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Devlog
Dear Players,
We are excited to announce that we are making progress on the development of Oily Beard. This game has been a passion project for us for over a decade, inspired by the classic game Torpia which we played from 2005-2012. We believe in the potential for Oily Beard to offer a fun and competitive experience for all kinds of players.
In June 2022, we began working on the game and have spent the past few months learning various development languages, frameworks, and databases. We are now at a point where we have a basic understanding and can start building the actual game.
On August 26th, we made some updates to the website, including the ability to sign up, log in, and create towns. We have also linked the game database to the frontend, although it is still very rudimentary.
However, on September 28th, we had to disable login and sign up while we imported 7000 data entries from an internet archive of the game we are basing Oily Beard on. We used this data to create a Wiki which is now available on the website. We also cleaned up the website and improved the fonts and formatting.
On October 23rd, we were able to generate the map which is 1000x1000 squares. Players can now sign up, create a serjeant and blacksmith character, and place their primary town on the map.
On November 22nd, we completed the map interface and polished the front end character creation tools.
Most recently, on January 4th 2023, we made updates to our code to fix a problem with saving new characters. We also changed how the Character and Town models work together to make it so that each town can only have one character as its owner and each character can own multiple towns.
We added new fields to the Town model to track resources and products such as food, wood, stone, and various types of weapons, shields, horses, gold coins, and other items.
We are dedicated to bringing this game to life and hope these updates are a good step towards its completion.
Thank you for your support and please stay tuned for more updates.
Sincerely,
The Oily Beard Team
26th February 2023
We are working on introducing 20 new map tile castle skins for our game, tailored to the two player types: Serjeant and Blacksmith. These skins will be purely aesthetic and permanent, allowing players to customize each town map tile to their preference. The virtual currency used in the game, Mongrel Points (MP), can be carried over to future rounds if not exhausted before the reset. The skins are not available yet, but more information can be found under the 'Skins' tab in the top menu.
We hope that you're as excited as we are about these new skins. As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions, so please feel free to reach out to us with any comments or questions you may have.
In other game development news, the developer has been working around the clock, sometimes up to 20 hours a day, for the past four days and has made significant progress on introducing various game assets, such as resources, weapons, and warriors. Work has been done on rewriting and upgrading the database to incorporate all the new data, and implementing actual building placement and upgrades.
Additionally, the game's premium model has been eliminated, and now players can upgrade buildings instantaneously using core resources like food, wood, and stone. However, the original batch system remains unchanged, where each batch of troops takes a fixed amount of time to produce. Instant upgrades of buildings will only increase the batch quantity as the building level increases. There is no option to produce batches instantly with cash payments, so players will need to plan and manage their resources carefully.
I'm currently considering several ideas, including introducing a payment unlockable profile banner to showcase battle trophies eg. number of towns destroyed - serjeant, or swords delivered - blacksmith, and I have been inspired by a popular game that has only 30-minute-long games. I'll keep you updated on my progress and plans.
As always, the developer welcomes feedback and suggestions from players.
4th March 2023
Dear players,
I am thrilled to announce that Oily Beard now has limited functionality. You can begin producing resources by upgrading the core resource buildings in the four corners of your town.
I am excited to share that I have successfully implemented this feature, and I am very pleased with the results.
Additionally, I have made some improvements to the wiki, including tidying it up and adding some small touches to the website. I hope you enjoy the new features.
Best regards,
Scott.
16th March 2023
Dear players,
I have made some updates to the game in response to user feedback. To make it easier for players to access the game, I have added a 'Play' button at the top of the page. Additionally, once a user creates an account, they will be automatically logged in and taken to the new character choice page. Our graphic artist, Chris, has done an amazing job creating icons for each character type.
I have also introduced nearly all of the new menu buttons, which will be visible once you login. In addition to these changes, I have made some small repairs to the town overview page and updated the level cap code for buildings.
I've just done a little update. I wanted to point out that each time i deploy a new patch, all data is lost. So, if you've been working on a town, you'll have to create another account. Thanks for your patience.
Scott.
3rd April 2023
We have launched t-shirts featuring the Oily Beard logo. You can find more information on the 'Skins' tab.
28th April 2023
Hello everyone, I'm happy to announce that I've made a substantial update to the game. Among the new features are the introduction of town buildings, with ten town slots now available, and the implementation of town warehouse capacity, food production, and villager population. I've also worked on improving the visual format of the game. However, I want to let you know that the database has been reset, which means you will need to create a new account. Additionally, most of the updates have been focused on the blacksmith character town, while the serjeant remains the same for now. I would appreciate your feedback, so feel free to send any comments or suggestions to me via email at [email protected] Thank you!
12th June 2023
Dear Players,
I'm excited to share some exciting updates with you regarding the progress of our game. The town buildings have received a major upgrade thanks to the power of AI. I've generated new images for the buildings, giving them a fresh and improved look. You can now explore these updated buildings both on our "Learn More" page and within the game itself.
