- Optimized the ReplicationGraph to support large maps and multi-world actor
- Made 2 new maps, Old Train Maintenance Building and Old Storage Room (both use different world layers)
Villages
UpdateLog: Improved the ReplicationGraph (Internal Testing Only)
Devblog#36 The Reboot Version is now on the DefaultBranch
I cleaned up the Server and accidentally forget how to set the Config File
The Server used for Build8 was created almost 2 years ago. Normally I will just restart the server regularly without touching the config file. This time though, I delete the server and download the clean version of Build8 and it cannot start because I have to set the config file which I forget already.
So I brought the latest version on the ExperimentalBranch to the NormalBranch instead.
The Reboot Version
This version doesn't inherit from Build8 at all. So there are many features that are still missing. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience.
However, there is a new feature introduced, it is "Discord Semi-Proximity VoiceChat". It works like a Proximity VoiceChat but the volume is constant(not change according to the distance). The talking radius is around 5 meters. The system requires you to have Discord opened and logged in before you enter the game. The Push-to-Talk button is LeftAlt.
Some Technical Details
- It is built on Unreal Engine 5 (Build8 used Unreal Engine 4)
- Doesn't use Lumen yet(Lumen makes lighting more beautiful but can be a burden on lower-end machines)
- Doesn't use Nanite for the same reason and this feature will require a DirectX12-supported machine to run so I don't plan to use it anytime soon.
- Framerate is currently capped at 60 FPS until I create an options menu.
- I lower the resolution to 45% of the screen but add the SuperSampling as an Anti-Aliasing method. I expect a decent/good picture and smoother framerate.
- Require a DirectX11-supported machine to run. (Also update Graphic Driver to the latest version)
Next?
I will continue to accumulate new features on the ExperimentalBranch. The next version on the DefaultBranch will be called Build9 despite missing many features and gameplay I promised earlier. I will bring back "The Welcome Box" very soon. ːfuelcanː
This is my work-in-progress board.ːemofdrː
https://open.codecks.io/villages
As always, thanks to my sponsor
ZAP-Hosting
You can visit their website for more services.
UpdateLog XP6-2022 (On the ExperimentalBranch)
- Add a simple authentication using Steam/PlayFab
- Fixed: People don't leave a voice channel when out of talking range
- Fixed: Time of day isn't initialized immediately after the map is loaded
UpdateLog XP5-2022 (On the ExperimentalBranch)
- Added "Discord Bubble Semi-Proximity VoiceChat". (Requires Discord opened and logged in, press LeftAlt to Push-to-Talk)
UpdateLog: XP4-2022 (On the ExperimentalBranch)
- Add a simple Day/Night Cycle (24:1Hours currently)
- Reduce the overall package download size to around 50%
- I'm still investigating the Server-Crashing Bug
Update Log XP2-2022
- Lower overall rendering complexity for accessibility for lower-end machines(including mines)
- Apply a potential fix for the Server-Crashing bug from the previous version
Devblog#35 I'm back, for more.
What happen since the last update?
It's almost 2 years since the latest update(Build8) was released. About a year ago, I was preparing for moving to a new house. The house wasn't even finished built at that time but I have to haul heavy things and wait. And the bad news came, my grandma was getting ill. My mom said that we don't have much time to live with her. I felt sad deep to all my bones, so worried but I still working on the game anyway.
We managed to move to the new house. My back was in severe pain from lifting heavy stuff.
A week later we move my grandma to the same house. We live together for almost a month. Then one morning she breathe very lightly. My uncle took her to the hospital. I waited. He came back and simply said, "Grandma is passed away, she's now transferred to the temple".
That was the most silent moment in my life.
After the funeral, I started gardening like my grandma does all her life. I then adopt a female cat named Lily(so sad she was pregnant and left my house just on the labour day, I miss her so much).ː2017catheartː Then I adopt another male cat named Stryker, which he lost with his mom after the rainstorm.ːtigerinablanketː
Now, I have to accept that my grandma also has her own journey to heaven. Maybe she is watching me doing good things and I still have a chance to show her how Villages™ succeeds in the end.
So my(our) new journey begins here.
Sometimes, Reboot means just throwing everything away and starting in an all-new way.
The week after my grandma passed away, I feel I don't have to rush for anything. Also, I heard about the coming of the Unreal Engine 5 so it's the perfect time to start from the beginning(AKA Rebootingːcleansealː).
