Update 2 Open Beta
Hi everyone, Update 2/the Open Seas update is close to complete, and like with Update 1, this is a pretty big set of changes and I'd like to make a beta available for a couple weeks before the update goes out.
[h2]** Joining the beta **[/h2]
If you have the game on Steam and would like to opt-in to the beta, you can do so by right-clicking the game in your Library, selecting Properties > Betas, and choosing `public_preview` from the dropdown. You'll see `1.4.0` at the bottom right of the options screen if you're on the beta.
[h2]** Before you play **[/h2]
It is very important to note that if you do this your save file will become incompatible with the old version! The game will automatically create a backup of your original save on load, which can be found on Windows at `%appdata%\..\LocalLow\Festive Vector\Sail Forth\boat-game-old.save`
If you want to return to playing the old version before the update is released, replace `boat-game.save` with `boat-game-{previous version}.save` Otherwise you can continue playing your save in the public preview branch until the update is fully released. The previous version should be `1.3.4` if you were playing on an up to date build of the game.
[h2]** Bug reporting **[/h2]
If you find a bug you can now report it directly from the game, using the 'Feedback' option found in the pause menu. This is helpful for me as it includes a copy of your save file, the log, and a screenshot which makes it much easier for me to find and fix the bug.
[h2]** Other Notes **[/h2]
This is a big update that pretty dramatically changes the campaign map. If you play with an existing save your progress will be retained but expect locations to move around significantly!
As a fair warning, with how large of a change this is there will almost certainly be bugs I haven't found yet!
[h2]Update 2: Open Seas Beta Changelog[/h2]
Open World Exploration
- Loading screens between areas are removed
- Can sail seamlessly between locations
- Added ‘Deepblue’ ocean biome between areas with its own soundtrack
- Island generation has been reworked a bit to give locations a bit more personality
World Map Rework
- World Map generation has been redesigned with an open world in mind
- Can now freely explore the biomes in any order after Sandy Shores
- Difficulty is now scaled based on your overall progression in the game, rather than by which location you are in
- Depending on where you explore, you may still encounter some high-challenge enemies
- Player exact position is now saved instead of just current location
Feature Updates
- New Boat: Kestrel, a mid sized schooner balancing armament and maneuverability
- Clams: New digging/surfacing behavior to make finding them more interesting
- Clams: New types of pearls are dropped by clams
- Clams: Moontide Shop uses Moon Pearls instead of normal pearls
- Ship Shape Shop: Shops now have intermittent sales depending on the calendar day, look for flashing lights!
- Ship Shape Shop: Can now sell boats that are stored in your dock without undocking them first
UI updates
- Reworked Area Map to better show nearby locations
- New design for wind indicator in the steering/compass display
- World Map shows real player position instead of anchoring to nearest location
- Label ‘key’ items in inventory
Misc Updates
- Crates and other small targets now always take 1 shot
- Perf improvements when many boats are visible
- Time passes during eclipse so you aren’t stuck on the same day forever
- Improved sinking physics for destroyed boats
Bug Fixes
- Photo hunt encounter now properly progresses through the various ‘giant’ photo subjects, fixing cases where players were unable to complete their photo collection
- Boat AI now uses oars properly when necessary
- Fix case where player escorts might stop following player for no reason
- Fix many cases where NPCs could be covered by trees or rocks
- Adjust ice target course to be less insanely difficult
- Many fixes throughout the game to quest logic and cutscenes
[h2]** Joining the beta **[/h2]
If you have the game on Steam and would like to opt-in to the beta, you can do so by right-clicking the game in your Library, selecting Properties > Betas, and choosing `public_preview` from the dropdown. You'll see `1.4.0` at the bottom right of the options screen if you're on the beta.
[h2]** Before you play **[/h2]
It is very important to note that if you do this your save file will become incompatible with the old version! The game will automatically create a backup of your original save on load, which can be found on Windows at `%appdata%\..\LocalLow\Festive Vector\Sail Forth\boat-game-old.save`
If you want to return to playing the old version before the update is released, replace `boat-game.save` with `boat-game-{previous version}.save` Otherwise you can continue playing your save in the public preview branch until the update is fully released. The previous version should be `1.3.4` if you were playing on an up to date build of the game.
[h2]** Bug reporting **[/h2]
If you find a bug you can now report it directly from the game, using the 'Feedback' option found in the pause menu. This is helpful for me as it includes a copy of your save file, the log, and a screenshot which makes it much easier for me to find and fix the bug.
[h2]** Other Notes **[/h2]
This is a big update that pretty dramatically changes the campaign map. If you play with an existing save your progress will be retained but expect locations to move around significantly!
As a fair warning, with how large of a change this is there will almost certainly be bugs I haven't found yet!
[h2]Update 2: Open Seas Beta Changelog[/h2]
Open World Exploration
- Loading screens between areas are removed
- Can sail seamlessly between locations
- Added ‘Deepblue’ ocean biome between areas with its own soundtrack
- Island generation has been reworked a bit to give locations a bit more personality
World Map Rework
- World Map generation has been redesigned with an open world in mind
- Can now freely explore the biomes in any order after Sandy Shores
- Difficulty is now scaled based on your overall progression in the game, rather than by which location you are in
- Depending on where you explore, you may still encounter some high-challenge enemies
- Player exact position is now saved instead of just current location
Feature Updates
- New Boat: Kestrel, a mid sized schooner balancing armament and maneuverability
- Clams: New digging/surfacing behavior to make finding them more interesting
- Clams: New types of pearls are dropped by clams
- Clams: Moontide Shop uses Moon Pearls instead of normal pearls
- Ship Shape Shop: Shops now have intermittent sales depending on the calendar day, look for flashing lights!
- Ship Shape Shop: Can now sell boats that are stored in your dock without undocking them first
UI updates
- Reworked Area Map to better show nearby locations
- New design for wind indicator in the steering/compass display
- World Map shows real player position instead of anchoring to nearest location
- Label ‘key’ items in inventory
Misc Updates
- Crates and other small targets now always take 1 shot
- Perf improvements when many boats are visible
- Time passes during eclipse so you aren’t stuck on the same day forever
- Improved sinking physics for destroyed boats
Bug Fixes
- Photo hunt encounter now properly progresses through the various ‘giant’ photo subjects, fixing cases where players were unable to complete their photo collection
- Boat AI now uses oars properly when necessary
- Fix case where player escorts might stop following player for no reason
- Fix many cases where NPCs could be covered by trees or rocks
- Adjust ice target course to be less insanely difficult
- Many fixes throughout the game to quest logic and cutscenes