The Zone: Stalker Stories News

[p]It has taken much time and many new systems for handling larger isometric environments, but today I can finally unveil the first half of the Cinema.[/p][p][/p][p](Don't worry, it's not all in black & white.)[/p][p][/p][p]Normally the Cinema environment shouldn't unlock until later in the game, but I've decided to make it accessible from Chapter 2 while the game is in Early Access, so you can experience the full contenty goodness more easily.[/p][p][/p][p]It's still missing a few planned refinements, but first I need to recover from the late nights I've been putting in to meet my own arbitrary deadline. That's just how we roll around here -- when we make promises, we keep 'em.[/p][p][/p][p]Thus we continue to grind a little bit closer to 1.0 every month.[/p][p][/p][p]Full list of changes included below as is traditional. Let me know if you run into any issues and I will fix them -- if there is a bug in the game, it's only because I don't know about it.[/p][p][/p][p]Now I'm going to chill for a bit and then start implementing the exciting second part of the Cinema. See you out there, in the Zone...[/p][p][/p][p]v0.7.8.5 Changelog: [/p]

• [p]Implemented first half of Cinema environment[/p]
• [p]New enemies, new traps, big Cinema midboss[/p]
• [p]Finished rewriting and unifying exploration trigger system[/p]
• [p]Fixed some timing-related crashes[/p]
• [p]Fixed scaling and positioning issues on higher resolutions[/p]
• [p]Non-random monster groups now stay dead when killed[/p]
• [p]Fixed improper fades to black in train yard story[/p]
• [p]Fixed problem getting Power Plant core item[/p]
• [p]Fixed instability when starting scripted combats[/p]
• [p]Ailments received from starvation should now show animation properly[/p]
• [p]Research options now properly unhighlight when not hovered with mouse[/p]
• [p]Improved how item stashes work[/p][p][/p]

[p]The holidays have been causing delays for the artists and me, but regardless I'm planning to release the first half of the Cinema environment next week.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p](I just received the last few assets for this fun little guy!)[/p][p][/p][p]Most of this week will be spent animating his remaining poses and designing his combat stats/script. There's also a couple more things to work out about the level but I'm making good progress.[/p][p][/p][p]The new player walk animations are nearing completion as well, so that may be a feature to look forward to in the February update... Once I completely rework how the directional animations function. ːsteamfacepalmː[/p][p][/p][p]Exciting times ahead. I'll see you in the new year![/p]

[p]There's a reason why I originally went with top-down perspective rather than isometric for Zone -- because these new isometric levels take forever. I'm still toiling away on the Cinema and it's still not ready to play, even partially. Our cool dino midboss still needs animation and combat poses, some of the new environment traps have to be finished up/tested, and I need to create a couple new items and cards for loot... So I decided to push back the next content update a little bit longer.[/p][p][/p][p]The good news is I'm working with two new artists to get new Cinema enemies done, and working on recruiting another environment artist to keep more new environments coming. In time I'd also like to improve enemy variety in a few of the existing areas, particularly the Power Plant.[/p][p][/p][p]The new animated player sprite is still being worked on too. Basically everything is in an annoying mid-development state where it's not yet ready for prime time but also not satisfying to show off in another preview.[/p][p][/p][p]In short I really really hope to have more to show you in December. For now, take care, and I'll see you in the Zone.[/p]

[p]As I mentioned in the last update, I spent most of this month away from home and pretty much unable to work on the game. That said, going two months without an update doesn't feel acceptable, so I decided to upload a small one to keep the improvements flowing.
[/p][p]Obviously work is continuing on the Cinema and we've got an artist working on something new that I find personally pretty exciting -- proper 8-way animations for the player character, not to mention running and death animations. Behold a preview![/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p] (WIP obviously!)[/p][p][/p][p]I'm hoping to have more concrete advances to show you in November. For now, take care, and I'll see you in the Zone...[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]v0.7.7.7 Changelog:[/p]

• [p] Fixed Chapter 3 story crash
  [/p]
• [p] Projectiles now recognise barriers better
  [/p]
• [p] Added controller support to world map
  [/p]
• [p] Death by harmful anomalies will no longer erroneously go to starvation
  [/p]
• [p] Engine upgrade to Godot 3.6.2
  [/p]

[p]Implementing an environment as huge and visually fancy as the Cinema is taking a while, not to mention I'm having to deal with a few weeks of emergency travel and taking care of business -- this very update is being written several countries away from home.[/p][p]
Still, I can keep showing you sneak peeks of progress like in this video. Just don't mind the static tanking the bitrate.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]
[/p][p]We're now complete on the level art and one of the bosses. I plan to do some more hiring in October to keep the art flowing in.[/p][p][/p][p]As always, the game is getting done, bit by bit. I truly hope to see you all still here when it's finished![/p]