February 2023 Development Update

Damage Textures

I implemented a set of damage overlay textures into the triplanar shaders we use for pretty much everything in game. These textures visualize block damage for the players without having to resort to using the repair tool. There are separate textures for concrete, plastic, metal, and flooring.

Restore Missions

When a neutral or friendly location suffers damage, its residents may ask you to repair it. Repair missions involve placing repair blocks in highlighted locations. Once you turn the mission in, the location is restored to its original condition. Doing restore missions helps you gain the trust of the faction you're working for, and from a gameplay perspective, involves the player in the consequences of the background simulation.

Ice Field and Vehicle Missions One major aspect of Rock Hoppers that hasn't been given a whole lot of attention until now is vehicle based combat. Sure you can embark on a shuuti and go kill drones - in fact, I encourage it! - but until now there hasn't been a 'formal' reason to do so. That's why I came up with the ice field biome. The ice fields are riddled with rogue drone outposts and associated missions - dogfight type jobs mostly where you have to either kill a bunch of drones, retrieve some doodad or another, or destroy a drone location. I'll be fleshing this new biome out further in the coming months, but it already represents and interesting mid-level challenge.

Codex and UI Improvements

I've added the codex as a new trop-level tab on the main menu. The codex contains the recipe browser, a log of all the tutorial tips you've received so far, and a copy of the control overview. I've made the tutorial popups universal, so you won't see the same tips again and again every time you start a new game.

Twitch Streams Pete and I have been streaming every Wednesday on our dedicated multiplayer server. This has been a great way to get some multiplayer playtesting in while gaining a bit of visibility. Join us Wednesdays at 9PM pacific to see what we've been up to.

Playtesters If you want to get an early peek at Rock Hoppers, you may be in luck. We're recruiting playtesters again. If you'd like to sign up, join us on Discord and look for the signup form.

And that was February. We injected some fresh fun, fixed a lot of bugs (I mean a lot!), and added a bit of spit & shine. I'm working on a major new test build that addresses many of the niggling quality of life issues our playtesters have identified over the last few months, and after that it's gonna be time to get started on a full NPC overhaul. If you want to see how that turns out, you'll just have to drop by next month. Until then!