City Hub Soon & Holidays Special Now!

[h3]Hello, Interns![/h3]
Another blog post with updates on our work with Time to Morp is here! Today's topic covers a lot of changes related to miscellaneous activities in the game. We'll be talking about updates of Researcher and Extractor, improvements of terraforming mechanic, a new City Hub, and more changes related to multiple UIs and their functionality. And as a bonus, we’ll tell you about our special Holiday patch that will for sure boost your Holiday spirit! Sounds exciting, right? Let’s dive into all the details!

[h2]Tech Over Questing[/h2]
We're making sure to create a smooth learning curve, which is why all the basic tech you'll need at the start of the game will be unlocked as you play to remove overall complexity!

[h2]Unrecognizable Researcher[/h2]
We’re merging researches like Water Tech and Sprinklers into a single unlock, so (for example) all water automation tech becomes available at once. This reduces the number of unlockables in the Researcher, making the interface cleaner and easier to navigate!

[h2]New: The Lab[/h2]
Gameplay will now focus more on The Lab (formerly Extractor). Before, The Lab offered optional rewards that could be easily skipped. Now, we’re making prices clearer and rewards more valuable, like inventory upgrades (moved from Researcher). You’ll also be able to use The Lab outside area, giving you the option to fully automate it or manually fill it from your inventory.

[h2]Improved Terraforming[/h2]
Terraforming will be FREE! Smart targeting will also be easier, with a focus on Minecraft-like simplicity in digging. You’ll be able to terraform using new tools: a shovel for digging, a pickaxe for removing stones, an axe for trees, and shears for bushes. These will all be available early in the game, along with the Uprooter Gadget (for moving trees). The speed of tools and area of effect will be also upgradable by leveling up your NPC reputation. In addition to all, terraforming will occasionally drop rare resources!

[h2]New: City Hub[/h2]
City Hub is a new entity you can build and level up by completing specific requirements! You’ll get more decor as rewards for leveling up the City’s Rank (or through NPC shops and world finds) instead of in the Researcher. As you level up, City's Hub model will also update. In the future, you’ll be able to name your City Hub once it hits certain rank. Leveling up will also unlock more city-specific decor, like a big fountain, park, mill, and more! We’re also moving optional quests, like "Build 20 roads," to the City Hub to keep things organized and less overwhelming.

[h2]And There are More Changes![/h2]
More changes we are working on include:

Standardized UI: all tech in game will have a consistent UI and functionality to avoid confusing players with multiple UIs across different tech.
Like The Lab, all tech will be fully automatable, with the option to use everything manually as well.
Chests: power won't be required. In the future, we plan to add filters for Chests (will work similar to Bowls), allowing players to specify exactly which resources they want Chests to pick up.
Cutscenes: almost all cutscenes (except the main ones) will be skippable! Plus, in co-op, you'll be able to watch most cutscenes alone without distracting your friends!

[h2]Holidays Special: Live Now![/h2]
If you update your game, adorable Morps with festive hats will be waiting for you to visit them!