New 0.91D Early Access Spheriums Out Now - 2024 Launch Confirmed!
A new update just in time for the Summer Steam Sales. Two and a half years, over 30 major updates, dozens of getting back to the drawing board, and countless feedback later, our small but mighty team of two has crafted a truly ambitious game in Spheriums.
This new update shows the new visuals for a range of weapons, showcasing our dedication to enhancing your immersion and gameplay experience.
FEATURE ADDITIONS
Bosboon's latest update introduces a double attack feature to make it mode difficult and challenging,
Every weapon now comes with a Recharge capability, accessible via the 'R' shortcut key. However, it's important to note that controller support for Recharge is still in progress.
Experience the new visuals and animations for the Psionic Fusion Disruptor weapon.
Enjoy the brand-new visual representation of the Magnetokinetic Disruptor. No animation support yet.
A few new islands on Meolia have been reimagined with a fresh color palette.
Improve the AI of both the Drainer worker and the small Drainer commander.
BUG FIX
Address the problem of electrical fires not depleting the player's energy when initiated by the Bosboon creature.
Fix the issue of fog not being appropriately rendered when loading a previously saved game.
SPHERIUMS - 2024 LAUNCH CONFIRMED!
As we inch closer to the big 2024 launch, we're excited to say that the official release of Spheriums will be significantly different from the early access version:
Dive into a deeper storyline with actual voiceover performances.
Ultra-refined level designs.
A more comprehensive array of skills and abilities.
Upgrade power-ups.
State-of-the-art weaponry.
A badass roster of enemies with a very challenging hard difficulty level for the hardcore gamer.
And a few more surprises we are going to reveal soon :)
All these elements combine to create an immersive gaming experience not just for the hardcore gamers out there but something the whole family can play and enjoy.
While we're in the final stretch, our focus is on completing, testing, and polishing the game to perfection, so we'll only be patching major bugs in the early access version. All to ensure you get a top-notch gaming experience.
Jump in on the action early! Grab the early access version of Spheriums on Steam at a 40% discount now, as the price may go up on the final release, and buckle up for the official Spheriums - Origin release in 2024.
Happy gaming!
JP & Nick
Boost Your Game! Experience New Gameplay & Quality Enhancements!
Welcome to our most significant update yet! We've revamped and improved several key areas of the game to provide a more immersive and engaging experience. This update redefines the game from dynamic weather systems and adaptive music to challenging enemies and visually stunning weapons.
This is a preliminary update ahead of the next major one, perfectly timed to coincide with the impending Steam summer sales.
FEATURE ADDITIONS
Revamped Weather System: Introducing dynamic day-night cycles across various worlds, along with shifting fog patterns. Prepare for an enhanced challenge under the cover of night or fog.
Adaptive Music Integration: Experience our new adaptive music on Korala, Meolia, and Mazir. The tunes will shift according to battle intensity, day-night cycle, and fog presence, enhancing your immersion.
Sound Effects Overhaul: We've replaced 80 placeholder sound effects with fresh, immersive ones, amplifying your gaming experience.
Bosboon Behavior Revamp: Be ready to face a tougher adversary in Bosboon - its behavior has been overhauled, making it an unpredictable enemy when combined with others.
Innovative Spawning System: Experience improved enemy randomness and a fresh concept of territorial defense, along with a heightened AI challenge during battles.
Weapons Redesign: The Energy Flux Blaster and Antimatter Railgun have been visually revamped, now featuring firing animations, muzzle flashes, and more. More enhancements are underway!
IMPROVEMENTS & BALANCE CHANGES
Game Tutorial Update: We've completed the first part of the tutorial for new players. Expect more improvements in future updates.
Planet Korala & Meolia Overhaul: We've redesigned parts of these levels with new textures and assets for a better aesthetic appeal. Meolia's color scheme redesign is also in progress.
Baby Birlum & Zirca Scout Balancing: These enemies can now be defeated with a single energy blast.
