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From Walkscape Walkthrough

DevBlog #52: Back to Work from the Holidays

General Progress Towards the Next Update

  • Status:
    • Pre-holiday progress was strong; a few known issues remain to be fixed.
    • Main blocker: Compatibility issues on older Android devices.
  • Key Improvements:
    • Step-counting issues (especially in background mode or with poor connection) seem fully resolved.
  • Release Timeline:
    • Targeting a release this month.
    • Significant technical debt has been addressed, paving the way for better scalability and future features.
  • Future Focus:
    • Complete new development tools to speed up content delivery and enable a more stable release schedule.

Anti-Cheat Improvements

  • Enhancements:
    • Anti-cheat systems significantly scaled and upgraded for more accurate detection.
    • Optimized to handle hundreds of thousands of players in preparation for open beta.
  • Commitment:
    • Continuous upgrades planned to ensure a fair gaming experience.

WalkScape Wiki & Weblate Improvements

  1. Wiki Improvements:
    • Migrated to WalkScape's server for better control and performance.
    • New features:
      • Progressive Web App (PWA) support for mobile access.
      • Guides and Gear Loadouts prepared for Gear Sets integration.
      • Faster loading times.
    • Contribution Opportunity: Create and edit guides or gear sets:
      • Use namespaces Guide: or Gear: for specific content.
      • Examples:
    • Wiki Community Guide and Gear Sets Page
  2. Weblate (Translation Platform):
    • Migrated to a faster server.
    • Open for contributors: Join the Discord and contact #bwuhbwuhbwuh to help translate the game into new languages.

Comments from Wiki Team’s User:Bonez565

    • Contribution Opportunity: Create and edit guides or gear sets:
      • Use namespaces Guide: or Gear: for specific content.
      • Examples:
        • Guides: Guide:Butterfly Catching/Awesome Wheat Guide.
        • Gear Sets: Add activity-specific gear recommendations.
  • How to Contribute:
    • Create guides or gear sets using templates and link them to relevant activity pages.
    • Freeform guides for broader topics also welcome.
    • Community pages for discovering and sharing guides available on the sidebar.
  • Contact: Reach out to the Wiki team for assistance.

Wave 3.5 Summary

  • End Date: January 7th.
  • Highlights:
    • Smoothest wave yet, even during holidays.
    • Patreon integration working well; Buy Me a Coffee still has API limitations, causing delays in supporter status updates.
    • Migrated emails to a dedicated server for improved support reliability.
  • Future Capacity: Upgrades allow support for more players in upcoming waves, especially Wave 4.

Until Next Time

  • Next Steps:
    • Finish updates for engine rework and Gear Sets.
    • Shift focus to more exciting updates after release.
  • Next DevBlog: Anticipated update or progress details in the following weeks.
  • Closing Message: Thanks for your support—keep walking and stay hydrated! ❤️

DevBlog #51: Gear Sets and Holiday Break

Wave 3.5 Starts December 15th

  • Details:
    • Wave Duration: December 15th to January 6th.
    • Supporters on Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee will gain access.
    • Supporting before January 6th ensures access during the wave.
    • Instructions: WalkScape Help Page.

Gear Sets: Introduction

  • Purpose:
    • Streamline switching gear for activities and skills.
    • Simplify finding optimal gear for min-maxers and casual players.
  • Status:
    • Core functionality is complete.
    • UI polishing is underway, aiming for January release.

Gear Sets: How They Work

  1. Create Sets from Current Gear:
    • Equip your desired items, create a new set, and copy your current gear.
  2. Customize and Prepare:
    • Use the in-game gear explorer to optimize your setup.
    • Features of the gear explorer:
      • Sort by attribute (e.g., Work Efficiency).
      • Filter by activity (e.g., specific trees to cut).
      • Filter by skill (planned for future updates).
      • Item comparison for upgrades.
      • Search function to quickly locate items.
  3. Share or Import Gear Sets:
    • Share your gear setups with the community or import ones made by others.
    • Items not yet discovered by your character will appear as "?" with visible names for easier research.
  4. Organize:
    • Customization options for gear sets:
      • Name, icons, colors, and skill/activity filters.
    • Idle characters can see all saved gear sets.
  5. Smart Inventory Management:
    • Bank integration:
      • Auto-store unequipped items at the bank or move them to your inventory.
      • Withdraw required items automatically from the bank if available.
    • Missing or unavailable gear:
      • Displays a list of missing items for user review before switching.

Engine Optimization Update

  • Completion:
    • Engine optimization is finished and undergoing internal testing.
    • Key improvements:
      • Faster performance and reduced technical debt.
  • Current Focus:
    • Bug fixes in the optimized engine.
    • Finalizing gear sets for release.
  • Planned Release:
    • Update expected for closed beta testers in January, depending on bug resolution.

