Digest #5: Oh, the Humanity!
Hey Autonomics!
How's it going? We're in the final 24 hours of the Kickstarter campaign, so if anyone missed it, now is your opportunity! We've been busy this week getting through the final bit of Kickstarter, and then we'll be hard at work getting alpha ready for September! It's been a wild ride through the Kickstarter, and there's even more cool stuff we've unlocked this week, so let's get right into it!
This was probably one of the biggest features we had people asking for, and now it's going to be a reality in our game! We think raising a family is another way to make your time spent in Autonomica a little more personal and warmer. Your kid(s) will grow through different life stages and respond to the attention you give them. As they get older, they'll start helping you around the homestead, farming, and automation, and even contribute to your home's overall stats. There's also going to be a system where your kids will inherit visual traits and possibly stat quirks from their parents.
We'll reveal more later on, we don't want to spoil everything.
We didn't want you to be all by your lonesome self or in a world populated solely by your friends. We want you to experience a truly living world full of people! But not real people. That's why we're going to talk a little bit about NPCs and what you can expect from your virtual acquaintances, friends, or even foes.
Even though they're not Real People™️they still live Real People Lives™️and do Real People Things™️such as having a home you can visit if you're good enough friends with them. If you're really, really good friends with them, they might even let you redecorate their space or you might convince them to come live with you. Just, try to not trap them in a room with no doors or leave them stranded in an attic with no way out. We've... seen things.
They've got likes, dislikes, and personality galore. They've each got their own routines, moods, and their own unique stories waiting for you to uncover. Before you do redecorate their house, they've got their own interior design styles that reflect their personalities, and once you've earned their trust, you can visit freely.
They'll also stay connected through a local in-game social network where they can update their status, chat with other characters, and even message you directly! We'll need to think of a good name for this. Maybe AutonomaBook? Or maybe even just the elusive ///A? We'll think on it!
Anyway, it's totally possible that you'll wake up to a surprise gift delivery, a note asking for help, or just a passive-aggressive update totally not aimed at you and what you said. It's another way for NPCs to stay present, even when you're not face to face with them!
By the way, NPCs won't follow the same paths every time you play. Their relationships will develop more organically, shaped by who they are, what's happening in the world, and how they're feeling. One session might have Nico hopelessly focused on Anjelica, and in another, he might keep his distance from her and be more interested in you.
NPCs will also react to your appearance. Since clothes have their own stats, such as practicality and impression, you might not want to show up on a date in your fertilizer-stained jumpsuit. As your relationships deepen, you'll experience new moments and opportunities. Some might be romantic while others might involve personal quests or playful minigames. We're planning on bringing those juicy cinematic cutscenes to life and make them feel meaningful.
If you're feeling judged for your appearance, just remember you can gift NPCs clothing, and if they like you enough, you might be able to convince them to wear it. If it fits their overall vibe, of course.
Like totally Real People™️NPCs will have different behaviors depending on the weather. When it's hot out, you might find them relaxing on the beach in their favorite swimwear. On rainy days, it's rainboots and seeking shelter! For those snowy nights, you might find them huddled in town, sipping on hot drinks or checking up on neighbors.
Since they're not all the same, some might adapt differently to different conditions. Some NPCs will be social butterflies during festivals while others might disappear into their workshops during storms or spend long nights preparing food for events. Some celebrate the holidays and some don't.
We're super glad you asked! We've got a few to introduce to you, Micha, Ricardo, and Kaia.
[h2]Micha[/h2]
Micha runs the town's flower shop, but she's not the sunniest person you'll meet. She's sharp, private, and she likes plants better than people. Because of this, she's a total expert in plant care and growth, capable of reviving nearly anything green, and she expects everyone to treat nature with the same respect. So, maybe think twice about littering in front of her.
You'll find her wandering alone, collecting rare blooms, or tending to flower beds. Beneath her icy exterior is someone shaped by loss, who found healing in the natural world.
And hey, she might like you better if you help her restock supplies and transform her shop.
[h2]Ricardo[/h2]
Former military pilot turned baker, Ricardo crash landed on the island seventeen years ago. The locals swear by his shop's crusty breads, too strong coffee, and brutal honesty.
He doesn't talk much about the crash or the leg he lost. Instead, he tells jokes that sound like orders and compliments that sound like warnings. He claims he's building a submarine, but whether or not it's real or just a thought bouncing around in his head, is really anyone's guess.
Stick around him long enough, help him stock his bakery and turn it into a lively community hub, and he might just realize he's already home.
[h2]Kaia[/h2]
By day, Kaia runs martial arts and yoga classes, but at night, or when a time portal opens, she's suiting up for something less peaceful. She's a mech and robot enthusiast with a serious knack for navigating the Finite (our fancy world for the future timelines).
