We know you're all incredibly excited for the free Jungle Update and everything in it!
We're here with a new developer journal, featuring our friends over at Haemimont Games, to talk about the new Saltu region and some of the new challenges you can expect to run into there.
Let's dive right in:
Hello! We are absolutely thrilled to have you here with us. Could you please introduce yourself to everyone reading?
Greetings, fellow survivors! My name is Ivan Grozev, and I have the honour of serving as the lead game designer for Stranded: Alien Dawn.
The Saltu region is incredibly unique, and very different to Sobrius and Desertum. For the very top level, what can players expect from this new region?
Saltu provides a unique and captivating experience distinct from Sobrius and Desertum. It is a lush and vibrant biome with dense jungle forests, a wide variety of plant species, and abundant wildlife. The region is characterized by the presence of swamps, rivers, and lakes, further enhancing its allure for exploration.
What ultimately sets Saltu apart is its abundance. There is so much more to observe and research. Clearing farmland requires more time and effort, and humans are more susceptible to encountering new diseases. Disasters have a more pronounced impact, posing greater challenges to survival. Food spoils at a faster rate, necessitating careful management. Larger herds in Saltu exhibit a heightened propensity to defend against hunters in greater numbers. These factors combine to create a uniquely challenging and dynamic environment in the region.
Players will have to contend with temperatures in a different way than before. How does humidity and temperature work on Saltu compared to Sobrius and Desertum?
The Saltu region is known for its high humidity, frequent rain, and hot weather.
Players will notice that resources decay at an accelerated rate. Thunderstorms are more common and pose a greater danger to the survivors. Additionally, to combat the humidity, devices such as fans, air conditioners, fridges, and freezers consume more power.
How are seasons represented in Saltu?
Saltu experiences a long Wet season and a shorter Dry season. During the Dry season, temperatures rise, and the lush greenery transforms into a drier yellowish landscape. Heatwaves and rainless thunderstorms become prevalent, and crop diseases occur more frequently, presenting a new challenge for the players.
How will plants and crops fare with all that heat and humidity?
While wild plants and crops in Saltu have adapted to the environment, the heatwaves during the Dry season can hinder their growth and cause withering.
Additionally, recurring outbreaks of Xenoflora Blight in farm fields can spread to wild plants, decimating farm plants and entire patches of nearby forests.
Saltu isn't just warm and humid, it's also full of new and dangerous diseases - what made you decide to add them?
The addition of new diseases in Saltu is a reflection of the region's unique ecosystem, influenced by various parasites, insects, and bacteria found in the humid environment.
Players will encounter new diseases, such as gut parasites acquired from consuming uncooked food, resulting in increased hunger. Untreated wounds can develop into blood infections, leading to fatigue and potential chronic anemia. The occasional outbreak of lethal swamp fever further intensifies the survival challenges.
Can you tell us something about the new plants that players can discover?
In Saltu, players will encounter both familiar and new plant species. While some plants like Mulchtube, Synthplant, and Energy crystals may already be known from other regions, there are several unique discoveries awaiting players.
The Sausage palm tree bears meat-like fruits, and another palm variety yields coconuts suitable for wine fermentation. Towering dandelion-like plants provide medicinal spores, and the Purpleleaf plant, with its large purple leaves, can be harvested for sticks and leaves to construct various structures such as shelters, sleeping spots, roofs, and fences.
What can you tell us about the new wildlife players will encounter?
Saltu introduces several distinct animal species specifically adapted to the region. The Noth, a colourful and passive creature, forms large herds that roam the map. Additionally, players will encounter the Shogu, a more aggressive animal resembling a wild boar. When tamed, the Shogu has the ability to dig out chew roots.
You've made some interesting changes to insect nests: Shrieker Nests are replaced by Scissorhands nests, making Carbon Nanotubes more difficult at acquire. What made you decide to make this change?
The decision to introduce Scissorhands nests in place of Shrieker nests stemmed from a desire to create a different experience in Saltu. We wanted hostile territorial insects that blend seamlessly with the jungle environment, reminiscent of Earth's jungles. These nests are tougher to destroy compared to Shrieker nests, providing an increased challenge.
Additionally, we opted for Silicon-based nest structures instead of Carbon nanotube ones, adding a built-in challenge for obtaining Carbon nanotubes within this region.
What was the most challenging part of creating Saltu, and how did you overcome it?
Developing Saltu presented unique challenges as we aimed to differentiate it from Sobrius and Desertum. The lush jungle biome provided us with exciting opportunities. Unlike other regions where grain-producing plants and clothblossom play crucial roles, Saltu offers a diverse range of resource chains.
Players can extract vegetable oil from palm meat, craft cloth from purple leaves, and even ferment tasty kimchi from typically inedible plants.
There are more details to come about the new update, so don't forget to join the Stranded: Alien Dawn Discord and you'll never miss any news! You can also follow us on TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, or join the discussions on Steam and the Frontier Forums. On 28 June at 4:00pm BST, the community team will be joined by developers from Haemimont Games for a run-through of the new scenario, and the rest of the new update on Twitch and YouTube. We'll see you there!
