Hey Martian Farmers! 🌱
First and foremost, we’d like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in the AGRONOM Alpha Playtest! Whether you played, streamed, created videos, or simply added our game to your wishlist—your support and feedback genuinely mean the world to our small indie team. Over 5,000 enthusiastic Martian farmers joined us, sharing countless valuable insights!
We openly acknowledge that the playtest build was an Alpha version, filled with bugs, rough edges, and plenty of areas needing improvement. Thanks to your valuable insights, we've clearly identified the strengths we should lean on, as well as the weaknesses we need to tackle immediately.
We've read ALL of your feedback left on our review form, here on Steam, on our Discord server, and many other platforms. So let's dive deeper into the specifics!
Automation 🚧
You loved the concept of automating your Mars farm with robot helpers! Yet, you rightly pointed out that creating intuitive AI-driven automation is far more challenging than the traditional conveyor systems seen in games like Factorio or Satisfactory. You're absolutely correct! However, here's why we're committed to this path:
- Robots as Companions: Mars is lonely, but your robot helpers ensure it never feels empty—many of you shared touching stories of bonding with your robot companions!
- Specialized Helpers: Each robot has unique skills and tasks. Balancing these specializations adds depth to your strategy. We're even considering introducing a fifth robot type for better task distribution!
- Mars Environment: The challenging Martian weather and terrain make traditional conveyor systems impractical. Robots adapt and optimize their routes—perfect for unpredictable conditions.
You identified key issues in automation:
- Unclear how to start the first automated production chain.
- Lack of visible feedback in automation tasks.
- Unclear operational radius of buildings (e.g., storage outside HUB radius).
Here's how we're actively addressing your feedback:
- Clearer, more intuitive tutorials for setting up automation.
- Informative production interfaces showing assigned robots and their locations (already partially implemented!).
- Expanded HUB functionalities with better visualization.
- A comprehensive Automation Dashboard showing the status of robots, buildings, and resources at a glance.
Your improvement suggestions we're already working on
Enhanced Flexibility in Priority Management
In the future, you'll gain more precise control over your automation setup. For instance, we’re currently thinking about a feature allowing players to bind specific robot helpers to designated HUBs. Each robot will have clearer and more predictable responsibilities.
Thanks to your feedback, robot AI is already significantly improved—no more frantic dashing across Mars; robots now thoughtfully complete each task before moving on.
Reduced Micromanagement through Improved User Experience
To streamline your experience and reduce micromanagement:
- Comprehensive Tooltips: Hovering over resources or products displays clear, intuitive information about their entire production chains.
- Visual Task Indicators: Improved indicators clearly showing task statuses, ongoing processes, and robot assignments.
- Unified Dashboard: A central dashboard summarizing operational status of robots, resources, and production buildings at a glance.
Selective Time Acceleration During Storms
You suggested accelerating game time by 2-3x to minimize downtime. Here's our planned approach:
- Storm-Only Fast Forwarding: Selective time acceleration specifically during Martian storms.
- No General Acceleration: AGRONOM focuses deeply on immersive first-person automation rather than rapid pacing.
Robot Helpers 🤖
We're delighted by how much love you've shown our robot helpers! Your fan art, screenshots, and kind words have motivated us immensely.
Based on your suggestions, we’re currently working on:
- More expressive animations and richer sounds to make robots feel alive.
- Petting animations—because everyone deserves robot cuddles!
- Robot customization options (once base visuals are perfected).
- Naming robots with a random-name generator provided by your favorite Martian grandpa, Gramps Makar.
Additionally, we're exploring unique robot languages, enabling robots to express emotions and interact naturally!
Visuals & Atmosphere 🖼️
Thank you for your kind words about AGRONOM's visual style! Even though many assets were unfinished, your excitement showed us we’re on the right path.
Here's what we're improving:
- Varied Martian landscapes and environmental storytelling (sneak peeks in Devlog #9!).
- Visible player body and animations coming soon (meet Rusty!).
- Adding a Jump mechanic? If we get 25 more comments asking for jump, we'll officially add it to our roadmap!
Sound & Music 🎵
Your enthusiasm encouraged us to continue collaboration with audio specialists:
- More diverse background music.
- Adjusting repetitive sounds to be softer.
- Expanding sound effects library (including delivery drone audio!).
Other Game Mechanics 🛠️
- Building mechanics: Improved cable connections already updated!
- Greenhouse management: Environmental controllers with clearer interfaces soon.
- Infinite vegetable production: Carefully evaluating your ideas here!
- Map/Compass: Considering detailed Mars terrain map.
- Side Quests: Interact with neighbors, fulfill special orders, and earn exciting upgrades!
- Technical Issues: Optimizing performance, fixing bugs, and enhancing stability continuously.
- In-game Encyclopedia: Detailed descriptions of constructions, resources, lore, and characters coming soon.
User Interface & Tutorials 📚
You clearly let us know that the user interface and tutorial system were among the weakest aspects during the playtest—and guess what? We totally agree! That’s why we're actively working on completely revamping these systems right now.
Here’s exactly what we’re working on, and what’s coming soon:
- We're fully redesigning the logic behind the Cargo Station to make exchanging resources, completing quests and orders, and using the shop more intuitive and user-friendly.
- Next, we’ll focus on visuals: brand new, cohesive UI elements are coming, crafted entirely from scratch to perfectly match the cozy atmosphere of AGRONOM.
- The building menu is also undergoing significant reconsideration. We're committed to maintaining gamepad convenience, while also greatly enhancing the user experience for keyboard and mouse players. Comfortable gameplay on all devices remains our top priority!
- And of course, we haven’t forgotten your justified feedback about huge walls of tutorial text. Trust us, we didn’t like them either! 😅 So we're working hard to ensure tutorials become smoother, more natural, and seamlessly integrated into gameplay. Instead of endless reading, we’ll enjoy clear hints and subtle, organic learning experiences woven directly into the game itself.
Final Thoughts 🚀
Our small but passionate team embarked on an ambitious journey, and your feedback has become our guiding star. Automating a farm with charming robot helpers deeply resonates with you, and this fills us with pride and excitement!
We have plenty of work ahead, but your enthusiasm inspires us every step of the way. Let's shape AGRONOM into the game you'll truly love.
Thank you again for being amazing playtesters! Together, we're creating the best automation game filled with adorable robots and cozy Martian adventures!
Don't forget to join our friendly community on Discord to share your thoughts and ideas.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2893250/AGRONOM/
With love,
The AGRONOM Team 🚀🤖🌱