Dev Update #7

[h3] Tightening the bolts: map rebuilt, interaction polish, and a batch of stability fixes. A lot of small frustrations have been squashed — thanks for the reports and patience.[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][h3] World & Map [/h3]

• [p]Full map rebuild (two reworks since last update — final version landed),[/p]
• [p]Added remaining foliage across the map,[/p]
• [p]Broken stone walls implemented (zombies can break and climb rubble into the farm),[/p]
• [p]Added scrap piles that must be cleared by the player,[/p]

[p][/p][h3] Gameplay & Systems [/h3]

• [p]Tutorial consolidated through Wink Wonk (tutorial NPC),[/p]
• [p]Walls can expand and be upgraded through multiple levels from the defense workbench,[/p]
• [p]Refunding implemented for crop-plot upgrades,[/p]
• [p]Sun brightness now saves correctly between sessions,[/p]
• [p]All buildable items are available from workbenches if you have enough scrap (no unlock gate),[/p]
• [p]Backend groundwork added for future Missions,[/p]

[p][/p][h3] Balance & Progression[/h3]

• [p]Early-game balance adjusted for smoother onboarding,[/p]
• [p]Economy rebalanced (costs and scrap returns tuned),[/p]
• [p]Removed XP and Reputation requirements,[/p]

[p][/p][h3] Fixes & Quality of Life (Current Update) [/h3]

• [p]Fixed being double-charged at workbenches,[/p]
• [p]All crops are now unlocked at crop plots,[/p]
• [p]Fixed sunset/sunrise lighting glitches,[/p]
• [p]Fixed scrap piles twisting when collected,[/p]
• [p]Removed collision from the water-drop popup icon,[/p]
• [p]Fixed deleting crop plots not removing planted crops,[/p]
• [p]Fixed workbenches not functioning after reloading,[/p]
• [p]Corrected solar light price,[/p]
• [p]Fixed multiple internal errors (x5),[/p]
• [p]Improved cursor interaction reliability (clicking should feel consistent),[/p]
• [p]Made fully built walls highlight correctly,[/p]
• [p]Fixed wall occlusion, collision, and texture bugs,[/p]
• [p]Lowered wall health for gameplay pacing,[/p]
• [p]Dialog boxes auto-clear after 30 seconds if they become stuck,[/p]
• [p]Adjusted game music volume,[/p]
• [p]Fixed unstuck button not moving player to correct location,[/p]
• [p]Fixed workbench icons for objects,[/p]
• [p]Moved all buildable objects into workbenches (purchase via scrap),[/p]

[p][/p][h3] Removed / Retired [/h3]

• [p]Removed Ivy and other retired NPCs (Wink Wonk handles tutorials),[/p]
• [p]Removed Upgrade/Edit for exterior walls (system being redesigned),[/p]
• [p]Removed Harvest Signs and Decoration Caches (no longer in loot pool),[/p]
• [p]Removed select NPCs — kept Wink Wonk only,[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][h2]Working on Next [/h2][p][/p][h3] Gameplay & Interaction [/h3]

• [p]Players currently cannot click through walls to interact with nearby objects,[/p]
• [p]bushes are unclickable early due to mission gating, need to make this clear to the player,[/p]
• [p]Tutorial dialog occasionally disappears during Wink Wonk’s lines,[/p]
• [p]Tutorial guidance after planting/harvesting is being improved,[/p]
• [p]Decoration, and Defense Bench needs a locked/disabled indicator,[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Visuals [/h3]

• [p]Update: Replace older bush assets with new foliage variants,[/p]
• [p]Tweak: UI number spacing and layout for readability,[/p]
• [p]Tweak: Lighting — daytime too orange/bright, nighttime too flat,[/p]
• [p]Update: New wall models to fix stretched/squished look,[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Audio [/h3]

• [p]Adjust: Music mood rotation (three-track shuffle) to better match time-of-day perception,[/p]
• [p]Fix: Ambient crickets dont stop correctly after 8:00 AM,[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Bugs [/h3]

• [p]Fix: Players escaping the farm using the mech (collision containment),[/p]
• [p]Fix: Dropped money/items getting stuck in repaired walls,[/p]
• [p]Fix: Dialog stacking/locking when interacting quickly (high priority),[/p]
• [p]Fix: Newly placed crops sometimes missing water indicator,[/p]
• [p]Fix: Wall alert icons stacking on screen edges,[/p]

[p][/p][p]Thanks for all the playtesting and feedback — this patch focused on polish, interaction clarity, and stability. We’ll continue smoothing out tutorials and gameplay flow in the next updates![/p]