We’re in the propose of preparing an updated trailer for Boundless given that the current trailer is over a year old now. This will give us the opportunity to bring more polish to the presentation and assets within the game. Our aim is to make sure that the game represents a playable version of the new trailer.
We have the following features in the dev build but were have not been able to get them out to the public this week:
- New torch VFX.
- HUD - status text above: players, creatures and machines.
- New Slingbow models with material progression to match the other equipment.
- Warp Conduit mesh + VFX
- Warp can now be maximum of 10 x 10
- Totem Location Polish + VFX
- Refactored Inventory API including overhauled Smart Stacking
The good news is that when we update the game, there will be plenty more new elements to checkout.
We have started to work on integrating the new Grapple Hook so it should be in the game before end of this year. We have also got the Hunter, Cuttletrunk+VFX and Basher+VFX in the game for early internal animation testing.
Code
The warps have had a major update. They now support up to 10x10 warps and are built with a newly textured warp conduit block that pulses when it ready to be opened. They then can be broken to reveal the actual warp.
We’ve been spending time scripting various scenes and adding new commands for editing worlds to help author more complex features in game.
New tier 4 and 5 Wildstock models have been added with coloration and decals and the explosion was added to the hopper. We’ve also been working on adding more effect hooks for attaching effects to various objects.
We’ve been working on adding the glyphs into the GUI as well as refining the HUD and reticule. The inventory rework progress working on trading and plinths.
In the back end we have been optimizing memory usage to help fit two worlds into ram for PlayStation 4. The WorldBuilder is being updated to use the same database API that the server is using.
Design
This week Rob has been looking at the gamepad controls, and we will be aiming to update them soon. He has also been working with Marc on polishing the HUD graphics including the glyphs, and mocking up more parts of the GUI.
Luke has been polishing up and testing the skill tree, and has posted some details of it here.
Ollie has been supporting Rob and Luke with their work, as well as working with the coders on the details of some of the implementation work they have been doing.
Art
The art team have been mostly busy supporting the features listed above.
We’ve also continued development on the creature modelling and tech:
- Here’s a sculpt of the Roadrunner Tier 2.
- The Spitter Tier 5 final mesh showing colour tinting.
- And the Wildstock Tier 4 tinting.
(Ok ok - latest ever Weekly Dev Update - but been sick.)