Version 0.8.3 - Patch Notes

Release Date: June 2024

Highlights:

Day 1 & Day 2 Completion: These levels are now fully playable, providing a solid foundation for new and returning players.
Day 3, 4, and 5: These levels are near completion with minor tweaks and narrative elements for NPCs pending, and anticipated to be finalized within two months.
New Observatory Area: The under-observatory areas, including labs and study zones for Troy's projects, offer a vast pipeline passageway providing an alternate route through the island, bypassing the Smugglers Run section.
Dialogue & Humor: New dialogue options enhance the storyline with humour, particularly through interactions with Peter De Bole and the evolving character of Troy Malin.
Engine Upgrade: Upgraded the game engine from Unreal Engine 5.2.1 to Unreal Engine 5.4.1, significantly enhancing visual fidelity, performance, and stability.
Technical Improvements:

DLSS Update: Integrated and optimized DLSS, delivering an average of 80FPS on high detail at 1080p and stable performance at 4k, although not fully optimized.
Sound Adjustments: Ambient sounds have been refined to enrich the game’s atmosphere.
Engine Upgrade: The game has been upgraded to Unreal Engine 5.4.1, moving from 5.2.1. Originally, the game started development on Unreal Engine 4.11.0.
Gameplay Enhancements:

Easter Eggs & Hidden Items: Added new easter eggs and hidden items to discover, increasing engagement and replayability.
Cosmetic Upgrades: Essential visual enhancements have been implemented to elevate the overall gaming experience.
Narrative Progress:

Character Development: Continued development of Troy Malin’s character, adding depth and humor to the narrative.
Day 3 Narrative: The narrative for Day 3 involves Bill investigating a missing necklace with esoteric powers, critical to the Marsh family's operations.
Upcoming Features:

Radio Station for Day 2: Pending further development, expected to be integrated after a dedicated weekend of work.

Version 0.8.2.4 - Patch Notes

Release Date: Sunday, May 19th, 2024

Patch Highlights:

Critical enhancements to the quest system and save/load functionality for improved playability.
Details:

Quest System Overhaul:

The quest system now provides end-to-end guidance for players from the start to the end of each day, ensuring clear objectives and smoother progression.
Quests are now integrated with the overall save system, allowing players to save and load their progress without losing active or completed quests. This ensures continuity and prevents the loss of progress.
Save/Load Functionality:

Although marked for future upgrades, the current save and load system is now functional and reliable, supporting the newly integrated quest system.
Players can now save their game at any point and resume from where they left off, with all quest data intact.
Quest Tracking for Keyboard Users:

For keyboard users, pressing the / key on the numpad will bring up a list of active and completed quests.
This feature is a temporary solution for quest tracking, with plans for easier access and more intuitive UI in the next save/load system update.
Tester Notes:

This update is critical for enhancing playability and ensuring players know their objectives and how to achieve them.
Feedback on the functionality of the quest system and the save/load integration is crucial. Please report any issues or suggestions for improvement.

Version 0.8.2.3 - Patch Notes

Release Date: Wednesday, May 15th, 2024

Patch Highlights:

Enhanced NPC positioning to eliminate clipping issues.
Spelling corrections in dialogue to improve narrative quality.
Accessibility improvements and aesthetic enhancements across various game locations.
Details:

NPC Position Adjustments:

Fixed issues where various NPCs were either floating or embedded in the ground, ensuring all characters interact with the environment realistically.
Dialogue Improvements:

Corrected spelling errors across multiple dialogue scripts, enhancing clarity and immersion in the game's storytelling.
Gondola Island Gantryway:

Fixed the rear gantryway and removed a large obstacle that hindered access to the secret teleport area.
Secret Teleport Area:

Introduced a key accessible to players upon completing a side quest on Gondola Island. The teleport area door is now locked, adding a layer of challenge and intrigue.
Visual Enhancements:

Added new foliage on the long stairs at Pandora's Rock island to enhance visual appeal.
Erected new structures next to the esoteric gateway on Pandora's Rock, integrating it more seamlessly with the surrounding environment and addressing gaps in the scenery.
Spider Mechanic Adjustments:

Repositioned the spider in the engine room tunnels to address previous functionality issues.
Simplified the floor of the spider chamber and filled in holes to prevent player and NPC mishaps.
Tutorial Puzzle Feedback:

The tutorial puzzle involving moving a skull into a waste basket now provides player feedback upon completion, indicating that an NPC area door is unlocked.
Tester Feedback Request:

We particularly value feedback on the new positioning of the spider and the functionality of the secret teleport area. Please report any irregularities or suggestions for further refinements.

