This week we went back to working on character models, progressed with some new animations, and started working on an entirely new NPC, the Noble. Apart from that, we continued our regular work on UI (predominantly some tests and mock-ups) focused on our main UI, and also some design on the Monastery building itself.
Right on!
-- Modeling the Nobility
You might remember one of the first pieces of concept art we created for the Lords of the region around Ale Abbey. Since one of their roles - that of the quest giver - is being an important source of content for the quests and side-quests that are related to your Monastery's brewing prowess, we couldn't just stop at their UI portrayal. So, we will be creating some more visuals for when the Nobles come tapping around the grounds of the Monastery.
With our Pixelartist/Animator Raimo and Art Director Francesco working together at blinding speeds, it did not take long to come up with some shareable version of an idle and walking animation for the chap.
-- Sister Pinda's extra animations
Along with the walking animations we created for the Monks to go up and down stairs in the Monastery, we did not forget about Sister Pinta. This week we finished creating versions of her facing towards and away from the player's PoV as well as some animations to help her go the distance.
-- Side view and UI
We haven't given you many environmental updates in a while, but we can assure you that the Monastery's regular side view is still being worked on. We have compiled a list of features that need to be thoroughly tested and later implemented, so keep your eyes peeled for updates! One of the latest shots of the Monastery (WIP):
At the same time, and since UI is one of our topmost priorities, we are also gauging visuals, immersion and intuitiveness, through mockups. Not everything in the scene below makes sense - yet - but be patient ;)
-- Malt's quality in homebrewing
In Ale Abbey, a meh beer will not always keep the Noblemen satisfied. You might get lucky and relieve yourself of a subpar brew by selling it in the market, donating it as sustenance for the poor, or allowing your little brewers to use it as they see fit (AKA drink it). But in real life, the effort you put into a brew and the sometimes undrinkable results make the quality of your ingredients a matter of utmost importance.
And one thing that directly affects the quality of your brew is the quality of your malt. Nothing will infuriate you more than getting your hands on some amazing malt that was not stored properly and its quality all but diminished by the time you got to brew it.
Time for science!
Malt is hygroscopic, meaning it can aggressively take up humidity from the air if it's left unprotected. This happens because, during the kilning process, malt's humidity needs to be brought to lower than 10%. This kind of stress will make it want to go back to an earlier humidity equilibrium (absorbing water in whichever way possible).
The moment this happens, a huge can of trouble opens up and the malt's quality deteriorates rapidly. Flavor, as well as the actual enzymatic power of your malt, are lost, and with them, any desired flavor profile and the efficiency of your materials in the brew. Add to this that direct contact with air can and will dissipate any volatile aroma compounds found in your specialty malts (the expensive stuff), and you can't hope for any joy coming from that brew anymore.
This is why you store malt in closed, tall, and slim cylindrical bags (reduces the amount of malt that can come into contact with the air from the top of the bag). These bags are usually made with an internal polyethylene layer that is especially good at holding off humidity. For your specialty malt, use small airtight containers.
Apart from that, its other natural enemies are pests: mice, bugs, hungry brewers who like to chew on tasty malt before brew day... you name it. But if you can deal with humidity, chances are you can deal with those ;)
Join us next week for more of Ale Abbey's news! Thank you for your time and enjoy your weekend responsibly ;)
-- Hammer & Ravens
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