This is one of those weekly updates that make our brains go haywire: excited to show what we've worked on, shy to share, yet thrilled to see what you think of the progress!
Our work on UI is still ongoing, WIP but already shaping up, especially considering that we are now working on making all of its instances blend smoothly throughout the game, especially when it comes to the in-game time of day, which brings us to the other point we're showcasing today ;)
But you better read about it!
-- UI progress (Colors and Tests)
One of the most mind-tantalizing matters we are working on right now is making sure that the main UI, the one that needs to be present in every part of the game, looks good regardless of where the player finds it; not only its natural habitat, the main scene, but other scenes that might have their own UIs present at the same time.
This week was not only a matter of form, but also one of color, and we discussed the two final contenders, off-white and sepia-ish.
Team and community feedback hasn't shown a clear winner yet, but we are trying different amounts of white and sepia to nail the perfect shade, or anything to make information pop and look good on both day and night visuals.
Have another idea? Share it with us in the comments below!
-- Day-to-Night transition
Emiliano has been experimenting a lot with the best way to portray the day-to-night transition in Ale Abbey. Setting aside the thinking process around times, rules, and activities allowed per time of day, the visual part was still a challenging issue to tackle. Since this is a transition heavily based on a palette of colors around the Monastery, how do you make it look smooth and natural?
Following standard procedure, Emiliano made a small WIP video of him working the scene's UI while the day/night cycle was taking place. Like every piece of gameplay video, this one was also circulated around the team for feedback and suggestions. It did not take long for our composer, Clint Bajakian, to do his thing and fit SFX and some of his original music for Ale Abbey into the video... the result is captivating!
-- Rooms that look good at night!
The video being completely zoomed out to make room for the surrounding UI doesn't allow for much detail. So, let us just post this here to prove we actually work on individual rooms as well making sure they look good, occupied or unoccupied, day or night.
The irony of using the Dormitory for this is not lost on us :p
Ignore the light fixtures in front of the windows, this is a known issue and our handyman will repair it before you can say hops!
-- A few things to know about your hops
Hops are one of the main ingredients in beer and are responsible for contributing bitterness, flavor, and aroma to the final product. There are many different types of hops available, each with its unique characteristics and uses. One of the most important factors in selecting the right hops for your beer is determining the flavor and aroma profile that you want to achieve.
There are two main categories of hops: bittering hops and aroma hops. Bittering hops are added early in the brewing process and contribute to the bitterness of the beer, while aroma hops are added later in the process and are responsible for the beer's aroma and flavor. Popular varieties of bittering hops include Magnum, Chinook, and Columbus, meaning those that have a high alpha acid content and are commonly used in IPAs and other hop-intense beers. Aroma hops include varieties like Cascade, Centennial, and Amarillo, which have a lower alpha acid content but offer a range of floral, citrus, and piney aromas.
In addition to these two broad categories, there are also many different hop strains and cultivars to choose from, each with its unique flavor and aroma characteristics. The Simcoe hop variety is known for its piney and fruity aromas, while the Citra hop variety is prized for its citrus and tropical fruit notes. Other popular hop strains include Fuggle, Hallertau, and Saaz, each of which has its distinct flavor and aroma profile. Ultimately, the type of hop you choose will depend on the style of beer you're brewing, as well as your personal taste preferences.
When selecting hops for your homebrew, it's important to consider both the alpha acid content, which determines the bitterness, and the flavor and aroma profile, which contribute to the overall taste and aroma of the beer. The timing of pitching your hops and their strains offer HUGE grounds for experimentation as long as you're willing to try them... don't be shy, PITCH!
Make sure you join us next week for more of Ale Abbey's news! For now, enjoy your weekend responsibly ;)
-- Hammer & Ravens
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