Life is a Journey News

[h3]Hello travellers!🗺️🚙[/h3]

Welcome to the eighth devlog! Today, we don't want to talk only about numbers and scripts. We want to talk about the feelings that accompany our journey. LifeIsAJourney is not just a game about driving a van – it's a story about finding a balance between freedom and being needed.

[h3]🌊 Coastal Psychology: Escape and Purpose[/h3]

Many of us play games to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In Episode 4, our hero arrives at the beach – a place that symbolises peace, but also unpredictability in psychology.

Seasonal work as a lifeguard ⛑️: It's not just a way to earn money for fuel. It's a moment when the game changes pace. From a lone traveller, you become a guardian. The feeling that others (NPCs) rely on your eyesight and quick reactions builds a unique bond with the game world. Will you make it in time? This responsibility gives your journey a deeper meaning.

[h3]🚣 Loneliness on the waves: The rhythm of rowing[/h3]

The introduction of a rowing boat is our nod to ‘slow gaming’. The physics of rowing have been designed so that the player has to get into a certain rhythm.

Psychological aspect 🧠: Rhythmic activities have a calming effect on our brain (similar to ASMR). Rowing out to the middle of a lake or bay allows you to feel isolated from the world, giving you a moment to reflect before returning to the bustling rescue base.

[h3]🌓 Light that soothes: The new Day and Night cycle[/h3]

The psychology of colours plays a key role in how we feel. That's why we've completely redesigned the visuals of the game's day cycle:

🌅 Golden hour: The warm colours of the sunset are meant to evoke a sense of nostalgia and fulfilment in the player after a hard day's work on the beach.


🌃Deep night: The new night lighting is now softer. We want you to feel a sense of secure intimacy when you step outside your motorhome and sit by the campfire, which is the only bright spot in the darkness.

[h3]🛠️ House on wheels: A safe haven[/h3]

Thanks to improvements such as battery-powered radio and a quick-build system, your camper becomes more than just a vehicle – it's your safe haven.

Psychologically, people need a place over which they have complete control. The ability to repair the radio or quickly light a fire creates a sense of home, no matter where you park.

[h3]👥 NPC with a soul[/h3]

Our new random NPC system ensures that the world is no longer empty. Seeing people sunbathing, chatting or wandering around the beach, you no longer feel like the only actor on stage. Interacting with them, having simple conversations and ensuring their safety satisfies your instinctive need to belong to a community.


Adding us to your Wishlist has real power! Click on the link below
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3618320/Life_is_a_Journey/
And then:

➡️ “Follow” and “Add to your wishlist” ⬅️
Now we are in touch!

[h2]Hello, Travellers!🧭[/h2]
Welcome to DEVLOG #7! Over the past few weeks, we've been focused on one goal:
maximising fluidity and immersion in interactions with our world.

Thanks to completely new systems – from a revolutionary interface to new exploration and cooking options – the game is gaining the level of polish you expect. Let's move on to the most important changes that will surely encourage you to add the game to your Wishlist!
[h2]⚙️ UI/UX Revolution: Dynamic Menu and Smart Tools[/h2]
We have completely redesigned the way players interact with the world to make it faster and more ergonomic.
[h3]🧠 Multifunctional Circular Menu (Pie Menu)
[/h3]

We have introduced a Dynamic Circular Menu, activated by the middle mouse button, which adapts to your actions.

🔸 Always Adaptive: The menu automatically changes its content depending on the context! You will see different options when walking and different ones when sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle.

🔸 Vehicle Controls: In a camper van or the new quad bike, the menu turns into a cockpit for controlling indicators and lights.
[h3]🔭 Binoculars and Compass: Explorer's Tools[/h3]
Two key exploration tools have been added to your arsenal, accessible directly from the Wheel Menu.

🔸 Binoculars: We have added a model, animations and a functional system for Binoculars. You can now admire the world from a distance. We have also improved the responsiveness of the camera to make it as fast as the binoculars.

🔸 Compass: A fully functional, animated Compass pointing North is now on board, complete with its own open and close sounds.

