Devlog #2 - Resources, Tools & Tree Respawn

In this update, I focused on building the core gameplay foundations for Emberfall.

The main goal of this devlog was to establish a complete resource gathering loop, from interacting with the environment to collecting and managing resources.

This update introduces tree chopping, rock mining, tools, and a tree respawn system, laying the groundwork for future survival and crafting mechanics.

I started this update by setting up the visual foundation of the world.

The terrain was painted using simple color-based layers created in GIMP, allowing full control over the look of the environment while keeping everything texture-free.

During this process, I also encountered an issue where trees could spawn on top of each other. This was caused by missing spacing rules in the procedural spawner, which I fixed by adding a minimum distance between objects.

With the terrain in place, I moved on to trees and resource gathering.

Trees now have health and can be chopped down by the player. When a tree is destroyed, it spawns a stump and several logs at its position.

The logs act as collectible resources, creating a clear visual reward for interacting with the environment. Both the stumps and logs were modeled in a simple low-poly style, using flat colors to match the overall visual direction of the game.

To expand player interaction, I added a basic tool system.

The player can now use an axe and a pickaxe, each designed to serve a specific purpose during resource gathering. Tools can be switched using number keys, allowing quick access during gameplay.

A simple swing animation was added to provide visual feedback, along with a minimal crosshair to improve first-person interaction.

The final feature added in this devlog is a tree respawn system.

After a tree is chopped down, it regrows at the same location after a short delay. This keeps the world sustainable and prevents resources from running out completely.

The respawn system helps maintain a natural flow of exploration while supporting longer play sessions.

Thanks for following the development of Emberfall.

More updates and devlogs are coming as the project continues to grow.