Version 0.8.2.2 - Patch Notes

Release Date: Saturday, May 11th, 2024

Patch Highlights:

Extensive environmental and structural fixes to enhance game flow and aesthetics.
Continued focus on refining gameplay mechanics and the player's explorative experience.
Details:

Environmental Adjustments:

Keepers Station Area: Removed a large floating area caused by procedural generation artifacts. The area is now seamlessly integrated with the surrounding environment.
Lighthouse Keeper’s Station Stairs: Replaced missing top stairs to ensure players can progress to the lighthouse keeper’s station without interruption.
Walkway Between Engine Rooms 2 and 3: Fixed landscape issues that caused a blockage, smoothing out the area for better navigation.
Observatory: Corrected the issue of floating flowers, ensuring they now properly interact with the terrain.
Engine Room Pathway: Updated the final stage of the engine room path with interesting geometry to fill previously empty spaces, enhancing visual interest and playability.
Approach to the Keeper’s Station: The barren area en route has been lushly planted and now features minor new structures, enriching the visual and explorative elements of the game.
Accessibility Enhancements:

Tunnel Access Beneath the Keeper’s Station: Reinstated access to the tunnel directly underneath the keeper's station, including entrances that had been previously considered for removal.
Ongoing Issues and Tweaks:

Spider Caves: Ongoing adjustments are needed for the aesthetics and functionality of the spider caves. Pathfinding issues with the spider are still being addressed to enhance NPC behavior.
Note to Testers:

Your feedback on these fixes is invaluable, especially concerning the pathfinding issues in the spider caves. Please report any discrepancies or suggestions for further enhancements.

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

The Wickie Update 0.7.4

Greetings,

We are pleased to announce the release of Update 0.7.4 for "The Wickie". This update marks significant advancements in game content, optimization, and player interaction mechanics. Please find the details of the changes included in this patch below.

New Content:

Day 4 Expansion: The introduction of Day 4 includes fully explorable new areas complete with unique environmental storytelling elements, engaging puzzles, and lore-rich scenarios. Players can now uncover the mysteries of the Lower Broch Fortifications, the Vast (non) Submerged Daolithc area, Valve Caracalla, and more.

Entity Development: We have integrated a new cosmic entity, Daolithc, into the game narrative. Daolithc offers a complex character design aligned with the overarching cosmic horror theme, presenting both a visual and narrative enhancement to the game world.

Optimizations:

Performance Enhancements: Significant optimizations have been implemented to improve game speed and maintain consistent frame rates across all supported hardware, ensuring a smoother gameplay experience.
Gameplay Improvements:

NPC Interaction: We have revisited the NPC interaction system, reverting to the 'click to interact' method to provide a more intuitive and responsive player experience.
Upcoming Work:

Interaction System Update: Later this week, we plan to roll out further improvements to the NPC interaction system to address current issues and enhance overall game responsiveness.
We are dedicated to continuously improving "The Wickie" and appreciate your feedback and support. Thank you for joining us on this eerie adventure.

0.7.4 - Day 3 Update

Sub Levels added and finalised for day 3.

- Foremans Cottage
- Guest Processing Reception
- Guest Processing 1
- Guest Processing 2
- Guest Processing 3
- Emergency Access 1
- High Passage
- Ancient Excavations 1
- Mine Tunnel 1
- Ancient Passages 1
- Ancient Passages 2
- Ancient Passages 3
- Ancient Passages 4
- Ancient Passages 5
- Ancient [REDACTED]
- Ancient [REDACTED]
- [REDACTED] Control Area 1
- Crystal Mines (Unflooded)
- Warehouse passage

This is a major update and allows me to consider that Day 3 is now in buildfreeze. I can now focus on the dialogue needed in the day 4 update and on running some tests that are essential to check on file sizes and so forth in the final build. My goal is to attempt to keep the game size under 20 gigs.

More updates soon.

C R

0.7.3.4 - Performance Update 3
=========================

Update 17.3.2024

- Dynamic movable physics lighting completely removed.
- All dynamic lamps and lights are optimised with fade distance and correct attenuation radius.
- The stack (huge tower) has been disassembled (a large job as it was made of a lot of parts that were hard to select).
- Additional portal added to test frame rates in various places.
- New path from bottom of smugglers run, making the journey to the esoteric gate somewhat easier and less prone to death by falling.

This will not be a tester release yet as there are specific things missing from this build, however I am pleased to announce that the problem areas that were getting approximately 7-11fps on a 3070RTX are now getting a healthy 90fps. There are some large problem areas that I will be dealing with shortly however they are not effecting massive drops to the FPS like the previous issues that have been removed.