Expanded Scanning Options: We've added many scannable items for more interactive gameplay. Examples include Dimensional Gate, Interstellar Energy Transmitter, Energy Matrix Enhancer, Shield Matrix Enhancer, and Quantum Crafting Station.
Enemy Behavior Enhancement: The behavior of Poppox, Zogan, and Bosboon has been improved for more unpredictable combat scenarios.
Telekinesis Mechanic Update: We've standardized the distance for holding items, improving gameplay mechanics and player visibility.
Draining Crystals Update: These crystals are now more reactive - they'll unleash an electric wave if you're too close while gathering Energium.
Crafting UI Enhancement: Expect a smoother user experience while crafting new implants or upgrades - we've animated the padlock to highlight upgradeable items.
KNOWN ISSUES & IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Bosboon Enemy: This adversary is currently undergoing a revamp. The new integration into the game is still rough around the edges, with incomplete animation and a lack of sound effects. Completion is expected in the subsequent update.
First World: Planet Korala: Despite being the most developed in terms of level design, there still need to be new assets and new enemy spawns. Currently, only 20% of the new enemy spawning system is operational.
Second World: Planet Meolia: This planet is under renovation, leading to an incomplete gaming experience. Certain areas pose increased difficulty. The old enemy spawning system is still in effect.
Third World: Planet Mazir: Progress in this world is steady. However, it still operates on the old enemy spawning system.
Fourth World: Planet Zeros: This world is currently in an unplayable state but can be observed to grasp the direction of our development progress.
COMING SOON
Kindra, your AI companion, will, at last, be equipped with offensive capabilities!
New asset placement across all worlds.
Completion of Meolia's color scheme and design.
Major fixes for Mazir.
Continued redesign of Zeros.
Replacement of old spawning mechanisms across all planets.
Replacement of remaining old weapon designs.
Redesign and completion of the skill tree.
An opening cut-scene.
Completion of the in-game tutorial.
And much more!
May News Work-in-progress
Hello everyone! We're excited to share another update on our journey as we continue to make progress with Spheriums.
We're diligently working on refining the game's core to provide an improved player experience. Although we initially planned to release an update in April, we've opted to take our time due to the extensive gameplay mechanic changes.
Dynamic fog, day/night
We've completed the weather engine, which now features day/night cycles and random atmospheric fog in three worlds, significantly enhancing gameplay and ambiance.
The adaptive music engine is also finished, with music adapting to various game factors, including day/night cycles, atmospheric fog, and battle sequences. Thanks to the freelancer Steve from 3rdEchosound, the first three worlds now feature 18 music segments. You can watch a dev diary video about our adaptive music engine on YouTube.
Over 70 sound effects have been redone from scratch, significantly improving game immersion. We're grateful to have the freelancer Alan for his incredible sound effect creation skills.
Weapon redesign
We've also begun the weapon redesign process, starting with the Energy Flux Blaster. After receiving feedback that the original design was too basic and did not effectively depict a weapon, we decided to redesign all our in-game firearms, starting with the Energy Flux Blaster.
We realize a gap exists between a design we think is unique and what players expect. With this in mind, our modification aims to enhance the game's visual appeal and streamline the player experience, allowing them to quickly grasp the purpose of a weapon when viewing screenshots or short videos.
Thanks to the freelancer Saif's exceptional contributions, improved visuals and animations are being implemented for all weapons. Weapons will also benefit from enhanced muzzle flash, particle effects, and recoil animation.
Meolia world visual redesign
We're also reworking the color palette of the planet Meolia better to match the striking visuals of Korala and Mazir, enhancing its alien appeal. Initial feedback from our group testers has been positive.
Tons of changes
Furthermore, we're adding more assets to all worlds, refining the level design, and adjusting enemy AI for a more challenging experience. We appreciate your patience and support as we strive to deliver the best possible game.
If you like what you see, please consider adding the game to your wishlist.
Our two fearless souls embarked on this incredible adventure two years ago. It is a rollercoaster of highs & lows, but our hearts are set on our 2024 official release!
Nevertheless, we hope to release the next update before the Steam Summer sales.
