May the workforce be with you! Early Access Update #08
Hey, Birdfolks! 🐦
A little bird told us that we have some announcements to make! And we are more than happy to share some news with you.
With this update we are introducing a new game mechanic: workforce. And we are sure that you’ll love it!
From now on, each colony will possess a certain amount of workforce! This change will dictate how many buildings your colony can support. Thanks to that, you’ll get some free space, which will help you with the most optimal build. You can build your colony not only faster, but more thoughtful! Also, building neighborhood bonuses is going to be much more impactful! Establishing laser connections is gonna be much easier, too.
By default, a colony starts with 16 workforce and if you’d like to increase it, you can either:
upgrade colony radius
build more Stabilizers
Each population point spent on a colony gives it 8 workforce. That means you can place 8 more buildings!
Any previous saves are compatible with these changes, BUT due to the nature of this update, you might have to do some housekeeping. Buildings over the limit from previous saves won’t be destroyed, but in order to place any new stuff, excess buildings will have to be removed.
So keep that in mind!
But that’s not all!
We changed the balancing of particular buildings and production chains. This way the limiting of the number of buildings won’t stop you from getting the resources that you need!
We know that some of you would like to dive deeper into the changelog, so here is the full list of changes and fixes in this new patch.
Enjoy!
## [Patch 0.3.1] -- 2024-01-15
Changes:
- Colonies become much less prone to having their production thrown off balance whenever a couple of buildings need to be deleted to make some space. - Graphical performance has improved especially at the later stages of the game.
Fixes:
- Fixed the bug that would sometimes delete large chunks of nearby colonies whenever destroying an enemy wave. - Added missing production tree for tier 6. - Changed the word capitalization for errors and tooltips to make them more readable. - Removed "Precision Terraforming" technology as it did not work due the building not being in the game yet. - Added progress bars to some missions in prologue to make things a bit easier to understand.
We truly believe that this update will highly upgrade your gaming experience with Scorchlands! Let us know what you think, we’re always happy to hear your feedback. Take care and remember, if you want to be up-to-date with everything that’s happening in the nest, make sure to join our Discord server! Check our Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram, too!
See ya and have fun! Ringlab and Star Drifters 🚀
Welcome to Bulblands 💡 | Early Access Update #7 🛠️
Birdfolks! 🐦
It's been a while since the last update, but we've been hard at work for the past two months, improving the game, and now we have an exciting new update for you!
Bulblands Biome
Firstly, let us introduce the newest biome! The Bulblands are all about the power of life energy, both revitalizing and dangerous. The main challenge they pose lies in the mysterious bulbs that change shape depending on their surroundings.
Each crop type has a unique planting zone, bringing new diversity to your structures. Additionally, there are two production recipes for each crop type, letting players select their preferred resource generation method!
New Menu
With the new update, you might be pleasantly surprised right from the moment you launch the game. We've prepared a refreshed menu that is now much more intuitive and visually appealing.
Let us know what you think about it!
But that's not all!
Our latest update is packed with more exciting additions and improvements, including 12 new resources, 13 technologies, a brand-new player-controlled unit… Check out the list of changes and fixes:
Changes:
- Improved lighting and atmospheric shading across the game. - Adjusted dialogues present across the fifth tier of progression. - Changed dialogue popup to be more visible and less prone to accidental skipping once started. - Added extra bloom effect to crystals on top of spires. - Updated loading screen art. - Improved angling of transfer lasers at very steep angles. - Slightly improved performance when looking horizontally.
Fixes:
- Fixed creating or moving a biome causing units to despawn. - Fixed rare issues when despawning colonies containing tile claiming buildings. - Fixed automatic pipe despawning when getting inside colony borders. - Fixed Landscaper bug nest not blocking laser beams properly. - Fixed several minor issues related to unit movement. - Fixed player being able to deploy unavailable units with the deploy all button.
Future incoming!
But wait, there's even more! We wouldn't have kept you waiting this long if we didn't come bearing something special!
Introducing the brand-new roadmap! It perfectly illustrates the long journey we've already undertaken, but also highlights the considerable amount of work still ahead before the release. As you can see, exciting things are on the horizon!
Have fun!
We hope this update adds a new thrilling layer of fun to your Scorchlands experience, and we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your ongoing support. We truly appreciate each one of you!
