Hi everyone! In the midst of the global pandemic, we continue to make great progress on Pixel Noir. We have some great dev news this month, so let's not waste any time and jump right into it!
::coding intesifies::

100% Implementation Of Environments!

As we've said in previous updates, one of the biggest challenges over the past few years of development has been the slow and steady implementation of Pixel Noir's expansive environments. Every layer of detail needed to be hand placed while every nook had to be meticulously crafted to keep our Detective from falling off the world. Here are the new areas we put in for the rest of the game (not included in our Early Access). We know these area maps are a tad small but they should give you a sense of what was involved here with all exteriors, interiors and alleyways included in these images.
In Chapter 4 you can check out the modern day version of the Historical District (The game starts started out here but in the past in Chapter 1).
You'll start Chapter 5 by casing the Boardwalk for clues between playing at the arcade and climbing the lighthouse.
The Fish Market is where Pinnacle's citizens buy fish goods. Despite the smell you'll also find the local union hiding a very large secret (see lab).
Downtown is the heart of the city! You'll be able to walk with the coffee drinkers and random hipsters in Chapter 6.
The Sprawls is a ghetto full of cons and ex-cons alike. You'll pass through here in Chapter 6.
Uptown is the most posh and well financed area of Pinnacle city. Lots of rich folks, business types and upscale apartments to deal with in Chapter 7.

Story Implementation

Since we've closed up environments, the team has shifted its full focus toward the remaining story implementation. We are planning on finishing up Chapter 6 in mid May then moving onto Chapter 7 (the last chapter of the game!!) and then of course the side quests (we have a ton of side quests, It's about another chapter's worth).

NPC Implementation

Len has been working like a dog to put interactions and NPCs into the game. Since mid January. He said "We're slowly populating Pinnacle City with it's odd-ball citizens." and that it's looking like we should be finished with those by mid-May as well!
This guy...

Battle System Update

In one of our previous Kickstarter updates, we described working on a new Asynchronous Turn-Based Battle System. Well, good news! After much tweaking the updated battle system is working really well and we'll continue to be working this into the final game. Our programmer Leo has been streaming his development of this new battle system as well as other coding sessions of Pixel Noir on his Twitch channel https://www.twitch.tv/leolicos [previewyoutube=gorBqAPlbPA;full][/previewyoutube] Our battle overhaul was created to make everything feel much faster, more tactical and more engaging. Your feedback helped us get to update this key portion of the gameplay experience through the Early Access build's "Feedback" button in the settings menu amongst other DMs and suggestions we've received since last June. We feel we've added some much needed game design polish to our street brawls!

Fresh Audio For Your Ear Holes

Finally, for our audio sneak peek part of the update, check out a boss track for one of our hidden bosses! https://soundcloud.com/pixeltonemusic/slime-boss-sample

In Closing

As always you can keep up with development by checking out our roadmap, following our Twitter devbot, or tuning in for Leo's development streams! next update is on June, 15. Until then, stay safe out there! //Team SWDTECH