Devblog: The Ship’s First Flights

[img src="{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/46227746/efa6c9fb2d03d51b780a489cd64926a34c375d35.png"]

Work on the ship has progressed in both visuals and handling. It can already be controlled with the mouse, gradually accelerating and braking until it reaches its destination.

To make movement feel more organic, the ship responds to changes in speed through a spring and damping system. This creates a smooth tilt during acceleration and braking, giving the vehicle a better sense of weight.

The visual effects also react to its current state. Its four thruster flames change with speed, while the propeller, landing gear, and drill have their own animations. The drill lowers before it begins spinning and retracts when deactivated.

For the sound design, we are combining two layers: the roar of the jet engines and the mechanical sound of the blades. Volume transitions smoothly between idle and full power. This system already works in the prototype, but its integration into regular gameplay is still in progress.

We are also continuing our balancing work. Speed, acceleration, braking, and control response must make the ship feel powerful without replacing the player’s entire progression.

Ideas currently being explored include energy or fuel consumption, cargo capacity, and drill efficiency. These are possibilities under evaluation and may change during testing.

The foundation is working and tested. Functional mining, audio during regular gameplay, and further interactions with the world are among our next development steps.