🏡 Devlog #8 - Beta Release Date!

We hope you are having a wonderful holiday season and are ready for some exciting news from the world of Above Snakes. Firstly, we are changing our devlog format a little bit. This new format will be a blend of both written information and videos rather than showcasing one big video. In this specific devlog, one of the key features we're developing - base building improvements - gets its own special video. This mix will allow us to go in-depth into one feature per devlog. Let us know if you enjoy this format!

[h2]Base Building Improvements[/h2]
We've made some terrific improvements regarding our base building system, most notably by adding more gameplay value. To do this, we've attached a shelter system to the base fundamentals that provides shelter perks per level. This will encourage deeper gameplay when considering building a better (and stronger) shelter. Keep in mind that this system focuses on the quality of your shelter, not necessarily how grand or big it is.

Shelter perks, for instance, will include fortified walls that provide greater safety from outside elements, better soil for quicker crops, improved crafting stations that will operate more efficiently, and deeper wells which can offer more water.

Watch the video on our improvements to the base building system:
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Pssst..for more updates, don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

[h2]Merchants & Currency[/h2]


A new currency has been added to the game: coins! Coins can be looted during your ventures and used later on for supplies and trade. We've also added junk items with their sole purpose of being sold to traders along the way. Our goal is to add more Wild West flavor to the game by implementing objects such as horseshoes, a deck of cards, pocket watches, and more! Let us know what you would like to find when looting.

In addition to junk items, we've also added traders to the game. Traders will offer various kinds of goods and are happy to pay for some items you may not necessarily need. Keep in mind that traders may sometimes have discounts or price hikes.

[h2]Conversation Update[/h2]


Conversations with characters are a significant part of Above Snakes. We're proud to have updated the conservation system which will now feature sound mid-conversation. These sounds may reflect items being given to Aiyana or its payment.


Additionally, we've updated nearly every character's portrait! As you can see, we've transitioned from grayscale portraiture to more detailed and colorful depictions of the characters you'll come across in Above Snakes.

[h2]In Other News[/h2]
The Square Glade Games team has determined that running closed tests from time to time is a good way to playtest a game. In addition to gaining priceless feedback, the team can decide if we're on the right track or not. If you would like to be a part of any future closed tests, be sure to sign up on our new company website. If you've already enrolled on our old website, don't worry! We saved your data.

We also were happy to showcase Above Snakes at DevGAMM Game Fest! We even did a short interview which you can watch below.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h2]The Beta Will Release December 16th [/h2]
We couldn’t be happier to announce that we're ready to transition into Beta on December 16th! That means that all of the backers who backed for “Beta Access - 27€” will receive their game key! According to the Kickstarter roadmap, we are well on track with our progress. We're happy that we get to celebrate this important step together! Eligible Kickstarter backers will receive an email containing their game key(s) on December 16th (around 10am PST).

For supporters who have already received a key as a result of Alpha access, start up Above Snakes like normal on Steam and install the update to Beta status on December 16th. We will inform you all in a separate update that the Beta keys have been sent!

We hope that you enjoyed this devlog as much as we have enjoyed implementing all of this new content. We look forward to stepping into Beta together. Thank you to everyone for your support. We can’t wait to see you play the Above Snakes Beta and hear your opinions on it!

Cheers,
Tobi