0.9 Update Preview
0.9 will be Updated in June 12, 2024 (GMT)
Discount will be over in June 19, 2024 (GMT)
Hello, villagers. It's great to see you all again.
Now more than a year has passed since the release of the EA version of Song Of The Prairie, and we are very grateful for your support over the past year. It is your support and feedback that inspired us to continuously complete the game content and optimize the game experience. The Prairie Town is also becoming more and more bountiful and beautiful under your witness.
Now, Song Of The Prairie has been steadily updated to 0.9, which will be the last major update in EA stage and the prelude to version 1.0. We're glad to have stuck it out to this point, have draw a perfect period to EA stage. What excites us even more is that this period doesn't mean the end, but a new beginning.
Now let's step into the 0.9 update preview. This preview will be divided into two parts: new content, system innovation & optimization.
Never Stop
New content continues to be the focus of every major update, no different in 0.9. As this time we finally bring the long-awaited Achievement System.
[h3]Steam Achievement System[/h3]
Steam Achievement System is an important part for gaming experience, and this system has been absent before.
However, this system has been on our development agenda for a long time. But why we haven’t put thin in game? Firstly, the game was not yet in its full version, releasing achievement system too early might not be able to integrate well with the gameplay in subsequent updates, which, we believed, would lead to an unpleasant experience.
Secondly, as a simulation game, the conditions for winning achievements need to be repeatedly considered. It is important to set the system challenging without ruining the player's experience.
Therefore, we decided to add the Achievement System in the more mature 0.9.
This update will add more than 50 achievements, including hidden ones. From daily play to completing quests, from collecting items to making dishes, and even some unexpected actions, almost every aspect of gameplay will be included, and this system will smoothly throughout the entire game experience.
We believe that after the update, this system will bring more goals and fun to your life in Prairie Town!
Note: To experience the whole achievement system, starting a new game is recommended.
[h3]Multi-language localization[/h3]
Prairie has always welcomed travelers from all over the world, and after the calling of many gamers from non-English-speaking regions, now language will finally no longer be a barrier. With the update of 0.9, Song Of The Prairie will support for: German, French, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Portuguese, and Italian.
Above languages have already been adapted in most of the interfaces, including but not limited to: main menu, MEMO, backpack, dialog, Inner Space, and so on.
Of course, the localization may not be perfect in some interfaces, and we hope that you will give us feedback on Discord or Steam discussion, and we will take every comment seriously.
[h3]New Tools and Enhancements[/h3]
Sharp your tools before working.
Tools are the most used props during the gameplay, and they also affect players' efficiency and experience the most. We added enhancements for those tools including: Lobster Cleaver, Thunder Hammer, Ancient Hammer, Sunflower Hammer, Magic Broom, and The God of Cookery’s Big Black Wok . What’s more, we have added higher level versions for those tools and added corresponding enhancements to both the original and higher level tools.
Their enhancements range from increasing proficiency, to reducing stamina consumption. With these additional effects, these tools are more than just cosmetic decorations, also the real efficiency boosters.
These tools can now be upgraded to a higher level version, which will enhanced better than the original one, further heightening your gaming experience!
Progress comes from endless innovation.
[h3]Character Creating[/h3]
In the past, customization in the character creation session actually had limitations. Player’s identities could only be picked among a few preset characters; gender, country, and profession could not be changed; players could only choose between identity and profession. eventually, players had to put up with bonus that they didn't need. In short, players basically couldn't choose an identity that met their needs.
After update, the whole situation will be changed.
1. We've completely changed the background in the character creation interface, from a preset scene into the town with a wagon. This change helps to connect to the opening of the game better, and is more in line with the story development of the character coming to Prairie Town.
2. With the innovation of the whole character creation system, the UI interface has also made corresponding changes. Now the interface will become more concise and intuitive. Without lengthy descriptions to occupy the visual space, players can focus more on creating a character, thus creating a character that better meets the needs.