Holiday Break

  • Team Break:
    • Dates: December 23rd to January 1st.
    • Limited support on Discord and email for Wave 3.5 issues.
  • Next DevBlog:
    • Scheduled for January 9th, following the break.

Closing Notes

  • Thank You!: The team appreciates your patience and support during this development period.
  • Happy Holidays: Wishing everyone a joyful season!
  • Stay Active: Keep walking and stay hydrated ❤️.

DevBlog #50: Wave 3.5 Announcement, Improved Notifications, and Party System Teasers!

Wave 3.5: December 15th to January 6th

  • Wave Details:
    • Starts: December 15th, 00:00 UTC+0
    • Ends: January 7th, 00:00 UTC+0
    • Similar to Wave 2.5, this is supporter-only (no new applications accepted).
    • Access is granted to Patreon/Buy Me a Coffee supporters.
    • Become a supporter before or during the wave for instant access: WalkScape Help Page.
  • Patreon Gift Memberships:
    • First 50 users can redeem one free month of Patreon: Redeem Gift.
    • Gifting memberships to others is also now possible via Patreon.

Improved In-Game Notifications

  • Reworked Notification Bubbles:
    • More information added, including:
      • Procs (double action, double rewards, etc.)
      • Arrivals, realm reputation gains, and saved steps.
      • Crafted/looted items now display their quality (e.g., fine, rare).
      • Sticky notifications for achievements and collectibles, staying on screen until dismissed.

Revamped “While You Were Away” View

  • Enhancements:
    • Includes all updated notification bubble info (XP, reputation, procs, etc.).
    • Adds:
      • World map: Watch your character’s journey.
      • XP bars & level-up visuals: Dynamic feedback for progression.
      • Rare event highlights: Cool animations for special finds (e.g., eternal gear, legendary loot).
    • New Features:
      • Always triggers after significant walks, even without restarting the game.
      • Can be reopened anytime for review.

Party System Teasers

  • Core Party Management Completed:
    • Features:
      • Party creation and customization, including catchphrases!
      • UI preview available (still under development).
    • Next Steps:
      • Implement two-week challenges for party goals.
      • Add visibility of party members on the world map.

Overall Progress

  • Engine Optimizations Complete:
    • Server-side additions and testing still required.
    • Game now processes 3 million steps in ~1 second!
  • Gear Sets Work Begins Soon:
    • Gear sets are slated for release during or shortly after Wave 3.5.

Until Next Time

  • Wave 3.5 Access: Join as a supporter or visit the WalkScape Help Page for details.
  • Community: For assistance or to share your journey, join the Discord community.
  • Stay hydrated, keep walking, and see you in the game! ❤️

DevBlog #49: Continuing the Optimization Process!

New Skill Sprites Teaser

  • New sprites for two upcoming skills have been revealed, adding fresh visuals to the game’s expanding skill set.

Load Time Optimizations

Next Focus: Step Loading Improvements

  • With the primary engine updates complete, the next step is to optimize step loading and resolve any issues with step loss during interruptions.
  • Fixes & Timeline:
    • Aiming to ensure step data is saved and reloads correctly even with lost connections or app backgrounding.
    • Expected completion before the next devblog, along with the release of the Gear Sets feature.

Character Borders, CYOA Stories, and Art Streams

Technical Details on Optimization

Until Next Time

  • Stay tuned for updates on Gear Sets and new gameplay features in the next devblog.
  • Happy walking, and remember to stay hydrated! ❤️

DevBlog #48: Engine Optimizations and Upcoming Features!

View the full post on the portal!

Teasers and General Info

  • Two New Skills are coming soon, with design and art in progress. Their content will be part of an upcoming major update, though it will take a few months to complete due to dependencies on Quality of Life (QoL) updates.
  • Minor Updates Released: Last week’s minor patches addressed bugs and improved certain UI elements based on player feedback.
  • Party System Development: Myzozoz is making great progress on designing the highly anticipated Party system!

Why the Engine Overhaul?

The engine overhaul is aimed at improving game performance and functionality across several areas:

  1. Performance Optimization: Minimizes loading times and UI lag.
  2. Background Processing: Enables smoother notifications and future compatibility with companion apps.
  3. Enhanced Stability: Makes game updates more flexible and scalable for new content.
  4. Step Loading Improvements: A new rollback feature will allow steps to be saved even if interrupted.

Currently, heavy calculations run on the same thread as UI rendering, causing lag when processing a high number of steps. By moving these calculations to a separate thread and optimizing the code, players will enjoy a smoother experience.