Make sure to follow our accounts on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram for the most up-to-date news. And don't miss the chance to join our Discord server for direct communication with us!
Cheers Ringlab and Star Drifters 🚀
Star Drifters at Steam Autumn Sale
Gamers!
Star Drifters crew checking in! Hope you're all doing fantastic and having a blast with our games!
Guess what? If you haven't had the chance to dive into any of our titles yet, Steam Autumn Sale is the perfect opportunity to catch up on all the fun! We've decided to sprinkle some magic on the prices, so you can grab our games at amazing discounts!
Ready to explore the mystical realms of Driftlands, take on towering skyscrapers in Danger Scavenger, build colonies in Scorchlands, or venture into the treacherous depths of Lumencraft?
Well, now's your chance! Treat yourself to a little gaming delight.
Here's the scoop on the discounts for our current titles:
It’s worth remembering that there's a new game on the horizon… First Dwarf!
https://youtu.be/U5C4TOFc8uw?si=9GS90bCrAv5NLLDm
We're swiftly approaching the closed testing phase on Discord (feel free to join the server), and the upcoming year will finally bring the long-awaited release. So keep an eye on our social media channels to stay in the loop:
Thanks for your support and we hope you’ll have a great time with our games!
Yours in intergalactic adventures
Star Drifters
Prepare for combat ⚔️ | Early Access Update #6 🛠️
Birdfolks! 🐦
We're thrilled to be back in touch with all of you, delivering the latest updates from the development frontline in Scorchlands. We can't wait to share what we've been working on!
So speaking of the frontline… Let's dive straight into the heart of battle, as our most recent update has brought significant changes and improvements to combat!
Fight!
Players can now issue orders for their units to swap positions. This tactical maneuver can be executed by simply directing your character onto a friendly unit's hex. The battlefield just got a lot more dynamic!
But that's not all! While in formation, your units will closely follow your character while maintaining their relative positions. It's all about keeping those ranks tight and coordinated - you’ll feel it yourselves!
For those of you who crave the details, we've included the full changelog below, so you can get into the specifics of all the exciting changes we've made. Check it out!
## [Patch 0.2.4] -- 2023-09-15
Combat improvements:
- Players can now order their units to swap positions. - Players can swap positions with friendly units by running onto their hex. - After unlocking a new technology at tier 4, players can order their units to assemble a formation. - While in formation, units will follow the player while maintaining relative positioning. - Players can deploy three different unit formations using [Z], [X], [C] keybinds. - Players can also create custom formations by positioning units around themselves and toggling formation on and off with [Q]. - Changed default keybind for undeploying all units to [B]. - Added a keybind for quickly deploying all units with [V]. - Player units can now collect red crystals no matter the nearby enemy's presence when standing next to it. Previously it was only possible for the player character.
Fixes:
- Fixed an issue causing all enemies to despawn after placing a biome.
Thank you! We want to express our gratitude for your support. Thank you for being a part of the Scorchlands community and for patiently awaiting each new update we're working hard to deliver.
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram to stay updated on all the latest news, and be sure to join our Discord server for a direct line to the development team.
Stay strong, adventurers! Yours Ringlab and Star Drifters 🚀
This is the way… ⬇️ | Early Access Update #5 ⚙️
Birdfolks! 🐦
How are you doing? We're excited today as we’re bringing you another batch of changes and improvements to enhance your gaming experience in Scorchlands! In the newest update we've focused on refining your gameplay interactions and addressing some reported issues.
Let's dive into the details!
Two main changes
First of all, we understand that navigating through new content can sometimes be challenging. That's why, after unlocking your first alternative recipe, we've introduced a helpful arrow that guides you to the appropriate spot in the UI. No more confusion - just a clear path to your newly acquired recipes.
What’s more, we've reworked how dialogues that are triggered by unlocking new technologies function. Instead of appearing randomly and automatically progressing, we've given you more control over them. Now you can manually initiate the dialogue, progress through it at your own pace, or simply dismiss it with a right click! This change ensures that you're fully engaged with the story and lore whenever you unlock new technologies.
That’s not all!
In addition to these new features, we've also worked diligently to address issues reported by our dedicated players - you. Here's the full list of changes!
