pre-alpha-0.2.16 / quick update

It's been about 2 months since I published the pre-alpha-0.2.9 gameplay video or gave any news. Here is a quick update about the last things I've been working on.

The main addition is the possibility to hold multiple saved games. So far there was only one, and I had to delete it when starting a new game. The new main menu is indeed extremely basic.

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Regarding gameplay, the different sets are now organized by level and player has to gain XP to level up before receiving orders for set boxes with more added value. Fulfilling an order in time will result in more customer satisfaction and therefore more XP. This mechanics hopefully should create some exciting feedback loop and sense of progression for the player.

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It is also now possible to purchase mold platens (to be mounted in molding machines), and therefore each set in the catalog can now be assembled and sold. Mold platen price depends on the rarity of the brick: the more basic shapes are cheaper (e.g. simple 2x3 bricks) and the more sophisticated ones (e.g. slopes, cylinders, seats, etc.) are more expensive.

The reason why all bricks are shown in grey here is because the mold platen is independent from the color. It's the color of the plastic pellets on the input that will determine the color of the bricks on the output (check the gameplay video to watch the full production process).

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Otherwise, I have worked quite a bit on clarifying the UI, in order to better communicate the state of deliveries, orders and purchases. I have opted to remove decimals from prices, for the sake of simplification (since the main feedback I receive on the game is that it looks a bit complicated).

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I have also added a table to display the stock of supplies. It does not only indicates what you own but also what you have ordered and that should arrive in a few days; allowing better stock management.

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Overall, the experience is not very different from pre-alpha-0.2.9 and it didn't feel right to make a new video right now. The pre-alpha-0.2.9 gamplay video remains relevant, beside the few UI improvements I mentioned above.

It is not much indeed, certainly less than what I would like to. Day job kept me pretty busy and I've been playing a lot of Mindustry and Oxygen Not Included, which I suppose - as a game developer - totally counts as work. I have also tried Big Pharma, but so far I am quite confused by it...

Next additions should focus on automation, i.e. conveyors belts and bots, for even more satisfying logistics.