Occlude News

[p][/p][p]Welcome to our second update post. If you haven't guessed, we're committed to making Occlude absolutely fantastic for everyone. [/p][p]I hope we've shown this by doing two updates in four days alone![/p][p]You can read about the changes we made in the first 24 hours to the demo here.[/p][p]If you're a fan of studios who listen to feedback and games with this level of love in them, please consider wishlisting the game. [/p][p]Each wishlist boosts us in the Steam algorithm and helps us reach an audience on an increasingly crowded Steam.[/p][p]Our second update brings more highly requested changes to the Occlude demo. Lower down you can read what we're changing for launch based off your feedback.[/p][p][/p][h2]Demo Update 2 Changes[/h2][h3]Undo/Redeal Hints[/h3][p]Players have been requesting help for when their game gets 'locked' - Either when they need to undo a move or can't make any more moves.[/p][p]For both of these cases the Redeal and Undo buttons will now animate. We hope this removes the frustration some have felt not knowing if they can advance or not![/p][p]Players have also requested a wider Hint system which may take more time. We'd like to see if this change helps before committing to a kind of larger, more design fiddly change such as that. [/p][p]We're a small team, working on an even smaller amount of time, so we sadly have to pick our battles.[/p][p][/p][h3]Snappier Cards, easier movement[/h3][p]A number of players find that moving cards is sluggish and difficult. [/p][p]So, we've sped up the movement of cards when being dragged. Fling those cards around and please do tell us how it feels![/p][p]This was a great first step, but we also got feedback that shifting cards to the Foundation was laborious. No more - You can now double click to send a card straight to the Foundation. [/p][p]This has meant we've swapped marking cards to a right-click. We know this many make one Ritual marginally harder, so let us know if you like/dislike this change.[/p][p][/p][h3]Cards coming off screen[/h3][p]Players found that with extra big Tableau piles, cards were wandering off the screen and became unclickable. [/p][p]Like we said in the last post, we had a fix in mind for this, and now as of today Tableau piles will resize when lots of cards are placed on them.[/p][p]This works for all game resolutions and is weirdly really fun to do.[/p][p][/p][h3]Wrong Rituals fixed[/h3][p]A bug we started to track after posting our last update was players continuing or loading back into games to find they are playing a different Ritual.[/p][p]This was actually a fun bug - The players weren't actually playing different Rituals, just the asset for the Ritual Card wasn't updating properly. Joy.[/p][p]This update fixes this, so now you won't see the wrong Ritual Card when returning to a game.[/p][p]There were a few other places this was occurring that weren't reported we also fixed, because we're nice like that.[/p][p][/p][h2]Launch changes based on feedback[/h2][p]This responds to 3 of the 5 major bits of feedback we mentioned in the last update. The other 2, plus the many suggestions, ideas and input we've received, are going to take a bit longer to respond to.[/p][p]Some have forced us to redesign the game and do so very carefully, but we're confident these changes make Occlude better for everyone.[/p][p][/p][h3]"Casual Mode"[/h3][p]Though a lot of feedback liked the current difficulty, many felt it was too punishing. [/p][p]Many more specifically asked for a casual mode and we're now working on this.[/p][p]Our current thinking is that this would have an unlimited undo and two purgatory slots, as well as its own set of seeds that are easier to complete. [/p][p]Naming to be confirmed, as "casual" sounds a little derogatory for our liking.[/p][p]We also realized that lots of players simply didn't expect the 'Occlude Experience' - A tricky game of Solitaire where Redealing is encouraged and failure expected. That's on us. [/p][p]We're look at messaging to make it abundantly clear to players what the game is about, while pointing to this "casual" mode as an option they may be interested in.[/p][p]By doing this, we don't affect the many players who like the current challenge of Occlude, who still get the difficulty and chewy version that's closer to this demo.[/p][p][/p][h3]RNG Difficulty/Balance[/h3][p]For both modes of Occlude we're generating new seeds to go into the game using a much altered seed generation system.