Game Loading Time Enhancements

  • The game loading time has been reduced from 5+ seconds to approximately 500 milliseconds (excluding server calls).
  • Multi-threading with Flutter's "isolates" feature allows for simultaneous data loading without impacting the UI.
  • The goal is for the game to be ready for players before the Not a Cult logo finishes loading.

Decoupling Game Logic from the Application

  • Decoupling separates game processing from the main app, allowing it to work on multiple platforms (such as companion apps and servers).
  • This enables background processing and allows the server to handle the game loop for features like notifications and step tracking.
  • The game logic has been encapsulated in an independent module, allowing it to function across different platforms in the future.

Making a Stateless Event Queue

The overhaul includes converting game events to a stateless format using an Event Queue:

  • Each game event, like "gain XP" or "arrive at location," processes independently, enhancing performance and ensuring consistent operation across platforms.
  • By creating stateless, isolated functions for each event, the game can efficiently handle multiple players and events.

Other Considerations and Optimizations

  • The new system includes safeguards to avoid issues with event order, preventing race conditions.
  • Improved UI handling ensures smooth gameplay even during complex or delayed processing.
  • Basic data structure optimizations were implemented, replacing ordered lists with key-value maps and search trees to improve search efficiency and reduce operation time.

Until Next Time

These optimizations will significantly enhance gameplay, addressing lingering step-loading issues, speeding up loading times, and preparing the game for future features.

Thank you for following along, and stay tuned for more updates as we make steady progress on these improvements!

DevBlog #47: Patching is now almost done, info and poll about the next QoL update!

View the full post on the portal!

Hotfixes and Patches Post-Syrenthia

  • Two hotfix patches have been released in the past two weeks: Hotfix +335 and Hotfix +332.
  • These addressed bugs found by players and improved some confusing UI elements.
  • Translations added: The game now supports several languages, with a focus on recruiting players for help with translating into German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages.
  • Discord is a central hub for feedback and bug reports, and players can join at WalkScape.

Upcoming Quality of Life (QoL) Update

  • A major QoL update is being planned to improve and polish the current gameplay features based on player feedback.
  • Main features include:
    • WalkPedia completion and multi-tab navigation.
    • Travel + 1 Queue: Set up travel and automatic activity transitions.
    • Crafting Queue and overhaul: Queue multiple recipes and improve crafting UI.
    • Bank and Inventory Overhaul: Customizable tabs, item locking, and inventory sorting.
    • Gear Sets: Save and quickly swap gear sets.
    • Tracking and Favoriting: Progress tracking and favoriting for items, locations, and achievements.
    • Notifications: Customizable alerts for game events like full inventory and arrival at destinations.
  • The release will be gradual, with features added as they are completed to allow continuous feedback from the community.

QoL Poll

  • A Google Forms poll has been launched to gather input on which QoL features should be prioritized.

Until Next Time

  • While Schamppu focuses on QoL, Myzozoz is working on adding multiplayer features such as the Party System and Player Trading.

DevBlog #46: We won!

View the full post on the portal!

Audience Award at Pocket Gamer Connects (PGC)

  • WalkScape won the Audience Choice Award for the best indie game at Pocket Gamer Connects (PGC) Helsinki 2024.
  • Myzozoz also achieved 3rd place in the Very Big Indie Pitch competition for indie games.

Delayed Hotfix Due to Flu

  • Schamppu was out of the office for a week due to the flu, delaying the planned game hotfix patch.
  • However, several important Portal updates were completed, including:
    • Username and password login capability (previously email + password).
    • Fixes to properly update Patreon/BMAC status.
    • Error messages made clearer and improved email verification flow.

Convention Recap

  • The team also participated in W Love Games, a free gaming convention in Helsinki at the Oodi library.
  • The WalkScape team had a successful time at PGC Helsinki, connecting with fans and the gaming industry.

Next Steps

  • Hotfix release is the immediate priority, followed by focusing on the next game update.

DevBlog #45: First year of Not A Cult (and two years of WalkScape development)! Roadmap and more

View the full post on the portal!

Wave 3 Update:

  • Wave 3 is still active and will run until October 6th, offering access to the Closed Beta.
  • Players can gain access by supporting on Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee or applying via the Portal.

Roadmap:

  • The main features in development include Trading, Combat, and Quests, with minor features such as Smartwatch support, the Party System, and a proper tutorial.
  • Internal tools and anti-cheat systems are also under improvement to streamline development and enhance gameplay.

