Development Log
2025 FEBRUARY
NPC Model Transition & UI Improvements
This month focused on transitioning to a placeholder NPC model, improving animations for resource gathering, and updating the UI backend to enhance usability in preparation for the pre-alpha insider release.
Transition from Mannequins to Temporary Placeholder NPC Model – Replaced default mannequins with a more representative NPC model for testing.
Initial Implementation of the Resource Gathering Animation System – Introduced animations to improve the visual feedback of NPCs collecting resources.
UI Backend Updates for Building Stats Display – Refactored the UI backend to support a more user-friendly and informative presentation of building statistics.
These updates enhance visual consistency, improve gameplay clarity, and bring the project closer to the pre-alpha insider release.
2025 JANUARY
NPC Item Handling & Resource Generation Beginnings
This month focused on refining the project’s asset structure, preparing for the upcoming insider alpha playtest, and optimizing Blueprint Interfaces and Behavior Tree Tasks for better efficiency.
Basic NPC Held and Carried Item System – NPCs can now hold and transport items, laying the groundwork for more advanced interactions.
Phase One of Random Resource Generation – Initial implementation of procedural resource placement, setting the foundation for a dynamic world.
These updates bring greater interactivity to NPCs and introduce dynamic elements to resource management, improving gameplay depth.
2024 DECEMBER
Asset Optimization & Alpha Playtest Preparation
This month focused on refining the project’s asset structure, preparing for the upcoming insider alpha playtest, and optimizing Blueprint Interfaces and Behavior Tree Tasks for better efficiency.
Asset Structure Updates – Reorganized and optimized the asset hierarchy for better project management and performance.
Addition of New Assets for Insider Alpha Playtest – Introduced new assets necessary for the alpha test phase.
Removal of Redundant Blueprint Interfaces and BTTasks – Cleaned up unnecessary Blueprint Interfaces and Behavior Tree Tasks to streamline AI logic and reduce overhead.
These improvements enhance project organization, optimize AI systems, and ensure a smoother experience for the insider alpha test.
2024 NOVEMBER
UE5.5 Migration & AI Pathfinding Fixes
This month was dedicated to migrating the project to Unreal Engine 5.5, addressing compatibility issues, and refining the AI pathfinding system to ensure stability after the update.
Migration to Unreal Engine 5.5 – Successfully transitioned the project to the latest engine version, improving performance and access to new features.
Associated Updates and Bug Fixes – Resolved issues that arose from the migration, ensuring smooth gameplay.
AI Pathfinding System Fixes – Adjusted and refined AI navigation to maintain functionality and optimize movement logic.
This update ensures the project remains up to date with the latest engine improvements while maintaining AI stability and performance.
2024 OCTOBER
AI Pathfinding Overhaul & Gameplay Tag Integration
This month focused on improving AI pathfinding for quests and standardizing object filtering with the Gameplay Tag system to ensure consistency and reliability in NPC behavior.
Replaced AI Pathfinding Logic for Quest Giver and Quest Objective Search – Improved the way NPCs navigate and interact with quest-related objectives.
Implemented Gameplay Tag System for Object Filtering – Established a unified tagging system to streamline object categorization and ensure consistent interactions across different game mechanics.
These improvements enhance NPC behavior, making quest-related tasks more reliable and optimizing object identification throughout the game.
2024 SEPTEMBER
UI Optimization & Input Issue Fixes
In September, the focus was on addressing input issues, optimizing the UI widget system for performance, and improving the building widget with resource checks.
Fixed Bug with Pause/Unpause Causing Input Problems – Resolved an issue where pausing and unpausing the game would disrupt player input.
Upgraded UI Widget System – Improved the UI system so that all widgets are preloaded at the start of the game and hidden until needed, reducing unnecessary widget spawning.
Building Widget Resource Check – Enhanced the building widget to display whether the required resources are available to start construction.
These changes improve overall gameplay fluidity by fixing input issues and optimizing the UI for better performance and resource management.
2024 AUGUST
Building System & UI Enhancements
In August, the development focus shifted to improving the building system, adding a UI for building interactions, refining the tag and quest systems, and introducing a new gathering flag for NPCs.
