understand that it's a substantial task. In light of this, we sincerely ask for your assistance in expediting this process. Your feedback can greatly aid us in understanding and resolving these issues more efficiently. For more information on the specific concerns and how you can provide feedback, please refer to the pinned post on our Steam Community Discussion.
2, Hotfix
Additionally, following the January maintenance patch, your valuable reports aided us in identifying script malfunctions caused by plot changes, leading to specific story progression issues. Furthermore, we became aware of an issue in non-Chinese settings where mail text appeared in Chinese. We're pleased to inform you that these issues have been addressed in the recent Chinese New Year update. However, if you encounter any persisting problems, please don't hesitate to report them to us. We'll prioritize their resolution immediately after the holiday break.
Speaking of which, our team will be taking a break from February 8th to February 17th to celebrate the Chinese New Year. During this time, there may be some delays in responding to bug reports and community messages. Your patience and understanding during this period are greatly appreciated. Rest assured, we'll address all inquiries and feedback collectively upon our return on February 18th.
Once again, we extend our warmest wishes to you for a Happy Chinese New Year!
Your feedback is important to us and all Builders. Singleplayer or Multiplayer and Localization Surveys are eagerly awaiting your thoughts. We hope you can take a moment to fill them out.
We've just rolled out a hotfix patch to address a couple of issues in the recent V1.2.1.3 update. Please see the changelist below:
Fixed:
Fixed the issue where merchandise items were disappearing for the Mysterious Man. Now you can buy these precious items from him, such as the engagement ring
Fixed the problem where DLC outfits worn by NPCs could revert to default clothing after loading. Your DLC outfits will no longer automatically change back.
Wishing you all a fantastic Chinese New Year! If you encounter any issues or have any feedback, please don't hesitate to report them. We'll be able to respond once we return from the holiday break!
P.S. The team will be out of the office from Feb. 8 to Feb. 17, and will return to normal working hours on Feb 18.
Sandrock's Chinese New Year Celebration & Sale! Join the Festivities Now!
Howdy all Builders!
We wish you all a Happy Chinese New Year!
Yesterday, we released a special Chinese New Year update, so come to Sandrock and experience the festive atmosphere of the New Year!
Sandrock is participating in the 2024 Steam Chinese New Year Sale, featuring game livestreams (Pre-recorded) and a limited-time 20% discount!
Sale period: February 6th, 10:00 AM - February 15th, 10:00 AM P.S.T.
With an 8-day Spring Festival holiday, there's always a day worth embarking on a desert adventure in Sandrock!
Chinese New Year Celebration Update is Available!
Howdy all Builders,
We wish you a joyous and festive Chinese New Year! We have prepared a special Celebration Update for you! We hope you can immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere with stunning Chinese New Year-themed decorations 🏮!
We have prepared the Spring Festival Couplets Set and special fireworks and firecrackers!
Changelist:
Singleplayer
New content and features
Added a festive in-game letter for a joyful Chinese New Year, along with Spring Festival Couplets, Year of the Dragon Firework, and Firecrackers.
Bug Fixes
Fixed an issue in the 'Cheery Conspiracy' quest where, under certain conditions, an error in the trigger execution sequence caused the game to freeze.
Fixed the problem of the 'Him' quest leading to a freeze after triggering.
Fixed a conflict between 'Out of the Past' and 'Where's Mi-an' quests, fixing an occurrence where a quest marker appeared above Jasmine's head without triggering dialogue.
Fixed incomplete planting conditions in the 'A Green Wall' quest.
Fixed the display of text-containing images in dialogues, which appeared in Chinese even when the language setting was not in Chinese.
Fixed unexpected lighting effects in the Logan Hideout.
Fixed the issue where holding hands during a meeting with Jane did not occur.
Fixed abnormal wind effects on some trees.
Fixed the noticeable seam issue during mining dungeons when texture quality was set to medium or low.
Fixed the problem where Fang would not have a follow-up interactive bubble after marriage.
Multiplayer
Bug Fixes
Fixed the issue of abnormal textures when changing Amirah's alternative clothing.
Fixed the problem in the Chase of Memory event where players' data failed to sync upon rejoining the game after exiting the activity.
Fixed the issue in the Cable Car Date where skipping the sky caused the game to freeze.
Fixed the problem in multiplayer Abandoned Ruins where the displayed level numbers were incorrect upon exiting the interface.
Fixed the problem in controller mode where actions could not be used in photo mode.