3. The most important part of this system innovation, a complete character customization system. Now your identity is finally no longer bound by the various attributes of a preset character; the gender is no longer tied to your profession, country, or other properties. Players are free to choose various attributes of their characters and completely create their own character. We believe it will make players feel that I am not just operating a character, but my own avatar experiencing life in Prairie Town!
[h3]Animation Innovation[/h3]
Whenever you start a new game, don't you get tired of those old animations? It's okay, in 0.9, we have drastically reorganized the original cutscene. We hope you will have a new experience when enter the game again! Here are the details of changes:
1. First time on the farm
In previous versions, there were only a few simple pictures to show you the farm when you first arrived. After 0.9 update, there will be more footage to show the layout of the farm and its surroundings in a more comprehensive way, including the scene across the river, so that players can have a rough idea of the cultivable area after entering the game for the first time.
2. Encounter animations for multiple characters
In order to better express the story, highlight the characters' personalities, and deepen the impressions of them. We also changed the first encounter animations of some characters, including Du, Kroc, Abby, and Lori. First, we rewrote the story development of some characters when they meet the player to better match the settings of their characters. Secondly, we added and optimized the performance of many narrative shots to make them more dynamic and visually appealing. Finally we added more close-ups to emphasize the narrative.
[h3]Stage 3 Resource Optimization[/h3]
As always, we will continue to optimize resources in 0.9. In the early 0.7, we’ve replaced the rendering pipeline and optimized some texture resources. In 0.8, we've gone one step further, optimized some building models resources, significantly enhanced the light effects at night, and made some adjustments to the game's color.
In the new version (0.9), we have adjusted some of the outdoor natural landscapes.
We have "sculpted" some of the rocks in the town scene. They are no longer as bland and boring as before, but are now more angular, with sharper connections. They look more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
We've also optimized the textures of rocks to give them a more natural iron-grey color, while the white lines outlining the corners emphasize their three-dimensional volume and amplify the structures as they would appear in nature. Finally, complemented them by the hidden green moss to make the visual effect of the rock come to life.
Except natural landscapes, we also optimized some other facilities, but more for resource management than for visual effects.
The texture resources for some of decors and furniture have been optimized for performance. In previous versions, these objects and furniture had their own texture resources, which increased some computational stress at runtime. After the optimization in 0.9, we have integrated the texture resources without changing the visual effect, which will theoretically improve the performance of the game to a certain extent.
[h3]Characters Behavior Optimization[/h3]
1. Helpers Ai Performance
The training to helpers is still going, and we continue to optimize the behavior of the helpers based on 0.8.
The residents of Prairie Town are very thoughtful, no exception on helpers. In order for them to do their jobs better, we have optimized the behavioral patterns of the helpers so that they don't perform unnecessary activities as they did before, such as running from one place to another.
They also no longer respond to your greetings in the same way; they finally have their own personalities and will respond just like what they should.
2. Partner Behavior Optimization
After the release of the wedding system in 0.8, many players must have been started their post-wedding life. For the better experience, we have optimized some parts in this system accordingly.
Before, when your partner was on a day off, he/she would just sit quietly and think about things, perhaps what to eat later? Now they would do something they like, cleaning the house, cook a meal or reading a book in peace.
[h3]Numerical Adjustment[/h3]
Numerical optimization work is related to game experience, it cannot be slowed down, in 0.9 we still adjusted some of the numerical value.
1. Prosperity score adjustment.
The town's prosperity is a measure of your contributions as town’s mayor, and the previous criteria seemed a bit too harsh. In 0.9, our dear secretary Wallis has slightly modified the town's prosperity rating. She increases the prosperity scores that you could acquire in every stage of your friendship with residents, and she also increases the scores when helpers are at a higher comfort level.
2. Increased the stamina limit of some helpers. After a period of training, their physical strength has become better. After this, they will spend less time on eating or resting and work harder, and they will participate in your commissions more. Maybe they will be seen less being slack when you supervise them.
