It's Not Defeat If You're Still Going

Well there's barely a day to go, but I think it's been clear for a while that my intention to complete the Final Defenders core campaign for Finally Finish Something jam is not gonna happen. But this isn't a post to admit defeat; as the title indicates, this is another proud step forward toward eventual completion! And if we're taking the title literally, I did finally finish something: The City Devastation mechanic.

Widespread Devastation

The city itself can now be damaged, by certain types of enemy attacks. Back in 0.262, I implemented the system that allows for the enemy attack pattern and ship roster to be varied. Between these two core systems, we now have what we need to make varied levels for the campaign. All that remains is the basic groundwork of UI needed to play through them, not to mention a great deal of test and balance. Fortunately, I know some pretty great people that can help with that!

But Wait, There's More

As if a critical new system wasn't enough, build 270 also includes a cool new crumbling building mechanic. When buildings are damaged, they now tumble into dust, which makes a city succumbing to the Five World Legion's carpet bombing all the more awesome to behold. Other graphical touches include revamped materials on the buildings and the addition of trees on the ground. Oh and bombs.

Wait, Did You Say Bombs?

This version brings bombs into the fray: unpowered projectiles curving gradually toward the ground and detonating as soon as they hit anything. With both these and missiles able to be shot out the sky, there's now a whole defensive dynamic to your choice of targets at any given moment. Devastation --the kind of damage that wrecks the city around you-- can only be caused by projectiles that can be shot down; while damage to your turrets and military buildings such as the HQ can be done by any enemy weapon. So civilian casualties should be (mostly) preventable, in theory at least ;)

Next update, we're going to start on the campaign mode itself. I am still thinking this will likely come in two flavours: an initial linear set of missions you play in order (probably around 20-30), and a kind of metagame mode where you switch between defending multiple cities and your performance affects the overall war. The latter will likely follow on a little later, but I hope to have the former playable very soon. Stay tuned!