Fixed the issue in controller mode where it was possible to view unlocked DLC information pages for NPCs.
Fixed the problem in controller mode where quick switch between different features in Menu UI might cause the game to freeze.
Fixed the problem in controller mode where certain functionality buttons in the social interface were unresponsive.
Fixed the issue of overlapping player appearances in the marriage cutscene.
We wish you will enjoy the fun, and may the Year of the Dragon bring you boundless happiness and joyful moments with family and friends! We hope you all enjoy Sandrock adventures! Gong Xi Fa Cai! 🧧🐲🎉 (Wish you enlarge your wealth) Thai: ขอให้คุณขยายทรัพย์สิน German: Möge dein Reichtum wachsen French: Que votre richesse s'agrandisse Portuguese: Desejo que aumente sua riqueza Italian: Auguro che ampli la tua ricchezza Russian: Желаю вам увеличить свое богатство Spanish: Deseo que aumentes tu riqueza Korean: 부자되세요
Last but not least
A huge shoutout to @Kisaragi Kanon , @neirina , @KJane (love u, Pathea) , @Sarah(DEV APPRECIATION GANG) , @Justman10000 , @Cleud , @LadyChiv , @Tricia in the sky with diamonds , @Peter Rey , @ReadyMeal55 , for their invaluable assistance in proofreading our localization for the Chinese New Year content! Your attention to detail and expertise have played a crucial role in ensuring that our content is accurately translated and culturally sensitive. We deeply appreciate your dedication and contribution to making our game accessible and enjoyable for all players. Thank you for your outstanding work!
Fun Facts of Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is a cherished tradition in China, marking the start of the lunar new year between January 21st and February 20th. It's a time for family reunions and cultural festivities, featuring rituals, dragon dances, lantern displays, and vibrant fireworks. Red, symbolizing luck, dominates the celebrations. People exchange good wishes such as 'wealth,' 'happiness,' and 'luck' for blessings and prosperity. Chinese families also adorn their homes with Spring Festival couplets, which are poetic phrases expressing good fortune and happiness. Fireworks further illuminate the night sky, adding a dazzling spectacle to the festivities, believed to chase away negative forces and welcome the new year with a burst of positive energy. The festive atmosphere brims with hope and joy for a prosperous new year. We wish you a great Chinese New Year in Sandrock!
Your feedback is important to us and all Builders. Singleplayer or Multiplayer and Localization Surveys are eagerly awaiting your thoughts. We hope you can take a moment to fill them out.
V1.2.1 Singleplayer Monthly Maintenance and 1.1 Multiplayer Update are Live!
Howdy Builders,
Exciting News here! We're introducing a new maintenance update to tackle bugs and elevate your Sandrock singleplayer experience. In this update, our focus has been on refining quests and adjusting some NPCs' behaviors to enhance their performance and make their actions more immersive. Furthermore, we've addressed visual imperfections and unexpected glitches in items and tools!
For our multiplayer community, we've incorporated DLC enhancements (excluding the Gecko DLC pet) to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all players. What's even more exciting, our team has introduced new quests, items, and minigames into the multiplayer mode!
As always, our team is dedicated to making Sandrock better with your invaluable feedback and support. For more details, check out the changelist below:
Singleplayer
New content and features
Introducing a new type of indoor stairs – Fixed Vertical Ladders, taking up less space than regular stairs, and providing more room for decorating your dream house!
Enhanced the Scorpion population in the Eufaula Desert. Builders looking to defeat them for loot to complete commissions will now find it easier to locate these monsters!
Adjusted the configuration of Unsuur's Deputy Hat and added two sets of default outfits with hats as accessories.
Added a DLC recycling mechanism, allowing the game to read saved games even when DLC is missing.
Bug Fixes
General
Fixed the issue of NPC seat-snatching causing abnormal behavior in the Blue Moon Saloon.
Fixed the issue where Burgess would enter the pool to pick up garbage.
Fixed some save file issues that were hindering the proper triggering of the quest 'Catori World.'
Fixed the problem in the quest 'Between the Lines,' where Fang didn't remove clothing when entering the room.
Fixed the abnormal behavior of the audience in the quest 'Luna's Concert.'
Fixed the problem in the quest 'In Bloom,' where early completion through greenhouse planting led to abnormal behavior in Nia.
Fixed the issue where the quest 'The Cable Guy' could result in a black screen after triggering.
