Alpha 2 development update

It has been quite some time since I’ve posted anything in this blog, so I thought it would be nice to give an update to everyone who don’t follow my twitter. Also adding some news for those who do.

Here’s an incomplete list of features, that you can definitely expect from Alpha 2:
• Improved UI
• More sounds and an original soundtrack
• Vehicles wearing out and repair
• Better models for trees and plants
• Optional key bindings. Also new hotkeys added
• More realistic food consumption, variety demand
• Graveyards (unfortunately your citizens will no longer be immortal)
• Pigsty
• Boats and ploughs relocation + 2 more ploughs per a farm
• More animations
• More realistic navigation
• Game performance optimization
• Construction workers will also deliver resources to construction site
• Free-form fields
• Icons over buildings showing problems

All that features are either ready or now in works. I’ll post a full list when an update comes out.

One of the new features in Alpha 2 is realistic demand for food variety. Speaking of which, here's how you provide resources for actual Ukrainian cuisine: pic.twitter.com/hLK0aUuIAs

— OstrivGame (@OstrivGame) 3 жовтня 2018 р.

You might be curious what is taking so long? Don’t forget to keep in mind that the project you have supported is very ambitious and had been like this from the beginning. There’s no way one can design a game like this in theory and just implement it. Every new feature needs to be tested, changed, tested again and so on. Some features just don’t work out and should be replaced completely. Let’s see an example: I received a lot of positive feedback on the way I implemented paths in game. While not exactly a new invention, it’s still a unique feature because of the unprecedented level of detail. But was it a simple solution? Not really. I’ve been trying various techniques starting from February, 2016 and only came up with the current solution in September. And even now I can still see a room for improvement. So it takes a lot of time and energy to make something really stand out. That’s the main reason why we don’t have masterpiece games being released every day. Also that’s the reason why I can’t give you an ETA for this next update.

Reworked the way building footprints work. Now supporting concave shapes and reserved entry areas which are allowed to intersect.
So much more places to put benches on! pic.twitter.com/d4xzjUy72G

— OstrivGame (@OstrivGame) 25 жовтня 2018 р.

You might ask why not release what’s ready so far, and here’s why: all the additions that I do now tend to break old saves compatibility. And it’s much better to batch all these changes in one patch, so players shouldn’t meet the frustration of losing all their progress with each update. Also I still have a huge amount of tasks from the feedback on Alpha 1 and I’d better have all old problems solved by the time I’ll get a new wave of suggestions and bug reports when Alpha 2 comes out. I’m interested in releasing alpha 2 as soon as possible more than anyone. So.. just thanks in advance for your patience.

To keep in touch with my latest development news, follow my twitter page: https://twitter.com/OstrivGame

Just reminding that you can support the development by purchasing current latest public version 0.1.8 with this widget. Everyone who owns alpha 1 will get alpha 2 and all future updates with no extra charge.

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You can then download new versions with the same link.

LComeno

Great to hear from you! I know when you feel it’s ready, you will give Alpha 2 to all of us. I will keep patiently waiting, until you deem it’s ready for it’s release. 🙂 Am keeping you in my prayers as you put all your hard work into this game for everyone!
kelvin vargas

The new features are sounding more and more to what life actually is. I have no dough this will be the best city building game of all times one day.
Bouziane Yassine

just cant say more than just waw!!! keep up the awsome work 🙂
Scott M Vanderbly

Please make it so you can put down a row of buildings as straight as possible and not on an angle or uneven from each other. Other wise love the game and play every day and have a 600+ citizen town and growing
- Diego
  
  that’s painfully unrealistic
  - kelvin vargas
    
    Agree.
Simplex008

how can I update the game? I still have alpha 1 patch 7.
Kreth Issalgar

too bad i cant play your game.. humble wont complete payment transactions… when i enter my card directly it comes up saying account has been suspended and ive just made the account prior to buying this game… than i tryed doing it threw pay pal.. they come back with “its pending”…. any and all contact with them has been nothing. its been over two weeks
Tim Glass

This is a great concept and fun game. I’m curious about some of your design choices. Given the time period, would a smith live in the smithy, or the forester live in his building? Also, the boatdock infomation mentions that boats might be used for trade, but they don’t seem to do that currently. I assume that’s left for future implementation?

Again, the work you’re doing – especially that you’re doing it alone – is really awesome. I love the graphics, the game play, the variety – all of it. Really looking forward to where you’ll take this.
Konrad “MiniGamer” Danielewicz

I can’t play cause it doesn’t work, the game doen’t turn on
- twisted theory’s
  
  Your doing something wrong in that case as the game works fine.
  re-install it and re-try
twisted theory’s

Is there any ETA on patch 2?
eric saucier

great looking game seems fun, cant wait to grad a copy to try this game
Abu Alreda

the game needs aloooot of work !!
sometimes i have like 3 unemployees and tons of available jobs !! and you cant build or dp everything needed in one year (in game time) before the winter comes !! you have two choices :
1- you build a farm and smithery and some important productive buildings and you wont have time to build houses – which make people leave your town faster !
2- or you build enough houses and when the winter comes you will be out of food and productive buildings !! so there willl be a lack of food or firewood which will make people leave your town !!