Sphere - Flying Cities Devlog #1 - The Style and architecture of Sphere
The distinctive look of the cityscape in Sphere - Flying Cities was created by merging old science fiction graphics, brutalist architecture and cyberpunk elements. This allowed us to give the game world a retro-futuristic and at the same time slightly dystopian basic character.
At the beginning of the game, the brutalist architecture is still somewhat less present. The main building, as well as other early buildings like small housing units, plantations and storage buildings, have more of a retro-future-survival look and are mainly designed for functionality.
The retro-future-brutalism look only becomes the defining architectural feature of the flying colony as the game progresses (and the city grows in size). The combination of concrete buildings and neon lights/colors, as well as other cyberpunk elements, represents another nuance of Sphere's distinctive look. Giving the cityscape a dark, gritty basic look by picking up on the architectural style of Brutalism was decided early in development.
Brutalist buildings, by their geometry alone, tend to appear rough and rugged. The rough, often massive finish and their expressiveness can make for a threatening impression and a sense of anonymity in the individual. In addition, there is no great variety of materials or colors and rather small windows.
Genex Towers, Belgrad
Robarts library, Toronto
MTU (Middle East Technical University) Rectorate Building, Ankara
Brutalist buildings therefore sometimes have an extraordinary aesthetic, which can be additionally emphasized by the interplay of light and shadow. We take up all of these characteristics to give the buildings in the game a multifaceted and at the same time uniform look.
Also, the architectural style of Brutalism with its simplicity and uniformity picks up the collectivist idea within the project. The success of the colony is the main focus and not a dressed up city, at least not at the beginning of the game. The buildings have no large ornaments and deliberately do not come across as sterile and clean.
On the contrary, they are supposed to be inhospitable. This is fitting for the special starting scenario of Sphere, that of a fragile first flying colony, always threatened by the adversities of nature. A survival scenario in which a single dangerous situation can have devastating proportions. It is presented as anything but an ideal world.
However, the collectivist project of the flying city gradually evolves from a harsh, gritty struggle for survival into a technologically-advanced project of the city of the future with skillful action. Through clever behavior on the part of the player, greening takes place within the dome and buildings also sprout up. The architectural style of Brutalism is also very suitable for this, since the many windowless areas of various buildings are ideal for plant growth and since the green of the plants is a strong contrast to the gray tone of the cityscape that has prevailed up to this point.
The greening feature is expected to be made available with the Q2 2022 update.
You want more details and background information of our upcoming Sphere - Flying Cities?
Fear not, we have more devlogs already in the planning, giving you more insights into the creation and development of the game.
Sphere - Flying Cities Early Access 'Industry & Pollution' Update now available!
Commanders, Today, we have released our first major update to our Sphere - Flying Cities Early Access today! The 'Industry & Pollution' Update, will introduce a brand-new game mechanic to the game, as well as respective new buildings helping all Commanders, mastering the new game-mechanic and new challenges coming up with it. For sure, we have also brought more improvements and bugfixes, also based on the valuable feedback of our Flying Cities-Community!
More details below. But first, enjoy the 'Industry & Pollution' Update Trailer on YouTube, giving you a first glimpse, what the update brings and looks like!
New game mechanic: Air regulation within the biosphere Counteract air pollution within the dome caused by various buildings with Air Collector Plants, Air Circulation Towers and Refineries.
The new game mechanic will also come along with many new additions to the game, such as:
New building: Air Collector
New building: Air Circulation Tower
New building: Oxygen Refinery
New building: Oxygen Storage
New resource: "Compressed Air"
New resource: "Oxygen"
Visual effect of air pollution inside the dome
Improvements
Improved many building-animations.
Various Bugfixes, too many to get them listed in detail.
Big shoutout to every community-member, reporting us bugs and providing us with feedback. Therefore, many of the bugs fixed with this update, are based on the feedback of our amazing community! Please keep it up!
Early Access Roadmap has been updated!
You cannot get enough of Sphere - Flying Cities and the latest update?
No worries, we got you covered! Today, starting at 6pm CET on Assemble Entertainment's official Twitch-channel, watch the Sphere-developers Hexagon Sphere Games play the latest 'Industry & Pollution' Update and the best thing: Ask them anything about Sphere - Flying Cities! https://www.twitch.tv/assembleentertainment
Have a suggestion and/or want to see what other players are suggesting?
Please visit our Community-Suggestion-Board: https://sphere-flying-cities.nolt.io/ to help us, improving the game even more!
Thank you for flying with us! Stay safe and happy holidays!
-Your Teams of Hexagon Sphere Games & Assemble Entertainment-
Sphere - Flying Cities Early Access: "Missioning Update (v.0.1.7) released!
Commanders, Today we have released another small update, this time, we have kept the focus on the missions of Sphere - Flying Cities. Therefore, you can expect more fully fledged and overhauled missions, as well as some additional tweaks and fixes.
Additions
The first 8 missions of the campaign are now available.
Multiple new narrative elements and cutscenes.
Tweaks
Overhauled mission system.
Overhauled persistence system.
Faster loading / saving times.
Fixed worldmap positioning.
Fixes in visual representation for damaged buildings.
Disclaimer:
Savegames from older versions of Sphere may not be compatible with the new patch 0.1.17. We apologize for the trouble.
Reminder!
We’re still busy working on our first big-content update, so please stay tuned for more big and small updates soon!
Have a suggestion and/or want to see what other players are suggesting?
Please visit our Community-Suggestion-Board: https://sphere-flying-cities.nolt.io/ to help us, improving the game even more!
Thank you for flying with us!
Your Teams of Hexagon Sphere Games & Assemble Entertainment
Sphere - Flying Cities is featured in Steam's Autumn Sale!
Steam's Autumn Sale is upon us! Giving you the unique opportunity of getting great games for discounts that go haywire with up to 90% off!
Get our chaotic coop shaking game Sphere - Flying Cities for 20% off!