Fixed the issue with the quest “One Small Step for Sandrockers” still showing a prompt circle after planting trees.
Fixed the problem in the quest 'Spread Your Wings' where a prompt circle lingered after completion, ensuring there are no concerns about successfully completing the quest.
Fixed Mi-an's behavior in the quest 'Builder Cruise' after completion.
Fixed the quest 'New Teacher' regarding favorability reset.
Fixed Catori's behavior issue after repairing the shelf in the quest 'Do it Your Shelf.'
Fixed the issue of getting stuck when entering the home editing interface from the backpack.
Fixed the problem of Nia still sending letters while in Sandrock.
Fixed the issue where the bubble for spouses at a party did not match expectations.
Fixed the issue where player could not propose marriage again to an NPC you had divorced after they had had children.
Fixed the issue of reduced landscaping in Sandrock after completing the quest - Builder Cruise x Operation Flowergate, ensuring a more vibrant and lush environment in the town.
Fixed the freezing issue in the quest 'First Day of School' when Grace was the player's companion.
Fixed the issue where Fang didn't show 'Follow' or 'Baby' bubble after becoming a partner.
Visual and Audio
Addressed the abnormal screen position in the Acupuncture CG.
Adjusted the height of some seats at the Blue Moon Saloon.
Fixeded the abnormal display of lines in the factory's crafting diagram.
Fixed the incorrect envelope cover for one of the family letters.
Fixed the lack of eating animations for Venti and Wei.
Fixed a noticeable problem with the dungeon entrance special effects during sandstorms.
Fixed the issue where the graffiti on the 6th male face was reversed.
Fixed the lighting problem at Logan's Camp.
Fixed the issue of the Air Cannon floating in the air in the Dungeon - Dead Sea Ruins.
Fixed the problem with the Katscratchaxe two-hand sword lacking attack effects.
Fixed the issue where there was no animation when using a whistle to call the mount.
Fixed the issue where the child's position was abnormal when the female player was carrying the child.
Fixed the display problem in the pond within the home.
Fixed the momentary abnormal character animation when opening the character interface.
Fixed the issue of the bait display distance not meeting expectations in the sand fishing pit.
Gameplay and Systems
Addressed the problem in controller mode where it was impossible to scroll to the bottom in the companion cooking interface.
Corrected the logic for selecting items during the inspection minigame.
Ensured that the increased growth speed in the greenhouse now affects the production of fruit-type plants.
Ensured Grace's companion cooking product is now usable.
Fixed the unusual script logic in the process of re-randomizing mount attributes to prevent problems like repeated attributes, incorrect values, or other unexpected issues.
Fixed the problem of not receiving invitations after preparing for a party.
Fixed the issue of interactability with Burgess during a speech.
Fixed a problem in the factory where items would vanish when producing more than 100 in a single queue.
Fixed the issue where defeating monsters with Cell Staff did not increase Battle Knowledge.
Fixed the issue where accepting storyline orders was restricted by the daily order limit.
Fixed the problem of unplantable Cantaloupes in General Commissions.
UI
Fixed the problem where some special gift items were not displayed in the special gift tab when not owned, ensuring players can now easily access and view all special gifts.
Fixed some configuration errors in the Encyclopedia.
Fixed the issue with the incorrect icon for Mountain Rose Potted Plant.
Multiplayer
New content and features
Added DLC support functionality. After purchasing the single-player mode DLC (excluding the DLC pet, it will be included in the next major update!), you can now directly apply the corresponding content in multiplayer mode!
Added the 'New Facilities' series of quests, unlocking after the workshop reaches level 10 and completing the 'A Message to You, Trudy' quest."
Added Yakmel Cart Station commissions in the Deep Desert and the Valley of Whisper.
Added a variety of new face and hairstyle options for builders to choose from! To unlock some of these options, you'll need to complete tasks associated with Pablo's Parlor or the Magic Mirror.
Added the items 'Power Drill' and 'Chainsaw,' which unlock for blueprint purchase at Hammer Time's after reaching Workshop Level 15.
Added the Commission Tracker, available for item purchase at the City Hall Store once the workshop reaches Level 10.
Added the Dance Off competition, scheduled to take place every February in the in-game calendar.
Added audio and visual effects for seasonal change notifications.
Added a pop-up guide for recruiting NPCs.
Optimization
Changed the rendering pipeline to Universal Render Pipeline (URP). This may alter the appearance of some graphics in multiplayer.
