Substrate: Emergence Demo · published · build 24177864
Hey everyone!
I've just updated the demo and main app to v0.4.2. This will be one of the last major demo updates before Early Access starts. This is a big update.
Tutorial overhaul
I've attempted another rework of the tutorial, with improved pacing and details. I hope that it helps clarify the game for anyone who found the learning curve too steep to get started.
Gameplay changes
One of the biggest gameplay changes is the new compound system. In career mode, you no longer have an endless paintbrush/particle/crystal tool. Instead, you have to harvest compounds from the cells that you can then use to modify the environment. In creative mode you can fully customize the compounds, so it is basically the same tool as before except with a wider range of options for the paintbrush, particles and crystals.
In addition to this, I have reworked the economy a bit so you should notice more consistency with the values of genes. In general, the more mutated a gene is from the baseline, the more valuable it is. Some genes are more rare and thus more valuable than others, but there is a more consistent logic with it.
Other changes
I finally fixed the acidification issue, so you will notice more diversity from the environments.
The per-culture lineage trees have been revamped. You can check them out by pressing Y in a culture. Lineage tracking is much better now.
I've also refined the HUD to help the important info stand out without being too overwhelming.
There is also a nice new camera feature that 'resolves' the cells at deep zoom, letting you appreciate their details even with pixelation enabled.
Lens filters now include filters for easier reading of the environmental pH, temp, and nutrient density. Thanks for following along and playing! All feedback is much appreciated :) Full changelog:
v0.4.2:
* Tutorial overhauled
* Progression changes:
- Labs now produce and acquire "compounds" (replaced particle placer, crystals and substrate brush)
- Compounds can be added to substrate in 3 forms: free particles, condensed crystals, or dissolved fluid (environment brush)
- Crystals now diffuse over time, have limited lifespans. Crystals diffuse into the environment directly and as particles
- All particles now diffuse into the environment directly, in different ways
- Labs start with one free compound slot, and all of the nutrients
- Compounds can be complex and react with the environment and cells in different ways (raise pH, temperature, kill bacteria, increase mutation rates)
- Some compounds can be produced from cells by harvesting or scrapping them
- Progress by discovering different compounds
- Compounds can be traded on the biomarket
- Creative mode includes full compound customization (unrestricted paintbrush/particles/crystals like before, with more control)
* UI refinements:
- Improved legibility
- Sleeker and less invasive
* Economy rebalance:
- 4 tiers of gene value, with more consistent value scaling from base gene -> mutated gene: 1/10/100/1000 -> 10000/100000/1000000/10000000
* Balance:
- Cell-to-cell damage sources (digestive enzymes, caustic modifiers, lysocysts) changed to genetic signature instead of pH tolerance. Closely related cells do not damage each other directly
- Starter plasmodia initial growth preferences tuned for smaller growths (only affects new games/reset-all)
- Base mitosis threshold reduced (globally raises mitosis rates)
- Bacteria recycle substrate via metabolism and death deposits
- Viruses are more common and spread as particles of genetic material, targeting cells that are a genetic match
- Amoeba now must spend cytosol to grow
* New camera feature: Pixelation 'resolves' in deep zoom, making organelles more legible
* Various bug fixes and correctness changes:
- Global acidification fixed
- Cultures not spawning any cells when too many are added to a new dish
- Cryobank non-functional tab navigation
* Improved stability and performance
* Achieved statistical determinism when running the simulation at different speeds v0.4.2-1:
* F11 now toggles between windowed/borderless
* Plasmodia branch rendering bug fixes
* Camera smoothing improvements