Note: These changes will work after start a new game!
3. Adjusted the prices of some store commissions and the amount of delivered materials, mainly in Abby’s Cabin and the Death Mine.
Business in Abby’s Cabin and Death mines have not been doing so well lately. So, they increased efficiency while lowered their commission prices! Now, when you entrust logging and mining commission, except paying less gold, they will also be able to bring back more materials when the commission is completed.
Currently, the commission price for logging and mining has been reduced from 500 to 400.
The delivered number of main output materials, replacement output materials, and output materials with failure working is doubled.
4. Buff effects increase
Song Of The Prairie has already added a variety of buffs in previous updates. You can also obtain buffs in various ways and play the game more easily with their help. However, compared to the fast-passing time in game, buffs’ short duration is really difficult to reflect their advantages.
In order to make this design more meaningful, we adjusted the duration for almost all buffs to avoid some embarrassing situations like, buff ends before being noticed, players have to repeat unnecessary behaviors in order to sustain buffs effects. We believe that this change will significantly increase the usefulness and presence of buffs.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1350840/_/
The road is long but there is a beam of light from the sun.
This preview of the 0.9 update has nearly come to an end, and we are still working steadily on each update to lay a solid foundation for the complete edition. Of course, the announcement is not exhaustive to conclude everything. For more content welcome to enter the Prairie Town to explore. At the same time for some bug fixes and optimizations, will also be released on announcements after the update of 0.9.
Thank you for your support and love, it is your support and love gives us great motivation, so that we can hold great enthusiasm to promote the development. It is your support and love gives us countless inspiration, so that Prairie Town is becoming more and more vibrant. It is also your support and love to create a passionate atmosphere for game communities, so that Prairie Town's warmth and harmony can be spread outside the screen!
We reached to the dawn, and we're excited to wait for a complete edition with all of you.
If you like our game, share it with anyone, and we'll see you in the new version.
Discount will be over in June 19, 2024 (GMT)
Hello, villagers. It's great to see you all again.
Now more than a year has passed since the release of the EA version of Song Of The Prairie, and we are very grateful for your support over the past year. It is your support and feedback that inspired us to continuously complete the game content and optimize the game experience. The Prairie Town is also becoming more and more bountiful and beautiful under your witness.
Now, Song Of The Prairie has been steadily updated to 0.9, which will be the last major update in EA stage and the prelude to version 1.0. We're glad to have stuck it out to this point, have draw a perfect period to EA stage. What excites us even more is that this period doesn't mean the end, but a new beginning.
Now let's step into the 0.9 update preview. This preview will be divided into two parts: new content, system innovation & optimization.
【New Content】
Never Stop
New content continues to be the focus of every major update, no different in 0.9. As this time we finally bring the long-awaited Achievement System.
[h3]Steam Achievement System[/h3]
Steam Achievement System is an important part for gaming experience, and this system has been absent before.
However, this system has been on our development agenda for a long time. But why we haven’t put thin in game? Firstly, the game was not yet in its full version, releasing achievement system too early might not be able to integrate well with the gameplay in subsequent updates, which, we believed, would lead to an unpleasant experience.
Secondly, as a simulation game, the conditions for winning achievements need to be repeatedly considered. It is important to set the system challenging without ruining the player's experience.
Therefore, we decided to add the Achievement System in the more mature 0.9.
This update will add more than 50 achievements, including hidden ones. From daily play to completing quests, from collecting items to making dishes, and even some unexpected actions, almost every aspect of gameplay will be included, and this system will smoothly throughout the entire game experience.
We believe that after the update, this system will bring more goals and fun to your life in Prairie Town!
Note: To experience the whole achievement system, starting a new game is recommended.
[h3]Multi-language localization[/h3]
Prairie has always welcomed travelers from all over the world, and after the calling of many gamers from non-English-speaking regions, now language will finally no longer be a barrier. With the update of 0.9, Song Of The Prairie will support for: German, French, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Portuguese, and Italian.
