It has been a while since we've posted publicly about where we are...

...But before we get into that- I want to assure the Mac folks out there: We are getting closer to isolating the issues related to the Apple build of the latest alpha.  As I type, we are backing up all data on our development Mac- after which we will be wiping the system clean, re-installing unity, and attempting a fresh build.

You see: I know it is fashionable among the Mac community to adopt terms such as  "Mac is Virus Proof" and "Mac - Just - Works," but let's be honest with each other:  I was working for Apple computer back in 1989, and lemme tell you as a veteran of the platform: Macs are susceptible to the same pitfalls and foibles that us on the PC side have been dealing with for years - and the Peace Island project is currently dealing with one of the more egregious examples of such.

We hope to be able to get a start on this fresh new build before we sleep- although it may not be until the wee hours of the morning- more on that as details develop.

 The last few weeks have been such a frenzy of work on the latest alpha, that I've not shared many details with the outside world of what we were able to include... 

This was an unusual alpha - it was the first that we had a whole team working on the project together, rather than just myself and Laura.

One of the most fundamental issues that has been addressed is "Sectorizing."  In this alpha, we have split the game world into 37 smaller, square sectors.  The upshot of this is that, rather than having to load and keep the entirety of the gameworld in memory, the application now only has to deal with the sectors immediately surrounding the cat you are currently controlling.

This equates to faster performance and load times overall!

We also were able to integrate a new cat model, new animations, and for the first time, give players the ability to do targeted jumps, and hunt butterflies.

Being able to jump from one rooftop to another for the first time was quite a neat thing to see!  In the Beta, some cats will of course be better jumpers than others.

Now, a few bugs cropped up, as is normal: 

- A few structures and landscaping elements somehow were lost in the build, such as the church, and the Buddha/Gazebo by the "Namastay" house.

- Our IK engine was being fussy  - when the cat turned during walking, it lost a bit of the "flow" that made previous motion look more fluid

- There are a few reports of "flickering" issues with sector elements.

We're looking into the causes of all of these issues, as vigorously as time and energy permits.

We were also FINALLY able to get a Bare-Bomes website up for our LLC, and the game project: PeaceIslandGame.com!

We plan on refining it in the future, of course.  We are using this as a hub for our current social media expansion.  

Over the next few weeks, we're going to be embarking upon the most important step of the project thus far: bringing Peace Island into our RPG engine.

This means that within  the next three months, we will be implimenting:

1: A conversation engine- you will finally be able to talk with your fellow cats & NPCs!

2: Improved interaction with the environment- knock objects over, play with toys, enter and leave houses.

3: Save your games - at long freaking last!!!

4: More NPCs with original AI - including Beaver, Mice, and Deer!

5:  A preview of the WISL radio broadcast - with music, news, and adverts for local businesses.

6:  Status bars & skills - you'll be able to see if your cats are hungry, bored, or just want to go lie in the sun for a while.  You'll also be able to take advantage of each cat's special skills & talents. 

Thanks so much for your support and patience - it means the world to us!

Also: if you have contributed over $25 to the project, and have yet to get your postcard set, please email us at: PeaceIslandLLC@gmail.com.