Hey folks!
Sorry for the extended wait, I’m back with some news on v4.0 and a new ETA! Unfortunately v4.0 is still a little ways out, it’s ended up as a much bigger update than expected! Currently I estimate that v4.0 will ready for beta sometime in July, hopefully earlier in the month.
In this blog post I’m going to share a quick update on the vault quest, then go over some very exciting things also coming in v4.0.
(Please keep in mind that while I always try to keep to the ETAs I provide, they are just estimates. If you don’t hear from me by the ETA, it means I’m still busy with the update!)
Seeds/Potions/tipped darts only differing by color is intended unfortunately. There’s a duality to the consumables where potions/seeds differ by color and scrolls/stones differ by symbol. The darts are going to differ in shape between tipped and untipped, but otherwise will be the same. Probably if I were to ever improve the differences here it would be by adding icons to seeds/stones/tipped darts like potions and scrolls already have.
You’re the first person who’ve said they prefer the wavier scrolls actually. The common argument seems to be that the curvier symbols are just too hard to distinguish versus the simpler flat ones.
Those hero sprites are fairly outdated at this point, they will likely be changed a fair bit before being re-shown.
I see that there is supposed be a sort of design motif across the stones/scrolls and seeds/potions(/darts) but I don’t see why giving the seeds/darts a more use-discernable design can’t still work with that. It’d be like:
I just don’t see why seeds/darts need to differ only by their color when the above can convey what you need to just fine.
Also, wouldn’t adding icons to stones be a bit redundant? They already have pretty self-explanatory or, at least, easy-to-learn symbols.
I’m also guessing it’s a no on the “elevated” thing. I’m fine with that, if it is. I’d imagine it’d be something that would take a decent bit of time to balance and test. I only asked because I thought it’d be neat.
So you agree that there’s a design motif, but don’t see a problem with breaking that motif? Based on your table, seeds and darts wouldn’t vary by shape, which is already how they are. If I added shape variance then seeds/darts would also appear in the same cell as stones.
I agree that adding icons is a bit redundant for stones (immediately discernible by shape), in the exact same way it would be redundant for seeds and darts (immediately discernible by color), but there are some cases where it may be helpful for players who have a hard time discerning by color (colorblindness, in the extreme case), and it would be inconsistent to add symbols for seeds/darts and not also for stones.
As for the ‘elevated’ bit, in general I don’t want to add a lot of specific and awkward to explain gameplay interactions like that.
I think that’s normal. Remember when ShatteredPD changed the flat walls to a more 3D-like appearance, a lot of people (including me), felt they liked the old style.
Now if you ask people today, they’re more likely to appreciate the changes over the old design (yep, including me).