Just wanted to let you all know that I'm still hard at work on re-balancing the game due to changes I made to the genetics and brains. I also took a break over the new year for a major family reunion!
Re-balancing was much harder than I thought. The ecosystem of Vilmonic is now so complex that I need to be very careful with changes I make. >:-\
In this screenshot you can see that desert fungs are currently growing tall and skinny, I don't know if this will always be the case, have to run more tests...
(Factoid: The height of the trunk affects how many spores are dropped, and the smoothness/size of the cap affects how much moisture is evaporated.)
Another Beta Update
Posted a quick update of bug fixes and some ecosystem re-balancing in the beta. Gearing up for a non-beta update soon! And then FULL LAUNCH!
If you play this beta version, let me know how you like the new balancing. It should be a bit harder to keep your anims from going extinct, especially in small and medium worlds. And you will have to pay more attention to your anims.
Oh, and anims are now much more susceptible to overhydration.
And in case you missed it, here is the beta access code:
GiveMeBeta029
To use this code, restart your Steam client (just in case) and go to your Steam library and right-click on Vilmonic in the list of games, then select "Properties" from the popup menu. In the window that opens, click on the "BETAS" tab and paste the beta access code in the text area provided then click on the "CHECK CODE" button. Once the beta is unlocked, you can switch back and forth between beta and latest release using the drop-down menu at the top of the tab.
- Markus
Beta Update
Just posted a new update to the beta that includes new anim morphology changes and balancing.
Quick Update: I'm currently working on getting syringes to work and adding the option to choose different starting biomes.
Another Open Beta: Help test the next version!
This is open to everyone who owns Vilmonic.
This next version includes a pretty big change to animatroids, so please start with a new world! Also, this can be much harder than before, anims early in the game need a lot of help. Oh, and anims now lay eggs.
Feel free to post any bugs you find here in the comments, or post a report here: http://bludgeonsoft.org/report-a-bug/
Here is the beta access code:
GiveMeBeta029
To use this code, restart your Steam client (just in case) and go to your Steam library and right-click on Vilmonic in the list of games, then select "Properties" from the popup menu. In the window that opens, click on the "BETAS" tab and paste the beta access code in the text area provided then click on the "CHECK CODE" button. Once the beta is unlocked, you can switch back and forth between beta and latest release using the drop-down menu at the top of the tab.
- Markus
Status: Balancing the game with new brains
New anim brains are working well, but there are still balance issues. But maybe those issues are OK...?
As it is right now, it is much harder to get your anims to survive, and they devastate fung populations. It's also really hard to get carnivores to survive for long, they tend to eat their young/parents.
I'm thinking of opening up an alpha version soon for anyone who wants to try it out.
Stay tuned!
- Markus
Status: Deeeep into rewriting anim brains
Just wanted to let you all know what I'm working on.
I'm rewriting anim brains to be much more evolvable. This is a necessary first step toward adding "god mode" (and the full launch out of early access!), which I will begin soon after.
These are big changes that affect the genetics of anims, which in turn affect the whole ecosystem, including fungs.
I am also toying with adding similar brains to zombs, as well as allowing you to manipulate the brains. We'll see! Right now things are... crazy.
- Markus
Version 0.28 is here!
Loads more junk and debris and some new craftable items and beverages!
Become super strong and push walls around!
Make yourself mega popular!
Blow some soap bubbles to amaze your friends - and enemies!
And more...
Next up: Better weirder anim brains, and God Mode!
Open Beta: Help test the next version!
Ok, the next update is almost ready! Please help test it.
This is open to everyone who owns Vilmonic.
Here is the beta access code:
JoinTheBetaTest
To use this code, restart your Steam client (just in case) and go to your Steam library and right-click on Vilmonic in the list of games, then select "Properties" from the popup menu. In the window that opens, click on the "BETAS" tab and paste the beta access code in the text area provided then click on the "CHECK CODE" button. Once the beta is unlocked, you can switch back and forth between beta and latest release using the drop-down menu at the top of the tab.
To play it safe, please start with a new world.
Things to look for:
* Frame rate issues
* Graphics issues, especially when drinking beverages
Feel free to post any bugs you find here in the comments.
- Markus
Status of the next update: some issues
Just a quick status update to let you all know that I'm still hammering away at the next update.
One of the new beverages required a bunch of new control changes that were... difficult.
And I'm trying out a new beverage FX scheme that could increase frame rate (and make it possible for day/night modes in the future) but it has some issues with older graphics cards! Ugh!!
I still say the next update will be SOON!
- Markus
Status: version 0.28 coming soon!
Loads more junk and debris and some new craftable items. Blow some soap bubbles!
