Hello everyone and welcome back to another Something's Brewing, Ale Abbey's weekly devlog where we try to showcase the highlights of this week's development efforts. We try to at least as we are working on multiple fronts and we have quite a few stuff to share... but we can't give everything out in one go ;)
This week we worked quite a lot on the Bandits, added a few more touches to the UI, and started experimenting with a few planned changes to the Cellars.
Onwards with the news!
-- Changes in the Cellars
One would say a few barrels and 4 walls would be enough. We beg to differ. This week we have been going through several references to make sure the barrels look more realistic and fitting to our Cellars, as well as test some structural changes in how the Cellars look (specifically the arches and supporting pillars) to make the very distinct two parts in each Cellar as centered as possible.
Trying to save some space for our little brewers we're also experimenting with stacking them barrels, regardless of size!
-- Adding more UI charm
We also made a quick but quite necessary addition and tweak to the main UI; allowing for some space for the actual descriptions of the furniture and equipment that you can choose to adorn the rooms of your Monastery as well as the stats they carry with them.
Following a certain direction line the team agreed upon early on, these descriptions will be contextually explanatory, without being too wordy or trying to guide the player through the game. Actual bonuses could be hinted at within the description, but only as flair as the actual stats will be showcased explicitly (and discreetly!) for more deterministic decisions.
-- More Bandit's shenanigans
The most fun we've had with the Bandits so far... This week we finalized the palette and form of the Bandits that will visit your Monastery requiring beer to "keep your routes safe". They might look cute but their needs can end up being a tall order, so make sure you keep them happy, occasionally at least.
Their demands should be quite easy to meet since you do happen to manage a Monastery brewery ;)
-- But could beer really be used as a form of payment?
In today's world, it's only natural to see free beer as a very, VERY tasty gift, but not as a form of payment. But that was not the case back when "coin and diplomacy" were not available to everyone. Or at least not as much as the skill and ingenuity required to make a good foamy ale.
- Ancient Mesopotamia (Sumerians): Beer was a common commodity as early as around 4000 BCE. Workers were often compensated with beer for their labor and in some cases, beer was even part of their rations for the day (we know of a few monks and nuns who will be doing the same).
- Medieval Europe: Beer was occasionally used as a form of payment during the period. Monasteries, where brewing was often practiced, used beer to pay taxes or barter for goods and services (hint hint). Beer brewed by monks was particularly valued, but you don't need us to tell you that!
- Military Contexts: In certain military contexts, soldiers were paid with beer as part of their rations or compensation. Beer was seen as a form of sustenance for soldiers and was included in their pay or ration packages.
- Ancient Egypt: In ancient Egypt, beer was a staple part of the diet and was brewed on a large scale. Workers, including laborers involved in the construction of monumental structures like the pyramids, were often paid with beer as part of their wages (hopefully).
- Colonial America: In early colonial America, beer was used as a form of currency in some regions. Colonists brewed their own beer, and it was commonly exchanged in trade and used as payment for goods and services.
And, to prove that we're not beer snobs, but truly care about the knowledge we share with you, here are two more very prominent examples of alcoholic beverages that were traditionally used as payment:
- Feudal Japan: Rice-based alcoholic beverages, the most famous of which is sake, were used as a form of payment for samurai. Sake was sometimes given to samurai as part of their stipends, along with rice of course and other valuables.
- Tribal Societies: In various tribal societies around the world, traditional alcoholic beverages made from fermented grains, fruits, or other ingredients were used in ceremonial exchanges or as gifts. These beverages often held significant cultural and social value and were exchanged as a form of hospitality or tribute.
Sigh... if only one could pay rent with beer.
Enjoy your weekend responsibly, and join us next week for some more Ale Abbey news!
-- Hammer & Ravens
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