I've tried and played with new features from Unreal Engine 5, and read and done deep research on some techniques. I found that I should exercise my new doctrine for developing Villages™. The plan is I will not promise what will come next in the new version. But instead, I will just push each small update to the experimental branch until I feel that the accumulated features are enough to be promoted to MainBranch. Then I will push those updates to the MainBranch and go back to work on an ExprimentalBranch again.
It looks like this diagram except it doesn't inherit anything from Build8 at all.
The new version is already uploaded in the experimental branch. It barely has any features at all but you can test if your machine can run the new engine or not. Tonight, I will continue developing the game on this branch immediately so the XP-Server may not available. I will just post a simple Update Log for every version on the Experimental Branch and only post Devblog for the MainBranch to tell you all new interesting updates.
This is my work-in-progress board.ːemofdrː
https://open.codecks.io/villages
As always, thanks to my sponsor
ZAP-Hosting
You can visit their website for more services.
Devblog#34 I have to slowdown the production or even take a 6-months break.
My grandma is getting ill
I wish my grandma to see his grandson's success. But the chance is still small. I cried a lot already.
I can't focus on the game appropriately. All I can do is try to not cry. I'm weaker than I thought. I asked myself how useful am I. I can't even take care of her.
Currently, my mom is taking care of the grandma. I will spend much time as possible to make myself useful.
How about Villages™
This is the only job I have. Don't worry, whenever my heart is ready I will do the job even at a snail pace. I will not leave you, my friends.
The releasing timeline might be offset by at least 6 months. Though the number can be changed depending on the situation. If possible, I want Villages™ to be released this year. But the next update(Build9) will finish later than planned. I will update the workboard regularly.
You can visit it at https://open.codecks.io/villages
As always, thanks to my sponsor
ZAP-Hosting
You can visit their website for more services.
God bless my Oma and see you in the Build9, my friendsːemofdrː
Devblog# 33: What I did last Winter
I prepared the whole system to support Mods
It's better to design the system to be mod-able from the start than have to hack here and there after the game is released. I've created a framework for modding language translations. You can simply copy and replace the text of your own language, or even the English one (to replace confusing item codenames with the legit ones). The other mods like vehicles will be available later this year.
[previewyoutube="tdiEaQD5D9c;full"]
I re-modeled a lot of vehicles and also made a new vehicle system, one last time
This is arguably a waste of time for someone. Why don't just buy it or download it for free somewhere?; someone asked. I'm a vehicles enthusiast. I want to be able to control how vehicles are created. I want to be able to control the quality of them by myself. So the only way is to roll the sleeves up and learn how to model them.
The result is somehow acceptable. I know I can get better next time.
This car is the most polished in the fleet but it will be improved later too.
https://sketchfab.com/models/f489729ee3bf4ce2ba1a39360d09091b
I just found the easiest way to make a vehicle physics system. It uses just connected physics constraints. So everyone can make their own vehicles as mods. This video is just the first version I made last week. The later version is way better but I didn't record it yet.
[previewyoutube="MqirmhDvaoI;full"]
Then the Winter's gone, my working computer starts to be fried again.
In my country, the temperature is very high. Plus my computer doesn't have proper airflow. My computer can easily shut itself off after working on 3D-Things for a couple of minutes. Even it's my second new computer but it inherits some parts from the old one, like the CPU fan and the Power Supply. This is my worst nightmare.
I wish this computer will live long enough before I receive more budget, one way or another.
The Wait-Time will be shorter if I can show you the project's timeline
I started using a new project tracker website (as an alternative for Trello).
https://open.codecks.io/villages
You can see how is the project going, what left to do. Currently the Build9(next update) will arrive on 31 May 2021 and the game should be ready for release on 13 November 2021(but if I receive more budget I will extend this date further to polish the game more before release)
As always, thanks to my sponsor
ZAP-Hosting
You can visit their website for more services.
See you in the Build9, my friendsːemofdrː
Devblog#32 Build8, Just a Text Chat
Chat happens
In this update, I've added a chat widget to the game. Currently, it has proximity mode and world mode. Unfortunately, voice chat is canceled because the voice quality is very low. I will add it once I have a new method of making a proper voice chat system.
Bug fixes
- Sometimes exporting currency is not working (probably fixed, need further observation)
- Player kicked to the main menu because the game cannot load the map correctly
As always, thanks to my sponsor ZAP-Hosting
You can visit their website for more services.
See you next time.ːemofdrː