Development Deck 5: How To Sail Your Airship
[p]Hey folks,[/p][p]We’ve been working on the airship sailing systems in the game and wanted to share where it’s at and hear what you think.[/p][p][/p][p]![]()
[/p][p][/p][p]Our goal was to make sailing feel like more than just pointing your ship and setting off. In the game, wind direction actually matters. When the wind is at your back or your sides, you generally want to deploy all of your sails if you want to sail at max speeds. Lowering your sails will of course slow you down, but you can manage your speed based on how many sails you deploy. [/p][p][/p][p]You also need to build side sails to maintain lift for your ship, otherwise, you will sink! For times when the wind is not in your favour, you can take all of your sails down (with just a few button presses) and enter what we call 'paddle' mode. This means your ship can continue moving, at a reduced speed, in any direction, regardless of the wind's direction. It adds some real strategy, so you'll want to pay attention to the wind while traveling.[/p][p][/p][p]Later in the game, more advanced ships can be equipped with engines for true freedom of exploration. Engines will need a source of fuel, which luckily, some Guardian types can automatically provide, or you can feed it fuel yourself[/p][p][/p][p]Arm your vessel and ready yourself for battle[/p][p]![]()
[/p][p][/p][p]A few other key features worth mentioning[/p]![]()
[/p][p][/p][p]Dangers lurk in the skies...beware[/p][p]![]()
[/p][p][/p][p]What mechanics or little touches would make airship sailing feel great to you? We’re still in active development, so any suggestions could help shape the final system. Please let us know![/p]
- [p]Ships are modular, so you can build and customize however you like[/p]
- [p]Favorite builds can be saved as blueprints and shared with other players[/p]
- [p]Since we’re in the skies, you are free to move in all directions, including up and down. This adds a whole new dimension to exploring [/p]
- [p]There are threats up there too like sky pirates, and even a massive cloud-dwelling seasnake. Watch out![/p]
- [p]Your Guardians can help crew the ship by manning cannons, repairing, crafting, or farming while you focus on steering[/p][p][/p]