[Patch 0.2.3] -- 2023-08-16 Changes:
Added a helpful arrow pointing player to a right UI spot after unlocking a first alternative recipe.
Reworked how dialogues triggered by unlocking a new technology appear. Instead of appearing randomly and automatically progressing, players can now manually play dialogue, click through it manually or dismiss them with a right click.
Fixes:
Fixed Pipe Hubs sometimes not being loaded properly when placed in the area affected by Landscaper Bug Nests.
Fixed errors that sometimes happened whenever deleting multiple of the same biome.
Fixed placing any biome causing all units flying over unwalkable terrain to despawn.
Fixed altar worldspace UI not appearing properly whenever placing altars.
We're confident that this update will truly elevate your gaming experience! Have fun!
In conclusion, a heartfelt “Thank You” goes out to you for your feedback and suggestions. Feel free to contact us on our Discord, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. We’re always happy to talk!
Looking forward to sharing more exciting developments with you soon, Ringlab and Star Drifters 🚀
Dust in the Wind 🍃 | Early Access Update #4 🔧
Birdfolks! 🐦
A fresh update for Scorchlands is officially live! It brings a host of significant fixes and smaller tweaks that are bound to elevate your gameplay experience and delight our beloved Giwis, of course!
One of the main changes is that now trees and grass will sway gracefully in response to the wind! We think that the sight of leaves gently dancing in the breeze adds a touch of realism to our fantastical world. Do you agree? ;)
What’s more, colonies will no longer claim volcanic terrains. Oh, speaking about terrains - they will be automatically claimed once nearby enemy groups are defeated! Now you can conquer with ease!
Curious to know the other details? Here's the full list of changes!
## [Patch 0.2.2] -- 2023-07-26 Changes: - Added wind swaying animation for trees and grass. - Colonies no longer claim volcanic terrain. - Terrain is now claimed automatically after nearby enemy groups are defeated. - Added a global resource view for terraforming ingredients at the top-left part of the screen. - Added an option to quickly undeploy unit by pressing its keybind while holding shift key. - Added a population display when opening the colony management screen. - Changed how technologies like “Extraction Streamlining” or “Better Pickaxes” boost buildings. Now these affect the building itself, not just selected production chains. - Renamed “Points of Interest” fo “Transmutation Crystals”. Fixes: - Fixed player being unable to close colony management screen with right mouse button. - Fixed player being unable to close production tree by clicking escape. - Fixed some building names not being displayed correctly when pointing at certain objects. - Removed unnecessary warning when expanding colonies next to another colony located at a different flying island.
We're sure that the update will enhance your Scorchlands experience! And if you haven't tried the game yet, we invite you to check out the demo version.
In the end, we want to thank you for the feedback and suggestions, so don't hesitate to share them with us on our Discord, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Your input is invaluable, and we're continuously striving to make the game even better.
Enjoy the adventure!
Yours Ringlab and Star Drifters 🚀
Scorchlands - Small Update
Hello! 👋
Today we are launching a small update. Thanks to your activity we've managed to fix several bugs. Here’s the full list of what’s new:
[Patch 0.2.1] -- 2023-07-12
Fixes:
Fixed rare crash when deletion of a biome would cause a colony to be also deleted
Fixed soft lock on saves from previous game version where the player had unlocked the last colony radius technology.
Found something not right? Please let us know on Discord and Steam Community so we can investigate and fix it.
Stay tuned for more coming soon! 🚀
Play the updated game and “follow” us on Steam⚙️, join our Discord 🎧 server and follow us on Facebook 👍 and Twitter 🐦
Let's conquer Snowlands! ❄️ Early Access Big Update 🔧
Attention, Birdfolks! 🐦
We are thrilled to unveil the blazing hot (or cold, but we’ll see about that later ❄️) update for Scorchlands, igniting your gameplay experience to new heights! Brace yourselves for a sizzling adventure as we present a wave of significant changes and great improvements.
Pipelines 🔗
First of all, we are excited to announce pipelines! Connect colonies, simplify logistics, and balance resources like never before. Just find the right path and make sure that it is not too steep or doesn’t cross with other pipelines. Get ready for a whole new world of possibilities!
