Why a time limit? Choices and mission outcomes have consequences in #Exosolar and I want to introduce the concept as early as possible.
Failure to stop the Void Rogers building capital ships means they have them in the next mission.

#Exosolar full M2 has the player on the offense; conquer three enemy systems and stop them within the time limit.
To recap:
M1 is all about movement, combat, and heroes.
M2 is about planets, building, capturing, and time limits.
#indiedev #gamedev #RTS #strategy #indiegame #gamedesign

New #Exosolar M2
Starts out with three planets to conquer, no enemies, and follow-up objectives to find a resource cache, build a platform and a ship
This is teaching the main game loop. Conquer a planet, fight for the next, build to grow
#indiedev #gamedev #RTS #gamedesign #Strategy #indiegame

#Flashback: the old #Exosolar M2.
It had everything: combat, planets, asteroids, flanks, timers, fail states, first alien intro, massive invasions, black holes...
It tried to teach too much and was too hard.
The new M2 is more focused, a peak coming this weekend.
#indiedev #gamedev #RTS

Build Objectives.
Now I can tell a player to build x thing and track it.
This could be on a specific planet and a specific platform, or a generic build some ship 10 times.
#gamedev #indiedev #RTS #Space #Strategy #Exosolar #indiegame #objectives

#Flashback #Exosolar is a game about choice.
I want to have multiple story paths based on missions, outcomes, and even hidden secrets.
One way is through Briefing choices, here is a cheeky example of cutting off the man.
#gamedev #indiedev #RTS #Space #Strategy #indiegame

Changed up capturing planets in #Exosolar
It was one ship could conquer a planet at a time, you'd restart if destroyed. Interesting but buggy.
Now it's like COH, ship in range, capture progress. Contested stops, leaving degrades over time.
#gamedev #indiedev #RTS #Space #Strategy #indiegame

#Exosolar new M1.
Collect the Taulin's scattered fleet, get a little combat in, learn about objectives and characters.
I feel this can grab player's attention, but also doesn't overwhelm with too many mechanics too quickly.
#gamedev #indiedev #RTS #Space #Strategy #indiegame

#Flashback of the first mission a year ago.
1 minute, click till you find the exit.
Playtesters at #MDev were not interested in what was next and it does nothing to represent the game mechanics.
I'll show the redesign tomorrow.
#Exosolar #gamedev #indiedev #RTS #Space #Strategy #indiegame

Building in #Exosolar happens on planets.
You can build ships, but also platforms that can add resources or stat modifications to the planet itself.
Capturing planets is at the core, they act as control points, resources, and factories.
#gamedev #indiedev #RTS #Space #Strategy #Unreal #indiegame

#screenshotsaturday is a before and after.
A year ago I was planning on using volumetric clouds for space dust, but they didn't play well with my build.
Now I'm using nebula system, which gives me more dynamic colors.
#gamedev #indiedev #Exosolar #RTS #Space #Strategy #Unreal #indiegame

Piece selection was initially in map as a quick prototype for the ship builder.
Now I've moved to the radial menu for looking for specific parts and A or D to cycle through.
#gamedev #indiedev #Exosolar #RTS #Space #Strategy #Unreal #indiegame #shipbuilder #spaceship

#Flashback: You've seen these recently, but I built these homeworlds a year ago.
Avii are a flying species who worship their ancestors of their jungle world.
Neu-xol are a aquatic pod species that swam to consciousness on their aquatic home.
#gamedev #indiedev #Exosolar #RTS #Space #Strategy