Rough Timeline:

  • Portal fixes are coming soon to address verification issues.
  • Hotfixes for the Syrenthia update will roll out in the next 2-3 weeks.
  • Localization support will be added in about a month.
  • Party system development will begin in the next 1-2 months.
  • Combat system and Trading will be worked on by the end of the year, while Questing will follow.

Reflections on the First Year:

  • Not A Cult has been operating as a company for a full year, while WalkScape has been in development for two years.
  • The last year has seen significant progress, including the launch of the Closed Beta, improvements in game stability, and scaling the team with a new developer, myzozoz.
  • The game was showcased at multiple conventions such as Gamescom, PGC London, and Helsinki 2023.

What's Next:

  • Portal will be improved to offer better stability and user experience.
  • A rework of the WalkScape development tools is underway to allow for faster content updates.
  • Feedback is encouraged from the community to help guide future updates and content, especially for the recent Syrenthia update.

Conventions & Social Media:

  • WalkScape has been showcased at several conventions and aims to attend more in the future, including PAX West or East.
  • The team is experimenting with posts on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube and is seeking feedback on social media strategies.

Closing Thoughts:

  • The WalkScape team is grateful for the feedback and support and is looking forward to the future developments.

DevBlog #44: Post-Syrenthia Notes with floursifter

View the full post on the portal!

Wave 3 Reminder:

  • Invite Wave 3 of WalkScape is active until October 6th.
  • Instant access via Patreon or Buy Me A Coffee, or apply for beta access on the WalkScape portal.
  • Expect a delay of about two hours for invites to activate, with a known bug requiring some users to sign in and out of the portal for activation.

Syrenthia Patch Recap:

  • Released on August 20th, marking the end of intense development focus since May.
  • Includes achievements, PFP customization, consumables, faction reputation, 11 new locations, job boards, and an enhanced friends system.
  • Post-release, the team took a short break to recuperate after Gamescom.

Known Issues:

  • Walkpedia loading issues on accounts with old activity data.
  • Some Android devices not showing in-game pop-ups due to settings.
  • Visual issues with consuming consumables and text search bugs.
  • Minor localization errors and faction reputation rounding issues.

Mini-Roadmap:

  • Internal Tooling and Pedometer Rework: Priority for improving development efficiency by updating internal tools and fixing the pedometer.
  • Content Development: Small updates planned for Syrenthia and an upcoming GDTE update.

Balance Thoughts and State of The Game:

  • Job Boards: Generally successful, but some tasks mismatched for late game players.
  • Consumables: Effective in early and mid-game; need better integration in tutorials.
  • Faction Reputation and Region Chests: Some rewards undercooked and will be revised.
  • Syrenthia's Expansion: Increased from 4 to 6 locations, enhancing the game's scope and potential for future updates.

Closing Remarks:

  • Floursifter expresses satisfaction with the update's impact but notes the need for ongoing tweaks and improvements.
  • The next update will include a convention recap and further progress on the roadmap.

Stay tuned for the next devblog for more updates on WalkScape's development progress!

DevBlog #43: 5 Reasons to Play WalkScape

View the full post on the portal!

DevBlog #43: 5 Reasons to Play WalkScape - Summary

Wave 3 Information:

  • Wave 3 of WalkScape's closed beta is ongoing until October 6th, 2024.
  • Instant access is available through Patreon or Buy Me A Coffee.
  • Beta applications are open on the portal with selective invitations during the wave.

Development Progress:

  • WalkScape has been in development for nearly two years.
  • The team is praised for their hard work, with special thanks to alpha testers for bug reporting.

5 Reasons to Play WalkScape:

1. Improve Walking Habits:

  • WalkScape positively impacts daily step counts; survey shows an ~80% increase in players' average daily steps.

2. Classic MMORPG Progression:

  • WalkScape offers a skill system inspired by RuneScape, allowing players to progress through non-combat activities like woodcutting, mining, and crafting.

3. Explore Arenum:

  • Players can explore a vast world with different locations, buildings, and NPCs, with more content to be added.

4. Compete and Play with Friends:

  • Online leaderboards and a friend system allow competition and cooperation, with future multiplayer features planned.

5. Non-Predatory Gameplay:

  • WalkScape is free from ads, in-game purchases, and daily FOMO mechanics, respecting players' time and experience.

Final Remarks:

  • The devblog concludes with gratitude to supporters and an emphasis on maintaining creative freedom in development.
  • The team encourages players to enjoy their walks and stay engaged with the game at their own pace.

DevBlog #42: Wave 3 & Syrenthia release date, job boards, consumables and Gamescom!

View the full post on the portal!

Return from Summer Vacation

  • Developer is back from summer vacation, skipping one development blog.
  • Lots of new updates have been developed.

