Hello, again, For the Hive fans. As promised in our commitment to keeping you updated on the latest game developments, we're dropping in to share some exciting new updates on our progress. We hope that you're enjoying the ride and are excited about the coming end product as we are because we think it's going to be something extraordinary and worth the wait.
So, without further ado, let’s jump into our latest game developments.
Time
Just as time is essential in the human ecosystem, it's also essential in the insect world. Thus, we've added a time dimension to gameplay that allows your insect to explore the world both in daylight and by night.
The time element adds new levels of interest and intrigue to the game, and it better simulates what happens in the real world.
As you play the game, you will also notice that seasons will change, adding new elements of surprise and strategy to your survival. As the seasons change, so do environmental colours, and even the positioning of the sun and moon in accordance with the seasons.
This reality is heightened with other gameplay experiences, too. For instance, eggs can hatch or spoil, insects grow, evolve, and die of old age. As new generations are born, they replace the older generations. Your insect will experience these same elements of time, learning to navigate new challenges of growing older as you explore the world around you.
Years will pass by as you enjoy living the life of a tiny ant or one of the many species we are planning to add.
To help you keep track of your progress and activities, we’ve added an in-game clock. The For the Hive day runs from 6 am to 6 pm, and throughout the day, you will notice your environment change as the sun rises, moves across the sky, and finally sets in the evening.
We’ve paid close attention to other aspects of time, too. At night, you will see the moon and starry skies. And even though your insect’s day ends at 6 pm, you can still keep playing into the evening if you’d like. We’ve made the background light enough for you to do so, or you can find shelter for the night.
If you play into the night, make sure you remain on high alert, as night play is riskier. Keep a watchful eye for night prowling predators intent on putting an end to your journey. For those who explore into the dark of the night, the gameplay rewards are greater, but play at your own risk.
We think you will enjoy these elements and the beauty and artistry that has gone into creating them. From changes in ambient lighting to gorgeous hues setting the sky on fire as the sun sets, the graphics surrounding time in the game are an experience themselves.
Weather
We’re also excited to be making steady progress towards building a complete weather system. Things are still taking shape in this area, but effects like fluffy clouds above you and grass gently swaying in the wind are seemingly small details that add up to a truly immersive experience.
Non-Playable Characters and AI Navigation
What’s a world without other insects in it? To simulate real-world experiences, we're experimenting with non-playable characters (NPCs) that your insect will encounter along the way.
The addition of non-playable characters adds some development challenges. For instance, we’ve had to figure out how to make these characters able to navigate obstacles like rocks, trees, plants, and other obstacles in their way.
The addition of these characters also means you’re never truly safe, so keep your guard up as you navigate your world, as it can get hostile sometimes!
We've created our NPCs to have interactivity to their actions and respond in ways as if a human is controlling them. They can jump, hop, fly, glide, and land. You can also interact with them along the way to make your journey more exciting and rewarding.
Our initial plan is to simply have other insects navigating their world as a backdrop to your experience. But as the game continues to develop, these players will engage in various activities, including mating, foraging for food, and even causing trouble. The goal is to make the world around you full of life, just as it is in the real world.
Wrapping Up
We hope you’ve enjoyed this latest update. Everything we’re working on is designed to create a truly magical gaming experience that makes you feel like you are part of the environment you’re exploring.
We’ve got more cool features up our sleeves, and we’ll be sharing more with you as they take shape.
In the meantime, be sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you don’t miss a thing in the For the Hive universe. Be sure also to check out our site at https://www.forthehivegame.com/.
And a huge thank you to the hundreds of fans who wishlisted the game on Steam and have been following us on social media after reading our last blog or watching our devblog videos. Our team has been blown away by the positive response and comments.