[h2]🏍️ Extreme Mobility and Details[/h2]
Our world is expanding and requires appropriate means of transport.
[h3]🌲 QUAD enters the fray![/h3]

We've added a model, animations, and full physics for the Quad! It's the perfect vehicle to go off-road and explore those corners of the map that the Camper couldn't reach. New rocks and road details will make riding the Quad varied and engaging.

[h3]✨ System Improvements[/h3]
🔸 Smooth Driving: No more frustrating blockages! The camper, bicycle, and character smoothly pass over kerbs and bumps.

🔸 Vehicle Interactions: The camper radio works in all its glory – on/off, volume slider, and battery dependency!

🔸 Dirt System: The entire vehicle dirt system has been rebuilt and configured to work perfectly on all machines.
[h2]🔥 New Level of Interaction: Cooking and Demo Missions[/h2]
Our demo has gained new, specific goals that close the activity loop:
[h3]🍽️ Frying System and Meal Preparation[/h3]
You can now fry fish over a fire! Be careful not to burn them – a new indicator will tell you the level of doneness. We have also introduced the ability to skewer fish on a stick.

[h3]🏗️ Instant Building and New Goals[/h3]
Building a campfire is now faster! With the new system, simply press the
‘F’ key (with the tooltip active) and the required resources from your backpack will automatically be transferred to the structure.
We have expanded the demo ending by adding new missions (Journal) and dialogues that will guide you through these newly added systems (e.g. lighting a fire and preparing a meal).
[h2]🌟 Add Us to Your Wishlist – It's More Important Than You Think! 🌟[/h2]
The game is growing in strength! New exploration tools, a dynamic interface, and numerous QoL improvements make the gameplay smoother and more engaging than ever.

Adding us to your Wishlist has real power! Click on the link below
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3618320/Life_is_a_Journey/
And then:

➡️ “Follow” and “Add to your wishlist” ⬅️

Each addition is treated by Steam as an indicator of the game's enormous potential, which directly translates into our visibility and chances of success. Help us reach more players!

[h2]Hello gamers,
[/h2][h2]Steam Awards Nominations 2025 have launched!
[/h2][h3]Just to let you know, in just max 5 minutes, you can[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p]❤️Support the developers of this game [/p][p][/p][p]🏆Get a cool Steam Awards Community badge that boosts your Steam level[/p][p][/p][p]🤝Be happy to be involved in a Community Event [/p][h3]
You just need to:

1. Nominate the game of your choice for the award
[/h3][p] [/p][h3]You can simply go to the game's Steam page, and there will be a banner located just under the trailers/screenshots section.[/h3][h3]

2. Nominate other games, ideally one of the FreeMind games

[/h3][h3]You go to the main Steam page and click on the banner above, and nominate a game of your choice.[/h3][h3]

3. Create or update a review of the game[/h3][p][/p][h3]
4. Start and play the nominated game[/h3][p][/p][h3] [/h3][h3]If you are having problems, just let us know we will try to help.

FreeMind team.

[/h3][h3]PS. If you want to support us and you think our game/s deserve a nomination, you can do your badge just with us, though it would be quite impressive if you held all of our titles.[/h3][p]
Here is just an example that FreeMind can be nominated in any category[/p][p][/p][p]
[/p]

[h2]Hello, travellers! 🧭👣⛰️[/h2]

In this DevLog, we're venturing off the beaten path! Your peaceful journey will no longer consist solely of driving and refuelling. We've introduced mechanics that will allow you to survive away from civilisation, light a fire, and obtain food. DevLog #6 is primarily about putting the finishing touches on the demo and introducing new systems for interacting with the world!

[h3]Survival on the road: Crafting and Campfire 🪵🔥[/h3]
We've introduced a key element of survival — the Craft Book!

🔹Survival Manual: This is a special book that contains blueprints for building basic objects. From now on, you will be able to build things like bonfires or fences (vines will come in handy!) from resources found in the game world.
🔹Lighting a Bonfire: Building it isn't everything. We've introduced a complete mechanic for lighting a bonfire using flint! Of course, if you get caught in the rain, the bonfire will go out, and you'll have to forget about your attempts until the weather clears up. You'll also be able to destroy the objects you create yourself.


