Today I will tell you about the roadmap I prepared. I did not present it immediately after the release of the latest update because I wanted to give myself time to look at it from the side and to analyze it. During this time I changed my plans frequently, thought about the best way to do everything and so on. I set myself the goal of moving to the final version of the game and so I set myself a goals.
I had two starting paths:
- family building, marriage, children, etc.
- to fill the game with activities, jobs, business and everything that will allow the player to develop as a person, build a career and the ability to provide for himself and his future.
I chose the second option, and I will explain my choice. I thought about it and came to the conclusion that if we choose the first option, we will face such a problem: the player will be able to build a family, but he will not be able to do anything else, as well as his partner and children. As for me, we should give the player the opportunity to build a career, have a hobby, go to activities, even build a business to be able to provide for his family. And also for family members to have their own lives, hobbies, careers, etc.
Next, I will describe in details what I am planning to add. I'm writing in random order - it doesn't show the exact order of what I'm going to add. You should also keep in mind that things may change. And also a disclaimer: what I have told you about does not mean that the family etc. will be added at the end, I just mean that they will be added over time. It may seem too ambitious, but in my defense, I'm confident in my skills, since I've already added the most complicated mechanics in past updates.
Some screenshots are taken from other sources from the internet and are not screenshots from the game
Honorable Mention
A slight digression- Improve the cooking system. I really want to change this mechanic. Now it is frankly bad, complicated and not understandable. I want to simplify it so that it brings pleasure and benefits to the player. To do this, I want to add recipe books that can be purchased in the bookstore, as well as it will give additional opportunities, including in the open world (detailed below).
- Mocap. One of my goals is to get a mocap with which I can record my own animations. At the moment the animations are bought from third-party companies or made by me by hand. Their quality is low right now. It honestly bothers me, because animations affect the feel of the game and my abilities to add new content. High-quality animations change and enhance the game. And as I will have financial possibilities - I will definitely buy this gear. It will help further updates and will help me in development.
Gym
Probably one of the most popular activities that people ask about.
You will be able to visit the gym, choose a specific equipment with which you can train your strength and stamina. A system of weight gain, gaining muscles, losing weight, etc. will be added. The gym will also allow (in the future) additional opportunities, like adding a career related to the sport, as well as being able to fight, etc. And this will form a lot of variations. Being a boxer? An athlete? Sounds interesting. The place where the gym will be is already chosen and I can't wait to add it.
Pier
I want to make this place a cool location with entertainment and bars. To shine colorful lights at night, be able to play various games in which you can win different gifts, and in general have a good time.
- Bar. In this location I would like to add a Latin bar, with incredible Latin music, delicious cocktails, with a fun atmosphere, etc
- Street games and food. Add stalls where you can buy fast food (hot dog, etc.), play games where you can win a gift.
- Seafood Market. Port Anthony is a seaside city, and the food should be relevant, so I would like to add a place where you can come and buy fresh seafood. Before that, of course, the cooking system needs to be improved.
- Cafe. Adding a restaurant with seafood dishes I think is a good idea too. Have the opportunity to eat delicious dishes. Possibly adding a job ( based on John Diener's model) - but that's not for sure yet
- Real estate properties. New apartments in the area with a view of the Ferris wheel and also an apartment in a new building with floor-to-ceiling windows.
A modern sports center/park
In this place I had originally envisioned a center where players can play sports games (inspired by the New York area), as well as a park where you can also spend time. The way the place looks now is just a temporary solution. It will be changed in the future to suit the current needs.
Basketball
The game that I've been planning to add to the game for a very long time. The concept has been around since the very first version of the game. To avoid misunderstandings, it will not be a full game with full teams, etc. but rather a simplified version of it in which you can have fun with challenges, etc. There are some other ideas, but I won't tell you about them to avoid false promises.
Docks
Art Center/Museum of Modern Art
The cultural part of the city is as important as other parts of the city. In this place I want to make an art center in which will be shown works of art and also where you can also spend your time.
Additional activities
Camera
Adding a phone camera with which you can take pictures of you and your surroundings. Also adding an activity in the city with which you will need to use the camera to capture the city's places of interest and read information about them (for example, Watch Dogs).
Jobs
- Postal work. Receive parcels, organize and sort them, do courier work, delivering parcels to apartments, etc
- Courier. Run courier tasks. Classic courier job. You receive items at point A and take them to point B to the customer. Has a common mechanics with the work at the post office. You can paralely do your things and job
- Working in a hospital. Work in a medical institution. Career growth, etc.
- Police work. Working in a police department. Career growth, etc.
Real estate/Apartments
I am planning to add a lot of apartments that you will be able to purchase. Also added the possibility of renting out your apartment (as long as there is an additional apartment in which you can live).
The most luxurious and expensive apartment will be in this residential complex (photo below)
Housekeeping
I plan to add mechanics with which the apartments, toilets, showers, etc. will eventually get dirty, thus the player will have to do cleaning. A corresponding characer trait will be added.
Also will be added utilities for water and electricity, non-payment of which will lead to the disabling of water or electricity.
Pets
One of my most anticipated updates with which you will be able to get a pet (cat, dog). Accordingly feed it, care for it, etc.
Facilities
- Bars, clubs and cafes. The goal is to add 2-3 establishments in each category, meaning 2-3 clubs and about 3 different bars (including the previously mentioned one on the pier) that will be different in vibe and style. Will add more variety and choice where to spend your free time.
- Stores. Adding small stores in all areas of the city, so that the player has anywhere access to basic necessities (including pharmacies)
- Bookstore. This store will provide an opportunity to purchase recipes and other sources of information, which can also be used to give as gifts to characters.
- Laundromat. The return of a laundromat where you can wash your clothes. Adding mechanics for dirtying clothes
- Flower store. You can buy fresh flowers for a gift or yourself
Park activities
I plan to add activities to the parks which you can do while in them.
Relationships
- Parties. Throw a party in your house and invite your friends and family there. Choose the type of party, dress code, time and day and start a cool party.
- Living together . Suggest to your love partner to share a common household and start cohabitation. You will not be able to control your partner, but you will be able to ask for things
- Wedding Ceremony
- Will be available after adding party and co-habitation. Have the wedding of your dreams. Choose your favorite place where you want to hold the ceremony, select your guests, time and date. A jewelry store is planned to be added.
- Family. At the moment, I don't have a concrete option yet on how exactly the family management will be done
- Children and the life cycle
- With this update, the ability to have children will be added, having them grow and mature while you take care of them. It also means adding he cycle of life, aging and death
In this post I have not mentioned very minor changes that will be needed and will need to be added over time, including improved dialog features, etc. These are the basics that I will build on.
This genre allows to add an infinite number of mechanics, but it is necessary to approach wisely and select the core elements (which I'm planning to do). And further prepare the game for a full release. I will release a couple of patches to fix current bugs and I will start implementing the above ideas.
Thank you for your attention,
Peace be with you all
Niki
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