She's one of the best traders around if you're looking to score some high-tech loot from the future.
A dazzling place I never knew!
But you will. Because we unlocked a new city for you to explore called Nova Astra! The city that never sleeps. It's powered by green tech and bathed in a synthetic light. Futuristic architecture meets pulsing nightlife.
Compare it to the laid-back, sunny vibe of Port Solaris (the city we've been referencing in other posts), Nova Astra has a totally different rhythm with a nightlife that can't be beat! You'll meet new NPCs, drive new vehicles along the palm tree lined highways, and gain entrance to new venues (if, of course, your style passes the vibe check).
In case you've been a little out of the loop, we've had a running joke between Kickstarter and Discord about a typo seen for the oven in one of the screenshots from the game. Thus, Owen was born, and we waffled over whether or not to make him a robot. After a lot of deliberation, we ended up making him hatch from an ever-growing button over on Kickstarter.
We call him.... Owen Primal the greatest cook alive, a Phantom Hunter forged in the Finite, brutal with entities, but surprisingly gentle with you.
Towering and quiet, Owen looks like he stepped out of myth—blond hair flowing in slow motion even when there’s no wind. It’s always perfect. No one knows how. Some say sorcery. Others whisper coconut oil. Owen isn’t saying.
He crushes Phantoms with brutal force, but treats people like delicate porcelain. Compliments confuse him. Romance short-circuits him. Emotion? Please don’t.
Owen believes the elusive Drama Queen Phantom holds the key to the ultimate recipe. He’s not just a good cook—he’s legendary. His stews soothe trauma. His plating makes chefs weep. His roast chicken? Tactical precision.
Support him, and you’ll gain a powerful ally. He’ll teach you how to tame elite Phantoms and how to plate like your life depends on it.
But whatever you do…
Don’t ask about the hair.
Buckeye Bunny made a video about us!
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Well, we're wrapping up Kickstarter tomorrow, and then on Monday, we'll be working hard to get the alpha version out in September. It's a lot of work, but we want to make it a worthy experience for all of our alpha backers. But don't worry, we'll still have plenty of development updates to share with everyone!
That's all for us this week! Have a wonderful weekend, don't do anything we wouldn't do, and see you in the next digest!
❤️💙💛 Crytivo Team
How's it going? We're in the final 24 hours of the Kickstarter campaign, so if anyone missed it, now is your opportunity! We've been busy this week getting through the final bit of Kickstarter, and then we'll be hard at work getting alpha ready for September! It's been a wild ride through the Kickstarter, and there's even more cool stuff we've unlocked this week, so let's get right into it!
The New Mini You
This was probably one of the biggest features we had people asking for, and now it's going to be a reality in our game! We think raising a family is another way to make your time spent in Autonomica a little more personal and warmer. Your kid(s) will grow through different life stages and respond to the attention you give them. As they get older, they'll start helping you around the homestead, farming, and automation, and even contribute to your home's overall stats. There's also going to be a system where your kids will inherit visual traits and possibly stat quirks from their parents.
We'll reveal more later on, we don't want to spoil everything.
The Residents of Autonomica
We didn't want you to be all by your lonesome self or in a world populated solely by your friends. We want you to experience a truly living world full of people! But not real people. That's why we're going to talk a little bit about NPCs and what you can expect from your virtual acquaintances, friends, or even foes.
Even though they're not Real People™️they still live Real People Lives™️and do Real People Things™️such as having a home you can visit if you're good enough friends with them. If you're really, really good friends with them, they might even let you redecorate their space or you might convince them to come live with you. Just, try to not trap them in a room with no doors or leave them stranded in an attic with no way out. We've... seen things.
They've got likes, dislikes, and personality galore. They've each got their own routines, moods, and their own unique stories waiting for you to uncover. Before you do redecorate their house, they've got their own interior design styles that reflect their personalities, and once you've earned their trust, you can visit freely.
They'll also stay connected through a local in-game social network where they can update their status, chat with other characters, and even message you directly! We'll need to think of a good name for this. Maybe AutonomaBook? Or maybe even just the elusive ///A? We'll think on it!
Anyway, it's totally possible that you'll wake up to a surprise gift delivery, a note asking for help, or just a passive-aggressive update totally not aimed at you and what you said. It's another way for NPCs to stay present, even when you're not face to face with them!
By the way, NPCs won't follow the same paths every time you play. Their relationships will develop more organically, shaped by who they are, what's happening in the world, and how they're feeling. One session might have Nico hopelessly focused on Anjelica, and in another, he might keep his distance from her and be more interested in you.