WalkScape at Gamescom

  • Accepted to promote WalkScape at Gamescom (20th-25th August) through Creative Media Stands EU.
  • Booth is on the business side; regular ticket holders can't visit.
  • Fans can meet outside Gamescom by contacting via Discord or email.

Wave 3 and Syrenthia Release

  • Planned for release between 19th and 21st to coincide with Gamescom.
  • Release date not fixed; targeted by the 21st.
  • Wave 3 ends on 30th September.
  • Access available through Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, or Portal sign-up.

Consumables

  • New features: consumables, faction reputation, and job boards.
  • Two types: foods and potions (potions added later with Alchemy skill).
  • Consumables provide attributes and have step-based duration.
  • Includes Memospheres for experience and planned instant effects like teleportation scrolls.
  • No real money required; all in-game.

Job Boards

  • First quest-like feature, with repeatable mini-quests.
  • Found in Arenum cities with three randomized jobs daily.
  • Rewards include special consumables, faction reputation, coins, skill experience, and chests.

Faction Reputation

  • Four factions: Jarvonia, Syrenthia, Trellin, and Erdwise.
  • System allows leveling up reputation for rewards.
  • Unlocks special shops, services, routes, buildings, and cosmetic items.

Other Features

  • In-game friends feature added; manage friendships and view stats.
  • Privacy settings for hiding steps and making oneself anonymous on leaderboards.
  • New content: 100+ items, 10+ activities, 7+ locations, 50+ crafting recipes.

Next Steps

  • Hotfixes and QoL updates post-Germany trip.
  • Next wave and update going live in just over a week.
  • Encouragement to stay hydrated and keep walking.

DevBlog #41: Achievements update released, my summer vacation and short-term roadmap

View the full post on the portal!

Vacation Notice

  • Developer on vacation from 16th to 23rd of this month
  • A quick update to fix post-release issues will be released before vacation
  • No DevBlog on the 25th; next DevBlog on 8th August

Achievements Update Released

  • Biggest update yet released yesterday
  • Initial release had a critical bug, fixed quickly
  • Positive initial feedback from users
  • Thanks to everyone for patience and testing

Short Term Roadmap

  • Privacy-focused features for account management coming soon
  • Syrenthia update targeted for end of next month
    • Missing Realm Reputation, Job Boards, and Consumables
    • WalkPedia completed ahead of schedule

Until Next Time

  •    Small patch expected before vacation
  •    Next DevBlog in one month
  •    Encouragement to enjoy new content and unlock achievements

DevBlog #40: Friends system released, major balancing changes, shop rework, WalkPedia and more!

View the full post on the Portal!

TL;DR

  • Achievement Update: Planned to release in less than two weeks.
  • Friends System: Released on the Portal, allowing players to add others to their friends list and compete on friend-specific leaderboards.
  • Balancing Changes: Revamp of primary and secondary slot items, rework of Smithing, and the introduction of a new 'scrap' system for certain crafting activities.
  • Shop Rework: Improved trading options and user interface.
  • WalkPedia Progress: An in-game guide and collection log for players.

Friends System Released

Our second developer, myzozoz, is working on the Friends system in three phases:

  1. Phase 1: Friends system on Portal (completed)
  2. Phase 2: Friends system in-game
  3. Phase 3: Party system

Adding Friends:

  • Search for their username on the new Users page.
  • Send a friend invite via the three dots button or their profile page.
  • Share your profile link for others to add you.

Friend Leaderboards:

  • Access by changing "All" to "Friends" on the leaderboards.
  • Included in the Achievements Update for in-game access.

Feedback and Issues:

  • Comment on the blog or Discord server.
  • Serious issues: DM moderators on Discord or email contact@walkscape.app.

Major Balancing Changes

Arrows Slot → Back Slot:

  • General back slot for more skilling and combat versatility.
  • New fun/meme craftable item for early game training.

Crafted Tool Attribute Rebalancing:

  • Normal quality tools have reduced Gear Score Index (GSI).
  • Goals: Prolong higher quality crafts, provide more materials, incentivize crafting, and reduce rush strategies.

Primary/Secondary Slot Items to Tools:

Smithing Rework:

  • Bars are 60% faster to create with 50% less experience.
  • Transform bars into combat items or tools.
  • Choose between crafting tools or generating smithing experience.

Service Attributes:

  • Unique location services with attributes.
  • Choices between co-located services and special service bonuses.

Scrap System Pilot:

  • Activities like tinkering and wood carving now generate "scrap".
  • Transform scrap into bars/planks.
  • Future potential for scrapping items for materials.