Optimized material tracking in quests. Except for certain tutorial quests, others now support tracking and direct submission of materials from the storage box.
Optimized mahjong sound effects and NPC discarding behavior logic. NPCs will now adopt different strategies based on their personalities.
Optimized the Sandfishing UI.
Optimized the layout of flaws in the Inspection minigame, improving the accuracy of flaw detection.
Optimized the camera zoom-in effect when interacting with the order board.
Bug Fixes
General
Fixed the problem where deleting local saves during the 'First Day on the Job' quest with Yan could cause the storyline to get stuck.
Fixed the issue where workshop assistants wouldn't perform tasks when assigned the same job in multiple workshops.
Fixed personal Milestones 36 and 42 not unlocking.
Fixed occasional inability to customize nicknames for partners.
Fixed the problem where Air Purifiers could be placed in the home.
Fixed missing screenshots in the preview when saving a Show Room.
Fixed some NPCs not wearing Sandgear during sandstorm weather.
Fixed the problem of not being able to assist fallen teammates outside the main scene.
Visual and Audio
Fixed the issue where the mouse could not move outside the window in 'Windowed Mode' and 'Borderless Windowed Mode.
Fixed incorrect wall positions in the Baffles dungeon.
Fixed unconfigured character footsteps in the Moisture Farm
Fixed Civil Corps base foundation texture errors.
Fixed animation errors in the opening and closing the door of Hammer Time Shop.
Fixed outdoor roofs incorrectly using indoor roof textures in home editing.
Fixed NPCs standing up abnormally during the Sandrunning race.
Fixed audio playback errors when asking Mable about recipes.
Fixed the model disappearing when holding Casual Shoes.
Fixed several issues with floating or incorrectly placed treasure chests.
Gameplay and Systems
Fixed the issue where the 'Lancer' knowledge, when maxed out, occasionally caused incorrect damage in unarmed combat.
Fixed the issue where the 'Lock on Player' button did not respond during the first photo taken.
UI
Fixed several errors in the Encyclopedia.
Fixed inaccurate NPC favorite dish prompts during playdates.
Fixed the Map Production Status UI not obtaining data for breeding and Stables
Your feedback is important to us and all Builders. Singleplayer or Multiplayer and Localization Surveys are eagerly awaiting your thoughts. We hope you can take a moment to fill them out.
Howdy Builders, We're beyond excited to share the fantastic news – our Sandrock plush toys are officially up for grabs! Meet the adorable duo, Logan and Fang, now available as huggable plushies that are sure to bring joy into your homes. Fang, sporting his teal coat and poncho, and the enigmatic Logan, with his green cloak, brown coat, distinctive horned hat, and removable face mask.
Here's a quick rundown of the plush toys: ●Characters: Logan & Fang (P.S. Not a fan of them? No problem! Leave a comment below and let us know who you'd like as the next plush character.) ●Size: Approximately 10.6 inches in a seated position ●Special Offer: Use promo code 10SANDROCK at checkout for a 10% discount on both plush characters. Act fast – the promotion ends on February 10th!
More Goodies: Stay tuned for additional exciting merchandise! Your unwavering support means the world to us.
In this devlog, we'll address some of your concerns, and we'd love to hear your feedback.
Regarding the quantity of NPC storylines
We're working on additional content, including post-marriage storyline tasks for many romanceable characters. All these elements will be submitted together for translation and voice acting. Now, we've crafted two extensive side storylines for Owen, which will be part of a future free update! To our players who cherish Owen, we kindly ask for your patience and encourage you to stay tuned for these thrilling updates!
Loading Time Optimization
For PC hard disk drives (HDD), there is now up to 40% optimization when loading late-game saves into the main town, reducing the time from 2 minutes around to 1 minute and 10 seconds around. This optimization also applies to PC solid-state drives (SSD) and all other gaming consoles. The improvements are less noticeable for early-game saves. The key changes include: 1, Resolving an issue that caused slow loading when loading home resources and simultaneously unloading other resources. 2, Optimizing the resource loading sequence for the tree-cutting feature. This may result in an additional 5 seconds before being able to cut trees after entering the scene, but the overall loading time is significantly reduced.
Regarding Visual Changes
Player feedback about lighting issues is related to our switch to a new rendering pipeline. As part of the process of porting to Console platforms, we transitioned from using the Build-in pipeline to URP (Universal Render Pipeline). This change has resulted in some differences in the visuals and lighting effects compared to the previous version. We are currently working on restoring and optimizing areas where the effects are not up to par.
