Crush Corp v0.1.1 Changelog & Developments

Heya, here I'm going to be talking about all the various things that are different in this update. Additionally, I'm going to discuss a bit of what's to come.

Changelog:
Content:
- Added Evie Greeting event
- Added another event
- A few signals
- Minor Improvements to girl materials/textures
- Updated Tower Interior (Models, Lighting, etc.)
- Drives now have dedicated models with signal lights
- Various other model updates

Gameplay:
- Added loading screen when loading saves
- Loading times reduced
- More destruction implemented with less RAM usage
- Increased the time it takes Shizune to show up
- Soul Sync sensitivity is more sensitive now (requires finger calibration)
- Girl can now interrupt current dialogue if new dialogue triggered
- Drives now load into the mail system more intuitively and have accompanying visuals/sfx

Quality of Life:
- Can now save copies of signals to the PC (Main Console)
- Added Loading Screen when loading saves
- Added "/endEvent" dev console command to end currently running events
- Scanner and Downloader Consoles now have audio cues for satellite alignment and download completed notifications, respectively
- Main Console no longer reverts to base screen; instead, uses top bar for navigation
- Adjusted player respawn locations during Emi Intro
- Items added to hotbar are automatically equipped when stored (if not holding anything)
- Save files are now properly ordered by number past nine
- Added more flight speeds
- Additional Console knob tuning controls (LMB/UP Arrow, RMB/DOWN Arrow)
- Various miscellaneous improvements

Bug Fixes:
- Event state no longer gets stuck when reloading
- Can no longer use the portal in the big room during events
- Can no longer insert two drives at once when using a drive on a slot from your inventory
- Doors can no longer get stuck closed
- Basic drives now only hold three signals each
- Dialogue no longer obstructed by signals presentation
- Note Viewer and other UI elements now render properly on Ultra-Wide displays
- Player can no longer get stuck in a menu state when opening/closing them in weird ways
- Player now appropriately passes out once rest reaches zero
- Arena Ring One Pillars now destructible
- Smog particle system no longer scales infinitely as you get farther away
- Various other bug fixes


Development
So there is a good bit more going on under the hood now with the game. Some of it is partially implemented, the rest will be added in the interaction update. There are three primary things that were major technical advancements this month:

Dynamic Animation System
This is the big one. It's basically a system that allows for the girls to aim at specific points using their hands and feet without overriding the animation. With modular transitions, this creates very smooth and natural animations which can target moving objects (like the player) with pin-point accuracy.
In the current update, it can be seen when Emi points at the player, their finger actually properly tracks the player now! Needless to say, this will be of paramount importance with certain actions where aiming is important (such as grabbing the player).
Additionally, a more advancement application will allow for procedural hip movement according to targeted feet positions. This will be useful when aiming stomps like in the arena, or for finely adjusting the girl's positions.
In summary, this system will be hugely important for further development and you'll most likely be able to see the fruits in the next update!

Destruction Optimizations
This is more technical, but it involves a framework which utilizes prefabs according to distinct geometric meshes when buildings get destroyed. Instead of every building pre-caching it's own destruction as before, several buildings with identical meshes can utilize the same prefabs for greatly reduced RAM usage and load times. This method involves more setup during development and can create some wonky destruction until fine tuned, but it will enable the whole city to be fully simulated.

Sticky Tiny System
This is a system which allows tiny objects to get attached to the girl and follow the body precisely according to multiple bones. It involves grabbing vertex weights on the girl's meshes to move the stuck tinies according to their weight painting.
This will be used in places like the arena so that tinies and vehicles can get stuck to the bottom of the girls' soles (or other places). It will also be useful in the climbing mechanics to come.


Coming Next
We had a poll in the discord server not too long ago to determine what direction to work towards next. Given that most people seemed to want interaction and more events, development is currently prioritizing that for the next update.

Primary areas of focus:

- Avery (Player) Model Implementation
Given that hands-on interaction is highly desirable, we've been preparing the player model.
Meet Avery!

This is the player character that you'll be spending plenty of time with over the course of the game. There will be a male variant as well as chest sliders for the female. There model will be important for upcoming interactions.

- Emi Performance Review
In order to introduce the upcoming interaction and struggle mechanics, there will be a new, recurring event in the form of Emi's Performance Review! It will involve the player having their usefulness assessed by Emi through their actions.
Depending on how you do will dictate the nature of the review game. This will primarily involve the player needing to "keep-it-together" while being handled by Emi in various fashions.

- Arena Development
There wasn't much development in the arena this time around, but that will change in the next update. As already discussed above, the systems worked on this month will contribute to greatly enhancing the girls' targeting in addition to other advancements. You can expect to see more animations, more satisfying mechanics, and maybe even a defeat screen or two.

- Interaction/Struggle Mechanics
As introduced in Emi's Performance Review, this update will contain the ability to be picked up and "handled" by the big girl! It will involve management of your meters in order to survive with all your stuff intact. Hopefully you're looking forward to such things as much as I am~

- Chemical Mixing System
For general gameplay, work is going to start on chemical mixing station which will allow the player to mix chemicals acquired from various crates scattered through the level to create different types of potions.
These will have various effects such as buffing/debuffing physical abilities, as well as the typical growth/shrink potions. They will be sell-able in bulk for an additional source of income, as well as being able to use them to enhance your odds at surviving different events and game modes. Eventually, you'll even be able to offer them to some girls!

- Day/Night Cycle
Shizune can't keep the player walled forever! In the next update, the player will have the ability to pass her event and continue onwards into the future. This will naturally allow time to progress so you'll get the full range of day and night.

- Audio
The game is overdue for a good audio pass, so expect various audio implementations across the board. This will include things like many more GTS sounds, player interactions, UI blips and more (which will be added progressively).

- More Events and Signals
Rest assured there will continue to be more events and signals implemented along with everything else, with increasing levels of interaction.


A final note:
Thanks everyone so much for the support! I sincerely hope everyone had a great holiday season. Please expect smaller general update posts to follow as development progresses!