0.16.4 Build Notes

Hey there!

Made some good progress this week, but nothing large enough to warrant a new Enviro Build, so here's the progress notes so far, as well as my goals for next week:

Changelog - (0.16.1-0.16.4)

• Printing Function: This is what took a bulk of my dev time this week, but I've finally got the framework for the printing function implemented! So as it currently functions, you will have the option at any given time to print whatever content you are currently looking at on your in-game computer from either the web browser FireBrand, or the notes program AshNotes. When you print, you will begin hearing an audio cue of the printer as it prints your selection. If you leave the computer while this is happening and look directly behind you, you will see a full animation of whatever you've printed coming out of the printer in-sync with the audio cue. You can then interact with the printer to pick up the freshly printed page. This will slot it directly in your field of vision and remove it from the printer tray, allowing you to move it in the world-space. You will only be able to print one page at a time, and the computer will read you an error if something is currently in the printer tray when you try to print a new page. Really happy with how smooth this works, and as with most of the hard-coding this was completely of my own design from the ground up. Thank you, thank you ;)
• New Tips: I've added more tool-tips that pop up to instruct you how to use various core set-pieces in the environment. May tweak the wording, but generally happy with their placement and efficiency. In 1.0 I want this tip system to function as a toggle that can be turned on or off in the Main Menu, and only available in the first case file, as a sort of tutorial to help you familiarize with the game functions.
• Minor Tweaks: 
  • The camera for the computer has been drawn back with a slightly smaller FOV to enable slightly more precise functionality of the on-screen canvas (buttons, general feel, etc.) as well as to be able to view the animated coffee cup. Trust me, that's important ;)
  • Some set-pieces have had very minor adjustments.
  • World map is now correctly oriented.
  • General re-bake of lightmaps, ironing out some visual glitches that could hurt immersion in a small, but important way.

Next Weeks Goals:

1. By the end of this week, I want the Corkboard (the main meta-play component) to be fully functional, allowing the user to post printed pages and link them together, as described in the game description. This includes a full motion camera (controlled by the player) and a wide canvas to work with, allowing a vast array of clues the player has discovered and finds useful.
2. I want a skeleton-form of the World Map to allow a frame of reference to complete it's intended functions implemented.
3. Finally, I also want a skeleton of the Case Files interaction system. My current vision is something like a 5-10 page booklet with full turn-page style interaction, and a good canvas space to place relevant information and the end-game gameplay nodes.

That's all for this week, so so close! Just need 5 more core systems in-tact, and I can begin populating the game with actual relevant content. Really happy with how this project is turning out, and super excited to hear your feedback! Don't forget, last weeks Environment Demo is totally free and available for download below! Poke around and let me know what you think so far! :) Thank you all again for your support, see you next week!

Jusqu'à notre prochaine réunion!

- Tyrell