Version 0.8.2 - Patch Notes

Release Date: Friday, May 10th, 2024

Patch Highlights:

Completion of the tutorial area with basic puzzles and hidden secrets.
Introduction of the Wayfarer ship as the starting point of the game.
Activation of cabin shortcuts for days 1-5 for easier tester navigation.
Details:

Tutorial Area:
Players now start on the Wayfarer ship, which serves as the tutorial area.
Includes several basic puzzles designed to introduce game mechanics and storytelling style.
Hidden secrets available to enhance discovery and engagement right from the outset.
Cabin Shortcuts:
Cabins one through five on the Wayfarer ship are set up as shortcuts to days 1-5 of the game.
Currently, shortcuts for days one, two, and three are active and can be used by testers to jump to respective game days.
Focus:
This version emphasizes making the fundamental gameplay intuitive and accessible for new players.
Aims to set reasonable expectations for the game's challenges and narrative depth.
Tester Notes:

Feedback on tutorial clarity and engagement is highly encouraged.
Report any issues related to shortcut functionality or game transitions.

Dear Future Players,

I am REALLY happy to be able to tell you that I have achieved a significant milestone as of today. The Wickie is now at 0.8.0 for its version, which may not mean a lot to the layman out there, however it marks a massive step in The Wickie : Shadows Over Islolation's march towards a release this year. While it may sound technical as a number, it represents a major leap from the early days, bringing me closer to delivering a complete gaming experience.

Early demonstrations of The Wickie four years ago relied only on a few items and areas, meaning t hat while I was in early test, I was only using an early version of the Engine Rooms, Lighthouse, Lighthouse Station, shed, Village and Standing Stones for development. Since then these areas were completely removed and revised and additional areas were added en masse to bring this island in the Western Outer Hebrides to life!

These include but are not limited to

Steampunk Gondolas
Rickety wooden walkways and gantries
The harbour
The Chapel
The vast Engine Rooms
The Foremans Cottage
G---- ---------g and its related areas (spoilers)
G---- ---------g r----tion
G---- ---------g 1
G---- ---------g 2
G---- ---------g 3
C-----l M----
An----t P--s------- 1
An----t P--s------- 2
An----t P--s------- 3
An----t P--s------- 4
An----t P--s------- 5
An----t D--k
An----t Lab----h
An----t La----t-ry
Lower B---- Fortifications
Vast Submerged ------- area
Valve ---------
The Passage
Pump --------
---- Crystal Room
The Shaft
The Old w---------
Crystal ---- -------
The ------ Enclosure
The Mirror ------------
I--smou--

There are all areas not buildings, explorable and large and make up a huge part of the game too. The completion of the 0.7.X versions means I am now happy with the world sandbox that you have to explore and play in and that it is time to make sure that you have fun doing so!

At the moment the focus of the 8.0+ releases is on quest management and dialogue which is there but needs a but of tightening and tuning. Future focus is also on splitting the days into their own containers to make gameplay more interesting and exciting!

Ideas tried and abandoned for being silly (aww) are;

Huuuuuuge building with swimming pool, ballroom etc. Generally even though it was awesome, it was not needed at all and was a time sink.

Steampunk air vehicles. Utterly awesome but ruined the serious parts of the game with too much whimsy.

Daily Watch. Reduced to just a few occasions so that the player can focus on the adventure without getting bogged down with the details of Lighthouse Keeping. Eventually a full lighthouse keeper game will be added once the ENTIRE project is complete with all free DLC being a part of the project.

Picnic at Pandora's Rock. Delayed but coming eventually.

Much love and FEEL FREE to ask questions!

Cris