[h2]Experimental Branch Release[/h2][expand]
[h3]How to switch between “Experimental” and “Normal” branches[/h3]
In your Steam library, right-click Escape The Pacific and select “Properties”. A window will pop up. On the left select “Betas” and from the dropdown select “Experimental” to access this update. You can switch back to “None” to access the stable branch.[/expand]
Hello Survivors!
Given our private circumstances, this Exp is the first Exp release that is still under heavy development. What better way for you to contribute to shaping the future of Escape the Pacific?
Your patience is truly appreciated. As a small indie studio, Escape the Pacific is our passion project. Over five years, we've been committed to regular updates, driven by your feedback and positivity. Thank you for being an integral part of this incredible journey!
We know you like transparency and we'd like to share with you that our personal lives were turned upside down in the past two months, which ended up in this delay. However, it's finally here!
[h3]Fun fact[/h3]
This end of year was the most relaxed one we ever had, moving towards Q4 release, and out of nowhere we were triple-slapped in the face by life. We won't bore you with details and we hope you're not taking this as an excuse.
-- Peter --
[h2]TLDR[/h2]
- New UI - Massive design overhaul
- Custom HUD settings and UI scale options
- Bird Trap Mechanics
- Companion and Bird Cage Mechanics
- Refactored 31k lines of code
- Squished more bugs than you can fit in a coconut bowl
- Reworked 200 actions related to the hotkey and control system
[h2]UI Design Overhaul[/h2]
We don't want to spoil it for you, so we will only show a couple of the new UI updates. Please feel free to experience the rest yourself, and let us know how you feel about it.
One major change is the new popup when aiming at an object. We've heard you and we've redesigned it bigger. This will make your life easier, especially when reading Blueprint ingredients.
Another major change is the way we separated the key bindings.
- Local Actions: These are actions that can be performed with the item that is in your hand, will be displayed above the Item in Hand icon, bottom right of the screen
- External Actions: These are actions that can be performed to the external item that you’re looking at
[h2]Companion[/h2]
Many of you asked for a companion and I bet you didn’t expect this to be one of the most vicious things in the game… The killer Gulls!
- If you decide to keep them as pets, please make sure you keep them fed and watered
- You’ll be able to take them out of the cage and release them. They will fly towards the nearest cluster. This might come in handy while you’re out at sea, searching for a new cluster.
You can craft the bird cage from the crafting menu, to safely transport your new companion.
[h2]Bird Trap[/h2]
Pretty much self explanatory, the Bird Trap! Craft it from the menu, position, arm, bait, and await the fluttering seagull. Note: the seagull model might not be updated in the experimental version—enjoy the current one for now. Happy trapping!
[h2]Sailing UI/UX[/h2]
We have simplified the sailing UX, and split the available settings into two categories:
- [h3]Sailing Mode[/h3]
- Beginner
- You influence the boat movement. Sails and Rudders are set automatically by the system, based on your key input.
- Sail and Rudder control: Auto
- Sail and Raft behavior: Auto
- Raft and Wind indicator: On
- Advanced
- You influence the rotation and position of the Sails and Rudders. The boat movement is based on the position and rotation of the Sails and Rudders.
- Sail and Rudder control: Manual
- Sail and Raft behavior: Manual
- Raft and Wind indicator: On
- Realistic
- You influence the rotation and position of the Sails and Rudders. The boat movement is based on the position and rotation of the Sails and Rudders.
- Sail and Rudder control: Manual
- Sail and Raft behavior: Manual
- Raft and Wind indicator: Off
- [h3]Weather Mode[/h3]
- Beginner
- The EtP Gods are on your side! Wind will always blow from the side, driving your boat forward.
- The wind will never stop blowing, as long as your sails are up.
- Upwind: Disabled
- Calm Wind: Disabled
- Advanced
- The EtP Gods are testing you! Wind will always blow from the side, driving your boat forward.
- The wind might stop blowing. This is called Calm Wind amongst Sailors.
- Upwind: Disabled
- Calm Wind: Enabled
- Realistic
- The EtP Gods are merciless! The actual weather will determine the wind blowing direction.
- As in the real life of a Sailor, Calm Wind situations may occur.
- Upwind: Enabled
- Calm Wind: Enabled
We have also tidied up the sailing UI, to make the interaction more straight forward.
[h2]Keybinding improvements[/h2]
In a game filled with nearly countless interactions and boundless possibilities, we're tackling the challenge of implementing a more player-friendlier keybinding system. We have added categorized keybindings in the settings menu. The first additions include three main interaction keys and dedicated keys for sailing. This is an ongoing process, and we're dedicated to providing a fully refined system to enhance your gaming experience, making it even more intuitive.
[h3]Dedicated Sailing Keys[/h3]
[h3]Dedicated interaction Keys[/h3]
[h2]UI scale options[/h2]
You now have the possibility to scale certain UI elements. The default size is 100% and you can scale it up to 140%. This applies to screens like inventory, crafting page and similar.
[h3]HUD scale 100%[/h3]
[h3]HUD scale 120%[/h3]
[h3]HUD scale 140%[/h3]
[h2]HUD customization[/h2]
You can now customize how much of the HUD elements you want to see on the screen, to fully immerse yourselves in the game. You can find these settings on the settings page on the Graphic tab.
[h3]HUD Level Full[/h3]
Shows all HUD elements
[h3]HUD Level Medium[/h3]
Hides Food Diversity info.
[h3]HUD Level Low[/h3]
Shows only Health, action keys and the aimed-at item popup.
[h3]HUD Level Off[/h3]
Hides everything.
[h2]Deferred Features[/h2]
Admitting our oversight, implementing three long-awaited features posed unforeseen challenges:
- Ropes in blueprints
- A reworked tutorial
- A clean water pond on Hill Island
Despite initial setbacks, we're near completion and thrilled to unveil them early next year. Your patience is greatly appreciated!
Your input shapes the game, so don't hesitate to let us know how you feel.
We wanted to take a moment to extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. Your unwavering support, enthusiasm, and dedication to our game have made this journey truly extraordinary. We're grateful to have such an amazing community by our side.
-- Radu --
From the entire G4GT team I wish you a great rest of the day!
[h2]One last thing[/h2]
We've added new 3D models for the Knife, Hammer and Axe.
