Early Access is going great! We continue to get more players into the game and we're getting awesome feedback via the discord. I'd like to take the time to let y'all in on what our next steps are. Timeframe is TBD on the big stuff.
Big Stuff:
Better UI:
There is a lot to click in CRUFT. We're taking the time to make that experience feel better. Some contextual tool tips, more information, more of that information closer to where you need it. It's worth it and your mouse hand will appreciate it.
A place to call home:
A new level with persistence. A place that sticks around that you can choose to go to rather than a fresh start on one of the Realtor's picks. It would have much longer term play potential, would be sandbox play, and could serve as a place to stockpile important items. Further details TBD in terms of how you get it or any other special sauce involved.
This one is kind of a doozy. It should change the game pretty profoundly in some ways, but still feel familiar. It is basically an extra layer of progression that lets you always go back to a certain spot and just craft whatever you like. It should also be a cool spot to take screenshots and show off a bunch of cool stuff you have made. If you like CRUFT, this place should be the comfort food version of play that you keep coming back to.
More narrative and character love:
We've always envisioned the characters being a bit more than just stores. We'd love it if the characters texted you sometimes with info, maybe some cool deal, or perhaps reacted to what you are doing. I love getting texts from Tim irl and I imagine you will love getting them in game.
Not-as-big-but-wicked-important-stuff:
Optimally weekly updates. Fixes and enhancements to stuff like:
Game balance
Art (we have an artist now!)
Bug fixes and tech sorcery improvements
Incorporation of feedback (you guys are the best )
Intermittent content updates. Not every week, but substantial level ups in content when they are ready:
New levels
New branches of crafting
New characters
New Cheevos
Steam Achievements as we settle in on Cheevo balance. We would like the Steam achievements to be 1:1 with the Cheevo requirements so when we feel like things are reasonably balanced we'll set up the Steam side and you can watch your Steam achievement count balloon up.
We have other ideas but right now they are murky in terms of design, scope, or whether they make sense to do after the full release. "A place to call home" as a concept was never a part of the original design and now through play and feedback it seems super important. I want to leave enough breathing room for things like that to bubble up. The point here is that what may end up being one of the biggest features of the game is being driven by your feedback. That's pretty cool.
Thanks for riding shotgun in our van!