[h2]Filipe - Lead Programmer[/h2]
After the release of an update we usually start working on improvements, bug fixes or reworking things that aren’t functioning as intended. That’s exactly what happened after the release of Update #2, we deployed several hotfixes, which not only fixed stuff, but also added additional content.
Performance is always one of our primary concerns, whatever we do we try to do it in the most optimized manner possible, but sometimes that doesn’t work out or it results in bugs, but there are always several ways to do something, but to make it good and performant is the real challenge.
Anyways, we’ve got a lengthy list of bug fixes, but we’ve also managed to add some additional content. We reimplemented the Foliage Interaction to the foliage, and I managed to make it work with replication in a very efficient way, so you can see foliage bending and shaking when something moves, big or small.
I also managed to create a solution for the Admin spectator camera, to display usernames and Steam IDs of all connected players in the server, it works well and doesn't cause big performance hits to the server, since it is mostly data, not processing. This is a very popular addition for admins, but doesn´t stop there, we will add more as progress moves forward.
Also implemented some improvements to ragdoll, especially when replication is reinitiated, to pounce, pickup and some movement server corrections as well as vocals. But vocals were not exactly improved, they were reworked, to be more efficient, have more realistic attenuation distance (being adjusted yet) and also avoid any kind of latency. So now it is latency free and in sync with animation.
Other small things are, for example: Plus icon to blood meter, so you know when it is being recovered. A new (surprise!!) health indicator in the dinosaur profile (heart icon). AI now bleeds, so easier to track and chat now clears the list at a certain point, to avoid performance issues, besides simple commands to toggle them:
/gl - Sends a message in Global chat
/gr - Sends a message in Group chat
/ls - Sends message in Local Species chat
[h2]dmIV - Programmer[/h2]
As always there were many bugs that needed to be fixed. One that was particularly annoying was juvies not being able to get out of water in the same places where adults had no problem. The way swimming works in the engine can be difficult to work with and slow swim speeds led to this issue. Fortunately one of my movement system overhauls made it possible to just add a little boost to the dino’s speed until it successfully gets out of the water.
With the Tenontosaurus gaining access to CC attacks it became important to add some prevention against getting stunlocked. Later on I also tweaked the attack to only stagger dinosaurs that are close to your own weight instead of having a sharp limit where something is either knocked down or unaffected. It still felt a bit too strong so I disabled CC for attacks that hit the tail.
I’ve been able to dedicate most of my time to working on the Pteranodon lately. Stamina is now consumed when gaining altitude during flight so you can’t just fly forever anymore. I made gliding not consume any, but we’ll see how that works out. Initially I just set some baseline values and we tweak those as time goes on. The takeoffs work better now as well. Starting your flight from running is free, but it only lifts you up a little. Taking off from standing still takes you much higher quickly, but you’ll feel its impact on your stamina so it’s best suited for situations where you need to get away quickly.
Finally I’ve been busy working on the skimming mechanic. If you spot a school of fish in the water you can try to catch one by flying over them while holding the right mouse button. Then you just need to release it at the right time. It might sound like free food, but hitting the water could easily mean you becoming someone’s dinner instead.
[h2]Amar0k - Programmer[/h2]
As I’m sure many of you are aware I’ve been working on the Regional Spawning System. It allows players to select from a variety of spawn areas, a significant QoL improvement for playing with friends. It also helps to prevent spawnkilling by distributing players across a general area rather than on a static spawnpoint.
The majority of the last few weeks I’ve been working on the brand new Fish AI, which is now ready to be pulled apart and destroyed by our eager QA team. Terrain Alignment and IK is also on the way, though it is still in its early days and I can’t wait to share more.
We’ve also been tinkering with the recently released Unreal Engine 4.26 update and we’re in the process of getting the project ready to transition to that version as it contains some very nice features that we are hyped to take advantage of.
[h2]Wedge - Sound Designer[/h2]
My attention has been turned towards designing the vocal sounds for both the Pteranodon and the Deinosuchus the past couple of weeks. Both creatures present their own unique challenge. For the Pteranodon I wanted to create a sound palette unique from existing examples, whilst maintaining believability for all calls. The core layers of the final sounds after a few prototypes consist of various rhythmic bird-like chirping and cooing sounds and beak clacking, as well as sustained croaks, hisses and screeches. Additionally, the Pteranodon attack and pain sounds have also been created.
As most modern Crocodilians have a limited range of vocal sounds, the difficulty with the Deinosuchus was stretching the few sounds they do make over several vocalisations and still be varied, relying on the expressiveness of these sounds to convey the right feel for each call. An interesting element introduced is the pop of its jaw latching shut used in both the threaten call and bite sound, however this sound as well as the rest of these calls may be subject to change as they are evaluated.
Another aspect of the audio that has become an issue is the attenuations on the Vocal calls, locating the Dinosaur that produced the call as it stands is difficult. So adjustments are being made to create a more realistic representation of how the sound is affected over distance whilst still allowing the calls to travel long distances. This is an ongoing issue that will be regularly refined as we progress and more creatures are added.
[h2]Tapwing - Concept Artist[/h2]
It’s an animal I pictured to be an in-between of passive and vicious. When it comes to behaviour, I referenced cheetahs and bulls loosely. (Posing certainly didn’t transfer easily with such different anatomy) In the end I went with the watchful, bull-like , almost elegant hunter. It’s lands are the plains and it’s either going to be curious about you or looking to eat you.
The oversized honey badger of the Isle. With an iron stomach, its able to dig into many putrid carcasses that might otherwise poison other carnivores. Even cannibalism isn’t far from the menu. A vicious bully with a vicious bite, but when it can’t chase its foe away, having a more hydrodynamic body than its peers can give it an edge to take the food and run.
I don’t know about you but it’s hard to not see seagulls, albatrosses and Rynchops looking at Ptera. Though a glider primarily skimming for fish, it’s also got a knack for harassment and thievery. So keep a sharp eye on your food and a tight grip on your prey, or it might disappear faster than you can take notice.
[h2]KissenKitten - Producer[/h2]
Well look at this! The last DevBlog of the year! 2020 has been a wild ride for all of us and not just the team but the whole world. But through it all, we have remained steadfast in our intent and vision. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our new players for your budding interest in our game and all of our veterans for your continued support over the years. Game Development is a challenging vocation but make no mistake, we are here for it. Through our trials and tribulations, our successes and triumphs and our mistakes and losses, we have endured and in many ways flourished. Each day we grow as people, as a team and as developers. You all are an integral part of that process so thank you all so much for being a part of our journey and helping to push us forward.
For me this month, I’ve been updating some EVRIMA animations as well as passes on the Pteranodon’s animations and features. Setting the stage for Update 3. With December being our shortest production month of the year, we’re rounding out with a hotfix to Update 2 that should hopefully give you all some fun experiences over the holidays. I’m shooing the team away today to spend time with their loved ones, catch up on shows, play games or just stare at a wall in an empty room for a few weeks if they so choose. But no production (if I have anything to say about it). Everyone will return to production the second week in January, hopefully rejuvenated and ready to hit the ground running on Update 3. We have already soared over so much ground with the Pteranodon (sorry Punch) that we should be able to get the Ptera off of our production plate relatively quickly (crosses fingers). The Deinosuchus though, is going to be our heaviest hitter. We are striving to knock it’s gameplay out of the park and give you guys a unique experience for this aquatic terror with all the shoreline lunging, deathrolling, bone crunching action, the likes of which you have never seen. Outside of a documentary anyway. So wish us luck going forward, keep those bug reports flowing and have a wonderful holiday and a better 2021 than your 2020. As always, be good to yourselves and each other. See you next year!