[/p][p]These new seeds will be solve-able for all combinations of Final Cards. Our original thinking was that players wouldn't mind an occasional Redeal, but feedback has shown quite the opposite. [/p][p]These will also allow for simpler first moves so you can get a game started faster.[/p][p]For non-"casual" mode the seeds will be slightly easier than the demo but still tough, and for "casual" mode these will be considerably easier all round.[/p][p]We're also looking at detecting when players are struggling and throw them a bone with an easier seed.[/p][p]This is a massive undertaking and has taken us away from the many other features we want to add to Occlude, but we're confident it'll improve the game for everyone.[/p][p][/p][h3]Tutorialisation[/h3][p]Our current very basic Tutorial is not cutting the mustard! Feedback was really clear about that.[/p][p]We're allocating time to work on a more in-depth Tutorial that will guide players through the start of a game better.[/p][p]Tutorials are generally awful to make in games, so how extensive this will be down to how much time we get for it. Tiny team, tiny budget, tiny amount of time.[/p][p][/p][h3]Review screen[/h3][p]You want somewhere to see how many Coins you've earned, a few stats and even revisit old narrative that showed up? Sure thing![/p][p]We had planned this for launch, but your feedback has made us change how this will look - You clearly want lots of information about your runs and we want to give it to you.[/p][p][/p][h3]Meta-Narrative/More Rituals[/h3][p]Players want both more of a meta-narrative to the game and more Rituals to complete. [/p][p]That's a nice and easy bit of feedback to answer - We have both, but you'll have to wait for the full game to see it.[/p][p][/p][h2]Happy? Wishlist us![/h2][p]Thank you all again for your feedback. [/p][p]I can't lie, it's been tough read in places, but most of you have been wonderfully polite and understanding about the difficulties of indie game development.[/p][p]That feedback has made Occlude fundamentally better - Better than when we first released the demo and better for launch. [/p][p]We now have a clear path to follow when Occlude hits your Store page on the 10th of July.[/p][p]If you appreciate what we're doing, go wishlist Occlude. Like I said above, it helps us more than you can imagine.[/p][p]I'll keep up the updates and let you know how your feedback shaped the game.[/p][p]Thanks again,[/p][p]Sam[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p][/p][p]We've had a ton of feedback on our new Occlude Demo for NextFest. Plenty positive, a few negative, and the vast majority asking for one feature above all - An Undo button.[/p][p][/p][h2]Undo Button[/h2][p]Partly because we had a great deal of early feedback saying the difficulty was "just right" and partly for Secret Reasons that'll become obvious when you play the final game, an Undo mechanic was something we were planning for after the NextFest Demo.[/p][p]However it's become abundantly clear from feedback the Undo is absolutely necessary and necessary right now. So, your past mistakes can now be undone - We've worked at breakneck speed overnight to bring you an Undo button.[/p][p]For those of you concerned this will make the game trivial, do not worry - This won't let you undo everything.[/p][p]You can now undo moves up to the point you put a card in the Foundation. What this means is, if you accidentally lock yourself by moving cards around the Tableau (a common complaint), you don't have to reshuffle with a New Deal every time.[/p][p]Make sure you update the Demo to get this change and let us know what you think.[/p][p][/p][h2]Clearing Save Files[/h2][p]We've also had feedback saying that clearing game saves have had a few issues, including odd animations and game softlocks. We've identified this problem and pushed up that change to the demo with the Undo button update.[/p][p]If you're playing on old branches from playtesting and wanted to clear your saves manually, don't forget you can copy paste %USERPROFILE%\\\\AppData\\\\LocalLow\\\\Tributary Games\\\\Occlude\\\\Saves into your File Explorer to delete SAVEFILE.save in there.[/p][p][/p][h2]Feedback: Next Steps[/h2][p]We're not stopping there, of course. As a studio we pride ourselves on listening to our player's feedback and making changes based off of them.[/p][p]We're looking at five major bits of feedback we've had in the first 24 hours:[/p]

