The drone in SunnySide is an invaluable tool that allows you to build your entire farm, take stunning aerial photography or just scout around the landscape.
We're excited to launch a competition to give the community the challenge of designing a drone skin!
In SunnySide you will be able to unlock different customisations for your drone, we've seen that the SunnySide community is a wonderfully creative bunch of people so want to get you involved!
We are kicking off a competition today to invite you to create your own drone skin! We'll have a template to share and a page for you to upload your design to enter the competition! The competition will run for one month and we would love to see your ideas on Twitter with the hashtag #FlySunnySide.
What's the prize?
So what can you win, I hear you ask? The overall winner, chosen by the Merge Games and Rainy Games teams, will have their drone design featured in the game!
That's right, the winner gets to see their creative design brought to life in-game in SunnySide!
How do I enter?
Here are the files for you to create your masterpiece on! We have included a transparent or white background version of the entry so choose whichever you like. There is also a PSD file for those who want to use it, and a handy 3D viewer which should open up easily in windows to help visualise the drone!
Where do I send my entry?
Simply head to this link and upload your final drone design!
You can enter as many times as you like and do feel free to share your design and any alternative designs on Twitter using #FlySunnySide - don't forget to tag us @PlaySunnySide & @MergeGamesLtd!
We love the many NPC's of SunnySide and would struggle to pick a favourite if asked, which got us thinking, who might be your favourite NPC?
We thought we'd have a bit of fun with that and pick 10 of the NPCs to duke it out in an elimination tournament to see who will be crowned the fan favourite! We'll share bios and images of all the characters so you can see which one you like more.
Starting Monday 13th of June we'll share the first battle on the SunnySide Twitter account and put it to a public poll! This will run for a few weeks whilst we whittle down one overall winner. We may even have a little something special planned for the winning NPC to celebrate their victory, watch this space!
Here's a sneak peek at our first battle coming on Monday...
If you don't see your favourite NPC in the running then let us know! We may bring this back in the future, maybe after everyone has moved into SunnySide and got the know the NPCs even better...
Please do add SunnySide to your wishlist if you haven't already!
Did you catch our April Fools Day video with our fake trailer for ShadySide - a horror styled take on SunnySide? If not you can recap below!
So what is ShadySide exactly?
Well, we're fortunate to have a wonderful QA team working on SunnySide who are excellent at hunting down those pesky bugs. They are so good in fact, that they sometimes hunt down something a little more sinister
Some bugs are fairly standard things that you'll see in game development, but every now and then something comes up with just a hint of a darker edge. Some may call them Yokai, ghosts, glitches in the matrix or straight-up hallucinations, we call them the residents of ShadySide.
These spooky goings-on transcend the usual bugs and have become part of the dark underside of SunnySide affectionately known to the team as ShadySide.
So bear in mind when you get your hands on SunnySide, it may not be a bug you come across, it may be the dark world underneath peeking through the cracks of reality!
Let us know what you thought of our ShadyShide teaser trailer, and remember, watch your crops...
As many of you might have noticed by now, and in case you miss the email that was sent out last night, the SunnySide Alpha has now ended.
Firstly, we want to say a big big thank you for supporting us in the making of our first game, SunnySide. This past year has been an incredible adventure, and we couldn't have done it without your loyal support!
That said, it's time for the SunnySide Alpha Test to come to a close. We have been able to gather so much information over the last few months, and SunnySide is going become a much better game thanks to your help!
Now that the Alpha is finished, we will be going into full production for the rest of the year. If you would like to keep up with development, consider joining our Discord, checking out the Live Streams, or reading the Kickstarter Updates that will be coming out every couple months. If you would like to follow us on your social media platform of choice, you can find us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit.
Additionally, please keep an eye out for another email in the next couple of days. This email will include a link to an end of alpha survey that will help us gather some final information to help in further developing SunnySide. Included with this email will also be an option to sign up to be a part of further testing of the battle and cooking systems this summer, which will be under NDA. If you would like to participate in more testing, this will be your only option to sign up, so keep a close eye and add RainyGames to your safe email list!
If you do not choose to take part in testing this summer, your next chance will be during the Beta test this fall, at which point we will send you another key, then you'll receive your final key for your platform of choice when we release the full game at the end of the year. No need to sign up for these, as they are part of your Early Access and Pre-Order for SunnySide.
That's all! Thank you again for your continued support, for helping us in creating the next evolution of the Farm Sim, and for always believing in us!
