DEVBLOG#3 - SHAPING THE WORLD

1. To share the reins

Today, we’re stepping away from pure mechanics to take a deep dive into the true heart of our game: the Wagon. More than just a means of transport, the Wagon is the lifeblood of your journey through the untamed wilderness of Westlanders. It carries your supplies and becomes a mobile base in a world where every decision could mean the difference between life and death. But the Wagon isn’t just a static element—it’s a living, evolving part of the experience, shaped by the very community that rides it.

In today’s devblog, we’re focusing on how the game evolves and adapts based on player feedback. The Wagon, like the rest of Westlanders, has undergone significant changes since its early days, and much of that transformation is thanks to you—the players who push its limits, uncover its secrets, and challenge us to make it better. Whether it’s through Discord or Steam discussions, your voices have helped steer the development of this iconic feature. So, let’s explore how the Wagon has grown, the lessons we’ve learned along the way, and what the future holds for this indispensable companion.

2. From Vision to Concept

Since the game’s announcement and the release of the trailer, we received a message from Lina, who kindly shared her expertise with us regarding the double harnessing of horses to a wagon. Lina highlighted that the harness setup for paired horses and the reins’ positioning weren’t realistic. She sent us a detailed diagram (see below).

The positioning of the reins in the pre‑alpha version we showcased was actually quite far from real-life practice.

Her feedback was incredibly valuable and helped us better understand several technical details we hadn’t fully considered at that stage of development.

3. The Technical Journey: Greyboxing to Final Pass

Once we conducted our internal investigations at the studio, we gathered reference materials — videos and diagrams — to better understand how the system works and to recreate it as accurately as possible in the game. When recreating mechanics such as this in a realistic setting in videogames, it is important to strike a balance between fidelity and what feels good to play with.

After implementing the physics, it was time for in‑engine testing to ensure everything behaved exactly as intended.

4. The Road Ahead

The Wagon is more than just a vehicle—it’s a symbol of resilience, adaptability, and the spirit of exploration. It’s a reminder that in Westlanders, survival isn’t just about the destination; it’s about the journey itself. And as the game continues to evolve, so too will the Wagon, shaped by the stories you tell and the feedback you share.

Q1: How much of this environment is interactive?

• AddedAnswer"Our goal is 'if it looks like it should move, it does.' Most foliage reacts to the player's movement, and we’ve added destructible elements to make the world feel reactive rather than static."

Q2: Will the environment change based on the time of day?

• Answer:"Yes! We’ve implemented a dynamic lighting system. Exploring this forest at noon feels like an adventure, but at night, it becomes an different experience. You’ll need to pack a light source!"

Q3: Is this area a standalone level or part of a seamless open world?

• AddedAnswer"We are focusing on a [Seamless / Level-based] approach. For this specific zone, we’ve worked hard to ensure the transitions feel natural so you never lose that sense of immersion." We are using Unreal Engine’s World Partition system, that allows our team to create a huge map that is prepared to be expanded across content updates, unlocking new areas, new biomes and more adventures to come. Join us on Discord to discuss!