Please join our Discord server to learn more and discuss directly with the dev! Yes 1 dev and 1 3D modeler/tester are working on this fantastic journey!
Feedback and Wishlists are much appreciated!
JP & Nick
March News
Over the past month, we've diligently focused on numerous aspects of Spheriums.
We're thrilled to share that the gifted freelancer "3rd Echo Sounds" has joined our team to compose music for the game, while the talented freelancer Alan Dalcastagne is revamping sound effects in Spheriums.
Here's a sneak peek at what we're currently working on:
A weather engine for controlling day/night cycles, fog, and potentially rain/storms.
A dynamic music system that responds to weather conditions and combat situations.
A brand-new spawning system to improve enemy randomness, territorial defense, and more challenging AI during battles.
Initial integration of new sound effects and music segments.
Asset updates for Korala, Meolia, and Mazir.
Intensive work on Zeros to create a new world for players to explore.
We aim to release an update in the coming weeks, provided everything proceeds smoothly.
If you like what you see, please consider adding the game to your wishlist.
Spheriums is a bold venture for our team of two: one programmer and one 3D modeler. You can also support us on Patreon.
We appreciate all of your support! JP & Nick
Spheriums Patreon Announcement!
Hey everyone,
We're excited to announce that we just launched a Patreon campaign to bring Spheriums to the next level! For those of you who don't know, Patreon is a platform that allows creators like us to share exclusive content with our supporters in exchange for their ongoing support.
We are self-funding everything for our game, but to bring the game to our vision, we need the money to hire freelancers. They will help us to deliver better audio, enhance the graphics (texture and materials), and graphics designer for a slick UI and create promotional materials.
By becoming a patron, you'll access behind-the-scenes updates, exclusive content, and other rewards we've put together for our supporters. This is a great way to get more involved with our work and to help support us as a creator.
If you want to learn more, head to our Patreon page and check it out. And if you decide to become a patron, We want to say a big thank you in advance!
Your support means the world to us.
Thanks, Nick & JP
Small update - Version 0.91B release
Just in time for the Indie Cup Celebration, we are releasing an update with a few new critical changes in AI. We have received many comments about AI, and it is time for us to start addressing them. A few changes are in this build, but more significant changes in the AI department are coming in the subsequent updates.
NEW
AI Kraspian - Now attack the player while keeping their position. If they are fired at, they may stay, avoid or run away. They will dodge in the air as Kraspian have a helical propeller. They will also shoot 3 projectiles when they escape. (Work in progress)
AI Floating crystal - Will wander around, and if they see the player, they will start firing while moving toward the player as they are attracted by the energy signature and will self-destroy at the player's contact. The player can no longer destroy their projectiles. (Work in progress)
AI Baby Birlum - If you start shooting them, they will try to run away from the player as they have no defense mechanism.
AI Birlum - They are creatures that do not bother with your presence. However, when they see you, they will stare at you as they ensure your intention. Then, they will return the favor and start shooting at you if you start firing at them.
Partial controller support - The controller can be used while playing the game, except when going into any UI (e.g., Inventory, journal, etc.). Full controller support will be implemented for the official release of the game.
Structonite Field - Update the structonite area on Korala world with new assets & new grass.
Structonite trap - Complete redesign to use them strategically to block enemies and/or hide behind. They are still dangerous if you move over before being activated. Only implemented on Korala will be migrated to other worlds for the next update.
Navigation Nexus - Previously, the player used the same Nexus to travel to a new planet and was able to travel back to a previous world. This is no longer possible. The player will arrive from a Nexus Arrival gate and need to find the Nexus to travel to another world.
ENHANCEMENT & BALANCE
Planet Korala - Balance the number of resources.
Planet Meolia - Balance the number of resources.
Bosboon - Reduce by half the poisonous circle. Bosboon visual (hit, destruction & explosion) will be updated in the next update.
FIXES
Fix a few collision problems with some trees.
The display of some resources was blocking the ability to click on a dimensional gate and preventing the user from traveling to other parts of the world on the Map.