Cheers! -RainyGames
Final Alpha Update - 0.9.6
Hey everyone!
This update marks the final major update for our alpha access. The focus of this update is a complete overhaul to the cooking system alongside selfie mode, lots of bug fixes and performance improvements!
New Cooking System
We've completely reworked the cooking system! This new system will act as a template for SunnySide's full range of cooking equipment in the final release of the game. The idea is to give you all a robust and fun, yet deep and enagaging cooking system that doesn't overstay its welcome.
The cutting board's slots have been reduced to 3, and more can be attained via upgrades in the final release of the game. However, since the alpha only has a limited number of recipes, you can still cook all the reicipes on it.
We've removed all of non-diegetic UI elements from the cooking system, this means, there is no longer a "Go" or "Cook" button floating on the screen. Instead to start the cooking on the cutting board, simply click on the knife, and to do the same with the grill, simply click on the charcoal (if there is any in the grill).
The cooking also no longer works off of real-time and instead follows in-game time. This means it is a lot easier to keep track of something that is cooking, since you can just look at the in-game clock.
We've also fully updated the cookbook app, it is a lot more readable, takes way less space on the screen and provides the same, if not more, of the previous functionality. We're planning to add a auto cook option to the app in the final release of the game so don't fret! The cooking system shall not be combursome!
Selfies!
The camera app on your phone has recieved a huge update and can now take selfies! In fact this is now the default mode of the camera when you open the app. You can still switch to the back camera via the right mouse button.
This system will allow you to take selfies with your favourite characters, animals and scenraries and like before, set them as your phone's wallpaper! We encourage you to take as many selfies as you can and share them in our Discord server! Keep in mind that all of the camera photos are save under: Documents > RainyGames > SunnySide.
Bug fixes and improvements
Water gauge no longer sticks on screen when the crop is fully watered
Recipes are now discovered correctly
Skill tree no longer stays on screen after interaction is finished
Grass colour during summer is improved
Pressing esc while moving a placed item no longer keep it highlighted
Grill now cooks items such as "Whole fish"
Adjusted the head rotation tolerance on NPCs
We hope you enjoy these new additions to the game! As always, if you encounter any bugs or issues, please submit them through our bug reporting website, accessible through the pause menu. And for everything else SunnySide, join our Discord sever below:
Welcome to SunnySide - New Gameplay Trailer
Hey everyone,
It's been hard to sit on this trailer, if you happened to walk past the Merge Games offices you would no doubt have heard the entire marketing team loudly vocalising to the incredibly catchy newly recorded music for this brand new trailer debuted at The MIX during GDC 2022!
We're so excited to bring you more and more of the amazing work that is going into SunnySide and see what you all get up when you're set loose in the Japanese countryside with nothing but a dream and a pocketful of seeds!
Without further ado, here's a fresh look at SunnySide in our new trailer!
The last update (0.9.4) had some issues that needed immidiate attention. This small patch fixes those. This update doesn't require you to discard your saves, so feel free to continue your game save!
Changelog:
- Fixed an issue where sometimes climbing wouldn't work - Fixed the sand collection not triggering - Buildmode hover no longer stays when closing the drone - Buildmode cancelling changed to Space instead of right-clicking - Can now build close to the player - Music now shifts to night version correctly
As always, if you have any issues, please join our Discord server below:
BackerKit Alpha 0.9.4
Hey everyone!
This is the first of many regular updates to the BackerKit alpha. This update adds a new limb to the skill tree: Resource Gathering alongside many fixes, performance boosts and additions!
Resource Gathering Skill Limb
This new limb of the skill tree brings along many new skills to make the resource gathering side of things as easy as possible. This limb features 4 different branches:
Fisherman
Lumberjack
Miner
Forager
All of these skills can be unlocked by level 25 and they're adjusted and designed specifically for the alpha, and will be either changed or adjusted for the final version of the game.
Sky and weather update
We completely update our sky and weather system. The world now reacts to weather changes, wind intensity and fog a lot more realistically. There are also a few more effects added to the screen during rain to drive that immersion further!
Buildmode cache now has a scrollbar
Laptop removed from TechHero: Since we changed the way our building system works, the laptop caused a lot of confusion to new players. We decided to remove it for now.