• [p]RNG difficulty/balance - We're hearing that the shuffle of cards in a new game is causing headaches for players. Essentially - You feel like the difficulty is too high. We're looking at our generation system to get you into the flow of Occlude quicker while keeping the challenge for those of you who enjoy the current level of difficulty.[/p]
• [p]Locked game indicator - You're asking for better feedback when a game can't be advanced, so we're taking a look at making the Undo and Reshuffle buttons animate, depending on game state, to make it clearer when you need to use them.[/p]
• [p]Speed/'snappiness' of cards - People are finding card movement too sluggish. That's a nice straightforward fix which we can get on straight away.[/p]
• [p]Cards coming off screen - We're aware that with certain resolutions sizes larger stacks of cards are coming off the screen. We have a fix for this we're working on right now.[/p]
• [p]Casual Mode - Lots of players are asking for a casual mode. This one is difficult - We're a small team and this would mean we'd have to build a whole other game mode in a short time, taking us away from vital other work. We're looking at our backlog of jobs to do and figuring out what can be done in the time and budget we have. No promises, I'm sorry to say, but we have some ideas how we can help.[/p]

[p]There is, of course, more feedback than this - But we've determined these are our top targets from the first 24 hours.[/p][p]If your feedback isn't above we've still recorded it and endeavor to answer it in time.[/p][p][/p][h2]And finally...[/h2][p]Thank you all so, so much for the feedback.[/p][p]Making games, especially at the size we are, isn't easy and we don't always get it right the first time. We're sadly only human. However, with your feedback, we can make Occlude something really special.[/p][p]Please be patient while we do this![/p][p]I'm super happy we got this change out in under 24 hours, but making a game is anything but easy and we have to balance finishing the game with feedback changes. It's a balance we don't always get right, but one we're committed to doing so.[/p][p]So go update the Demo, give it a spin, tell us what you think, and we'll keep on hammering away at code in the background. Expect some more updates soon.[/p][p]Sam[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p]

Passed down between generations, lost to dark rooms and hidden spaces, and now Occlude finds its way to you. [/p][p][/p][p]As part of Steam Next Fest, the first public demo for Occlude is here, bringing with it the first three Rituals from the game. [/p][p][/p][p]We've also released a brand new trailer for the game...
[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Once again, this is not Solitaire. Not in a form you'll be familiar with at least. And that's why we'd love to know what you think. Occlude is not an easy game - cryptic by design - and we'd love to know how you get on with it.
[/p][p]Let us know what you think![/p][h2]
Official Occlude Streams for Next Fest
[/h2][p]As part of the Next Fest celebrations, we have Should You Play It and others (to be announced very soon!) with official streams of the game, as well as an upcoming Dev Stream, with Sam and Owen of Tributary Games offering Director's commentary - possibly dropping some exclusive insight into the story and lore of the game as they play. You can watch this live at 19.30 BST on Tuesday 10th June - after which it will available here on Steam, too. [/p][p][/p][h2]New Evidence Emerges[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]And finally, in case you missed it, new evidence has just surfaced in the Investigation into Occlude. If you're interested in throwing yourself down an ARG rabbit hole in search of additional mystery and lore, there's no time like the present. [/p][p]The Investigation is far from over. Be vigilant.

The world [/p][p]is a broken machine. [/p][p]

[/p][p]https://store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/Occlude/[/p]

[p][/p][p]New evidence has found its way onto my desk.[/p][p]A photo of a room. A space long abandoned, long forgotten.[/p][p]Something happened here that changed the world and kept it the same. Was Occlude played in this space, many years ago?[/p][p][/p][p]I find myself reflecting.[/p][p]I've changed since throwing myself down this rabbit hole. Everything’s changed.[/p][p]Ideas once banal and spaces once empty are now pregnant with \[url=[dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]]meaning\ and energy. Everything has intention, there are no mistakes.[/p][p]I can say the same for myself. The more I learn about Occlude, the less I recognise the thoughts and spaces inside myself.[/p][p]I stare into the mirror, but am no longer sure whose face looks back.[/p][p]Something is happening. Others will soon find this game. Very soon. And I cannot protect them.[/p][p][/p][p]The world[/p][p][/p][p]is a broken machine.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

I haven’t dared play Occlude yet.

My sins are a part of me. If I change what I have done, do I change who I am? Will I - the one writing this - even survive, in meaningful form?

And yet, I long to play it. I lay out the cards, one by one. The foundations. The tableau. The focus.

The coins.

I sit there in what would be silence, if not for the drumming of the rain on my window panes. I stay in that silence for some time. Wrap it round me like a blanket.

And then I hear something.

Do they call to us, from the other side of the rain?

I tried to capture it. If the Castle found out how close I came, I’d be due for a dose of the blue stuff; so I have used my usual security methods, not that they're very advanced, furrfu.

There are things on the other side of the rain. They’re waiting for me to open the door.

If I get it wrong, I’ll know.

The world

is a broken machine.



https://store.steampowered.com/app/3547010/Occlude/