Coming soon
Zeros planet redesign.
AI redesign of other creatures and Drainers.
Wave spawning for particular creatures and invaders.
Structonite Field and traps update on the three other planets.
Major update - Version 0.91A release
Being a small indie studio of only 2 developers, we are excited about this new update. We have entirely changed the in-game story and started the integration in the first three worlds that the player will play. However, the tutorial in the first world (Korala) is still a work in progress, and the initial cut scene still needs to be done.
The initial cut scene will visually explain that you are a sentient energy-sphere being sent to investigate why your homeworld is losing its vital energy to survive, leading your civilization to mass extinction.
NEW
Planet Mazir - Completely redo the level design of the third planet. This includes many changes in the landscape, redesigning the combats area, new assets, new foliage, new enemies, lighting changes, and much more.
Planet Korala - Update the level design of the first world by enhancing some areas, adding new assets, changing some enemies AI, redoing the lighting, and adding atmospheric fog.
Planet Meolia - Update the second world by adding more assets in some areas and tweaking the lighting.
Psionic Power-up - The psionic power-up can be triggered by using the middle mouse button while having the psionic orb weapon. It sends a high psionic beam that drains the energy from the Drainers and adds it to your shield. Immensely powerful and helpful in challenging situations.
Force-field - A new force-field implant is now available, letting the player convert its internal energy into a force field to protect itself from enemies' attacks. Unfortunately, the force field drains energy very quickly. Therefore, the player will need to use it wisely. An upcoming update will let the player uses skills to reduce the energy-draining factor.
Laser worker Drainer - A dangerous new invader that can fire lasers with its claw and fire laser shots with his armed turrets. The AI is still incomplete, but still, be careful...
Mine planter Drainer - No specific attack from this Drainer, except that he is dropping mine while moving randomly on the terrain! Hard to destroy.
Spaceship dropping troops - A new type of Drainer spaceship that can drop troops while flying is now available in one place in the game. It's still a work in progress, but very fun to see when he is coming close to you and dropping Drainers to attack you from the sky.
Zirca enemy level 1 - Implement a new AI behavior to act as a swarm. They are easy to destroy, but when they are many, it can be challenging. They are also firing a new type of projectile.
Larva - A new enemy that is note very dangerous as it moves slowly. Explode when the player is getting to close to it or fires at it.
ENHANCEMENT & BALANCE
Update the visual of all the Drainers.
Update all the colonist archive logs with the updated story
Replace obsolete Drainers enemies with new Drainers mech on Meolia floating platform.
Change the visual structonite trap in the structonite field for better gameplay.
Change the Bosboon plant with better material and reduce the energy blast required to disable it temporarily.
The energy barrier no longer removes energy from the player when it collides with it.
Add sound effects when refilling a Triphasium container
Add new Kindra audio messages and changes some previous one that needed to be more accurate or shorter.
Change a few Kindra floating hints by displaying Kindra beacons, so the player understands better what to do.
Add a log title in the journal when reading an archive log.
Add new LOD to many 3D assets to improve rendering performance.
FIXES
Fix the spaceship ghosting around after the animation was completed in the first two worlds.
Fix spaceship turrets on the Drainer floating platforms on Meolia that were indestructible and were not moving.
Change the turret scanning text to explain that psionic-based weapons are required to destroy a turret.
Giant Poppox on Mazir stays selected after being scanned.
FUTURE
We still have a lot of things to do before the release planned for the Steam PC version in 2023. The next big update will include the redesign of Zeros, the 4th world, and more enhancement in the previous three worlds, enemies, AI, etc.
Major World Update : Meolia is ready to play!
Another strong milestone. The overall revamp of Meolia is done. The second world has eight islands to explore, and you must fight your way to free all the emitters from the invaders.
Gameplay and Visual Enhancements
Complete revamp of the level design of Meolia, getting the second world closer to its final version. It still needs decoration assets and must change some materials, and no level optimization.
Drainer Mechs - New firing mode, muzzle flash, and enhanced AI.
