Another weekend is thankfully nigh and we just finished putting together the progress we made through this week. Some highlights for you: a Styles preview tree is ready, some extra work on the more "elegant" in-game portraits for Monks and Nuns, and a new Nun model is created in Raimo-blinding speed!
Read on ;)
-- A new Nun joins the ranks
We finished working on a new Nun model. You can see some jaw-positioning similarities to an older model, yet she is still unique in her own.
And after testing her charms from different directions, some examples of her animation so far... maybe a quick reminder of the woes that follow alcohol consumption :p
-- Monk and Nun portraits
Something we had to come back to this week is the in-game portraits of the Monks and Nuns of the Abbey. As you see we've already finished the first wave of brewers that were introduced early on into development, but now we are progressing with the newer models, hoping to catch up with all the new additions from these past couple of months.
These portraits will be used in those brewers' character profiles as well as in other in-game screens for quick and easy selection in the different tasks around the Abbey.
-- Work on Beer Styles
And a little more on the technical side, we're sharing the different styles you can find, research, and brew in Ale Abbey. As you see, we don't give Path of Exile levels of skill tree complexity, but there is some layering involved to make gameplay feel a little more active and alive.
This also allows for slowly introducing you to more complex styles that would require a better understanding of the brewing and fermentation mechanics found in the Ale Abbey, as well as giving you a feeling of progress hopefully accompanied by excitement and a sense of accomplishment while playing.
To avoid any unwanted ophthalmologist charges, please click on the image to see a larger version.
Do also notice the lack of IPAs in this style tree. Emiliano is adamant about not including them in the mix... there are two reasons for this: a) the rational historical one (there were no IPAs at the time) and b) Emiliano's more irrational unwillingness to even list them as beers. Still, they did make it in the cut with the names of Mughali Pale Ale and the Colonial Pale Ale for... reasons!
We're accepting offers to mod real IPAs in the game; reach Yannis in unofficial channels, please!
-- A few things about IPAs!
This is not a coup against the hate IPAs get, but you can consider it a balancing act. You know, something to keep everything in check :p
What makes IPAs the style that so many prefer nowadays:
- Hop Emphasis: IPAs are characterized by a strong hop flavor, aroma, and bitterness. Their high hop content is a major trait that sets them apart from other styles, and brewers often use a variety of hop strains to achieve different flavor profiles.
- Bitterness: And where there are many hops, there is also bitterness. The bitterness is measured in International Bitterness Units (IBUs), and IPAs typically have higher IBU values compared to other beer styles. This bitterness can be balanced with the malt sweetness, but it remains an almost "dominant" characteristic.
- Alcohol Content: IPAs often have a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) compared to lighter beer styles. The combination of increased hop content and higher alcohol levels oftentimes contributes to a more robust and complex flavor.
- Substyles: Probably the reason IPAs have become so mainstream is that in their category, there are various substyles, each with its unique characteristics. Some examples include American IPA, Double IPA (DIPA), New England IPA (NEIPA), Session IPA, and more. These substyles can have different levels of bitterness, hop flavor, and appearance.
- Craft Beer Movement: IPAs have become a flagship style for the craft beer movement, further contributing to its popularity. Many craft breweries experiment with different hop varieties and brewing techniques, leading to a wide range of IPA variations and flavors. On the other end of the spectrum, there are homebrewers like our Emiliano who don't even want to hear those three letters uttered together...
- Haze Craze: New England IPAs, in particular, are known for their hazy appearance, which results from the use of certain grains and brewing techniques that leave the beer unfiltered. The ruggedness and rustic feeling that unfiltered beers carry have led to a "haze craze" where haziness (a characteristic often SHUNNED in other styles) is considered a sought-after characteristic in IPAs.
And before that last point gets heads rolling in Hammer & Ravens, we wish you a pleasant weekend! Join us next week for more news on Ale Abbey's development! Enjoy your weekend responsibly ;)
-- Hammer & Ravens
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