A little mixed bag featuring some last minute fixes for the patch, namely some new expressions/portrait edits, some background details for the barn, a hat for the Guard's mother and some new drops:
Now that we've decided on the next bunch of things to add to the game, here's the first of them; the talking anvil used by Smith in Evergrind City!
So, we're drawing ever closer to releasing these bunch of quests, and so last week we had a meeting where we discussed where to head now. There are still some things we'd like to add to story mode to make it feel a bit more fleshed out before we start working on the final dungeon, in fact there's a massive list of things that we tend to go through every once in a while and decide on what to keep and what to skip. Ideally we would have loved to do everything, but as we've been developing this game for a really long time now and there are some things that really don't need as much improvement as we initially thought, we've ended up skipping more things recently. Hopefully we'll soon be done with the list and will be able to actually finish up the game!
Anyway, during the meeting last week we decided we're going to add a respawn area for Bloomos to make them a bit easier to farm. This will be either in Evergrind South or in Evergrind West (not yet decided). This is a minor thing which will just make it a bit easier to get those items.
Next, we're going to add more books to various book cases around the world. Previously we wanted to include rare books that one could read only once you handed it in to the librarian, but we've decided against this and will now focus on putting more books in book cases around the world instead, to make the world feel a bit more alive and give it more depth, something we feel is better done if you can read the books at any time as you find them rather than having to hand them in first.
Next, the arena. We will add a bunch of mini games in there that you can challenge your friends in. We've discussed PvP, and unfortunately we've decided against adding it, as it would take a lot of time to get right, and even longer to make it balanced. We think there's a bigger risk people end up disliking it if it's there rather than feel it's missing from the game if it's not.
We'll also add the tutorial shield training to Master Ji's Dojo in Story Mode, however the challenges will remain Arcade Mode only, to give you a bit more value for unlocking it in Arcadia.
We'll also add a quest in which you'll clean up Evergrind City from all the trash that was left around the place after the festival. Once you trigger the quest, each trash item lying around will turn into a regular item that will automatically be added to your loot like enemy drops, so you're able to run around and collect them all.
We'll also add seed drops to each of the plant enemies, and special housing jars in the Tree shop in Seasonne in which you can plant them, so you can have your own collection of home grown enemy plants!
Anyway, during the meeting last week we decided we're going to add a respawn area for Bloomos to make them a bit easier to farm. This will be either in Evergrind South or in Evergrind West (not yet decided). This is a minor thing which will just make it a bit easier to get those items.
Next, we're going to add more books to various book cases around the world. Previously we wanted to include rare books that one could read only once you handed it in to the librarian, but we've decided against this and will now focus on putting more books in book cases around the world instead, to make the world feel a bit more alive and give it more depth, something we feel is better done if you can read the books at any time as you find them rather than having to hand them in first.
Next, the arena. We will add a bunch of mini games in there that you can challenge your friends in. We've discussed PvP, and unfortunately we've decided against adding it, as it would take a lot of time to get right, and even longer to make it balanced. We think there's a bigger risk people end up disliking it if it's there rather than feel it's missing from the game if it's not.
We'll also add the tutorial shield training to Master Ji's Dojo in Story Mode, however the challenges will remain Arcade Mode only, to give you a bit more value for unlocking it in Arcadia.
We'll also add a quest in which you'll clean up Evergrind City from all the trash that was left around the place after the festival. Once you trigger the quest, each trash item lying around will turn into a regular item that will automatically be added to your loot like enemy drops, so you're able to run around and collect them all.
We'll also add seed drops to each of the plant enemies, and special housing jars in the Tree shop in Seasonne in which you can plant them, so you can have your own collection of home grown enemy plants!
Finally for this week's update, we decided to add a talking anvil, since we feel we need one more sentient artefact around town. As you may have guessed, it'll be the anvil Smith uses to make his sword, so prepare to say hello to this new friend soon :)
Today we had a meeting discussing what we'll do once this update is done, but we'll dive into that next week once everything has been properly finished up for the update. Instead, let's take a look at one of the final bits we'll add before this update is ready to go live!
This is a sprite haunting a tree in the short additional Pumpkin Woods map we'll be adding. It's kind of getting sick of its surroundings and would like your help to find a new home. Because we haven't decided on its colours yet I made three different versions of its portrait:
Now that everything on my part is done for the upcoming patch, I'm celebrating by making a portrait of another random Collector that you will find out and about in the fields:
Tomorrow we're gonna have a meeting ironing out where I'm heading from here workwise, so stay tuned for that!
Next up, the boss portrait for another of the bosses you'll be dealing with! This is one giant shrub, so what better name for it than Shruboss? :D
And now a bunch of mixed stuff, including some sprites for a bunch of drops and bonus items you'll get to see and use in these new quests:
As well as some smaller additions and improvements to Marino's Mansion:
And now, the red slime card! Since a side effect of one of the quests is that red slimes will spawn across the evergrind fields, it's only fair they get a card of their own, wouldn't you say?
Finally, Fred's been finishing up the animations for the two boss battles you'll be dealing with! You've seen a bit of the troll before, but here's also a new face, that of a strange giant plant creature:
Now for something completely different, the portrait of a toaster! This was one of our backer items, which we decided to make into a talking toaster. Soon in a treasure chest near you ;)
As we may have mentioned before, the tree guy in the tree stump in Seasonne will sell you furniture items for you house, and to be specific, he'll be selling... Yeah, you guessed it. Trees! So, here's a bunch of the trees from around the game, converted into housing items:
Next up, the final room of the mansion, and the room you've all been waiting for... Marino's own! Here it is:
Another week starting with a portrait! This time it's the mother of a whole lot of guards, chilling in her cottage north of Pumpkin Woods:
Now, time to take a look at a portrait of sorts; a boss portrait made for the fight you'll have against Remedi in his troll form!
Obviously the people living in Marino's Mansion need somewhere to sleep, so here's one of the two bedrooms I'll be making:
Another house some people have been asking about is the one you pass by on the field just right of Evergrind City, which you haven't been able to reach just yet. Soon though, you'll be able to get there through a path in the Pumpkin Woods, so let's take a look at what's inside:
And now, back to the mansion! Here's a room filled with plants, cause who wouldn't want that? Also, it might just be needed for one of the quests we're working on...
It's a new week, with new possibilities! So let's go back to that bonus cave system in Pillar Mountains, and take the second door, leading down through the mountain:
Meanwhile in Fred's department, it's all about James Fawke, his fan and of course, the troll fight! Here's some more sneak peeks:
For now though, let's change the subject to something completely different. Trees! A specific tree, actually. The NPC from Seasonne who you'll meet in the giant tree stump:
Finally, we go outdoors, reaching an old abandoned Grindea statue! How curious....