Medusa - New Medusa visual, animation and AI.
Add four new Psionic weapon upgrades.
Reduce the spread when firing multiple psionic rockets for better accuracy.
Raise the energy required when firing psionic rockets.
Update the visual of the Psionic and Magnetism weapons (still a work in progress)
Fixed Bugs
The choker on world two was broken.
Known Issues
Objectives are not done for Meolia.
Kralian creatures are not scannable. Fix: Use the Energy blaster to defeat.
Drainer commanders will sometime be stuck somewhere. FIX: Save/load to correct the situation
English voice-over plays even if French is selected.
The battle sound may keep playing after killing all enemies in a region. FIX: Save/Load to fix the music until we fix the bug.
The soundtrack cuts when Kindra is speaking.
The game will currently display in full screen only on the native resolution of the screen. Otherwise, it will be displayed in a window.
Resolutions with an aspect ratio different from 1.77 will result in a distorted display.
Upcoming
Revamp from the ground up Mazir (world 3).
Better and funnier AI with more creature animations.
Add new drainers
Improve the map by showing all resources.
Improved layout and design coherency for the user interface.
Animate weapons.
Sound effects, sound mixing, and interactive music.
Texture painting on enemies.
Controller Support (Xbox/Playstation)
Full options to adjust graphical settings.
Add Steam Achievements (full suite of 25+)
Much more.
We are proud to be part of the Top 100 IndieDB of the year. You can visit the site and also take the opportunity to vote for us for the Top 10! https://www.indiedb.com/games/spheriums
Minor update V0.90K-1
Animate some weapons firing effects to get feedback.
Major game update & quality of life improvements
We are proud to have reached another milestone by releasing a massive update for the early access of Spheriums. We hope you like the latest update and invite you to play it again if you have bought Spheriums and leave a review.
Gameplay, Interface, and Visual Enhancements
Complete revamp of the level design of Korala, getting the game closer to the final vision of the first world.
Electromagnetic discharge - Implement a new secondary fire for the magnetism weapon. Hit an enemy to slow it down considerably for easier shooting. Like any secondary weapon, it uses energy.
Drainer Mechs - A new invader with dual bullet shooting is patrolling Korala. Beware!
Objective - Players were often lost at the beginning of the game. We have added many new goals to help the player knows what to do early on in the game.
Boss - Rework the "Choker" boss on Korala with a better attack pattern, more apparent weaknesses, and a higher difficulty level for a better fighting challenge.
Drastically change the firing speed of an energy blast for better accuracy.
Control Panel - Add a new visual panel switch to help the player recognize a machine and how to interact with it (Dimensional gate, crafting machine, recharging power-pack station).
When hitting him, the elemental Mexodin shakes the camera and pushes the player a little bit.
Any weapons can now destroy poison puddles & Choker bombs.
Show how to use a weapon after crafting a weapon implant with an informative visual.
Reduce the needed resources drastically to do the first inventory storage upgrade.
Update the liprite resource with a better visual (new mesh and material)
Show missing shortcut in key mapping UI.
Fixed Bugs
Enemies will not randomly disappear after firing on them.
Fix Kralian AI bugs that sometimes were stuck.
Known Issues
Kralian creatures are not scannable. Fix: Use the Energy blaster to defeat.
Drainer commanders will sometime be stuck somewhere. FIX: Save/load to correct the situation
English voice-over plays even if French is selected.
The battle sound may keep playing after killing all enemies in a region. FIX: Save/Load to fix the music until we fix the bug.
The soundtrack cuts when Kindra is speaking.
The game will currently display in full screen only on the native resolution of the screen. Otherwise, it will be displayed in a window.
Resolutions with an aspect ratio different from 1.77 will result in a distorted display.
Upcoming Update Features
Revamp from the ground up Meolia.
Better and funnier AI with more creature animations.
Add new drainers
Improve the map by showing all resources.
Improved layout and design coherency for the user interface.
Animate weapons.
Sound effects, sound mixing, and interactive music.