Let it snow… ☃️
Another huge addition is the new biome - Snowlands! Experience the power of flux energy as you explore three floating islands with unique resources and mechanics. Prepare to unleash your creativity, but remember… A single colony can only be located on one flying island at once! You have to work wisely!
The end? 👀
Did you really think that was it? Oh no - this is the first update from our Road Map after all! Over the past months we've been hard at work bringing you a lot of enhancements and fixes. We've significantly improved movement mechanics and combat. We've even introduced two new units - the Heavy Warrior and the Ranger. You absolutely have to try them out!
That's still not all, though. Get ready for a whole lot of fun with plenty of gameplay improvements. New recipes, enhanced atmosphere, and a bunch of options you've never seen before! We've also addressed numerous bugs that you've kindly reported, and we can't thank you enough for that!
If you're curious about all the details, make sure to check out the full changelog below:
## [Big Update 0.2.0] - 10.07.2023
Movement overhaul: Along with the addition of flying islands, the movement also received a series of improvements. - In certain situations, players can now go airborne, letting them go over obstacles. - There is a new special building dedicated purely to movement — Hover Platform. - When going off a cliff, the main hero will now perform a jump and gain a speed boost. - Players can now slide on ice tiles. - And sometimes players can jump to their doom too. - Main hero received an extra shadow directly below their feet that helps in determining their position over terrain. Combat: - Added a new player unit: Heavy warrior. An improved version of Light Warrior. - Added a new player unit: Ranger. A unit capable of affecting enemies from two tiles away. - Rebalanced Combat Alchemist. Now they provide even more support, have high defence and some attack. - Added two new enemies in the snowy biome. - With the help of newly added units, players should be now able to defeat even the hardest-to-access enemy waves and claim the whole map. Additions: - Added an atmospheric distance fog. - Added a sky that gradually evolves as the day progresses. - Added 4 new alternative recipes for already present resources aimed at providing alternative ways of producing those resources. These are: Ether, Coal, Tools and Potions. - Added "Stone Processing" technology to the tech tree unlocked immediately at the start of the game. - Added an option to go immediately to overview when standing at a waypoint and pressing "E". - Added an option to enter photo mode from the pause menu. - Added an option to respawn when stuck from the pause menu. - Added a soft reverb effect for most environmental audio. - Added a highlight showing the tile when a mirror will be spawned when placing a mirror catapult. - Optimised FPS at later stages of the game. - Wind audio is now only played when panning the camera around fast — not when standing idle. - Combined several tabs in the buildings panel at the bottom of the screen. - Improved the positioning of Transfer Lasers when connected at a steep angle. - Changed keybind for toggling mission panel on/off from "N" to "O". Change is visible after resetting keybinds. - Swapped keybinds for opening Tech tree and colony upgrade tab. Change is visible after resetting keybinds. Fixes: - Fixed rendering of all decals on Linux. This includes things like colony borders or bonuses. - Fixed rendering laser beams when two lasers at different heights are connected with the help of a mirror. - Fixed some incorrect building laser blocking heights. - Fixed colony placement being cancelled when the player rotated the camera. - Fixed buildings sometimes not being rotated correctly when already placed and rotated several times at once. - Fixed photo mode turning on when using the shortcut from pause menu or when typing a save name.
Thank you! 🚀
We've poured our hearts into making the game even better, and now it's your turn to dive in and experience the thrill. If you haven't had the chance to embark on this epic adventure yet, don't worry - you can buy the Early Access version or just try it out by playing the demo (the latest update not included)!
Don’t forget that your feedback and suggestions are invaluable to us, so we want to hear from you. Together, we can shape the future of Scorchlands and create an unforgettable gaming journey!
Before you depart on your next adventure, make sure to pay a visit to the game's Discord server where our community thrives! Stay connected with us by following our profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Cheers! Ringlab and Star Drifters 🚀
New graphics & some fixes! 🐣 Early Access Patch #2 🔧
Dear Birdfolks! 🐦
We are excited to announce that a new update for Scorchlands is now live! It includes some significant changes and improvements that we think will enhance your gameplay experience - Giwis should be happy!
We have generally improved colors throughout the game - you will notice a more vibrant and detailed color palette, making the gameplay even more immersive. Transfer laser beams have also received a visual overhaul!
