Monthly Development Update — Grass Overhaul, Food Systems, and What’s Next
This is the first in a series of monthly development updates where I’ll be sharing progress, visuals, and ongoing work to give you a clearer look at how the game is evolving over time.
Grass and Terrain Readability
Over the past few weeks, the grass visuals have gone through a major overhaul. The goal wasn’t just “prettier grass”—it was clarity.
The terrain is now easier to read at a glance, with fertile land, desert, and developed areas clearly distinguishable while still feeling cohesive and natural. A lot of time has gone into tuning grass density, color variation, and how different ground types blend into one another. The result is a landscape that adds atmosphere and beauty without becoming visually noisy or creating distracting patterns across the map.
Just as importantly, this pass was built with performance in mind. The improvements aim to enhance readability and mood without pushing the scene into expensive overdraw or unnecessary detail.
Food Chain Systems Nearing Completion
Alongside the visual improvements, work is wrapping up on the core food chain systems.
Farming, granaries, and bazaars are being finalized so food production, storage, and distribution work together in a clear, reliable, and intuitive way as settlements grow and population demands increase. These systems are a critical foundation for long-term city planning and economic balance—if food logistics aren’t predictable, everything else becomes harder to design and harder to play.
This “food backbone” is about making sure:
- Farms generate dependable output and communicate what they need.
- Granaries provide stable storage and help smooth seasonal or logistical gaps.
- Bazaars distribute food in a way that feels understandable and controllable as districts scale.
Current Screenshot (Work in Progress)
An early settlement layout during active development and testing. Many elements are still subject to iteration.
The screenshot shared here represents an early settlement layout during active development and testing. Many elements are still subject to iteration as systems continue to be refined and balanced.
What’s Next: Military Systems
With the food systems nearing completion, the next major focus will shift toward military systems. This will introduce new strategic considerations around defense, threats, and how your settlement prepares for and responds to danger.
Thank You
Thank you for following the project and supporting its development. Wishing everyone happy holidays and a great start to the new year.