Outback
Weekly Update
It’s that time of the week again where I give you guys an insight into the work I am doing.
So right now, on my end there are two versions of the game. There is the version that is available to you guys and the rebuild I am working on.
For the live version I have been working on doing my own custom weapons and fps animations. This is coming along nicely. You guys have requested a lot of changes to the game regarding the GUI. One request was hot bars for equipping weapons and items. So, I decided to start with the weapons because I am wanting to add extra features like; barehanded, zooming/aiming and scoped weapons. And I want to add weapons to the hotbars as a point of testing.
For the rebuild version I have begun the process of migrating the project to a new engine. I have weighed the pros and cons and there are some issues that will be easily resolved by a newer engine and there are extra features that will be more easily added by a newer engine.
I just want to say thank you to all the people that have bought the game and supported the development. It’s because of you guys that I can keep this project going. I love you all you are amazing.
My personal situation is still in a transition stage at the current moment. The internet where I am staying is not great. I am taking advantage of this and working offline and completing as much new content as possible to both live and the rebuild. This way once I get some decent internet I will be able to upload a more significant patch.
The new patch is likely to be a couple of weeks to a month away. But I will still post regular updates along the way to keep you lovely people informed.
Once the rebuild is fully migrated and a little further along I will start adding graphical content to the weekly updates. Because I value everyone’s feedback.
Once the rebuild goes live the strategy will continue. Where I ask you guys for feedback and add the things you want.
My vision for this game is to engage as much as possible with you guys and build the game that you guys want. I feel like this strategy works because as a developer I can get a bit singularly focused and you guys give me ideas that I would never have thought of.
A good example of this was the key binds. I had been so focused on getting controller support working that I hadn't even considered custom key binds. Then a left-handed customer said I need this. And now that its added I love it and think it makes the game so much better.
I want to continue this trend moving forward in all my projects. Plus, I hate the way larger companies don't do this and kind of ignore players until they start losing money.
Sorry I rambled a bit on this one.
I hope you all have a lovely week. And I look forward to hearing from you guys in the forums because it’s your input that is going to make this game awesome.
New Price $5
Now you can purchase the game for just $5.
Weekly Update
I know its Saturday. Sorry the weekly post is late.
There isn't much to report this week. I have had personal stuff going on so I have been working offline for this week. I have mostly been working on trying to find ways to make the game run smoother and faster.
A new patch will be coming soon.
Mini Patch
I got around to some of those retextures.
The spawner scripts and scenery scripts were adjusted to reduce scene overload.
Now instead of using countdowns to remove scenery they use player distance checks.
The trash button now acts as a trash all of the selected item button and not just one.
Crafting was adjusted so when crafting nails and screws you will craft 10 at a time.
The game should run smoother now because at any given moment there is only one third of the original amount of scripted entities.
Halloween Sale
You will be able to get the game at 50% off for the duration of the sale.
I think the sale runs for 3 days.
Patch Notes
Animals now behave like animals. They make warning sounds and death sounds. They make footstep sounds. They will get spooked and try to flee.
I reworked the animal animations a little.
Wounded is now an option. If you wound an animal, it will leave a trail of blood.
Fixed a few bugs with the human enemies. They now player check better and this helped game stability.
Spawners fixed and now spawn at ground height instead of player height.
Side note; Sorry about the size of the patch guys. I had to entirely replace one of the larger data folders.
Weekly Update
Earlier in the week I did a little patch that added the option to remove shadows from the game.
I have spent a large section of the week working on sounds and animals. There is a patch coming within the next 24 hours.
I completely reworked the animal’s from scratch. When the patch goes live they will behave more like animals and try to flee from you. And there will be some new stuff added to them.
Moving forward will probably be more sound stuff and more retextures.
I do have some other things I am working on for the game, but I will announce each of them when I get closer to finishing the code.
Right now, I am just trying to get through the sound and texture stuff you guys requested before adding new features.
Mini Patch
Added a button to turn shadows off and back on in the menu
Also added in ambient sounds.
The ambient sounds are actual recordings of the bush out here. We finally had some decent weather so I went and recorded for a bit.
Mini Patch
Brown dead grass removed and replaced with shrubs.
Animals are now Friendly unless attacked.
Kangaroos retextured.
Stamina now regenerates faster at default skill level.
Added in Shadows for; Vegetation, Scenery Objects, Animals, Enemies and crafted items.
Increased the view range of vegetation.
Increased the density of vegetation.
Increased melee damage range slightly
Weekly Update
So, patch 4 released earlier in the week. This was good because it added in skills and inventory management. Patch 4 meant I had to remake the store page trailer. I made a few versions of this and eventually decided you guys probably don't want to hear me talking about the game. So, I just went with a gameplay video with some background music.
So, the reason the skills were done the way they are is because I felt like it would allow players to balance the game as they see fit. Right now, the game is single player, so I decided not to cap skills. This means that if players want to cheat. They don't have to download or buy cheats. You can just level up your skills until you get the desired effects.
You guys mentioned to me that you would prefer the game be more targeted for higher end pcs rather than low-end pcs. I took this on board and upgraded the work pc. This way I can improve graphical content and get things looking a lot nicer. I also added new Screenshots to the store page after upgrading so there were better quality pictures up.
The weather is still terrible here. So, I haven't had a chance to go and record those sounds and sound effects yet.
I have been thinking about the possibility of bringing multiplayer to this project once I have accomplished a few other things first. So, I was wondering what you guys think and what style of multiplayer you guys would prefer? I was thinking maybe a simple system that’s a little private (using P2P peer networking, and you must invite people to your game), instead of a lobby or server list style.
So, moving forward I am going to be focusing on; graphical content (textures, shadows etc.), animations and sounds.
If you guys can think of anything you want added to the game, please hit the discussion forums in the survey section and let me know.