Agility:

  • Nerfed agility experience from activities.
  • New progression mechanics and gear for agility activities.

Other Changes:

  • Non-skill based requirements for tools and gear.
  • Items unequipped into inventory if requirements not met.

Shop Rework

Due to upcoming elements in Syrenthia and the Achievements update, the NPC shop system has been reworked:

  • New Currencies: Shops can accept currencies other than coins.
  • Improved UI: Taller shop UI, faster animations, category separation, and advanced search function.
  • Item Buyback: Reverse unwanted purchases or sales.
  • Future Updates: More scalable systems and QoL improvements.

WalkPedia

Progress on WalkPedia, planned for the Achievements Update or Syrenthia:

  • Content Log: Shows explored content only.
  • Statistics: Completion progress, drop rates, item sources.
  • Navigation Tools: Browser-like features with tabs, bookmarks, and search.

Achievements Update and Syrenthia

Achievements Update: Nearly complete and in testing. Strips characters naked due to gear slot changes. Expected release before next blog.

Syrenthia Update: Most labor-intensive features already complete. Friends system to be integrated soon.

Adventurer’s Guild

Introducing the first NPC guild, the Adventurer's Guild:

  • Outposts: Multiple locations in Arenum.
  • Activities: Special items and tokens for completing activities.
  • Future Plans: More guild mechanics and special items.

Thank you for reading along! Your support helps us scale and speed up development. Stay hydrated, and keep walking, everyone!

DevBlog #39: Wave 2.5 ending soon! Clothing shops, rebalancing & friend system

View the full post on the Portal!

Wave 2.5 Ending Soon

  • End Date: June 15th.
  • Access: Support on Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee for last-minute access. Wave 3 is expected by the end of summer.

Clothing Shops, Wardrobe, and Barber

  • New Shops: Two clothing shops in Jarvonia and GDTE, offering unique clothing options.
  • Wardrobe Service: Available in larger cities to switch between purchased/unlocked clothing.
  • Barber Shops: Customize hair, face, and colors for a fee of 1000 coins.

Rebalancing Changes

  • Balance Update: Adjustments to tools and game mechanics to ensure balanced progression and gameplay.
    • Key Adjustments:
      • Steel axe in Nomad Woods adjusted to prevent early game imbalance.
      • Quality of tools now has a more significant impact across tiers.
      • Early game tools weakened to encourage progression.
      • Attributes like bonus XP% on tools adjusted to prevent imbalance.
    • New Framework:
      • Early qualities emphasize gems, chests, and fine materials.
      • Later qualities focus on work efficiency and double action.
      • Double rewards distributed linearly.

Friends & Party System

  • Phase One:
    • Add/manage friends on WalkScape Portal.
    • User search and privacy settings.
    • Friends-only leaderboards.
  • Phase Two:
    • In-game friend management and notifications.
  • Phase Three:
    • Party system for 2-10 members.
    • In-game world map visibility of party members.
    • Party leaderboards and challenges with step goals and rewards.
    • Extra reward for the top contributor in the party.

Additional Updates

  • Portal Improvements: Fixed issues with the Portal, improved linking for Patreon and BMAC, and enhanced localization tools.
  • New Items: Dozens of new items introduced, details to follow.

Stay tuned for the next update, and as always, stay hydrated and keep walking!

DevBlog #38: Releasing achievements + abilities before Syrenthia, Android pedometer fix

View the full post on the Portal!

Wave 2.5 Reminder

  • Dates: Starts on June 1st at 00:00 UTC and ends on June 15th at 12:00 UTC.
  • Access: Supporters on Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee need to link their accounts to gain access.

Android Pedometer Fix

  • New API: Google released a new Android Health API, simplifying pedometer development.
  • Improvements:
    • No Google sign-in required, enhancing privacy.
    • No additional app installation needed, only Google Play Services.
    • Background step tracking support for previously problematic devices.
    • Eliminated need for foreground processes, reducing battery usage.
  • Temporary Changes: Previous notifications will be unavailable but will return in future updates with improvements.

Releasing Achievements & Abilities Before Syrenthia

  • New Content Update: An intermittent update will precede the Syrenthia update.
  • Features:
    • 40+ achievements categorized into four difficulties: easy, medium, hard, extreme.
    • Character customization through barber and wardrobe services.
    • Three new locations and dozens of new items, including achievement-related ones.
    • New activities and abilities with time or step-based cooldowns.
    • Achievement reward track with 22 unlocks based on achievement points.
    • Introduction of the first guild with more features to come later.

New Merch Available

  • Merch Store: Two new shirt designs by Sorgo are available.

