Hi Everyone, With this update we’ve come to the full Under a Desert Sun 0.7 alpha. This update contains a few tweaks on the previous additions as well as allot of new stuff. Just to keep things complete I’ll summarize:
Controls - New* I added Highlighting for all interactive objects. This makes it way easier to see if you can pick it up and if your hand is close enough. - New* redesigned the highlighting on the weapons so it is easier to see if you have to reload a weapon by bolting it.
Flight - Able to fly an airplane, stick and rudder - Enemy airplane tries to catch you - New* more aggressive turning for enemy airplane - New* Enemy indicator, you can now always see where the enemy plane is - New* Throttle control for airplane, you can now control airspeed
Weapons - Improved weapon skins, metal and other surfaces look way better - Added shotgun new shotgun animations for reloading - New* Added a scoped version of the Garant, the scope really works, try it out!
Physics - Your hands and objects will have more physics effects. More interactive items will be added
Controls - You can choose if you want to continuously hold the grab button or use a toggle for the offhand when holding larger guns with both hands. Default is toggle.
Tutorial - I’ve added movies to the tutorial table showing how weapons work. I hope this greatly improves understanding the different weapons.
Bugs - Fixed a bug where items could not be dropped when holding an item - Fixed a bug where the hand animation would open even though you’re holding something - Fixed several collision bugs with the hands. - Fixed text being always visible trough objects (In some cases I purposefully left that option on)
Kind regards, Raymond
Under a Desert Sun - Work in progress update
Hi everyone,
A small work in progress update. I'm currently working on the airplane again. Soon I'll release an update where you will be able to throttle the airplane and thus control airspeed. Should make it easier to excape that nasty enemy airplane or to try and fly behind it!
Keep in mind: The flight lvl is a test level that currently contains: - Airplane controls - A test map - A test enemy that tries to catch you Still working on: - Being able to shoot and get shot at - multiple enemies - further animations
Coming up real soon - Controlling airplane speed.
Under a Desert Sun a0.690
Hi everyone, This is an update on a previous bigger update. I've added some additional aspects to the build which can be found below!
Flight I’ve added rudimentary AI. An enemy airplane will now follow you and try to catch you during flight in the test flight level. You will notice that you can always see the enemy airplane. It is tagged with a target Icon which is always visible. These are the first steps at enemy AI and as mentioned before I will focus on: - Enemy and player shooting capabilities - Multiple enemies - More animations for enemy airplanes, flaps etc do not move right now but the prop does rotate.
Weapons Weapon skins seemed a bit bland to me so I’ve improved them. Metal parts are way more reflective, you will notice that they reflect other lights better. Wood also looks more realistic. Grab a gun and have a look up close.
I've also updated the Shotgun. It now animates when adding shells. This just makes it feel more real.
Controls You can now choose if you want to continuously hold the grab button or use a toggle for the offhand when holding larger guns with both hands. Default is toggle. This feature was much requested. The menu has an option to change to grab if you prefer the old method.
In flightmode you are now able to release the flightstick. It will remain in the last set position.
Physics Your hands and objects will have more physics effects. Right now you will only see this in the start screen but I intend to add more physics objects in all areas
Lastly, Because I added menu options the menu will reset. If you have preferences that you’ve set before you might have to set them again in order for them to be resaved.
Kind regards, Raymond
Under a Desert Sun - Work in progress update
Hi everyone,
Just a short update, Wanted to show that while working on the other stuff I am also trying to make the shotgun animate a bit better. For example you now see the ammo lid open when adding ammo and the chamber is either empty or already filled according to how many shells you've already loaded. Also adding more physics behaviour for when things get shot.
Under a Desert Sun a0.685
Hi everyone, In this update I’ve worked on several things at the same time:
Flight I’ve added rudimentary AI. An enemy airplane will now follow you and try to catch you during flight in the test flight level. You will notice that you can always see the enemy airplane. It is tagged with a target Icon which is always visible. These are the first steps at enemy AI and as mentioned before I will focus on: - Enemy and player shooting capabilities - Multiple enemies - More animations for enemy airplanes, flaps etc do not move right now but the prop does rotate.
