Yet another week of the team focusing on a range of things. This time we focused on styling the Storage/Pantry of the Monastery, finished up a few more animations for the latest Monk/Nun models, and - to Emiliano's, absolute delight - started testing roofs for Ale Abbey!
We will also be uploading another post sometime next week, to discuss more technical details (hint-hint about floor perspective). If you have any feedback for our posts in general, do let us know by giving us a comment and we'll re-arrange accordingly.
For the time being, onwards with this week's developments ;)
-- Storage - Pantry
After much internal debate, we will be changing the name of the Storage to Pantry. What is to a name, for sure, but the entire team and our trusty community of followers all chimed in and Pantry seemed to be a more fitting name for the storage facility in the Monastery; both in terms of purpose and era.
And... since the Pantry will store 3 different kinds of material, here is this week's progress with the containers for malt, yeast, and additives. There are certain very minute elements that will change - the WIP is strong with this one - but we think you will enjoy those jars as much as Yannis did :D
We still owe you the visuals for the Ledger that will be an integral part of the Pantry's UI, but we're still experimenting on what would look more fitting given the surface available and style.
-- Another experiment on the Monastery's architecture
Our Dev Lead, Emiliano, has been scouring Bavaria for Monasteries; no, this is not a jest, it's facts. It's actually from his photographs of the area that Ale Abbey's own architecture and environment have taken form.
One of the last things that pestered his mind, though, was the rooftops that would adorn the Monastery. Not so much the ones on the Monastery's centerpiece (that will also change in appearance as you upgrade your Monastery) but for the rooms and extended spaces attached to it as your game progresses.
In order for us to explore the best possible candidate (both in terms of form and fitting color) Emiliano literally took photographs to Photoshop for a spin and ended up using the best results in-game!
The above iteration seems to be very fitting indeed, but we will still have to fine-tune it to make a version that agrees with the rest of Ale Abbey's artistic direction.
-- New animations this week
And it is no surprise that with Raimo's MO being, "faster, faster, and faster" animations of the latest set of inhabitants for the Monastery would start flooding our folders. And, remember, this is quite an uphill task as animations can be both character and room-specific in Ale Abbey.
This week Raimo worked on one of the extra models for the Nuns or the Abbey, as well as the "hipster" version of our Monks. As we're looking to find names to refer to these archetypes, we wouldn't mind you throwing a few suggestions in the comments ;)
... and of course - part and parcel of "working" in Ale Abbey - brewing!
-- Quick list for your first brew
OK! No more excuses. Give yourself a couple of weeks of preparation to get everything you need and read up on the style of beer you want to brew and get ready for a weekend of paddling fun!
From our own Emiliano, a quick checklist of the tools and materials you'll need to focus on a weekend of unadulterated brewing. Whether you succeed, there will still be beer, yours or otherwise...
Emiliano's "Get up and do it" Brewing List
- a big pot to brew in (make it at least 20 liters for good measure, but be prepared to brew less to handle your first times a bit better)
- a bag for your malt (Brew in a Bag method)
- a secure container for a fermenter (get the best you can for your budget until you know what you're doing) - get an airlock for it
- a utensil for a paddle (or a paddle)
- a funnel with a filter
- yeast (based on recipe/style)
- malt (based on recipe/style)
- hops (based on recipe/style); grab a net for those too... fishing them out can be tedious
- a cleaning agent (sanitizer) for surfaces, tools, containers, bottles
- bottles, along with caps and a tool to help you with the caps (good advice would be to go for pop tops)
Now... ask some friends to join you and make sure they bring their own supply of beer to go with your concentrated efforts!
Make sure you tune in next week for more news! Thank you for your time and enjoy your weekend responsibly ;)
-- Hammer & Ravens
Do you want to know more about Ale Abbey and chat with the team? Find us on:
yes
its just my opnion but... you should DEFINITELY add drugs, hehehehe
There already is a game that revolves around that one :p We wanted to go for something more "zen" ;)