Closing Remarks

  • Developer Relief: The new Google API has alleviated many pedometer development challenges.
  • Next Update: A specific release date for the next content update will be announced soon.

Stay tuned for more updates, keep walking, and stay hydrated!

DevBlog #37: Wave 2.5, new website released, statistics, roadmap, Syrenthia progress

View the full post on the Portal!

Wave 2.5 Release

  • Dates: June 1st to June 15th.
  • Access: All supporters before June 15th, 12:00 UTC, will gain access. The integration with Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee (BMaC) is being reworked to reduce the waiting time for support recognition and beta access.
  • Purpose: Introduced as a compromise due to delays in Wave 3 development, allowing new supporters to access the game sooner.

New Website and Roadmap

  • Redesigned Website: The new website matches the game’s look and feel, offering new features such as:
    • Next wave countdown.
    • Latest development posts.
    • Live updating game statistics.
    • Press kit and trailer video.
  • Roadmap: A new roadmap has been released, detailing past events and upcoming developments, which will be regularly updated.

Pedometer Updates

  • Stability: With build +242, the Android pedometer is stable. Major improvements include:
    • Retaining step counts through phone reboots.
    • Optimizing background processes to reduce battery drain.
    • Resolving edge case issues reported by users.
  • Troubleshooting: Common issues with step counting often relate to permission settings. Users are encouraged to enable specific permissions and settings to ensure accurate step tracking.

Syrenthia Progress

  • New Features: Development has resumed on adding buffs and abilities:
    • Buffs: Temporary attributes from consumables, allowing one active food and one active potion at a time. UI development for these features is ongoing.
    • Abilities: Actions with cooldowns that can be performed in the game. These will be rare and unique, with cooldowns based on real-world time, steps, and actions.

Game Statistics

  • Milestones:
    • Total Steps: 1.505 billion.
    • Most Stepped Activities: Iron Ore, Litter Looting, Coal, Oak Tree.
    • Rarest Items: Candlehat, Hat with a Feather, Recipe Book, Forester's Boots.
    • Glacier Foraging Highest Steppers: Malik (1.38 million steps), Jarski (1.13 million steps).

Next Steps

  • Focus: Development will shift fully to new gameplay features, with no major updates to the pedometer expected unless critical issues arise.
  • Engagement: Community feedback remains crucial. Users are encouraged to report any issues or successful setups to help improve the game for everyone.

For more details and updates, visit the WalkScape Portal or join their community discussions on Reddit and Discord.

DevBlog #36: Pedometer fixes continue, progress on website and a flu

View the full post on the Portal!

Pedometer Issues:

  • Deployed a new pedometer update with several issues emerging post-deployment.
  • Continuously working on fixes with highest priority on Android issues.
  • Troubleshooting steps provided for Android users.
  • iOS issues already addressed in internal builds.

WalkScape Main Website Rework:

Next Steps:

  • Continued focus on resolving critical pedometer issues.
  • Encouragement to report issues on Discord, Reddit, or Portal.
  • Request for detailed information when reporting issues.
  • Once pedometer issues are resolved, attention shifts back to finishing Syrenthia update.
  • Wave 3 release timeline details to be provided after Syrenthia completion.

Closing Remarks:

  • Brief update due to flu recovery.
  • Commitment to releasing further pedometer patches.
  • Gratitude to Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee supporters for funding the game's development.
  • Encouragement for community support and staying hydrated.

DevBlog #35: Introducing New Team Member and Minor Update

View the full post on the Portal!

Introducing new WalkScape developer, myzozoz!

  • myzozoz joins as Not a Cult’s first developer hire.
  • Background in programming and previously worked as Lead Programmer at Latchback Games.
  • Excited to be part of the WalkScape community and eager to contribute.

What does this mean for WalkScape?

  • Scaling up the company is complete.
  • New office space rented.
  • myzozoz selected from over 400 applicants due to his software and indie game development experience, location, language, and compatibility.
  • Focus on onboarding myzozoz with tasks like:
    • Reworking the WalkScape website.
    • Improving the WalkScape Portal.

Android pedometer update

When is the update going live?

  • New update expected to be completed by next week.
  • Significant changes in pedometer and local data saving.
  • Important note: Unclaimed steps will be lost when the update goes live. At least 24 hours notice will be given before the update.

Closing Remarks

  • Excitement about the progress and positive effects of having a new developer and office space.
  • Thanks to Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee supporters for funding the development.
  • Encouragement to support the game if enjoyed.
  • Reminder to stay hydrated and keep walking.

DevBlog #34: Syrenthia, Interview(s), and Current Progress

View the full post on the Portal!