Weapons Weapon skins seemed a bit bland to me so I’ve improved them. Metal parts are way more reflective, you will notice that they reflect other lights better. Wood also looks more realistic. Grab a gun and have a look up close.
Controls You can now choose if you want to continuously hold the grab button or use a toggle for the offhand when holding larger guns with both hands. Default is toggle. This feature was much requested. The menu has an option to change to grab if you prefer the old method.
In flightmode you are now able to release the flightstick. It will remain in the last set position.
Lastly, Because I added menu options the menu will reset. If you have preferences that you’ve set before you might have to set them again in order for them to be resaved.
Kind regards, Raymond
Under a Desert Sun Friendly reminder.
Hi everyone,
Just to remind everyone once in a while. I have a trello board so all early access users and anyone interested can see what is in the pipeline, what I am working on right now and what has already been finished or in testing phase.
As you can see I am working on air enemies for the flight levels. As you know the current test level for flight only allows you to fly around a bit. The next step is to make it more exiting by adding air enemies.
Currently I am at the stage where I have enemies that are able to fly around and follow you. Next up will be that they'll be able to shoot at you when in range.
I will be releasing this behaviour in stages. I thought it would be nice for all the early access users to just experience how the AI behaviour evolves so I've decided to make sure that the follow behaviour is somewhat accurate and will be releasing it on the test level. That way you can all experience how it works so far.
Stages: - AI can follow the player (Will release soon). - AI will try and shoot the player and player is able to gun down enemies. - Multiple enemy ai's and improvement on animations of enemies (Flaps and such do not animate when flying.
I'll make a proper update notice once I release this.
Kind regards, Raymond
Under a Desert Sun a0.685
Hi there,
I've had the question a few times now if I can add a form of snap turn for players. This means that you are able to turn the entire view by 45 degrees either left or right. It is handy for people playing in a smaller space or people with headsets that don't handle turning well.
I've turned snapturn off by default since it is not something everyone will want to use. In order to use snapturn please make sure you activate it in the new options menu. This can be access as usual by clicking the menu button on the left controller.
Once turned on you'll be able to snapturn using the offhand controller if you use touchcontrol. For example, if you use touchcontrol and your left controller controls movement, the right controller will control snapturning by clicking the touchpad/stick in the direction you want to turn.
Hope it helps!
Kind regards, Ray
Improved aim and animations
I've started work on something that has been bothering me for a long time. The human enemies in the 3rd wave level. For those who are new. The wave levels are my way of testing enemies and other mechanics.
As many of you know the human enemies had very shotty aim and animations. Both of which I have vastly improved with the update that I will upload in a minute.
As you can see in this test setup, the enemies now aim towards you correctly (Obviously the lazers are..test lazers..I turned them off in the game ;) but you get the point)
Furthermore I've vastly improved the muzzle behaviour. There's now true gunfire coming from the muzzle.
I hope everyone tries it out and tells me if it is as much of an improvement as I think it is!
Kind regards, Ray
Under a Desert Sun 0.68
Hi everyone,
In this update I’ve added the first version of the flight model. Step towards the glowing light close to the airplane if you want to try it out. Some notes:
This is the base flight model. You’ll be able to fly around a bit and get used to the limited flight controls You’ll be able to see how a flight map might look, keep in mind this is just a test map You’ll notice some bugs ;) For example, if you try really hard you’ll be able to fly backwards..again. This is a test for the first steps in flight. The goal is to make a flying model that is fun during certain levels. I’m not going for absolute realism here. Obviously I will be working on the model to make sure that weird stuff won’t happen.
To control the airplane right now all you have to do is use your right controller. The flightstick will always move with this controller. Also notice that trigger button can be used to shoot.
To realign the cockpit use the button indicated on your controller (You’ll see it once you’re there) To exit the level, please look up.
Lastly the best way to play the level is seated. IF you sit down during play make sure to realign the cockpit.
Further improvements - Unity update - Fixed small misbehaviours on several guns - Cleanup in several levels - Readded monster sounds
