Quite a "normal" week in Ale Abbey's development. Meaning: lots of work on multiple fronts and still moving forth smoothly. This week we had to revisit some past work, namely some animation fixes to make them smoother, continued our work on UI scenes to make them more "picturesque" or diegetic, and finally the team played an internal build that gave us all a very promising glimpse of Ale Abbey's future!
-- Necessary animation fixes
This week's development needs required that backend and art be paired up again. Although most animations were completed a while ago, revisiting them for the sake of precision was absolutely necessary.
With the different characters moving around the Monastery freely, making their international reactions to a player's orders blend in smoothly requires some synchronizing between what happens in the background and the actual character in the scene. Think animation starting points, coordinates with the tools to be used, etc. Mistakes in this would make animations snappy, disjointed, and of course, destructing; all of which would take away from the overall immersion we are trying to accomplish.
A couple of examples:
And talking about immersion...
-- Ale Abbey's diegetic approach
Probably obvious to many, when it comes to assets created (be it UI, characters, or even the BGM and SFX), we have been using one true North; diegesis. For those not familiar with this design approach, let us explain.
As we've mentioned multiple times in the past, our aim with Ale Abbey is to make it a zen game. We also believe that zen doesn't only mean relaxing, but also extremely immersive... almost meditative. And so, immersion quickly became one of the most important aspects of Ale Abbey's development. And there is no better way to accomplish immersion and avoid "noise" that would otherwise break it than to produce assets that bring you, the player, into the game's world, be it through imagery, gameplay, and even music and sound! This is what diegesis is all about.
A recent example would be how we slowly changed certain scenes that will carry a host of otherwise contemporary-looking information, to incorporate a look more relevant to the game and its character.
More examples and - who knows - maybe some fully completed BGMs, coming soon ;)
-- Internal build sneak peek
Giving you a small glimpse of where Ale Abbey is headed, with a bit of gameplay from the latest internal build circulating around the team's Discord server for feedback and reflection. Remember that everything in the game so far (and thus in this video) is very early WIP and of course subject to change. Regardless, a night around the Monastery, with Monks and Nuns actively walking about, shows the progress so far and is a good reminder that the game is slowly coming alive!
-- Are hops the one, true herb?
Hops are famous for one reason, they are the most commonly used herb in beer brewing when it comes to adding bitterness, flavors, and aromas. But are hops the only herb you can use? Nope!
First and foremost, the one herb that lost the "top brewing herb" spot when hops were introduced: "gruit". Gruit is not actually one herb, but a combination of herbs like sweet gale, yarrow, bog myrtle, and heather (among others). As one can imagine, these herbs impart a diverse range of flavors, including earthy, floral, and spicy notes, introducing a distinct and alternative taste profile for your brew.
Another herb that can be used in beer brewing is "wormwood." Known for its use in absinthe production, wormwood can bring a bitter and herbaceous character to your brew. It adds a unique complexity and can be a suitable alternative for those seeking a deviation from the traditional hop bitterness. However, it's essential that you use wormwood sparingly; excessive amounts can result in an overpowering and unpleasant flavor.
Finally, an interesting herb to consider is "coriander." Coriander seeds are often used in brewing Belgian-style witbier, adding a citrusy and spicy flavor. The seeds can be crushed or ground and added during brewing to infuse the beer with their aromatic properties. Coriander can provide a refreshing and zesty twist to your brew, making it an excellent choice if you're looking to experiment with different herb additions.
Stand out from the crowd... make your next brew hop-less, or - you know - partially hop-less for starters, and let us know how it was!
Join us next week for more of Ale Abbey's news! For now, enjoy your weekend responsibly ;)
-- Hammer & Ravens
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