Map Progress Update: When Will Beta 5.0 Arrive?

Hello, No Creek Fans! Just wanted to give an update on what has been going on with development of the map and let you know when, what is planned to be the final beta version of the map, will be released.

First, I'll cover what has been the focus on the project. Since finishing the layout of the last farm on the map, I've been focused on several different areas. One of the things that has taken up a lot of time is fine-tuning the map-specific scripts that are unique to this project. This process involves hopping in and out of the game countless times to test literally one function at a time. Sometimes hours pass and you get just one aspect of the script to work like you want it to. To be honest, there are so many "moving parts" with this game, it is really unbelievable that anything functions the way it should. As I've gotten more experience with the script side of the game, it is hard to imagine all the things that are being run, read, and calculated in the background at any given moment. Look for information on a couple more scripts that will add more layers to gameplay on the map (might be a picture or two in this post that are related). The plan is for these to be included in Beta 5.0.

Another focus has been on multiplayer. It's odd to think that you can get away with certain things in single player with regards to file paths, file names, and other minor inconsistencies but not in multiplayer. Adding the map to a server and running it through its paces will really reveal all of these little things that need cleaned up. And, back to the script side of things, you have a whole new system to deal with where multiple players own multiple different farms and you have to get all of that to function. Save games are another big test. Everything you setup must pass the test of saving the game and loading back into the save without corrupting the file as well as functioning as you left it previously. These are all hurdles I'm currently working through with this side of the game. I'm making good progress here and feel that everything I've put in to the map will function well on a server when it is all said and done.

One of the last structures on the map will be a new small building at the COOP bins. This building will be enterable and, once inside, the player will have access to all sorts of map information. There'll be maps on the walls as well as infographics for the different scripts. The goal is for players to be able to answer most of their questions about the map by visiting this one location without ever leaving the game. There's still more to add, but it is coming together really nicely.

I also plan to tackle some of the seasonal decorations that I think bring a map to life throughout the year. This is a time-consuming process, but worth it. We will see how far I get with this before release.

Also worth noting, don't think that I'm not still checking out the bugs and suggestions for improvement channels on Discord. I'm keeping an eye on them, trying to sort out anything that comes up and making decisions about what else to add. I appreciate all the feedback and hope that folks are offended if a suggestion doesn't make it into the project. Honestly, if I were to work on making all of them happen, the map would never get released.

I did take the time to get DLSS 5 working on my system just to see what all the buzz was about. I still need to dial in my settings, but the visual improvement is impressive. That being said, my PC is begging for mercy with my settings nearly all maxed out, shaders, and DLSS going. So, in the event that my PC melts, Beta 5.0 would be delayed; just a disclaimer : ) Here are a few pictures with it initially setup.

My work and personal life schedule is at its busiest this time of year. I am working over 60 hours a week and my girls have softball the next three weekends. I'm going as fast as I can on the project, but putting 20-30 hours a week in it at this point is unrealistic. The file size is also approaching 1.7 GB, which means creating, zipping up, and uploading individual copies is much more of a time investment than it was when the map was less than half this size. So, in order to get done what I need to get done with the current amount of time I have for the project, the plan is to release Beta 5.0 on Saturday, October 10th. Please also keep in mind, I will still be extremely busy away from the game during that time, so receiving your copy could take a little longer than usual. That's the very best I can do.

Appreciate your support and patience,

No Creek Farms