- Devlog #29: World Synthesis - 6 August 2024
Greetings, pioneers! We’re back with another devlog, all about the new world generation and reworked map expansion. We’ll also give a preview of a new crafting mechanic that’s in the works. Let’s dive in! Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #28: The Day/Night Cycle & Butterflies - 18 June 2024
In this devlog we dive into the development of two new features intent on bringing more of the world to life around the player. With the introduction of time of day and our first form of wildlife, the realm of possibilities for what the player may encounter is expanding. Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #27: The Codex - 5 June 2024
Hello friends! We're back with another devlog for Automation Station. This one is all about the Codex, which will act as a reference manual for all of the items, buildings, and everything else you'll discover in this strange world. There is a lot to talk about, from the design to implementation, so let's dive in! Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #26: Mission Tech Tree - 17 April 2024
Hello everyone! In this devlog, we're taking a deep dive into a brand new progression system. The caches and decrypters have been replaced with a mission system and tech tree, which completely changes how you'll unlock new buildings and progress through the game. We'll also touch on a new early-game crafting building called the "Fabricator". Let's dive in! Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #25: Tools & Controls - 16 March 2024
Greetings folks! A lot of progress has been made on the game over the last few weeks. From the new tool system to item throwing, and reworked controls, there is a lot to unpack. Let's dive in! Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #24: Touching Grass - 15 February 2024
Hey folks! It's been a long time coming, but I've finally added grass and bushes to the game. Long gone are the days of only looking at blubber trees on desolate islands. Also, arms are back! However, the majority of this sprint was focused on the interaction systems and UI changes to streamline gameplay. There is a lot of talk about so let's get right into it. Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #23: Building Costs & Indicators - 28 January 2024
Hey folks! I can’t believe we’re already a month into 2024, but the development of Automation Station has been coming along nicely. In this devlog, I’ll be talking about some additional features that I’ve added to Build Mode. Buildings now have a cost, consuming items from your inventory when placed. And if you change your mind, you can always demolish the building to get those items back. I’ve also added several new indicators to help the player understand the orientation and behavior of several buildings. Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #22: 2023 - Year in Review - 23 December 2023
Happy holidays, everyone! A lot has happened in the development of Automation Station over the past year. As we approach the end of 2023, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on all the significant changes and new features that have made their way into the game. I've written 19 devlogs since January of this year, so I'll do my best to condense all of that information as best I can. Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #20: Caches & Decrypters - 27 October 2023
Welcome back to another exciting devlog for Automation Station! Over the past two weeks, I've been hard at work creating and refining a brand new progression system that will be the primary way you unlock new buildings and recipes in the game. In this update, I'll take you through the design process for the new hologram shader, as well as introduce you to the intriguing world of Caches and Decrypters. Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #19: Chests & Hoppers - 12 October 2023
Welcome back to another devlog for Automation Station! If you read the last devlog, I discussed several options for item storage buildings. In the past couple of weeks, I’ve been hard at work implementing two of those options: the chest and the hopper. Let’s take a closer look at how they work and how they fit into the rest of the game. Let’s dive in! Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #18: Crafting & Storage - 24 September 2023
Long time no see! I had to take a couple of weeks off from game development to take care of some projects around the house, but I'm finally back with a fresh new devlog! We'll be taking a look at the all new crafting system as well as a deep dive into the design of item storage. Let's dig in! Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #17: More Stacking - 29 August 2023
Hello again! I’ve spent the last couple of weeks iterating on the new item stacking mechanic that I showed off in the last devlog. While there aren’t a ton of new features to talk about, there are a lot of interesting design details to cover. I also wanted to give an inside look at my design process for the Stacker. Let’s get into it! Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #16: Item Stacking - 10 August 2023
Greetings fellow engineers! I’m back with another devlog full of juicy new features for Automation Station. This time we have three new buildings added to the game: the Stacker, the Swapper, and the Reverser. There is a lot to unpack here so let’s get to it! Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #15: Ramps - 29 July 2023
Hello engineers! In devlog #15, we’ll be looking at the brand new conveyor ramps, extractor pooping, as well as bunch of other smaller changes and cleanup work I’ve been doing for the last two weeks. Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #14: Belts & Auto-pickup - 18 July 2023
Hello engineers! I spent the last couple of weeks working on some of the quality-of-life improvements to the belt placement system. Now it is possible to extend or connect to existing belts and have more control over the belt shape in specific scenarios. I also implemented a new item auto-pickup system which makes it easier to harvest resources. Read the full devlog on the website.
- Devlog #13: Movers, Tappers, Transparency & More - 18 July 2023
Hello friends! One of the most unique parts of Automation Station is that conveyor belts and buildings can be moved around and rotated while they operate. With the addition of the Piston, Rotator, and Orbiter you know have simple primitive buildings that you can combine to create complex contraptions. Devlog #13 describes how these buildings work and what you can make with them. I also talk about the Tapper which can extract blubber from blubber trees as well as a new tree transparency shader. Read the full devlog on the website. This devlog was originally posted on June 30th, 2023.
- Devlog #12: Launching & Item Routing - 18 July 2023
Greetings! In the twelfth devlog for Automation Station, I introduce the Launcher, which can send items flying over obstacles. I also dig into all the changes I've been making to item routing, which will ensure that your factory runs smoothly and reliably. There is a lot to unpack here so it's definitely worth a read! Read the full devlog on the website. This devlog was originally posted on June 16th, 2023.
- Devlog #11: Mining & Smelting - 18 July 2023
Hello engineers! Collecting and smelting metal ores is an important part of any automation or crafting game. Devlog #11 dives into the mining and smelting systems of Automation Station which are built off of a unique heat system. Read the full devlog on the website. This devlog was originally posted on June 4th, 2023.
- Devlog #10: Wrapping Up the Build Mode - 18 July 2023
Hello engineers! In this devlog for Automation Station, I talk about all the changes I've been working on to finish up the build mode. This includes a new build laser, building animations, and a new conveyor belt placement system. Read the full devlog on the website. This devlog was originally posted on May 19th, 2023.
- Devlog #9: Perspective Camera & More Build Mode - 18 July 2023
Greetings! In Devlog #9 for Automation Station, I show off the new perspective camera and talk about some new features that I added to build mode. Read the full devlog on the website. This devlog was originally posted on May 5th, 2023.
