Devlog #11: Summer Vibes & Preparing for the Next Playtest
[h2]Greetings, Martian Farmers! 🌱🚀 [/h2][p]Summer is finally here—vacation season even reached our indie studio! Half of our team is already relaxing by the sea, enjoying some well-deserved rest, while the other half has retreated to their cozy dachas to level up their gardening skills (gotta keep that farming authentic, right?). Even developers need to learn how to grow potatoes and carrots to inspire our Martian agriculture![/p][p][/p][p]Yet, despite the slower summer pace, we remain incredibly excited about the upcoming second round of AGRONOM Playtests. Your fantastic feedback has already helped us a lot, and we can't wait to show you how your suggestions have transformed the game.[/p][p][/p]![]()
[/p][h3]Greenhouse Interior: Soviet Cozy Vibes[/h3][p]Interiors are finally coming to AGRONOM! Here's a glimpse into our Greenhouse’s current state. Inspired not just by Eastern European brutalism and monumentalism, but also by the warmth and comfort of Soviet-era homes, we're creating an authentic, cozy atmosphere that truly feels like home—even on Mars.
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[/p][h3]Universal Compartment: Comfort Without Plants[/h3][p]We're also detailing the Universal Compartment interiors, striving to bring the same cozy feel, just without the plants. Expect atmospheric lighting, thoughtful details, and a special vibe that blends nostalgia and futuristic function perfectly. [/p][p][/p][p]![]()
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[/p][p][/p][h3]Technical Gateway: A Link to AgroNova’s Secrets[/h3][p]Last Devlog, we revealed concept art for the Technical Gateway. Now you can see it starting to come alive in 3D. This structure is crucial—it connects you directly to the deeper narrative, allowing you to uncover what AgroNova Corporation has been hiding. Intriguing, isn't it?[/p][p][/p][p]![]()
[/p][p][/p][h3]Space Elevator Wreckage: History in the Landscape[/h3][p]Remember the concept art for the Space Elevator wreckage? We’ve begun integrating it into the game’s environment. These pieces will not only enhance the visuals and atmosphere but also guide you around the map and reveal fascinating history about your Martian plot. [/p][p][/p][p]![]()
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Visuals
[p][/p][h3]Cargo Station: Now Even More Important![/h3][p]We've finished the detailed 3D model of our Cargo Station, and it's already looking fantastic! Texture creation is ahead, as well as visual effects: dust, bolts and nuts and such. In AGRONOM, the Cargo Station isn't just decorative—it’s your first step towards building a thriving Martian base. You'll start by disassembling some of its damaged components, repurposing them to power your earliest buildings. How cool is that? [/p][p]Gameplay & Programming
[p][/p][h3]Smarter Robot Automation[/h3][p]We've made significant improvements to robot automation based on your feedback from the first playtests: [/p]- [p]New Gardener Robot: Calm, nature-loving, and very green, this bot carefully plants, waters, and harvests crops, making your farm efficient and vibrant.[/p]
- [p]Improved Robot Assistant Priorities: Robots now find tasks more logically, no longer running across the map or standing idle.[/p]
- [p]Detailed Statistics Screen: Quickly track your robots' locations, tasks, and battery statuses. Already, it's helped us identify and fix robot charging imbalances. Expect shorter charge times and better battery efficiency soon![/p]
What’s Next? 😏
[p]Here's a quick look at our upcoming tasks for next month:[/p]- [p]Continuing our comprehensive UI/UX redesign.[/p]
- [p]Finalizing the second round of Playtests with completed Statistics and Map screens.[/p]
- [p]Finishing detailed textures for the Cargo Station, Greenhouse, and Universal Compartment interiors.[/p]
- [p]Developing new interfaces for the Shop and Quest systems.[/p]