Exp. Update 0.05.E3

Exp. Update 0.05.E3 is an update for Stranded Deep released on November 11, 2015.

The latest build features a new map and world editor. You can now create your own maps and use them to create your own custom world. There’s also a community side which we’ll be working on getting up and running shortly. When it’s functional you’ll be able to upload your created maps for the rest of the community to download and use in their own world and vice-versa. Once the new editors are more feature complete we’ll be looking into running some competitions for the best map creations to win some exclusive in-game items or SD merch. Fun stuff :) More details on how to use the new systems are in the changelog below.

Another gameplay changer is the new crafting menu. We’ve talked about it in our previous blog posts and we’re starting to implement the new system now. A new system was necessary to allow more advanced crafting and less ‘pile-your-junk-up-and-cross-your-fingers’. The new system gathers any objects within a certain area radius of the player and uses them as available crafting materials. Eventually we’ll incorporate more advanced crafting combinations and even ‘stations’ like looms, furnaces, etc that if they’re within your area radius will appear as additional menu options to craft more advanced items. The building menu and combinations still don’t require a hammer for testing which is only temporary. There’s more details on how to use the new menu in the change log. As always, the visual design of all the new systems and UI are works in progress and will improve and change as we receive player feedback.

Bug Fixes

 * Fixed campfire’s automatically placing in the air. This is still part of a larger WIP.
 * Fixed fire particles not displaying properly when loaded back.
 * Fixed building objects immediately placing.
 * Fixed some causes of the incorrect resolution changing and stretching.
 * Fixed visual errors caused by depth texture banding.
 * Fixed missing SMAA antialiasing shader mentioned in the last update.

Changes

 * Increased inventory slots from 8 to 15.
 * Improved and smoothed ocean raft rotation.
 * Improved lighting to add more contrast.
 * Changed key bindings so pressing escape will also cancel constructing.
 * Changed key bindings for crouching to default to left ‘Control’ key.
 * Changed key binding for crafting menu to default to “C” key.
 * Changed various UI menu design elements.

New Content

 * Added new UI menus!
 * There’s been a huge amount of work and time spent refactoring a lot of the UI and design for the new features. The biggest changes you’ll notice are the main menus with new menu options.
 * Added a new crafting menu!
 * To open the new crafting menu you can press the crafting menu key which is set up to use the [C] key by default. It will use any items within a certain radius of the player and any items contained in your backpack. The crafting radius is represented in the world by an orange glow around the player. If you select a combination to craft, a pop-up dialogue will appear listing the materials required and the quantity you have. If you don’t have enough materials, the quantity will display red and the craft button will be disabled.
 * Added a new map editor!
 * The map editor is a new menu option on the main menu. You can now create your own map tiles to use in your game. You can customize the terrain with various brushes and random generators, import your own height maps and add any objects. With the new world editor, it will even be possible to create multi*tile large areas if you’re really keen. We’ll be adding a lot more content and themed packs for this system as things progress.
 * In the next update we’ll also include procedural slope texturing for mountains and cliffs. We hit a wall with how much we could pack into the terrain shader and didn’t have enough time to refactor for this release.
 * Added a new world editor!
 * The new world editor appears when you click the new “My Game” menu option from the main menu. You’ll see a world map of map tiles and a list of available maps. On the first start, you’ll be asked to create a new world. When you create a new world, it will fill your world with procedural maps (like it always has behind the scenes). You now have the option to assign your own maps to any zone in the world to create your own custom world and experience.
 * The world map displays the world you’ll be using for the game, whether it’s a new game or a saved game. If you ever want to start a completely new game with a new world, click “Create New World” and a new world will be generated.
 * One of the benefits of this new system is that if you’ve invested several hours into your current game but you’re getting a bit bored, you can add another map into your world, or download the latest community maps without losing your progress. The only progress lost is any objects saved in that zone.
 * Hopefully that’s enough to get you started, but we’ll be writing up a complete documentation on how to use all the features soon.

Dev Notes

 * Upgraded to latest Unity version 5.2.2.