That's not all, we have some things for new players. We tweaked many elements of the tutorial, so you will be able to master the game quicker and start your adventure in space faster! Of course, we couldn't leave out fixing a few bugs and imperfections that needed polishing.
We guarantee that the gameplay is now more enjoyable, and if you're curious about the details, here's the list of changes!
## [Patch 0.1.2] -- 2023-04-06
Additions:
- Overhauled visuals of transfer laser beams. - Improved overall colours across the gameplay - Reduced the amount of camera spinning when configuring lasers. - Bottom bar now stays visible when bulldozing or cloning buildings. - Added informational error tooltip when trying to order a unit to an inaccessible hex. - Reduced the volume of summoning colonies by 25%. - Slightly increased the space between game logo and menu text in the main menu. - Added an option to mod in object names Tutorial: - Combat tutorial has been shortened by removing the need to fight the last enemy wave. - Instead of deploying a unit next to themselves, player needs to deploy unit anywhere. - Increased visibility of the arrow showing player where to run by adding a black outline. - Reduced the requirement for water production from 40 to 30. - Slightly reduced the amount of unneeded dialogues. Fixes: - Fixed day phases not changing properly. - Fixed rotating camera cancelling building placement. - Fixed player unable to start making buildings using alternative recipes for resources. - Fixed resource icons not appearing when placing a first building that makes any given resource. - Fixed weird camera behaviour at the end of scripted sequences - Fixed player being unable to confirm tutorial mission selection with keyboard. - Fixed a tooltip showing the name of a new resource during the biome presentation. - Fixed wrong tooltips for upgrade colony button, toggle mission panel button and production tree button. - Fixed minor text issues in tutorial panels.
We hope these changes will make your Scorchlands experience even better! If you haven't played the game yet, we encourage you to check out our demo version. And if you have any feedback or suggestions, please feel free to share them with us on our Discord. We value your input and are always looking for ways to improve the game.
New graphics & some fixes! 🐣 Early Access Update #2 🔧
Dear Birdfolks! 🐦
We are excited to announce that a new update for Scorchlands is now live! It includes some significant changes and improvements that we think will enhance your gameplay experience - Giwis should be happy!
We have generally improved colors throughout the game - you will notice a more vibrant and detailed color palette, making the gameplay even more immersive. Transfer laser beams have also received a visual overhaul!
That's not all, we have some things for new players. We tweaked many elements of the tutorial, so you will be able to master the game quicker and start your adventure in space faster! Of course, we couldn't leave out fixing a few bugs and imperfections that needed polishing.
We guarantee that the gameplay is now more enjoyable, and if you're curious about the details, here's the list of changes!
## [Patch 0.1.2] -- 2023-04-06
Additions:
- Overhauled visuals of transfer laser beams. - Improved overall colours across the gameplay - Reduced the amount of camera spinning when configuring lasers. - Bottom bar now stays visible when bulldozing or cloning buildings. - Added informational error tooltip when trying to order a unit to an inaccessible hex. - Reduced the volume of summoning colonies by 25%. - Slightly increased the space between game logo and menu text in the main menu. - Added an option to mod in object names Tutorial: - Combat tutorial has been shortened by removing the need to fight the last enemy wave. - Instead of deploying a unit next to themselves, player needs to deploy unit anywhere. - Increased visibility of the arrow showing player where to run by adding a black outline. - Reduced the requirement for water production from 40 to 30. - Slightly reduced the amount of unneeded dialogues. Fixes: - Fixed day phases not changing properly. - Fixed rotating camera cancelling building placement. - Fixed player unable to start making buildings using alternative recipes for resources. - Fixed resource icons not appearing when placing a first building that makes any given resource. - Fixed weird camera behaviour at the end of scripted sequences - Fixed player being unable to confirm tutorial mission selection with keyboard. - Fixed a tooltip showing the name of a new resource during the biome presentation. - Fixed wrong tooltips for upgrade colony button, toggle mission panel button and production tree button. - Fixed minor text issues in tutorial panels.
We hope these changes will make your Scorchlands experience even better! If you haven't played the game yet, we encourage you to check out our demo version. And if you have any feedback or suggestions, please feel free to share them with us on our Discord. We value your input and are always looking for ways to improve the game.