(Mistoture Farm and the Hideouts after the light adjustment)
Regarding Facial Shadows: Some of you have shared feedback about variations in facial effects between multiplayer and single-player modes. Initially, this stems from our delay in updating the rendering pipeline for multiplayer. However, with the upcoming version and the console port, we aim to harmonize the artistic effects across both modes. Furthermore, prior to the official release, we noticed that the shadows on the face weren't aesthetically pleasing, prompting us to make adjustments. The outcome is a gentler appearance with fewer random shadows on the face, as demonstrated by the current in-game effect shown on the right. (SCREENSHOTS MADE BY PLAYERS)
We've been putting in some serious work throughout December, crafting the Christmas version, which is why the dev log has been a bit quiet. Thanks a bunch for understanding.
But don't you worry – our development train is still chugging along. A bunch of you have probably already dived into the free Winter Updates on PC, PS5, and XBOX. We're hoping these new goodies bring a smile to your faces.
Now, for our Nintendo Switch Builders, we're aware of some performance hiccups and the longer approval process. Fear not! We've got an update in the works, and it'll be landing in January (I pinky promise!). Keep your eyes peeled on our official announcements for all the deets.
What's cooking in the development kitchen this month
PC Multiplayer
We're thrilled to announce an upcoming multiplayer mode update just before the Chinese New Year, packed with exciting features. In this update, we've seamlessly integrated those single-player clothing DLCs into multiplayer. Brace yourselves for an immersive experience! Adding to the excitement, we're introducing the Dance Off event in multiplayer mode. Gather your friends and groove to the beats – it's time for a multiplayer dance party! To enhance your late-game experiences, we're bringing the Power Drill and Chainsaw into multiplayer. These tools will make your gatherings more productive and dynamic. However, addressing your feedback on the factory, greenhouse, and kids systems, we currently face specific design and technical challenges. Regrettably, we're not planning to include them in the multiplayer mode at this time. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
PC Singleplayer
In reference to the Singleplayer experience, we're excited to announce our preparations for the upcoming quarterly free update set to release in March. Stay tuned for more details about this version leading up to its official launch. Our primary objective is to achieve a simultaneous release on PC, PS5, and XBOX. However, we regret to inform you that the NS content may experience a delay of at least a month. To ensure timely platform reviews, we aim to have everything prepared by the end of February. This marks a unique challenge for us as it is the first time we're synchronizing PC and console content releases, but we're putting forth our best efforts.
Consoles
For Switch players eagerly anticipating the Switch update, we submitted the new version for Nintendo's review just before Christmas. Currently, it has been approved for the Americas, Europe, and Japan. However, we are still awaiting approval for Asia. Once that is secured, we'll proceed with the global update.
This upcoming Switch update aligns with the Christmas version on PS5 and Xbox, encompassing all features from PC V1.0. We've implemented specific optimizations for the Switch version, addressing the persistent popping issue by 90% and significantly enhancing overall framerate stability, especially in the later stages of the game. Looking forward for the Switch, our focus is on enhancing visual effects and further improving framerates.
As for the next console update for PS5 and Xbox, we have successfully ported all content from the PC Winter Update (the Christmas version), and performance tests are showing promising results. Our plan is to submit it for testing with Sony and Microsoft by the end of this month. If everything proceeds smoothly, the update is anticipated to roll out before the Chinese New Year in February. However, it's important to note that the update for the Switch is expected to be delayed by about a month.
Coming Next Devlog
Next week, we plan to address several concerns that have been on everyone's minds. This will include an explanation of the loading times on PC HDD and our proposed solution, insights into the development of subsequent NPCs content, as well as the reasons and solutions behind the recent changes in visual effects on the PC version. Stay tuned to our social media channels for the latest updates on the development of My Time at Sandrock.
Your feedback is important to us and all Builders. Singleplayer or Multiplayer and Localization Surveys are eagerly awaiting your thoughts. We hope you can take a moment to fill them out.
As we say goodbye to the past year, enriched with memories and progress, your boundless and incredible support means a lot to us!
Together, let's venture into the future, welcoming the countless opportunities the new year brings. Let's acknowledge our appreciation for the path we've traveled and look forward to the numerous possibilities that lie ahead. Come join the fun as we ring in the New Year! Grab a seat and enjoy our super-fun Dev quiz and wishing video!
🌠May your coming year be filled with joy, prosperity, and the collective achievements 🚀