NPCs will also react to your appearance. Since clothes have their own stats, such as practicality and impression, you might not want to show up on a date in your fertilizer-stained jumpsuit. As your relationships deepen, you'll experience new moments and opportunities. Some might be romantic while others might involve personal quests or playful minigames. We're planning on bringing those juicy cinematic cutscenes to life and make them feel meaningful.
If you're feeling judged for your appearance, just remember you can gift NPCs clothing, and if they like you enough, you might be able to convince them to wear it. If it fits their overall vibe, of course.
The Forecast Calls For...
Like totally Real People™️NPCs will have different behaviors depending on the weather. When it's hot out, you might find them relaxing on the beach in their favorite swimwear. On rainy days, it's rainboots and seeking shelter! For those snowy nights, you might find them huddled in town, sipping on hot drinks or checking up on neighbors.
Since they're not all the same, some might adapt differently to different conditions. Some NPCs will be social butterflies during festivals while others might disappear into their workshops during storms or spend long nights preparing food for events. Some celebrate the holidays and some don't.
So Who Are These Real People™️ of Autonomica?
We're super glad you asked! We've got a few to introduce to you, Micha, Ricardo, and Kaia.
[h2]Micha[/h2]
Micha runs the town's flower shop, but she's not the sunniest person you'll meet. She's sharp, private, and she likes plants better than people. Because of this, she's a total expert in plant care and growth, capable of reviving nearly anything green, and she expects everyone to treat nature with the same respect. So, maybe think twice about littering in front of her.
You'll find her wandering alone, collecting rare blooms, or tending to flower beds. Beneath her icy exterior is someone shaped by loss, who found healing in the natural world.
And hey, she might like you better if you help her restock supplies and transform her shop.
[h2]Ricardo[/h2]
Former military pilot turned baker, Ricardo crash landed on the island seventeen years ago. The locals swear by his shop's crusty breads, too strong coffee, and brutal honesty.
He doesn't talk much about the crash or the leg he lost. Instead, he tells jokes that sound like orders and compliments that sound like warnings. He claims he's building a submarine, but whether or not it's real or just a thought bouncing around in his head, is really anyone's guess.
Stick around him long enough, help him stock his bakery and turn it into a lively community hub, and he might just realize he's already home.
[h2]Kaia[/h2]
By day, Kaia runs martial arts and yoga classes, but at night, or when a time portal opens, she's suiting up for something less peaceful. She's a mech and robot enthusiast with a serious knack for navigating the Finite (our fancy world for the future timelines).
She's one of the best traders around if you're looking to score some high-tech loot from the future.
A Whole New World Town
A dazzling place I never knew!
But you will. Because we unlocked a new city for you to explore called Nova Astra! The city that never sleeps. It's powered by green tech and bathed in a synthetic light. Futuristic architecture meets pulsing nightlife.
Compare it to the laid-back, sunny vibe of Port Solaris (the city we've been referencing in other posts), Nova Astra has a totally different rhythm with a nightlife that can't be beat! You'll meet new NPCs, drive new vehicles along the palm tree lined highways, and gain entrance to new venues (if, of course, your style passes the vibe check).
And Then There's Owen
In case you've been a little out of the loop, we've had a running joke between Kickstarter and Discord about a typo seen for the oven in one of the screenshots from the game. Thus, Owen was born, and we waffled over whether or not to make him a robot. After a lot of deliberation, we ended up making him hatch from an ever-growing button over on Kickstarter.
We call him.... Owen Primal the greatest cook alive, a Phantom Hunter forged in the Finite, brutal with entities, but surprisingly gentle with you.
Towering and quiet, Owen looks like he stepped out of myth—blond hair flowing in slow motion even when there’s no wind. It’s always perfect. No one knows how. Some say sorcery. Others whisper coconut oil. Owen isn’t saying.
He crushes Phantoms with brutal force, but treats people like delicate porcelain. Compliments confuse him. Romance short-circuits him. Emotion? Please don’t.
Owen believes the elusive Drama Queen Phantom holds the key to the ultimate recipe. He’s not just a good cook—he’s legendary. His stews soothe trauma. His plating makes chefs weep. His roast chicken? Tactical precision.
Support him, and you’ll gain a powerful ally. He’ll teach you how to tame elite Phantoms and how to plate like your life depends on it.
But whatever you do…
Don’t ask about the hair.
Community Corner
Buckeye Bunny made a video about us!
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
So What's Next?
Well, we're wrapping up Kickstarter tomorrow, and then on Monday, we'll be working hard to get the alpha version out in September. It's a lot of work, but we want to make it a worthy experience for all of our alpha backers. But don't worry, we'll still have plenty of development updates to share with everyone!
That's all for us this week! Have a wonderful weekend, don't do anything we wouldn't do, and see you in the next digest!
❤️💙💛 Crytivo Team