It's september. It's release month. We're making final touches, tests and preparations to allow first beta of upcoming version 3.60 to go live in few weeks. It is also likely that the first beta will be released for Windows only, and other platforms will follow later on. This is because our OSX and Linux maintainer is super busy this month, and aiming for synchronized release would delay things far onto October. When the rumble starts we'll be seeing several beta versions on our way towards stable tag as there's still stuff on 3.60 to-do list. As you may know, the main focus of upcoming version is laid on NPCs and companions. Several new NPC/companion features have been mentioned in previous posts, and we'll hereby highlight one more big addition:

Companions can help you with laborous tasks thus shortening the working time

Unoccupied companions now spontaneously help you with many different tasks. Their labor input helps to finish the physical work in shorter time, but doesn't otherwise affect to result or quality of the task outcome. The help companions provide is imagined to be something they can do without specific tools, but the kind which makes it easier and faster to finish the work together. For example: * When building a log wall it helps to have extra hands around for moving and setting the logs in place even if the player character would be the one who does the necessary carving. * When softening the skin with beater as a final stage of tanning process it helps to have somebody around to check, adjust or tighten the skin if necessary. * When setting and retrieving nets it helps to have somebody to row the watercraft. The tasks where companions can currently help you are as follows: * all the building tasks * building trap constructions * setting and retrieving nets * harvestring bark * tanning stages of cleaning, applying tanning material and final softening * crafting rafts * crafting leather ropes * crafting birch-bark containers and ropes The tasks are 10-20% faster to perform with a companion and in many cases having multiple helping pairs of hands shortens the time 5-10% more per companion. However, the benefits of helpers is gapped at three (3) companions, so having more than three helpers doesn't shorten the working time any further. It depends on the task how many helpers is the optimal number, and this varies from one to three companions. Companions do help you with these tasks completely spontaneously, without any commands, if they are free from other chores and can reach the player character. You will be notified about companions helping you with specific messages displayed right after starting the task. These messages also tell if you are being assisted with the optimal maximum number of companions for the task in question. If you receive help from some companion(s), but the task would be even easier with more helping hands the message is, for example, as follows: "You get some help with this task from Ahti." And if you have the optimal maximum number of helpers the message is, for example, as follows: "Tapio, Korjus and Visa help you with this task."
Screenshot of upcoming version 3.60. Companion helps the character with setting the net.

[ 2019-09-04 11:05:26 CET ] [ Original post ]