Delve into the unknown – see how we shape the world of Sota7 in our Devlog #6

Hello, Explorers!

Today, we’re excited to take you on a short journey through the uncharted territories of the planet Sota7. Zuma is ready – are you?

What potential dangers and mysteries await us in this unknown land?
Today, we will unveil some of the secrets hidden within this new world and give you a glimpse of what lies behind the curtain.

So far we’ve only shown you the rough map sketches and blockouts. Now we're pumped to give you a sneak peek of the actual spot where the adventure's gonna go down.

A lot of effort goes into crafting an entire world – and even more into making it fun to traverse. Drawing inspiration from different media and real-life phenomena, our concept artists work tirelessly to create unforgettable places for your adventure on Sota7.

Nenu Grove

This quiet place was inspired by mangrove forests and Japanese gardens. Combining the wild overgrowth of mangroves that occur primarily alongside the equator with a more manicured appearance of Japanese gardens, this region is the only one of its kind on the map. With a giant waterfall at its heart, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find – just follow the river upstream! The challenge lies in evading its dangers and staying under the radar. The local fauna can be far from friendly. Another curious thing – for an area this resemblant of tropical regions of Earth, this place sure feels a little colder than what you’d expect…

Ash Woods

The intimidating basalt pillars surrounded by volcanic sand tower over the entire area, casting a stark shadow on the lush grass. Against the dramatic backdrop of a blue sky and plantlife thriving thanks to the fertile soil, they create one of a kind environment for water-loving creatures. The surrounding waters are way warmer than they appear - and one can only wonder what mysteries are carried within their currents. Dark sandy beaches neighboring these woods were inspired by the volcanic beaches of Iceland.

Stem Sanctuary

A deep sense of calm envelopes this quaint corner of Sota7. The trees here might look familiar, but scientifically they don’t have much in common with bamboo. Sometimes their lightweight trunks form a seemingly impenetrable wall, isolating it from the entire world. It’s a sanctuary for more than one reason - not only does it have a uniquely serene atmosphere, predators seem to steer clear of it. This makes it a safe haven for prey animals that inhabit Sota7 - expect to see a lot of friendly snouts… After they’ve warmed up to the visitor from the stars.

Biome Design

Designing a world is a complex and challenging task that requires developers to engage in a multi-layered and multifactorial creative process. To illustrate this process we’re going to use a timelapse of three distinct biomes as they rose from the blank canvas and evolved into regions that you will get to explore in-game..

We begin by shaping the landscape on the map blueprint. Here, we gradually transition into the creative process and can start sculpting the terrain, creating rivers, lakes, or mountains - nothing is impossible.

Next stage is to place simple models of rocks, mountains, stones, and cliffs that will be exchanged for more detailed ones.

To make the world vibrant, we add grass and diverse trees to create different environments like forests and meadows. Game designers and concept artists design the plants, trees, and flowers, while 3D artists create and texture the models based on these designs. These models are then scattered throughout the world for a realistic look.

Our goal is a consistent and unified design throughout the entire world, optimizing for smooth gameplay.

Air Pollution

In the undiscovered world of Sota7, dangers lurk not only on the ground but also in the very air you breathe. Take heed and ensure your character's well-being, as neglecting them can have dire consequences. This toxic fog makes you extremely dizzy - and if you aren't careful, you might end up passed out far away from the safety of your base... Take care to prepare appropriately before venturing out. Oxygen is non-negotiable! Stay vigilant, for your survival depends on it!

Hoverboard

Moving in such diverse terrain can be more challenging than it seems, so we came up with a way to make it easier. To replace walking and save time, we decided to introduce the Hoverboard into the game. Not going to lie - the cool factor was a thing. We couldn’t resist a bit of “Back to the Future” flavor.

New sky

As we embark on our mission to infuse our world with lifelike weather, we’re aiming for gradual implementation. Our focus starts with the sky itself! We invite you to witness the transformation of the clouds as they shift and evolve. Observe the interplay of light and shadow, the formation of different patterns, and the dance of atmospheric phenomena. Your feedback is very important for us, so please take a moment to share your thoughts.

Keep up to date

Well, that's all for today's devlog, explorers! Now you have delved deeper into the mysteries of our world, unraveling its secrets bit by tantalizing bit.

We hope you feel the rush of adventure as much as we do when we bring you new content. As always, we invite you to wishlist us on Steam and also follow our social media channels, or visit discord server to stay updated.

Science is an art!

Honey Team~

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1510440/Honeycomb/