Interview with Eric

Improving Work-Life Balance

  • Concerns raised by the community about the developer's work-life balance.
  • Rented a small office room named "Not a Cult" to improve work environment.
  • Office overlooks the historic Arabia ceramics factory.
  • Offers unlimited coffee and includes an ice cube machine.
  • Image of Not a Cult's Office

Syrenthia Update

  • Planned release in two months.
  • Upcoming updates to address pedometer issues and balancing.
  • New underwater realm with multiple locations, activities, recipes, and items.
  • Addition of two new service types: barber and wardrobe.
  • Introduction of a new bank, achievements, consumables, realm reputation.
  • Friends system and job boards are being considered.
  • Focus on enhancing progression options and opportunities for players.

Post-Syrenthia Plans

  • Immediate focus on Friends system and Job boards if not included in the Syrenthia update.
  • Next update to implement Quality of Life (QoL) improvements, including WalkPedia.
  • WalkPedia designed to aid both new and veteran players with information, statistics, and a collection log system.

Hiring Process

  • Interviewing four candidates for the additional developer role.
  • Onboarding a new developer expected to accelerate the development of new features.
  • Anticipation of scaling up the game development with the support from Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee contributors.

Current Progress

  • Achievements system nearly complete with a few items left to finalize the reward track.
  • Work initiated on the pedometer fix, testing to begin internally this week.
  • Around 40 unique achievements added, some offering special rewards.
  • Introduction of a new leaderboard for achievement points.
  • Collectibles also provide achievement points, encouraging players to find them all.

Closing Remarks

  • Excitement about the progress and scaling of things behind the scenes.
  • Emphasis on improving work-life balance for long-term sustainability.
  • Hope for an amazing week and see the community in two weeks.
  • Encouragement to stay hydrated and keep walking.

DevBlog #33: Hiring, WalkScape map tool, Android pedometer and upcoming features

View the full post on the Portal!

WalkScape Map Tool

  • Developed by falarikae from the community.
  • A world map tool to plan walks: WalkScape Map
  • Includes filters for different in-game services and activities.
  • Open source and hosted by the developer.

Android Pedometer

  • New step-counting method deployed for Android devices.
  • Challenges:
    • Need for unrestricted battery permission on Android 12 devices.
    • Increased battery consumption on Google Pixels.
  • Goals:
    • Compatibility with A10 and possibly A9 devices.
    • Independent functioning without Google Fit.
    • Low battery usage when the game is closed.
    • Minimal setup and permissions.
    • Removal of foreground process and sticky notification.
  • Ongoing improvements and testing, main focus on adding new game features.

New Features

  • Achievements feature nearing completion.
  • Working on consumables and new content.
  • Future plans include adding Friends, Parties, and trading to the game.
  • Trading will undergo extensive internal testing.

Hiring

  • Looking to hire a second full-time developer.
  • Required skills:
    • Two years of experience with Dart & Flutter.
    • One year of experience with React.js.
    • Good communication skills.
    • Game development experience (preferably professional).
  • Plus traits:
    • Located in a similar timezone (UTC+2).
    • Passionate about the game.
  • Apply via email: contact@walkscape.app or LinkedIn.

Closing Remarks

  • Development focus on expanding the game due to player feedback.
  • Some Quality of Life (QoL) improvements and bug fixes will be added in each update.
  • Next DevBlog in two weeks.

DevBlog #32: Wave two launches, patch incoming and answering some feedback

View the full post on the Portal!

Wave Two Launch:

  • Wave two of the game started last week with a significant increase in player count.
  • The launch has been successful in testing the game's infrastructure under increased load.

Statistics Since Wave Two Launch:

  • Total steps, actions, and resources gained by players.
  • Specific achievements and milestones reached by players since the launch.

Upcoming Patch:

  • A fix for a bug causing players to load their entire step history.
  • Rework of the Android pedometer to prevent step loss on updates or phone restarts.
  • Plans to optimize long wait times during game launch and implement other fixes.

Feedback:

  • Acknowledgment of feedback received and plans to address two primary concerns:
    • Early game requiring too much attention.
    • Active gameplay components being underdeveloped.

Quality of Life Improvements:

  • Plans to offer two tutorial options to cater to different player preferences.
  • Introducing a travel+1 queue and optional notifications to improve gameplay experience.

Active Gameplay Components:

  • Overview of planned features including friends system, world events, guilds, trading, quests, farming, combat, and more.
  • Challenges faced due to limited development resources and plans to scale up with community support.

Poll:

Closing Remarks:

  • Gratitude towards the community for support, testing, and feedback.
  • Encouragement for players to continue participating in wave two.
  • Reminder of the game's availability until March 31st and options for access.
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