Fixed an issue where realoding a save would load the incorrect day of week
Lowered texture size for far away trees for better performance
Fix the graphics settings where some foliage would disappear on lower graphics settings
Fixed the music are around the shrine
Shrine music is update with new rainy and rainy night versions
We hope you enjoy these new additions to the game! As always, if you encounter any bugs or issues, please submit them through our bug reporting website, accessible through the pause menu. And for everything else SunnySide, join our Discord sever below:
BackerKit Alpha Patch 0.9.2
Hey everyone! First of all, we’d like to thank you all for playing the game and sharing your feedback and thoughts on the game. The server has been incredibly busy since the launch and while it’s amazing to see all the hype for the game, it’s also a lot of work to make sure all of you can enjoy the game as much as possible!
With that in mind, we put this patch together with performance and major bug fixes in mind, mainly a major overhaul to the Buildmode. This update brings a lot of changes onto the game so starting over is recommended. You might be able to continue your save but it's not officially supported.
Build System Overhaul
During the first week of alpha, we noticed a lot of difficulties with how the build system is structured. While what was in the initial version of the game wasn’t definitive (and still isn’t) we’ve overhauled the whole system to make it much easier for you all to build things around your farm.
This overhaul allows you to deposit items inside blueprints via the drone as well as manually. This means building blueprints that are placed high up or are overlapping with other blueprints is much easier now. You also have an option to automatically fill the blueprint with all the items you currently have when you place the blueprint down.
The newly added “Build Station”, located inside of the shed on the farm, allows you to access the crafting menu as well as the “Build Cache”. Build cache is essentially an endless inventory. Items placed inside the cache can then be pulled automatically into blueprints while placing them down or by depositing them using the drone.
You can toggle “Auto Fill” and “Deposit From Inventory” on the build menu itself. Keep in mind that if “Deposit From Inventory” isn’t checked, the drone will only attempt to pull items from the build cache.
Removing blueprints is now a lot easier as well, just activate deletion mode by clicking on the bulldozer icon. Following this, any blueprint or placed item will outline in red and will be deleted upon clicking. All of the materials that were used during the building of that blueprint will be automatically deposited into the build cache, allowing you to use them immediately to build something else.
Lastly, we realised it’s impossible to tell what a blueprint needs without actually placing it down. To fix this, you can now see the requirements of a blueprint by simply hovering over them in the blueprint list.
Graphics settings have been updated
We’ve adjusted a lot of setting in the engine and made a lot more options available to you guys. This means a lot of our players with lower-end PCs can now access the game. I will say though, while the game is now runnable on lower than minimum requirements, it is not supported officially by us. If you have problems with trees appearing as blobs, playing around with the settings should render them correctly. If you’re struggling to run the game, the most intensive graphical setting is the shadow quality.
Minimap new POIs
We’ve added Kyle’s fishing shack and the Shinto shrine to the map and minimap so it’s easier to find.
Fixes and Improvements:
Fixed an issue with the sell menu, where spamming the sell button would sell the item multiple times
The phone can no longer be opened while talking to an NPC
The game now saves a lot faster and it is indicated during the loading screen
Map panning speed increased and attached to the zoom level
The map can now be rotated via the right mouse button as well
Can no longer use tools while in air
Buildmode infoboxes now appear correctly
We noticed a lot of players were confused by what build items they had selected using the drone. We’ve added a hover box to the items to give you guys a 3D preview of the building/item as well as the name and description.
Buildmode now places buildings back correctly after the drone is recalled
Hose now has physics and extends with the player
Fixed a bug with Natalie having Katherine’s dialogue
Can no longer mantle or climb while the hose is active
Can no longer hold the hose action down when the hose is retracted
Shaking fruit trees will no longer push them into the ground
Dropped items such as fruits or sticks will always be picked up if your inventory isn’t full
Fixed an issue where shadow settings would get reset on every game launch
Helper widgets now disappear when the phone is open
Drone torch is now placed correctly
Drone camera now zooms
During buildmode, walls and fences do not collide with each other anymore for easier placement
Fixed an issue where opening certain menus would stop any other action
Can no longer pause the game while the tool wheel is open
NPCs awareness improved
Fixed an issue where names of storage boxes would get reset overnight
Removed the random default dialogue voices from the game
As always, if you have any issues, please join our Discord server below: We hope you enjoy this update!
The Backerkit Alpha is Here!
Hey everyone!
Here at RainyGames, we've been super busy creating new content, systems and features to bring a big milestone alongside our Backerkit update. This will be a major update (0.9) for the game and therefore your old saves will not be compatible. ~sorry~
Backerkit Alpha Patch Notes 0.9
4 New NPCs!
While SunnySide Alpha's focus is on brigning a sandbox experience to everyone and not spoil the story, we still add as many new characters as we can to the world. This means while there isn't a social system in place, they still play a major role in the gameplay loop and provide you guys with some of the key items in the game.