[h3]Rod in hand: Fishing system 🎣[/h3]
We have introduced a system that will satisfy every angler! Fishing is a new, relaxing (and useful!) mechanic:

🔹 Full mechanics: We have created a complete fishing system with a fishing rod model, dedicated animations, and even simple physics for the line and float. We have added a fishing UI and, most importantly, fish in the lakes!
🔹 Fishing is fun: Now that you've found the right body of water, you can set up your rod and cast your float. It's the perfect way to replenish your food supplies!

[h3]Communication and Travel Settings 📍🗺️[/h3]
We've also been working on optimising the player experience and preparing the game for its global debut.

🔹 Settings Panel: I've improved the context menu by adding a full Settings option. From now on, you will be able to customise the game to suit your computer – change the resolution, shadows, textures and effects, as well as balance the volume and change the game language on the fly.

🔹 Camper improvements: We have increased the range of the boot opening. We have also added clear markings on the bonnet so that no one has any doubts about where the engine compartment is.
🔹 Road tips: We've added messages that will appear on the screen when you run out of fuel or when something is wrong with the engine – your camper will let you know if it's in trouble!

[h3]Final touches to the demo 🔧[/h3]
We are finalising work on the demo! We have improved the balance of needs (food, drink) and fuel consumption – everything so that you can enjoy driving longer and more peacefully. The improvements also included the camera on the bicycle and the physics of driving, which makes riding on two wheels smoother and more enjoyable.
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Thank you for your support! With each change, we are getting closer to the moment when you will embark on this extraordinary journey. Get ready!

[h2]Hello, travelers! 🧭👣⛰️[/h2]

In this fifth DevLog, I would like to show you how intensively we are developing the game, preparing it for the demo release. We have made hundreds of improvements and added several key systems that will make the demo polished, engaging, and offer much more freedom!

[h3]A New Adventure: Help on the Road 🛣️🎖️[/h3]
Your journey isn't just about taking care of yourself and your car! We've introduced an event on the road that's a great opportunity for some quick mechanics training.

🔸 Tutorial in action: You will encounter a woman who needs help changing a wheel! This event, enhanced with cutscenes and dialogue, serves as an organic introduction to the mechanics of using a jack and changing wheels. It's a way to learn the basics in road conditions before your camper van breaks down for real.

🔸 Living world: To add immersion, I've improved the traffic AI system. Vehicles move more realistically, can detect obstacles and slow down, adding life to the roads.

[h3]Real challenges and equipment 🏆💪🧠[/h3]
Preparation is key to your journey. We have introduced two key systems that completely change the way you manage yourself and your environment.


🔸Backpack and Inventory: No more carrying just one item! I've created a backpack and inventory system that allows you to carry several items at once. I've also added a special instructional video in the tutorials that explains how to use it.
● Honesty pays off: I've also improved the theft system. If you accidentally put something in your backpack and then take it out and pay at the checkout, you won't suffer any consequences!

🔸 Dynamic weather: We have introduced a weather system! In the demo, you will experience a short rain shower with realistic camera effects, puddles, and sound—it doesn't rain indoors, which is crucial for immersion.


[h3]Details, details, and more details 🔍👀[/h3]
This stage involves hundreds of improvements that make the game more beautiful and stable:

🔸 Photography: I created a photo mode system that allows you to change the depth of field (DOF) and take beautiful shots of your travels.



🔸 Police officer at the station: We have added a police officer 👮 at the gas station who you can talk to. He will politely but firmly inform you that theft is not welcome!

🔸 Maximum interaction: I have improved the action blocking system – for example, you cannot pee, drink, or eat while talking. Realistic lighting in the camper has also been taken care of, and damaged lamps simply do not shine.

🔸 House interior: I built the interior of the starting house and garage with a lighting system and interactive doors to give your adventure a solid foundation.



🔸 New mechanic: Our character can now swim in the lake! 🏊


[h3]Ready to go! 🚨🔥[/h3]
The game has been tested, optimized (especially in terms of graphics), and finally translated into eight languages. The storyline is complete, and at the end of the demo, a special ending scene and acknowledgments await you. We have also reduced fuel consumption, hunger, and thirst so that you can enjoy driving in the demo for longer.
We're just waiting for the final touches! 🔜⏳

Thank you for your incredible support! I hope you can't wait to embark on this journey⚡