Another week came to pass and that's another week this team did its very best to tackle Ale Abbey's development with more stuff to show ;)
What we have for you today is progress in the Cold Cellars we presented last week, some quick fixes on past issues that were sneaky enough to fly under the radar, and new Nun animations!
Onwards with the news!
-- And more Nun animations
Our pixelartist, Raimo, is on fire. Continuing last week's work on Nun animations he seemed hell-bent on producing quite a few more... focusing on two of them, this time around. Before you see the examples of this week's work on animation, a quick PSA for you all: you only see a small portion of the animations we've worked on :) You can always find more posted in our Discord server ;)
Ale Abbey's animation always comes with character and room-specific animations, and we have identified a pattern... the last animation of any brewer in the Abbey seems to be the one where they stir the Monastery's largest brewing cauldron (an animation with many movable parts). So to complete the work on our Moorian Nun archetype...
And of course, the idles for the second Nun are also starting strong :)
-- Quick fixes in older assets
One of the cool things about our studio, Hammer & Ravens, is that issues within the games we're working on are dealt with impunity by any member who happens to stumble upon them.
This time it was JeanBis who found that the Refectory tables were... well, kind of off and raised our dev alarm. Raimo immediately answered the call and now the Refectory's tables and stools look a lot more comfy... and functional when it comes to in-game assets and their sizes/shapes.
Upon closer inspection... and making sure the Monk's attire doesn't obstruct the view.
And after Raimo's lightning-speed fix...
-- Making more assets around the Cold Cellars
Last week we presented the Cold Cellars, the room that will be used for lagering some types of your Monastery's beers. Although you can definitely tell it's based off of the Abbey's normal Cellars, when it comes to its supporting assets, this is treated like an entirely different room. So paraphernalia and assets around it, have got to look the part!
Lighting and shading aside, the first thing that needed to get out of the way was what connects this room to the rest of the Abbey, the stairs!
-- Defective brewing gear: happy accidents or nah?
Following last week's post about proper equipment during brewing, if you've spoken to many homebrewers in the past, you're sure to come across one whose brews were made in old battered cauldrons and fermentors because it was believed the dents and quirks of that old equipment made a difference in the brewing and fermentation of the beer. But... is that the case of maybe just wishful thinking and superstition?
In the homebrewing community, it is expected that some might experiment with unconventional methods or equipment, but these experiments should usually be done with a clear understanding of the potential risks and uncertainties involved. Additionally, experienced homebrewers often start with a solid foundation in traditional brewing techniques and equipment before exploring more creative or unconventional approaches. The reasons are many and - pretty - scary:
- Sanitation Issues: Defects such as cracks, scratches, or irregularities in the equipment's surface can create areas where bacteria and contaminants can hide and thrive. This can lead to infection of the beer and off-flavors.
- Inconsistent Heat Distribution: Random defects in the heating elements or vessel walls can result in uneven heating, which can negatively impact mashing, boiling, and other critical processes.
- Leakage: Defects in seals, gaskets, or welds can lead to leaks, which can be a significant safety concern and cause a loss of valuable wort or beer.
- Efficiency Loss: Defects in equipment can reduce the overall efficiency of the brewing process, leading to increased energy consumption and wasted resources.
- Quality Control Issues: Random defects can lead to inconsistencies in the final product, making it challenging to maintain a consistent and high-quality brew.
- Safety Concerns: Depending on the nature of the defect, safety issues may arise, such as the risk of pressure vessel failure or other accidents.
So... make sure you get those creative juices flowing, but always with safety (and efficiency AKA $$$) in mind. Brewing can turn very expensive if you start throwing all that effort down the drain...
Join us next week for more news on Ale Abbey's development! For now, enjoy your weekend responsibly ;)
-- Hammer & Ravens
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