DevLog #18 - Keeping the Fire Burning | Gathering in Chinese Frontiers

Hello, Builders!

A growing monument needs more than ambition - it needs resources. In Chinese Frontiers, gathering is the foundation of your progress, survival, and prosperity. Surroundings are full of valuable materials - ready to be shaped into something greater.

And today, we’re diving into the heart of resource gathering: how it works, what you’ll find, and how it fuels your journey forward.

Get it started

Every structure begins with the basics. Wood, stone, and bamboo will be among the first resources you collect, and they’ll remain central throughout your entire adventure.

Wood can be picked up from the ground or harvested by chopping shrubs and trees of various sizes. It’s used for building materials and tools.

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Bamboo, on the other hand, is gathered from tall, slender stalks and used primarily in scaffolding and lighter construction. It’s flexible, plentiful, and indispensable when laying down the foundations of your early village.

Stone and limestone are a builder’s best friends. Gather loose stones from the ground or break down small boulders to obtain usable chunks. For more serious needs, you’ll mine from larger rock formations and rich mineral deposits. Limestone, meanwhile, is ideal for fine-tuned construction and decorative work.

Dig and mine

Not all resources come from forests and hills. Clay and sand are just as vital, and you’ll dig for them in dedicated pits, often near rivers or building zones. Clay shapes your walls and molds. Sand helps form your foundations - literally.

Iron and jade represent a step forward in your development. Iron is mined from specialized nodes and, once smelted, becomes the backbone of advanced tools, machines, and structural supports. Jade, rare and beautiful, is used in your most refined decorative creations - statues, ornaments, and architectural highlights.

Let me cook!

Out in the wilds, you’ll also find flax, rice, dye herbs, and edible plants. Some grow freely and can be gathered. Others can be cultivated from seed in your fields.

These plants support your village in more ways than one. They bring flavor to your dishes, variety to your diet, and color to your world.

And if you're after something different? Grab your rod and head to the nearest stream - fishing offers a quieter rhythm to gathering, and a unique food resource for your next meal.

Managing

With all these materials flowing in, proper storage and usage become essential. That’s where warehouses, workshops, and production chains come into play.

You’ll need to decide how to use each material: components for tools, ingredients for recipes, or inputs for crafting. Some are renewable, others rare. Stockpiling is one option - but smart usage and planning will always reward you in the long run.

Built from the Ground Up

In Chinese Frontiers, gathering is something that keeps everything else going. From fueling your workshops to feeding your people - it makes growth possible and monuments rise.

So next time you swing your pickaxe or cast your line, remember - every resource brings you one step closer to something greater.

Stay connected with us on social media for behind-the-scenes updates. And don’t forget to join the Discord (CLICK HERE) to check out some tips, and be the first to know about the newest updates!

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See you next time
The Chinese Frontiers Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1640820/Chinese_Frontiers/