Devlog #10: New Robot, Day and Night, and AgroNova’s Secrets

[p][/p][p]Thanks to your incredible support and thoughtful feedback, we have tons of exciting news to share from the AGRONOM universe. Grab your tea, buckle up, and let’s dive right into the latest developments! [/p][p][/p][p]But first—important news! We're actively preparing the second round of Playtests for AGRONOM. You can already apply to participate, and we'll happily accept everyone! The exact Playtest dates will be announced soon. And along with the Playtests, expect to see the very first Gameplay video of AGRONOM—stay tuned![/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Meet Your New Robot Gardener[/h3][p]By popular demand, here’s our Robot Gardener’s concept art. This green-thumbed robot loves plants and specializes in maximizing your crop growth rates and harvesting efficiently. Excited to see it in action? We sure are! [/p][p][/p][h3]Concept Art: Technical Gateway[/h3][p]Our Technical Gateway isn’t just an environment detail—it’s your window into the secrets of AgroNova Corporation. Expect bold, imposing architecture deeply inspired by Eastern European monumentalism and brutalism. Pretty atmospheric, right?[/p][p][/p][h3]Concept Art: New Fence[/h3][p]Remember the quick fences from earlier Playtests? They've been transformed! Check out these beautiful concept arts—tell us your thoughts! [/p][h3]Cargo Station: 3D Model Progress[/h3][p]Last Devlog featured the Cargo Station concept art. Now we're excited to share its 3D-model progress. We’ve enhanced details and visual storytelling—what else should we add? [/p][h3]Greenhouse and Airlock Models Detailed[/h3][p]Take a closer look at the near-final versions of our greenhouse and airlock. We're particularly proud of the meticulous detail. What catches your eye most? Share your feedback! [/p][h3]Robot Helpers: Builder & Loader[/h3][p]Meet your robot friends again: [/p]

• [p]Robot Builder: Equipped with specialized tools to construct your base quickly and efficiently.[/p]
• [p]Robot Loader: Strong and sturdy, it loves hauling heavy cargo across long distances.[/p]

[p]Which helper is your favorite?[/p][h3]Rusty’s Latest Animations[/h3][p]Rusty, your main robotic hero, got new animations! More animations will debut in our upcoming Gameplay Video—stay tuned! [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Cargo Drone: Your Interplanetary Courier[/h3][p]Cargo Drones deliver produce from Gramps Makar’s farm across Mars—cities, neighbors, and even back to Makar himself! Players can also use drones to request essential supplies from friendly NPCs. What else should our drones carry? [/p][h3]Eco-Friendly Tech: Sulfur Powergenerator & Bio-Generator[/h3][p]These advanced power sources generate significantly more electricity than solar or wind-based tech. You'll be able to set up intricate production chains, mining and refining ore, and crafting complex products to power your Martian base. Eco-friendly never felt so powerful! [/p][h3]Behind the Scenes: Robot Headlights Inspired by Classic Cars[/h3][p]Our charming robot helpers are directly inspired by iconic Eastern European and Soviet-era cars. Selecting just the right headlight shape and glow was crucial in finalizing their lovable look—blending nostalgia and futurism seamlessly. [/p][p][/p][h3]Robot Automation Improved[/h3][p]We've heard you loud and clear—the robots needed better clarity! Here’s what we improved: [/p]

• [p]Smarter Robots: Robots now have clearer priorities and more logical behavior patterns.[/p]
• [p]Detailed Info Window: Production buildings now display detailed information about robots assigned to specific tasks, helping you stay on top of your automation.[/p]
• [p]Color-coded Robots: You mentioned difficulty distinguishing between robot helpers, so we’ve acted immediately! Our new Robot Gardener will be green, and we're considering unique colors for other robots as well to help with easy recognition. Any suggestions for colors? Let us know below![/p][p] [/p]

[h3]Introducing the Martian Day-Night Cycle[/h3][p]Our team is already coding an authentic Martian day-night cycle, complete with Mars's moons—Phobos and Deimos—clearly visible in the sky.[/p][p]Gameplay-wise, this new mechanic brings significant changes: [/p]

• [p]Solar panels shut down at night, demanding smart energy planning.[/p]
• [p]Exclusive night markets appear once every two in-game weeks, with rare deals and special items. We’re even crafting a custom Martian calendar—expect frequent dust storms during Martian summers![/p]

[p]What other nighttime events would you love to see on Mars? Tell us in the comments! [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Graphics and Performance Optimization[/h3][p]Your feedback from Playtests highlighted FPS drops despite the game running on many video cards. While the major optimization pass will happen closer to release, we’ve already conducted several improvements in lighting and landscape optimization. Moreover, our streamlined 3D-modeling pipeline ensures high visual quality without heavy impacts on performance. Expect smoother gameplay—even in the early builds![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Here’s a sneak peek into our plans: [/p]

• [p]Adding essential gameplay features and preparing for the next round of Playtests.[/p]
• [p]Developing the Cargo Station systems: refined orders and in-game shop.[/p]
• [p]Integrating the Space Elevator and Technical Gateway into our main location.[/p]
• [p]Creating the Robot Gardener’s detailed 3D model—stay tuned for updates![/p]
• [p]Finalizing integration of Martian day-night cycle featuring moons Phobos and Deimos.[/p]
• [p]Enhancing visuals on all game models, adding extra details and authentic Martian dust.
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[p]Are you excited yet? We definitely are! What feature are you most eager to see next? Drop your comments below—we read each and every one! For more details, join our Discord Server[/p][p][/p][p]And don't forget to wishlist AGRONOM—your support truly means everything to us: [/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]With love, [/p][p]The AGRONOM Team 🧡[/p]