Hello everyone!
I am happy to release today another update to the Playtest! It introduces a major new feature, and also a few changes to prepare for future content. Before diving into the details, I just want to mention that the older saves are not compatible, so you will have to start a new game if you played already. This is because I needed to add a few things in the generation algorithm and change how maps are saved. Let's now review the update!
The big new feature is automatic trade routes! Several people requested it, and it's now in the game! The seas will be much more lively with plenty of ships moving around! I plan to have two types of routes. Export routes transport a given resource from one city to another. They are great to feed production buildings with ingredients coming from elsewhere. Supplies routes will transport a given resource from one city directly to your ship, wherever you are. They will be very handy to explore new regions and ensure you have a continuous supply of materials to build things there, without needing to come back too often. For now, you can have access to export routes in the same sector. You just need to keep completing quests: one of the new ones will unlock this feature! Supplies routes are still work in progress and I plan to add it later when I finally release a new region.
Export routes come with their own set of upgrades, so you will see the Upgrade menu has changed to include several tabs.
You will notice that each region has three city areas with larger building tiles. More precisely, there are two spots of 2x2 tiles, and one spot of 3x3 tile. The former will be for special buildings with powerful effects, and the latter is the spot where to build a wonder. The goal of the game will indeed be to build a wonder in each region! These spots are not usable for now, they are for mid/late game content that I still need to work on. But at least the generation algorithm already includes them and I won't have to break save compatibility anymore...
The rest is various improvements, UI tweaks and fixes:
Added a new tutorial segment for routes
Added a new tutorial segment to explain the resource locking system
Improved the generation check to make sure all resources have spawned correctly
Fixed markers positions being slightly off on the map
Added a loading screen when the sector is generating
Deleting a building now refunds 50% of the placement cost
Improved the quest goals display. Some goals now have an additional icon you can hover to have more details and hopefully better guess how to proceed.
Added tooltips to a few buttons missing them
And more minor things!
I hope you will enjoy the changes and the new big feature! The menu for creating routes is functional but will probably need some refinement so don't hesitate to let me know your suggestions!
My next goal is to release a new region: the desert in the south. So I'm getting back to work, and I'll see you next time!
-Radiant Sloth