A Short Sail is now at version 0.2.0. This is the biggest update so far. It comes from two rounds of playtest notes, so thank you to everyone who played and wrote to me.
A new cat
The player cat has a new hand-made model, with animations of his own. His face changes with his mood, he blinks, and his tail sways as he walks. He runs with his arms out, paddling a little, and his elbows swing in every walk.
Fairer parcels
Parcel pay now depends on how far the parcel goes and how big it is, with a little luck on top. Pip’s desk also holds more parcels than your hold can carry, so you choose which ones to take. Every label shows its pay.
Planks, cloth and crates
Repairs, shops, sails and more hold space now take materials. You find planks, cloth and supply crates out at sea, in wrecks and with the metal detector. Cargo also washes up on the Home Cove beach. To build, you drop the pieces into a little grid shaped like a house.
Nights
You can sleep in Grandpa’s cottage from 6 PM. A Good night card sums up your day. If you stay up too late, you doze off at 2 AM and wake up in the cottage, a few coins lighter.
A bigger sea
There is more open water between the inner islands now. The far landmarks stand all round the horizon, each in its own place. Shelby has a floating fish farm. The village houses are a bit bigger, the cobbles look worn, and the island ground is smooth.
New scenes
Several islanders have new friendship scenes. There is a homecoming with the whole village in two lines, and a festival with fireworks and a night sail to the lighthouse. In dreams you can now walk where you like. And far out, over the dark sea, a still Eye watches.
Smaller things
- Fishing is easier. The catch bar fills on its own.
- More feel. Actions have more sounds and controller rumble, and there are new jingles.
- A lighter script. The talks are shorter, with the warm parts kept.
- Faster. On slower computers, frames are up to about 40 percent shorter at sea and by the fish farm.
About your save
So much changed that saves from earlier test builds cannot carry over. When you open the game, a new voyage begins. Your old save is not deleted. The game keeps a copy of it as a backup. I am sorry to ask you to start again.
Thank you for sailing with me. I hope you make some friends across the islands.