Hey folks, it's been a bit since our last update and I know we can be kinda quiet when we're busy behind the curtain, so we wanted to give you an idea about the stuff we're working on.

Revamped Mining Base Story Content

We're somewhat close to finishing this up, as we have most of the new mechanics, creatures and assets finished. We still need to finish up the new boss, build out the levels and tie everything together.

World Generation

The current worlds are too small, and use up too much memory so we're fixing the glitch. The next update will allow for larger worlds, and those larger worlds are really going to let us play around with making the surface of the planet more interesting.

World Zooming

We're adding the ability to zoom in and out in the world. We also plan on doing UI scaling before leaving Early Access, but this is the first step in future-proofing the game for different screens and resolutions.

Ore Scanning

The current ore scanning has always felt functional but really janky to me, so we're re-doing it completely. Our main goal is to create a system that helps you find ore so it doesn't feel like you're just digging randomly, without simply pointing out the ore on your screen. The new system will show you the projected density of ore overlayed on tiles in the world, and if you find a bright enough spot then you'll find ore.

Cybernetics

Um, we decided to add cybernetics to the game. I can't fathom what inspired it, but here we are.

Parasites that burst out of your stomach

Reworked Codex

The current in-game codex only tracks creatures, but we want to make it more of a generic data storage device. To that end, we're adding the ability to scan structures in the world, and the codex will also track any datapads you find and read.

Block Building Delay

One of the persistent balance problems we've had with the game was that it was too easy to just take a stack of blocks and wall in any creature you come across. In the next update, we've added a small delay to block building, that can be interrupted if any creature moves through it while it is building in the world.
Anyway, that's what we've been working on. We don't really have a firm ETA for you folks on when it'll make it into the game, but I'd be surprised if it took us more than a month or two to finish this stuff up. Hope everyone has a great 2021! As always, if you have any suggestions, criticisms or just want to say hi then feel free to post a comment on this announcement, make a post in the Steam discussions, or join us at the official Discord Server.

[ 2021-01-09 22:47:58 CET ] [ Original post ]

Signs of Life is a sci-fi survival sandbox platformer with a combination of procedurally generated and hand-crafted content. You'll explore mysterious locations, Mine blocks for resources, and meet strange (and some familiar) creatures, some of which don't even want to kill you and eat your corpse. Along the way, you'll be able to craft armor, weapons, gadgets and more to assist you in surviving in an inhospitable environment.

Story

Sensing that an apocalyptic war was imminent, the United Nations executed a last ditch plan to save what they could of the human race. 2 crafts were launched, a massive colony ship called the Hephaestus and a smaller, faster scout ship called the Hermes. The destination was a recently discovered earth-like planet with the potential to harbor life located roughly 18 light years away. The Hermes reached the planet first in order to establish a presence in anticipation of the arrival of the Hephaestus.

4 years later, as the Hephaestus approached its destination a faint signal was detected from a nearby asteroid. Against their better judgement, the crew of the Hephaestus decided to investigate, and in doing so set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead to their destruction.

The good news is, you managed to survive by hitching a ride on a small escape pod just in the nick of time. The bad news is, everyone you knew and loved is dead, you have nothing but the clothes on your back, a standard issue multi-function wrist laser and a faulty artificial intelligence companion named AGIS. Oh, and the human race is probably doomed.

Probably.

Features

• An expansive world with procedurally generated and hand-crafted content.
  
• Online Co-Op Multiplayer
  
• A bunch of weird alien creatures.
  
• Some familiar creatures.
  
• Chickens.
  
• Mining, hunting, gathering.
  
• Gobs of ores, materials and animal organs you can use to...
  
• Craft all kinds of weapons, armor, gadgets, furniture, etc.
  
• A bit of story and lore to hold the whole thing together.
  
• Eggs.
  
• All spiritual content in this game has been assessed by Dr. Halamkah, advisor to the stars.

Current State of Development

Signs of Life is currently in Alpha. We feel like we've put together a fun, satisfying experience that will allow us to get wider feedback while we complete the rest of the game.

Right now our first priority is making sure that the content we have in-game is as bug-free, balanced, polished and fun as possible based on feedback from you folks. We have a significant prologue/tutorial planned, as well as significant content beyond what is currently playable, so the sooner you get involved the more of an effect you'll have on the final game. We deal in hard science, and in working very closely with our personal science advisor at Sweet Dog Studios, that tends to lead to results.

We are still very much in development, and we would like you to join us in shaping the game from here on out. Your feedback is vital to us, so don't be shy =)

Caveats/Issues

• Some sound effects are missing, but we are actively working on filling them in.