Hello Explorers,
It’s been a couple months since we’ve released our most recent major content update, The First Ascent. Since then, we’ve also published a couple of hotfixes, most notably the one that focused on improving optimization.
"That’s all nice, but when do we get the next update? And what will it include” - you ask? We’re here to answer that today!
In this article, we’d like to cover both what we’re planning for the upcoming update, and what we’d like to add in the further future. The following section is dedicated to the update, and the further future features part can be found below it.
Here is an overview of what we are planning to add in the next update:
- New bandit faction
- Sandbox mode (Creative mode)
- First steps of adding the modding support
- Steamer localizer (a new navigation mechanism)
- New unique items
- New enemies
We can’t promise any specific dates just yet, but we are aiming to release the upcoming update in the next weeks, perhaps even as soon as late August. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Also, starting with this update, this will be the last time we convert existing save files. From this update on, all generated islands and their states will be preserved, so if someone decides to build a base on an island, they will no longer lose it. At this moment, bases can be lost because the islands are regenerated.
The only exception will be when the island deletion option is enabled in the settings, in which case the island will be regenerated again. Additionally, keep in mind that your already existing ships will be transferred as before.
This is what we’re currently cooking for the next update:
New bandit faction
A New faction is coming to the game: Bandits!
Bandits will be a faction of hostile humans that players can encounter in the forest biome. They will mainly appear in their own camps and in dungeons they have taken over. They are scavengers who, after the collapse of the world, rejected the old rules and began living a brutal, wild life based on looting, violence, and survival at any cost.
In combat, bandits will attack in groups and are capable of using potions. We can reveal that one of their types will be Hornblower; an enemy capable of calling for reinforcements. Players will need to react quickly, as ignoring this bandit may result in being surrounded by a larger group of enemies.
Bandits will use various types of weapons, and some of them will also be able to use magic. This will bring magic to the lower levels of the world as well, making it a part of encounters with human enemies, not only monsters or bosses.
The bandit faction will receive its own set of objects, a distinctive visual style, and dedicated locations. Alongside them, a new miniboss will also appear: the Bandit Necromancer, who summons aggressive spirits that attack the player (like a Bear spirit).
At the moment, we plan for bandits to always be hostile toward the player. However, we do not rule out the possibility of more advanced relationships between the player and this faction in the future. We are working on a faction system that may eventually allow for more interesting interactions, conflicts, and choices related to the bandits.
Sandbox mode
You have been asking for it; we will deliver! Sandbox mode will be a part of the next update of Everwind!
This mode is designed for players who want to focus entirely on building, experimenting, exploring, and creating without the usual survival limitations. Whether you want to construct massive bases, design custom maps, test ideas, prepare content, or simply move freely through the world, Sandbox Mode will give you the tools to do it.
In Sandbox Mode, players will have access to unlimited resources and will be able to build freely without worrying about gathering materials. The player will be immortal, and every item will be available from the start. Building and destroying structures will also be much faster, making large-scale projects easier and more comfortable to create.
Movement will be greatly improved as well. Players will be able to fly and quickly travel across the world, making it much easier to move between islands, inspect builds from different angles, or work on large constructions spread across multiple locations.
Sandbox Mode will also include a wide range of commands that make controlling the world much easier. Players will be able to change the time of day, adjust the weather, spawn enemies, and use additional commands designed to simplify testing and creation. In the future, this mode may also become useful for testing mods and other gameplay systems.
To start playing in Sandbox Mode, players will be able to create a new world with this mode enabled. It will also be possible to switch modes using commands, giving players more flexibility depending on how they want to play or test their world.
Sandbox Mode will be especially useful for builders, map creators, content creators, modders, and players who want full control over their creative process. It removes the pressure of survival and gives you the freedom to shape Everwind in your own way.
Sandbox Mode is a big topic for us, and we plan to keep expanding it with new features as the game continues to grow. We know your expectations for this kind of mode are high, and we are doing everything we can to deliver the best tools possible.
Initial mod support
We know modding has been one of your biggest requests, and we're happy to say it's something we're actively working on.
While we're not ready to reveal all the details just yet, we're making great progress and can't wait to share more with you.