Above languages have already been adapted in most of the interfaces, including but not limited to: main menu, MEMO, backpack, dialog, Inner Space, and so on.
Of course, the localization may not be perfect in some interfaces, and we hope that you will give us feedback on Discord or Steam discussion, and we will take every comment seriously.
[h3]New Tools and Enhancements[/h3]
Sharp your tools before working.
Tools are the most used props during the gameplay, and they also affect players' efficiency and experience the most. We added enhancements for those tools including: Lobster Cleaver, Thunder Hammer, Ancient Hammer, Sunflower Hammer, Magic Broom, and The God of Cookery’s Big Black Wok . What’s more, we have added higher level versions for those tools and added corresponding enhancements to both the original and higher level tools.
Their enhancements range from increasing proficiency, to reducing stamina consumption. With these additional effects, these tools are more than just cosmetic decorations, also the real efficiency boosters.
These tools can now be upgraded to a higher level version, which will enhanced better than the original one, further heightening your gaming experience!
【Innovation & Optimization】
Progress comes from endless innovation.
[h3]Character Creating[/h3]
In the past, customization in the character creation session actually had limitations. Player’s identities could only be picked among a few preset characters; gender, country, and profession could not be changed; players could only choose between identity and profession. eventually, players had to put up with bonus that they didn't need. In short, players basically couldn't choose an identity that met their needs.
After update, the whole situation will be changed.
1. We've completely changed the background in the character creation interface, from a preset scene into the town with a wagon. This change helps to connect to the opening of the game better, and is more in line with the story development of the character coming to Prairie Town.
2. With the innovation of the whole character creation system, the UI interface has also made corresponding changes. Now the interface will become more concise and intuitive. Without lengthy descriptions to occupy the visual space, players can focus more on creating a character, thus creating a character that better meets the needs.
3. The most important part of this system innovation, a complete character customization system. Now your identity is finally no longer bound by the various attributes of a preset character; the gender is no longer tied to your profession, country, or other properties. Players are free to choose various attributes of their characters and completely create their own character. We believe it will make players feel that I am not just operating a character, but my own avatar experiencing life in Prairie Town!
[h3]Animation Innovation[/h3]
Whenever you start a new game, don't you get tired of those old animations? It's okay, in 0.9, we have drastically reorganized the original cutscene. We hope you will have a new experience when enter the game again! Here are the details of changes:
1. First time on the farm
In previous versions, there were only a few simple pictures to show you the farm when you first arrived. After 0.9 update, there will be more footage to show the layout of the farm and its surroundings in a more comprehensive way, including the scene across the river, so that players can have a rough idea of the cultivable area after entering the game for the first time.
2. Encounter animations for multiple characters
In order to better express the story, highlight the characters' personalities, and deepen the impressions of them. We also changed the first encounter animations of some characters, including Du, Kroc, Abby, and Lori. First, we rewrote the story development of some characters when they meet the player to better match the settings of their characters. Secondly, we added and optimized the performance of many narrative shots to make them more dynamic and visually appealing. Finally we added more close-ups to emphasize the narrative.
[h3]Stage 3 Resource Optimization[/h3]
As always, we will continue to optimize resources in 0.9. In the early 0.7, we’ve replaced the rendering pipeline and optimized some texture resources. In 0.8, we've gone one step further, optimized some building models resources, significantly enhanced the light effects at night, and made some adjustments to the game's color.
In the new version (0.9), we have adjusted some of the outdoor natural landscapes.
We have "sculpted" some of the rocks in the town scene. They are no longer as bland and boring as before, but are now more angular, with sharper connections. They look more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
We've also optimized the textures of rocks to give them a more natural iron-grey color, while the white lines outlining the corners emphasize their three-dimensional volume and amplify the structures as they would appear in nature. Finally, complemented them by the hidden green moss to make the visual effect of the rock come to life.
