Another week ended and yet another Something's Brewing is here to give you the inside scoop of Ale Abbey's development!
What we have for you today: the finishing touches to the Laboratorium, more work on the Bandits UI (can't have intimidation without representation!), and *drum roll* working on a certain Brother brewer and his in-game likeness for reasons yet to be disclosed!
-- Brother Maltus goes in-game
For those following Ale Abbey's development for quite some time, you might have seen Brother Maltus making a few occasional appearances to help us promote the game since its inception. Considered more of a mentor/guiding figure for the player, we already had him designed for UI purposes when he'd share tidbits of information to help you when stuck or while learning the ropes.
However, we will require his help with one more marketing-related appearance, only this time he will be returning in the flesh (well, sort of). Just like other monks and nuns before him, Brother Maltus will be pixelated, happy, and full of attitude.
Not being able to discuss any details just yet, we will be sharing the extra spectacular, very under-wraps, and absolutely tasty reason we've decided to do so soon. Oh, and of course Raimo already started animating him ;)
-- Bandit UI
As we have been working quite a lot on the Bandits these last couple of weeks it was about time we worked on their backend; slowly incorporating their mechanics into the latest internal build. The Bandits will be making their rounds when your monastery starts growing (and won't go away, ever), to make their demands heard before any "mishaps" befall your beer deliveries to nearby markets.
Your job will be to use your available resources to keep them at bay. And there's one thing that's good about these Bandits, their vices don't stop at amassing gold. So apart from florins, you being a brewer will also have the option to "donate" some of your stored ale, or a combination of the two!
Their mood mechanic is very similar to that of your little brewers. So make sure you keep them happy with as much ale as it takes.
-- Laboratorium done(-ish)
With more and more furniture and equipment making it into the Laboratorium this week (see below), we are almost ready to call the room complete. It has been one of the team's favorite rooms, not only because of its role in your monastery (unlocking your true brewing potential) but also because of its amazing natural looks.
Knowing that we might have to return to any of the rooms for minor changes and tweaks if we make any changes to the Laboratorium, you can bet you'll be the first to know!
-- Medieval breweries: money & fame!
Brother Maltus will be making a guest star appearance in what will have a lot to do with moving up in the world as a monk and brewer in the late Middle Ages. Until that happens, the question of whether or not one could accomplish such feats back then, through brewing, still stands.
During the late Middle Ages, monastery monks were usually tasked with brewing beer within the confines of their monastic communities. This practice stemmed from the necessity of self-sufficiency within monastic life. Monasteries also possessed vast tracts of fertile land suitable for growing grains such as barley, and hops; all essential ingredients for brewing beer. Quite rare at the time, many monasteries also had access to clean water sources.
The production of beer within monasteries not only served the practical purpose of providing sustenance for its monks and nuns but also had financial implications. Having to produce beer in significant quantities, monastic breweries could sell the surplus to nearby towns and villages. This provided a steady source of income for the monasteries, which allowed them to support their charitable activities, maintain their buildings, and sustain the communities dependent on them.
Of course, having access to information didn't hurt either. Along with the academic ability usually found in the clergy of the time, monastery brewers were able to consistently brew high-quality beers, thus garnering more renown and further increasing demand.
It was not long until renown was more valuable to these monasteries than the financial gains attached to it. Being such a tasty proof of quality and craftsmanship, monastic beer contributed to the fame and prestige of the monastic orders themselves.
We expect nothing less of you when you play Ale Abbey too!
Enjoy your weekend responsibly, and join us next week for some more Ale Abbey news!
-- Hammer & Ravens
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