OGZ Progress report: 12/2/2023

Hey guys, how are you guys doing.

Actually, I've been updating the whole engine stuff including lighting and animation systems for the whole last month. I think I'll run patreon this month because at least I've got a few stuff to update here. My main task for this month is Mutant models and enhance the entire animation systems, 5 new enemy types are planned. I'm also planning to update the Custom Scene System [CSS] (it's been used with struggle sequence and adult scene); the current CSS requires over 50 animations to create just only 1 scene and consume a massive amount of time. I'm planning to reduce all that to 10 animations combining with additive animations and IK systems, if my new animation method is working as I expected, I'd be able to create 10 scenes in a day (exclude designing the pose) and work with different body types. Note that CSS isn't only serving adult purpose but the gameplay sequence such as struggle/break free sequence too.

Come, let's take a look at what I've updated, changed or enhanced.

Test footage is from in-engine, the performance may be as twice heavier than the game build.
Everything from the test footage is meant to be technical showcase of my systems alone, not the actual gameplay contents.

Lighting and Weather

The weather is now less foggy and has less specular, the light has more details, brighter and cast more shadows. Emissive lights glow but this sacrificed some GPU performance. (I'll try to optimize it)

Layering Animation System [LAS]
Now, I did a few optimization to the layering animation and data, 1 weapon stance animation could change the entire look of the character movement. This will save time quite a lot too while it got a better result.
The Procedural Recoil/Shooting Animation System is added into the game but it is part of LAS. This just unlocked the whole new method and potential for animation system especial for CSS.

Weapons
The fundamental of weapon system (especially guns) is changed and now it has potential to create such 'weapon attachments system' or 'change gun parts system'

Camera
I've changed the camera position and now player is at the center of the screen, easier to navigate narrow area such as tunnels and caves.

Flying AI, Drones and Bot Companion System.
Now the game engine has flying AI and it works quite well, I must admit that flying AI is a pain to create especially path finding stuff.
this drone will be your bot companion and will assist you on your journey anytime by calling them to your current position. Player will have to stay on the open area to call a bot companion btw. Drones will be able to customize and will be able to purchase at the store.
There will be flying drone, dog drone and wheel drone to own and there will also be enemy drones flying everywhere in the map too.

Item animation
Actually, using item now has animation, for example: every time player calls a bot drone, the calling drone item will active using item animation system (clicking the watch animation), there will be eating animations and healing animations too since I'm a big fan of Escape from Tarkov's item animations.

Vehicle
I updated the quad bike model and I think it's done now. Player will be able to custom the colors and vehicle parts too.

A bonus: an in-game Corpo Catherine look. She will be the test character for the new CSS, you guys can expect to see her getting used by mutants on Twitter soon.

That's it for today.
I'm 90% of the time working on the systems and engine more than the actual game contents btw, I hope you guys enjoyed the engine progress stuff so far. Good fundamental of systems and engine can't be skipped or ignored.

I think I'll drop the next build on Steam page instead of here, so the release date for the next build is now unconfirmed as I need the next build as ready as I can.

See you guys soon next update.
Matto.