Except natural landscapes, we also optimized some other facilities, but more for resource management than for visual effects.
The texture resources for some of decors and furniture have been optimized for performance. In previous versions, these objects and furniture had their own texture resources, which increased some computational stress at runtime. After the optimization in 0.9, we have integrated the texture resources without changing the visual effect, which will theoretically improve the performance of the game to a certain extent.
[h3]Characters Behavior Optimization[/h3]
1. Helpers Ai Performance
The training to helpers is still going, and we continue to optimize the behavior of the helpers based on 0.8.
The residents of Prairie Town are very thoughtful, no exception on helpers. In order for them to do their jobs better, we have optimized the behavioral patterns of the helpers so that they don't perform unnecessary activities as they did before, such as running from one place to another.
They also no longer respond to your greetings in the same way; they finally have their own personalities and will respond just like what they should.
2. Partner Behavior Optimization
After the release of the wedding system in 0.8, many players must have been started their post-wedding life. For the better experience, we have optimized some parts in this system accordingly.
Before, when your partner was on a day off, he/she would just sit quietly and think about things, perhaps what to eat later? Now they would do something they like, cleaning the house, cook a meal or reading a book in peace.
[h3]Numerical Adjustment[/h3]
Numerical optimization work is related to game experience, it cannot be slowed down, in 0.9 we still adjusted some of the numerical value.
1. Prosperity score adjustment.
The town's prosperity is a measure of your contributions as town’s mayor, and the previous criteria seemed a bit too harsh. In 0.9, our dear secretary Wallis has slightly modified the town's prosperity rating. She increases the prosperity scores that you could acquire in every stage of your friendship with residents, and she also increases the scores when helpers are at a higher comfort level.
2. Increased the stamina limit of some helpers. After a period of training, their physical strength has become better. After this, they will spend less time on eating or resting and work harder, and they will participate in your commissions more. Maybe they will be seen less being slack when you supervise them.
Note: These changes will work after start a new game!
3. Adjusted the prices of some store commissions and the amount of delivered materials, mainly in Abby’s Cabin and the Death Mine.
Business in Abby’s Cabin and Death mines have not been doing so well lately. So, they increased efficiency while lowered their commission prices! Now, when you entrust logging and mining commission, except paying less gold, they will also be able to bring back more materials when the commission is completed.
Currently, the commission price for logging and mining has been reduced from 500 to 400.
The delivered number of main output materials, replacement output materials, and output materials with failure working is doubled.
4. Buff effects increase
Song Of The Prairie has already added a variety of buffs in previous updates. You can also obtain buffs in various ways and play the game more easily with their help. However, compared to the fast-passing time in game, buffs’ short duration is really difficult to reflect their advantages.
In order to make this design more meaningful, we adjusted the duration for almost all buffs to avoid some embarrassing situations like, buff ends before being noticed, players have to repeat unnecessary behaviors in order to sustain buffs effects. We believe that this change will significantly increase the usefulness and presence of buffs.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1350840/_/
Epilogue
The road is long but there is a beam of light from the sun.
This preview of the 0.9 update has nearly come to an end, and we are still working steadily on each update to lay a solid foundation for the complete edition. Of course, the announcement is not exhaustive to conclude everything. For more content welcome to enter the Prairie Town to explore. At the same time for some bug fixes and optimizations, will also be released on announcements after the update of 0.9.
Thank you for your support and love, it is your support and love gives us great motivation, so that we can hold great enthusiasm to promote the development. It is your support and love gives us countless inspiration, so that Prairie Town is becoming more and more vibrant. It is also your support and love to create a passionate atmosphere for game communities, so that Prairie Town's warmth and harmony can be spread outside the screen!
We reached to the dawn, and we're excited to wait for a complete edition with all of you.
If you like our game, share it with anyone, and we'll see you in the new version.