Hey mates! So, you probably know that Craftomation 101 is heading for Early Access on February 19? Because we're serious about it. Save the date, it's happening! We also might've mentioned that adding the game to your wishlist will ensure you won't miss the launch (and the corresponding discount) and give our team a virtual pat on the shoulder. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1724140/Craftomation_101_Programming__Craft So, don't hesitate to do that if you like the game - and play the demo if you're not yet sure about it! After all, Craftomation 101 is an unusual game. And going for release seems a great moment to look back and follow Craftomation's transformation from this
to this: [previewyoutube=DcffdlQkl-8;full][/previewyoutube]

In the beginning were the nodes

Craftomation 101 has changed in many ways during the past years, but the core idea has been there since the early prototypes. Even earlier: as we were working on our previous game, while True: learn(), we got a lot of feedback about the game being about programming, but not having actual programming in it. In a way, Craftomation 101 is here to compensate for that, effectively making it while True: learn()'s spiritual successor. Now you have the opportunity to use functions, variables, counters, experience the joy of debugging, and even program robots to handle other robots: [previewyoutube=1kKkpJAKutc;full][/previewyoutube] So, automation and programming were parts of the plan all along! As for the visual style, it took us some time to find our own. The first prototypes were quite different:
And when Craftomates finally emerged, they did not look nearly as dandy as they do today (but still as goofy):


Developing games is more than just a job: it's a journey that takes you to surprising places, and that can make you a better, wiser person. In this case, Alex the artist was working hard on improving his drawing skills - and his progress shows on the game's screenshots from different times:



Even our key artwork changed at least three times:


Which one is your favorite, by the way? Let us know on Discord or leave a good old-fashioned comment! Naturally, the inner structure of Craftomation 101 became comparably more complicated. An expanded list of features that were added to the game during the past year were listed in our previous post. But you will be able to check it out for yourself next Monday! Here's a sneak peek though! We have almost completed the roadmap that we published on our page last year So we had to expand it:
We've got lots of plans, and we'll definitely share more details in the upcoming posts! See you in-game on Monday, won't we? Wish us luck, and consider sharing this piece with fellow automation/base-building game lovers! Until later, mates!