Raising Hills in Slough Creek (Devblog)

We use actual topographic data to create our game maps, since they’re based on real locations in Yellowstone National Park. But the resolution of that data means that the game map is too smooth and generalized, without the level of detail that you see in the real place. Fortunately, there are more and more tools that help us add that important detail to the maps. It’s still a lot of work, but far easier than it was even a few years ago. Today’s devblog looks at how we use a tool for Unity called Gaia to make the granite hills around Slough Creek more realistic. Using Gaia’s Stamper tool, we can apply small-scale heightmaps of rock formations to raise (or lower) sections of the terrain, then paint textures based on convexity of the surface — so granite on the convex bumps and grass in the cracks and crevices in between. It takes a lot of experimentation to get it to look right, but it’s very satisfying to see the map gradually become more detailed and realistic. Of course, with such a big map, that means a LOT of experimentation — and hopefully a lot of satisfaction.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

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While in Early Access, we will be updating the game frequently with more features, multiplayer, and ultimately the Slough Creek episode with pups. The mobile version will come after the game is completed on PC/Mac platforms. We’ll then resume development of the next episode, Tower Fall (DLC).