Hello everyone, I have recently released two bigger updates for Prospector: https://mathiaskaindl.itch.io/prospector
Half of the four-months work is invisible but needed grind around the game engine, mostly related to serialization of assets, levels and game saves. I have also created a skeleton of level editor, although I'm still unsure about how the game will evolve and if the editor will be necessary. Full blown Fallout-like RPG seems to be too challenging, considering the fact that I can work only 2-3 hours in night a day.
Still technical but at least visible in game are UI enhancements, where I use lit sprites for selected objects and in dialogs. Next, there are new effects for speed program/"spell", "stun", colored lights for large resource spots etc.. And the abundant screen shake effect, used when drilling rocks or blowing enemies into pieces.
Speaking of enemies, they now have different forms of "death" and customizable loot table, including unique items, that drop only once and keep the remains alive forever, until looted.
There are many other bigger/smaller improvements, like markers for zoning, new modular rock sprites for shuttle and trading post, new blueprints, items and areas, etc. New zones are now also covered by fog and player has to explore them first.
Underground mines can now be (almost) freely "explored" thanks to the new cave system that will allow player to destroy generic walls, not only the "cracked" walls in halls.
There is still more to come soon: farming in the new zone with biodomes, prospecting to "detect" nearby resources, day & night & weather. Later, I would like to improve the role playing part by NPCs, in-game stories and by discovering the main plot about the real reason for your visit of the planet. There are also several enhancement for combat in my mind, mostly related to special weapons and effects and different kind of resistances.
The game is now in "paid mode", but you can still download the same binary as "demo". So if you don't want to pay for an alpha version, get the demo and give it a try! https://mathiaskaindl.itch.io/prospector