Devlog #11 - Summer

Back to devlogs! We were too busy getting a tan (and working like crazy to create the best game ever) to write any. It's time to tell you about the big changes that have taken place... and those to come!

As the seasons change, so does the village. The leaves change color, the earth yields new fruits, and the critters come out to play!

By catching critters, Alva can earn a little pocket money, or more importantly, add to the museum's collection.

There are over 40 species of critters to discover! Each one only appears under certain weather conditions, at certain times of day, and in certain types of hiding places. And some of them are really rare.

Completing the museum's critter collection requires a clever mix of thought, a sense of exploration, and patience.

The critter spawn system is already up and running, and the visuals and animations should be ready soon.  This feature really brings the Great Tree to life. And after all, who wouldn't want to stumble upon the legendary golden beetle while out for a walk?

In previous issues, we told you about the farming system, which allows you to grow your own fruits and vegetables to make delicious desserts. 

But that's not the only option!

Many shrubs and bushes grow on the Great Tree’s bark (we did tell you it was magical). The ones that bear fruit change with each season. 

If you want to take a break from working in the fields, you can always go pick some wild cherries instead!

And who knows, you might even come across a rare critter along the way.

In Acornia, characters don't spend their time waiting in the same place. They are all driven by a routine. A routine indicates where the character is, where they are going, what they are doing on a certain day, at a certain time.

It evolves as the Tree changes and new characters move in, in a dynamic way.

As a player, observing the characters' behavior allows you to anticipate their position, but also to learn more about their habits and quirks.

There are lots of things to collect in Acornia. Recipes, crafting plans, enemy cards, character cards... But how do you get them?

There are several ways. For example, you can help a character during a quest, or collect them during a dungeon run.

We've been focusing on the latter recently. Now, breaking something or defeating an enemy gives you a small chance of obtaining certain cards, in addition to the coveted materials. It's a bit like a surprise egg!

For those who are unlucky, don’t worry, as we've also put certain mechanisms in place to prevent bad luck from striking down forever. But that's a secret.

With this system, no two games of Acornia will ever be the same. It's up to each player to make the most of the recipes they obtain!

The spirits of the Great Tree have come to life! A lot of work has gone into their animations, and they now inhabit the branches of the Duramen.

Some are really cute, others are rather scary. Most are somewhere in between. Here's a little preview.

We’ll tell you more about what they do in a later issue!

Lun is a little daffodil born in the underwood, in the shade of the Great Tree. She spent her youth exploring the world and became a train driver in the Golden moors, Farhan's original snow globe. After the kingdom stopped funding the railway system, Lun brought her old locomotive back piece by piece to the Great Tree and turned it into a bar and concert hall, the Station!

The Acornia locals love to gather there in the evening to chat and enjoy the music, the lake atmosphere, and the cheerful mood of their favorite flower.

Behind her playful demeanor, Lun knows many secrets. People chat away, often forgetting that behind the counter, her ears (or rather, petals?) are always wide open.

We hope you're happy to see us again, this end of the year is going to be full of surprises. We are truly passionate about this project, so your support means a lot.

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