Our mod support will be introduced in two phases:
Phase 1 – Cosmetic & Interface Mods
- Cosmetic mods
- UI and interface customization
Phase 2 – Gameplay Mods
- Gameplay modifications
- More impactful content and mechanics
- Expanded modding capabilities
Rolling out mod support in stages will allow us to thoroughly test the system, gather your feedback, and continuously improve the experience before the full release. This approach will help us build a stable and powerful modding framework while giving creators the opportunity to get started early.
We'll be sharing more details about our modding plans in the near future. Stay tuned!
Steamer Localizer
We know exploration can sometimes be challenging, and many of you have told us that it can be difficult to find bosses, locate specific resources, or simply figure out the best way to progress your ship, base, and equipment.
To help make exploration more rewarding and intuitive, we are introducing the Steamer Localizer.
The Steamer Localizer is a new device designed to help players locate important places in the world. However, it will not simply reveal everything at once. Instead, it will work together with special Localizer Cassettes, which players will be able to find while exploring the world or receive as rewards.
Each Localizer Cassette will point toward a specific type of place. Some cassettes may help you find villages, boss rooms, special islands, dungeons, or other important structures that can be difficult to discover during regular exploration. These cassettes will be reusable, so once you obtain one, you will be able to use it multiple times.
To use the localizer, players will need to insert the correct Localizer Cassette and connect the device to power. Once activated, the localizer will start searching for the selected type of location. When the structure you are looking for appears on an island within the localizer’s range, the device will react and point you toward the exact location.
The Steamer Localizer will only work with islands that are within visible range, so it will not completely replace exploration. You will still need to travel through the world, discover new islands, and search for signals. The localizer is meant to guide you toward important objectives once they are close enough, making exploration feel more focused while still keeping the sense of discovery.
Players will be able to find the Steamer Localizer on Rotten Islands. Once obtained, it should make it much easier to search for specific islands, find your next objective, and reduce the amount of time spent wandering without a clear direction.
New unique items
New enemies
Besides the Bandits, a few other new enemies are heading your way. We'd rather keep them a surprise for now, but they're sure to provide an unexpected challenge. Stay tuned!
That’s it for the upcoming update, now let’s move for the features that are planned to be added later. Please be aware that this is not the final list, but rather a teaser for you to know what to be looking forward to.
Here is an overview of what we are planning to add in the further future:
- Teleportation between ships
- Steamer teleporter
- Combo system improvements
- New weapon
Teleportation between ships
As simple as it sounds – with this feature, you will be able to teleport between your ships, which will now make owning multiple vessels way easier, thus appealing.
We are yet to determine how exactly this feature will work, but we will do our best to make it as intuitive and user-friendly as possible.
If you have any fun ideas, don’t hesitate to throw them our way!
Steamer Teleporter
The Steamer Teleporter is coming to the game!
As you might have guessed, this new device will allow you to instantly teleport between any connected teleporters you've placed.
It's the perfect tool for quickly travelling between your ship and your land bases, or even between your ship and friend's during co-op sessions. Less time travelling means more time exploring, building, and surviving.
PS: While it's technically possible to have multiple ships in the same session, we generally don't recommend it. Having several ships loaded simultaneously can lead to performance issues or even crashes on some systems. For the best experience, we recommend using a single ship per session whenever possible.
The Steamer Teleporter will not make it to the next patch, but we are planning to introduce it in the near future.
Combo system improvements
We're also giving the combat system a major upgrade to make every fight feel even more dynamic and challenging.
One of the biggest additions is a brand-new combo system, allowing skilled players to chain attacks together more effectively and unlock new combat possibilities.
To expand your arsenal even further, we're also introducing a brand-new weapon: the Spear.
Offering greater reach than most melee weapons, the Spear lets you keep enemies at a safer distance while delivering precise and powerful strikes. Whether you're controlling crowds or picking off dangerous foes before they get too close, it opens up a whole new combat playstyle.
If you read through the whole article, thank you! We’ll dive deeper into some of the features in the near future, similarly as we did prior to The First Ascent. There’s a lot of lore to be unveiled and mechanics to be presented!
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