Rewriting and Advancing Building System – Improved the building system to allow for more flexibility and advanced functionality.
UI for Interacting with Buildings – Introduced a user interface for easier interaction with placed buildings, streamlining gameplay.
Refined Tag and Quest System – Enhanced the tag and quest systems for better task assignment and progression tracking.
Added a Gathering Flag – Implemented a new flag system that marks areas or resources for NPCs to gather.
These updates improve player engagement with buildings, refine task management, and provide NPCs with clearer objectives during resource collection.
2024 JULY
Selection System Overhaul & AI Logic Improvements
In July, the focus was on improving the selection system for actors, enhancing user interface features, and refining AI logic to handle resource collection more effectively.
Rewriting Selection System – Overhauled the selection system to improve actor selection accuracy and performance.
Rectangle Selection with Focus on the Actor Closest to the Center – Added a rectangle selection method that prioritizes the actor nearest to the center of the selection box.
Widget for Selected Actor Names – Implemented a widget that displays the names of selected actors for better user clarity.
AI Logic for Returning After Not Finding Resources to Collect – Added logic to ensure AI-controlled characters return to base or idle state if they fail to find resources to gather.
These updates enhance player control and interaction while improving the responsiveness of NPCs during resource collection tasks.
2024 JUNE
Resource Management & Building System Expansion
In June, the focus was on expanding the resource management system, integrating it with NPC tasks, and developing a basic set of functional buildings for initial gameplay testing.
Resource System – Established a system for managing and tracking resources within the game.
Allocated Assets for Stationary Resources – Implemented assets for stationary resources like mines, forests, and quarries.
Integrated Resources into AI Task System – Incorporated resources into the AI task system, enabling NPCs to gather and use them effectively.
Basic Building Set – Developed a foundational set of buildings for initial gameplay interactions.
Set of Functional Buildings for Alpha Testing NPC Mechanics – Added functional buildings like warehouses and miner houses, critical for testing NPC behaviors and task assignments.
This update sets the stage for refining gameplay mechanics and ensuring smooth integration between resources, NPCs, and buildings.
2024 MAY
NPC Interaction & Camera Enhancements
This month, the focus was on expanding the NPC interaction system, introducing task-based movement, and improving camera mechanics to enhance gameplay.
Functional NPC AI System with Placeholders – Established a working AI system for NPCs with placeholder characters.
Ability to Receive Tasks for Moving from A to B – Introduced task-based movement, allowing NPCs to travel between specified locations.
NPC Animation Playback – Enabled NPCs to play animations during task execution, enhancing realism.
Fixed Camera Collision – Resolved camera collision issues to improve player navigation and visibility.
These advancements contribute to more dynamic NPC behaviors and a smoother player experience.
2024 APRIL
Building System Foundations
This month, development focused on implementing core building mechanics, allowing players to place and remove structures within the game world. Additional improvements were made to enhance the building experience.
Functional System for Placing and Removing Buildings – Introduced a working system that enables players to place and remove structures.
Ability to Place Basic Assets – Implemented support for placing foundational assets using the new system.
Build Mode Preview – Added a visual preview of assets before placement to improve user experience.
Asset Rotation Before Placing – Enabled players to rotate objects before finalizing their placement.
These improvements lay the groundwork for a more refined construction system and deeper strategic gameplay elements.
2024 MARCH
Project environment setup
This month, we focused on establishing the foundation of the project’s environment, implementing core functionalities necessary for initial gameplay and interaction. The goal was to create a stable framework for further development.
Project Environment Setup – Basic structure and assets were organized for a cohesive workflow.
Functional Camera – Implemented a working camera system to navigate the environment.
Minimalistic Pause Menu – Added a simple pause menu for basic game control.
Terrain with Texture and Foliage – Designed and textured the terrain, adding foliage for visual depth.
Props Without Functionality – Placed static objects in the environment to enhance immersion.
This groundwork sets the stage for further gameplay mechanics and interactive elements in the upcoming development phases.