The short and small questline present in the game has not been tweaked and it's still more of a proof of concept than anything.
These new NPCs include:
Hanako Ishikawa
Hina Nakamura
Kaida Amaya
Kyle Sylvester
6 Animal Variations!
Each of your favourite farm animamls now have 3 different variations! During the alpha, all of the animals are purchasable through Riverside Ranch albeit at different price points.
Not only do they look different, they each produce a different variation of their products.
3 New Map Locations!
Alongside these new NPCs, we've added 3 new major locations on the map for you guys to visit. These locations include:
Kyle's Mechanic and fishing shop
A major store location including both the mechanic shop and the bait and tackle shop. For now Kyle's mechanic is not in operation, but you can now purchase anything fishing related from him. Subsequently all the fishing equipment has been removed from Sako's shop.
SunnySide's Promenade
A lovely promenade, extending quite a bit into the sea. A lovely place to relax at the end of a busy day!
SunnySide's Shinto Shrine
One of the major locations of SunnySide, containing both the skill tree and the shop for most of the battle items. While battle isn't availble during the alpha, the skill tree is very much implemented.
Speaking of ..
New Mechanic: Skill Tree
The skill tree has always been a major part of the gameplay loop of SunnySide, and almost all of the systems in the game are designed with that in mind, and we're so happy to finally give you all a taste of how it works and affects gameplay!
Progression in SunnySide is tracked and improved everytime you use a skill. SunnySide keeps track of 10 Skill levels and an overall Character Level. The more you farm the more XP you gain in the farming category and so on. Every time a skill is leveled up, you gain XP towards your character level and every time you level up your character you will gain a Skill Point.
These skill points can then be spent on unlocking new abilities on the skill tree! The skill tree (which is an actual tree) can be accessed in the Shinto shrine of SunnySide: just approach the main building, go up the steps, and you can see or unlock new abilities!
Here at the studio, we think these abilites are a huge improvement to the overall experience of the game, and a fully levelled up player will be able to surf through many of the more time consuming aspects of the game!
New Mechanic: Cash Registers (Tills) for Shops
One of the most annoying problems of shops in the game in the past has been locating the NPC in question to start up their shop dialogue. This is a problem no more! We always planned for this system to work independant of where the NPC is and all that's been in the game so far was more of a quick workaround. However, from this update forward you can now access any shop's purchase or sell window through the cash register at the shop.
The cash register will have an icon on top of it indicating if it is open or not and it will summon the NPC from anywhere in the map to you as long as the shop is open. You can still access their personal dialogue by speaking directly to the NPCs themselves.
Not only is this a lot more convenient, it also acts as a safe guard for any NPCs planning their escape through the map's floor.
Complete Inventory Overhaul
The inventory of SunnySide has recieved a major overhaul over the past month. Now instead of 32 fixed slots, you have access to 6 different inventories each containing 24 slots. These inventories are categories based on what type of item is allowed inside them, and some items can be placed inside multiple inventories.
For instance an apple will go into your Harvest Basket but you can also place it inside the Bento Box or the Backpack.
These inventories, per usual, each include a hotbar that can be quickly surfed through outside of the inventory screen. You can switch between different hotbars while running around by using Ctrl + Mouse Wheel.
Tweaks and Improvements
Updated Dialogue Most of the NPCs now have updated dialogue, so go talk to everyone! Alongside the updated content, the dialogue replies now include a small icon next to the dialogue indicating what that dialogue entails.
Multi-item packs You can now purchase or recieve items that are in packages and need to be opened before use. You can do this by right clicking on an item inside the inventory.
Physics Improvements Many items (especially small fruit) tend to penetrate through the map and fall to their demise, the improved physics takes care of this in most cases.
Performance and Frame Rate Improvements We've hugely improved the performance of the game on both CPU and GPU.
New Settings Accissibility is always at the top of our list at RainyGames, with that in mind, we've added our very first addition to the long list of accessibility options to come: Colour-blind settings. You can toggle between Deuteranopia, Protanopia and Tritanopia options and even adjust the strength.
We hope you enjoy these new additions to the game! As always, if you encounter any bugs or issues, please submit them through our bug reporting website, accessible through the pause menu. And for everything else SunnySide, join our Discord sever below:
