APICO News

Hey Beekeepers!

Some more modding updates today, adding in a whole bunch of new methods based on your feedback. I also added a few balances and tweaks for the base game as well as fixed a few bugs!

For Mod Creators - it's worth noting that I've changed "api_create_object()" to "api_create_obj()" for now in the hope to try and get that function to return an ID (spoilers, it's still not working), so sorry if that breaks anything!

[h2]Changes[/h2]

• Changed Advanced Apiaries to have 7 slots instead of 6 to match with the uncapper + centrifuges
  
• Bottler now only requires 50bl to fill a bottle instead of 100bl
  
• Rebalanced a few sell prices around water/resin/honey/mead
  
• Added totals to each tab within the beebank
  
• Fixed Hivanium wrongly reducing Crepuscular bees, it now correctly adds 2 hours to Nocturnal bees instead
  
• Various tweaks to text and labels
  

[h2]Bug Fixes[/h2]

• Fixed Abbee and Barnabee not showing random stock when you've unlocked more than 10 flowers / bees
  
• Fixed shop unlocks being off by 3 bees, i.e. saying you needed 8 but you already had 8 but it wasn't counting common/forest/verge
  
• Fixed Noticeboard quests not actually taking items off you (no more freebees!)
  
• Fixed putting Rocky Bees in a beebank giving you a bee you shouldn't get until later
  
• Fixed shop unlock text still referring to levels instead of bee discovery
  
• Fixed a bug with the world being slightly faded compared to the player
  
• Fixed Honeycore Crystals not showing the honeycore symbol in the "Sells for" tooltip
  
• Fixed uncommon bee worldgen in non-demo mode
  
• Fixed bees being in the wrong coloured hives when generated with structures, i.e. frosty bee in a red hive
  
• Fixed tier seperators not showing the tier number
  
• Fixed bee book overview showing /34 when it should of been /35
  
• Fixed home screen settings/accessibility menus showing a pink cube in the corner
  

[h2]Modding API[/h2]

• Added a gui() hook to draw on top of the menu layer (like the old draw()) did
  
• Added a step() hook that runs every step (frame), i.e. every 1/60s. You should only use this for things you need to update visually to be smooth, and not for evil
  
• Changed the click() hook now has two new parameters, button with "LEFT" "RIGHT" or "MIDDLE", and click_type with "PRESSED" or "RELEASED"
  
• Changed the draw() hook to be on the overworld layer underneath menus
  
• Updated the object + menuobject datatypes to include an "invisible" key - invisible objects will not be drawn but will still be interactable based on their sprite bounding box - menu objects will still have a draw script drawn for their menu even though the object will not be visible
  
• Updated menu object datatypes to include a "center" key - menu objects with this set to true will have their menus centred to the viewport when opened
  
• Updated the click() hook is now linked to "press" rather than "down" so it doesn't proc every tick the mouse is down
  
• Updated api_define_gui() to allow you to add a "click" script if you need it
  
• Updated api_get_objects(), api_get_menu_objects(), api_get_trees(), and api_get_flowers() to have an optional radius parameter based on distance from player instead of all onscreen
  
• Updated api_define_object() to take an extra optional "draw_script" parameter to specify a custom draw script function to call instead of the default object draw (note: won't be called if this object is invisible!)
  
• Added api_take_money() and api_take_honeycore() to remove an amount of that currency
  
• Added api_create_counter() that lets you create a custom counter, say to count between 1-2 in intervals of 0.1 every 1s, resetting back to 1 when it hits 2
  
• Added api_toggle_menu() that lets you force a menu to open or close
  
• Added api_destroy_inst() that lets you destroy an instance
  
• Added api_check_discovery() which lets you see if a give oid has been "discovered" (picked up) by the player
  
• Added api_define_notification() to let you define a custom notification type + click action to use with api_set_notification()
  
• Added api_define_bee_recipe() which lets you define a new bee hybrid combination along with a mutation criteria script
  
• Added api_define_command() which lets you define your own command to run in the in-game console, i.e. "/teleport 100, 50"
  
• Added api_define_tank() which lets you define a liquid storage tank for a given menu
  
• Added api_define_flower_recipe() which lets you define a new flower hybrid combination
  
• Added api_define_trait() which lets you define a custom trait for all bees - you can specify ranges for specific species and set a default option for the rest
  
• Added api_draw_tank(), a draw helper that draws a liquid storage tank, with the liquid amount and texture + highlights, all for you
  
• Added api_slot_fill() that lets you start a fill event for a given slot in a menu (requires the menu to have a tank defined)
  
• Added api_slot_drain() that lets you start a drain event for a given slot in a menu (requires the menu to have a tank defined)
  
• Added api_get_filename() which gives you the name of the file currently being played by the player
  
• Added api_get_slot_inst() which lets you get slot instance details from a slot_id
  
• Added api_set_menu_position() which lets you move a menu (not menu object) to a given position
  
• Fixed hooks being defined before init() is finished being called, leading to some issues with the draw call getting undefined sprites
  
• Fixed object oids with "pot" in them crashing when highlighted
  
• Renamed api_create_object() to api_create_obj()
  

[h2]Modding Docs[/h2]

• Added new entries for each of the methods above
  
• Added a new custom datatype entry for "stats" to help explain bee + frame stats
  
• Fixed api_define_color() using the wrong position in it's example
  
• Updated api_set_notification() to account for the ability to now define custom ones
  
• Updated api_create_item() and api_create_object() to add that they return the inst id
  
• Updated api_get_player_instance() to list some player inst props that might be useful
  
• Updated api_bee_definition() and api_flower_definition() to fix the color property to use a color datatype not a list
  

Hey Beekeepers!

So it's been a pretty hectic week or two since the last post where we announced we'd be adding modding to APICO - since then I've managed to smash out the first pass for the APICO Modding API!

This update contains a few fixes and changes (see below), but most importantly it contains the ability to load and run mods you create.



If you're interested, you can view the full API reference over on the wiki here:
https://wiki.apico.buzz/wiki/Modding_API

If you're interested in getting started with modding you can check out our Getting Started Guide! As the game is not yet released and modding is not available in the demo you will need to apply to become a Mod Creator if you want a devkey to access the full game with the modding update.

You can apply below here:
https://forms.gle/gaqa4S6jUcoxePrA6

Mods created by Mod Creators will be seen by the game as "official" mods, and will be available to download by the player at any time. You will still be able to make mods without being a Mod Creator, and players will be able to side-load custom mods into the game - although they will be warned of potential security risks if they do so!

We can't wait to see what you all come up with!!

[h2]Changes[/h2]

• XP has been removed - "locked" shop items are now based on the amount of bees you've discovered instead
  
• The XP bar has been replaced with a bee discovery "counter" to be able to see all bee progress
  
• Added the modding API! See above for info
  
• Added a modding menu from the home-screen - currently you won't be able to see any mods yet
  
• Changed the in-game feedback button (top-right) to the Beeta specific feedback form
  
• Removed the BPS meter in normal mode so you all stop asking me questions about it
  

[h2]Bug Fixes[/h2]

• Fixed an issue where you could move around the home screen settings menus
  
• Fixed an issue where yellow carpet had no name in the tooltip
  
• Fixed an issue where trying to create mead or hand it in at the Noticeboard crashing with a ".spice" error
  
• Fixed an issue where you couldn't drain honey from the auto-centrifuge even after putting a canister in it
  
• Fixed missing magazines for Rocky + most tier 4 bees
  
• Fixed an issue with clicking some notifications crashing the game
  
• Fixed the map randomly clearing when moving to fullscreen
  
• Fixed Cargo Boats not staying shown on the map
  
• Fixed multiple crafting taking way more items than needed
  

Hey Beekeepers!

As you may have seen on Twitter or around here, now we're in Beeta (wahoo) I'm starting to look at modding! I've always love modding in games, and APICO literally wouldn't be here without modding - so it seems right to bring modding capabilities into the game!



Mods will be written in LUA using a GMS2 framework called Apollo, along with a custom game API written by yours truly!
We'll be using mod.io to store mods so that we can have mods on all platforms and not just Steam!

If you're interested in creating mods for APICO please fill out this form:
https://forms.gle/gaqa4S6jUcoxePrA6

Can't wait to see what you'll all come up with!
xoxo

Hey Alpha Testers, or should I say Beeta testers now?? ːsteamhappyː

That's right, we're finally out of Alpha and all the major content for the game has been completed and added!!

If you're not one of our Testers and are reading this, fret not!
We will be doing a closed Beeta playtest in the next few months so stay tuned!

You will need a new world to get some of the new content, so you'll have to kiss those old bees goodbye! We're still working on the ending area (you'll find it locked off), but you won't need to create a new world again as the area is created in the Beeta 1.0 just not accessible - although if you manage to get to it well done I guess ːsteamsadː



Now that all the content is in we'll be working on these last few things, including:

• Balancing money (buying + selling)
  
• The ending and updated dialogue
  
• Achievements
  
• Modding
  

There should bee plenty of new content to keep you busy though while we work on that though!!

[h2]While playing the Beeta, we ask you to have a glance over this feedback form:
https://forms.gle/AzYGQJ195rAAZXUj8[/h2]

This form will give you some various pointers to get you thinking about different aspects of the game, as well as act as an anonymous way to give us any feedback you like.

We really appreciate any thoughts, so fill in as little or as much as you like
Any bugs can be through the Guilded Forums or the Bug Report form as per, we're sure there'll be plenty to find!!


[h2]Bees[/h2]

• Added in all the bees! There are now 34 species of bees you can discover in total, some of the tier 4 bees have some extra special effects when working.
  
• Blazing bees act as heaters to nearby hives when working
  
• Arctic bees act as coolers to nearby hives when working, whats cooler than being cool??? ice coooooolldd
  
• Empress bees act as smokers (all scents) to nearby hives when working - ain't no grumpiness on their watch!
  
• Added Beehives as a craftable item - not sure yet how to tackle being able to make the different varieties but we'll keep you posted!
  
• Now only Blessed Bees can be used in Altars
  
• Increased chance of Blessed Bees to 5% from 1%, let us know if it's still too low!
  
• You will now always get a Verdant bee from common-forest for your first mutation
  
• Drowsy Bee is no longer Common + Forest to avoid confusion. Check your bee book for details!
  
• The Honeycore Uncapper is now obsolete - the Honeycore Centrifuge will extract both filled and uncapped frames, and give you propolis for frames that are not uncapped
  
• Added the Beebank - sold by the Merchant this is a special type of beebox that works for all species, not just one but damn it's pricey
  
• Recessive traits for rain + snow now show in microscopes
  

[h2]Books[/h2]

• Updated book auto-scroll so it only happens when clicking book links, notifications, or using Up + Down
  
• Made the overview chapters "fixed" so you can get to them without scrolling back up each time
  
• Each book's Overview chapter now has a special item that you'll be rewarded with when completing that book
  
• Added a new quest to cover conservation / rehabilitators
  
• Added a lil compass to the map!
  
• Added the mutation "criteria" to the bee book for discovered species (hover over the anatomy section)
  
• Quest requirements should now take into account any menu objects you've placed nearby
  

[h2]Items[/h2]

• Bottles of mead, spiced mead, water, honey, and resin now stack!
  
• You now get your bottle back when drinking infused mead! Reduce, reuse, recycle babyyy
  
• You can craft a Bottle Rack to store and display various bottles
  
• Skipper now sells a Cargo Boat, a normal boat with built-in storage to transport your stuff overseas!
  

[h2]Flowers[/h2]

• Added water pots to use with aquatic plants - same as normal pots they'll prevent flower spread
  
• Added "pondshine in a bottle", which acts as a light source
  
• Added Abbee's Staff, a special item you'll get from completing the flower book that magically plants saplings and seedlings
  

[h2]World[/h2]

• Added the Hallowed Island - you'll need a special item to be able to cut through all that overgrowth!
  
• Added the 4th Shrine & Hallowed Idol that grants "luck" for a short period of time
  
• Added large rocks to the forests and swamps to act as a larger source of rocks - maybe something else might be in there?
  
• Swamps now have thunderstorms! For bee purposes this still acts as "rain", although maybe the lightning will come in handy?
  
• Added a secret area!
  

[h2]Building[/h2]

• You can now dig up the ground with a new tool - the Shovel! Currently sold by Bobbee this tool let's you dig up grass which you can place elsewhere
  
• Grass can be used on deep water to turn it into shallow water, and on shallow water to turn it into grass
  
• The Spade item has been updated visually to help differentiate it from the Shovel
  
• Extractor's now require glue for crafting instead of frames to ensure you have to have made + used an uncapping bench first
  
• The Merchant now sells a few new types of carpet!
  

[h2]Menus[/h2]

• Increased the grab area of mechanisms to make it a bit easier to grab
  
• Sorting your inventory now ignores your hotbar, keeping it in the order you had it (wow what a treat)
  
• Swapped workbench recipe amounts to be WHAT YOU HAVE / WHAT YOU NEED instead of the other way round to match the quest book
  
• Updated all manual mechanism menus to have a direction arrow within the UI
  
• Made all mechanism always show their tooltip that explains the arrow key alt. controls without needing to hold shift
  
• When highlighting a menu you can close it with Escape - Pressing Escape with no menu highlighted still closes all menus as it always has
  

[h2]Crafting[/h2]

• Added the Anvil, which lets you repair your tools with materials for cheaper than crafting new ones
  
• You can now craft multiple items at a time, either by using the new 'amount' arrows or typing in the number you want to craft
  
• Make Sawbenches cost less to craft
  
• Made Workbenches cost less to craft (jesus christ why did no one tell me they need that much stuff???)
  

[h2]Misc.[/h2]

• Added 4 new music tracks, three day and one night, and added them to BroduxBlue's shop also!
  
• Updated portal colors to be more in-line with the hallowed island
  
• Renamed "Treated" planks + sticks to be "Infused", to make the link clearer to how you get those items
  
• When playing on Steam, pressing F12 should now take a screenshot correctly! You can still use P to hide/show GUI
  
• Changed tooltips to explicitly say how much an item sells for rather than just showing the amount
  
• If you get stuck in deep water you'll now be automatically TP to your spawn point after 5s of being stuck
  
• You can now set your spawn point by sleeping in a bed - by default your spawn is the dock at Port APICO
  
• Save & Quit now takes you back to the home screen
  
• Added little cutscene black bars to the introduction
  

[h2]Settings[/h2]

• You can now access settings from the home screen (what a treat right?)
  
• Added a new accessbility menu in the settings menu
  
• Added an accessibility option to automatically expand all tooltips (as if you were holding down shift the whole time)
  
• Added an accessibility option to ignore tree collision, letting you walk through them
  
• Added an accessibility option to always get a mutation on hybrid offspring (so basically 50% chance from a hybrid queen as long as species + requirements are all correct still)
  
• Added an accessibility option for mechanisms to move automatically (only when menus are open)
  
• Added an accessibility option to turn on focus mode. In focus mode only one menu can be opened at a time (the same as gamepad/controller mode)
  

[h2]Bug Fixes[/h2]

• Fixed Wooden Pickaxes having 450 durability instead of 150
  
• Fixed menu errors that go onto two lines missing the bottom of the tooltip/having a gap
  
• Fixed altar progress bar glitching out when used
  
• Fixed altars not showing a mini version of the idol in the overworld
  
• Fixed offset of shadow underneath Lamps
  
• Fixed right-click or control-click on Beebox slots creating a bee with a 'count' value
  
• Fixed Beebox count total not updating when bees are removed
  
• Fixed missing highlight to currently selected Beebox storage card
  
• Fixed the black screen delay on initial load between starting the game and the TNgineers logo being shown
  
• Fixed an issue where level 1 and level 7 lifespan and productivity didn't work correctly when buffed past the limit
  
• Fixed Gates not acting as a light source
  
• Fixed Empty Tanks that can only ever have one type of liquid (like the tanks in the Fermenter) not saying the type of liquid in the tank tooltip
  
• Fixed the #SaveTheBees button being missing on the home page
  
• Fixed bee particles being invisible when placing down a hive and putting a queen in without moving the player
  
• Fixed Common-Uncommon not working as a recipe for Dream bees (Uncommon-Common was working, but this one should have too as it's the same diff)
  
• Fixed bees not doing the "return home" journey when conditions change to stuff they dont like (night, rain etc) and just disappearing
  
• Fixed placement error not showing (i.e. when trying to put a beehive on a wall or another object is in the way)
  
• Fixed infuser not working if there's an empty tank, then you add input items, then add a canister to fill
  
• Fixed not being able to close signs with ESC
  
• Fixed flower "buff" icons overflowing when more than 5 flowers are affecting one hive
  
• Fixed not being able to auto-shift to NPC shop menus
  
• Fixed NPC dialogue menus sometimes have clipped text
  
• Fixed undiscovered bees that are shiny not showing the black undiscovered sprite
  
• Updated frozen beehive to not show the hammer to avoid confusion
  

APICO now has it's own Wiki!
https://wiki.apico.buzz/



For now we're keeping the Wiki to only contain stuff you find in the Demo to avoid spoilers, but closer to release we'll be adding new stuff and when the game is out we will add all the rest!

We've chosen Miraheze for our wiki platform as it's super lightweight, not filled with ads, and the mobile version doesn't suck balls. Also the logo for Miraheze looks like honeycomb so what greater sign do we need, it was clearly meant to bee??



If you're interested in helping maintain or contribute give us a shout either on the wiki (@Ellraiser or @Vildravn) or over on Guilded

~ Ell