In addition to the visual enhancements, I've dedicated time to refine the entire front-end HTML structure. Now, all pages seamlessly adapt to the size of your window, ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience. No matter the device or screen size, our game will look great and be accessible for everyone.
Behind the scenes, I've been diligently working on the codebase and the database. Although you won't notice significant changes in gameplay just yet, these improvements lay the foundation for future enhancements. The gameplay remains unchanged for now, but rest assured, exciting updates are on the horizon.
Please note that due to the recent changes, you'll need to create a new account if you wish to experience the full game loop. We've made this decision to ensure compatibility with the latest features and improvements. We appreciate your understanding and support during this transition.
Lastly, I want to highlight the Blacksmith Character. It's resource game loop is now complete, offering a unique and engaging experience. Be sure to check out the Blacksmith and enjoy the captivating gameplay it provides.
Thank you for being a part of our community and for your continued enthusiasm for our game. Stay tuned for more updates and new features in the near future.
Best regards,
Scott
27th June 2023
Dear Players,
I wanted to take a moment to update you on the progress of our game development, particularly regarding the AI-generated buildings for the blacksmith town. Over the past few weeks, I've dedicated countless hours to this aspect of the game, and I'm pleased to announce that all but two buildings have been completed.
A significant portion of my time has been spent meticulously refining the images, ensuring they are polished, aligned, and appropriately resized relative to each other. This attention to detail aims to create a visually cohesive and immersive experience within the game.
While I haven't focused as much on writing new code during this period, my decision to prioritize building the town's infrastructure before diving into game mechanics has been intentional. By doing so, I aim to clear the path for future development without any hindrances. I've been dedicating approximately 40-50 hours per week since our last update, and I'm pleased with the steady progress I've made.
During this process, I've found the image editor named GIMP to be an incredibly powerful and useful tool. It has aided me in achieving the desired results and has been instrumental in bringing the buildings to life.
I'm excited to share that I have nearly included all 24 town building slots for players to construct. Additionally, I've updated the background for the iron mine and gold mine areas, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game. There is still a substantial amount of work to be done, but I'm committed to meeting the deadline I've set for myself, aiming to have the game complete in November.
While I can't guarantee that I will meet this deadline precisely, I want to assure you that progress is being made steadily. At times, it may feel like a long and challenging journey, but when I take a step back and observe how much has already been accomplished, it's truly remarkable.
This realization has inspired me to deploy this patch and share my progress with all of you. Your support and encouragement mean a great deal, and I want to express my gratitude. Together, we will bring this game to life.
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. I will keep you updated on further developments as we move forward.
Best regards,
Scott
10th July 2023
Dear Players,
I wanted to address the issue of slow image loading in our game. I have acknowledged this problem and am actively investigating it to find a solution. Additionally, I have made significant progress on the code base.
Firstly, I have introduced demolish buttons, allowing you to easily remove unwanted structures. Secondly, I have resolved several errors related to the villager mechanics, ensuring smoother gameplay.
Exciting news! I have completed work on all the town slots, meaning that they are now fully accessible for your enjoyment. Furthermore, I have expanded the code base to include parameters for important structures such as a single well, brotherhood lodge, guard tower, and toolmakers guild.
Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to improve and expand the game. Stay tuned for more updates!
Best regards,
Scott
6th September 2023
Dear Players,
I'm excited to share some recent progress on our game. We've been hard at work improving the production of tier 1 and 2 items. When you construct a production building in the Blacksmith Town, you'll notice that we've made significant advancements in producing items like horses, trade carts, lances, bows, gold coins, iron bars, and more.
The great news is that we've retained all user data, so you can effortlessly log in with your existing credentials. Please note that all town development has been reset, but we believe it's a fresh start for exciting new adventures.
One of our main focuses has been optimizing page load times. We encountered challenges with loading large image file sizes, but we've tackled this by compressing many images and changing the rendering file extension to a more modern format. This change allows us to deliver images in different sizes based on your viewport width, resulting in significantly faster page loading times. We're eager to hear your feedback on this improvement.
Behind the scenes, we've put in a ton of effort designing new database fields, adding visuals, and fine-tuning batch times for item production. If you decide to construct a Weapon Smithy, you'll also notice that we've included item production costs, adding more depth to the game.
We're thrilled with how things are shaping up and couldn't wait to share these updates with you. Please don't hesitate to reach out and let us know how your experience is going.
Thank you for being part of our gaming community.
Best regards,
Scott
16th September 2023
Dear Players,
I am thrilled to share a major milestone in our game development journey. Over the past three to four weeks, I've dedicated around 120 hours per week to enhance your gaming experience.
Here are some of the key achievements:
Item Game Loop for the Blacksmith Character: We've successfully implemented the item game loop for our talented blacksmith. Now, you'll have the ability to craft a wide array of items, unlocking a world of possibilities.
Revamped Research Mechanism: Delve into the depths of weapon research, as we've overhauled the entire system. Now, you can explore and unlock an impressive arsenal of weapons.
Fresh Artwork Galore: Our artists have been hard at work, creating a trove of stunning visuals. From items to troops and military units, expect a visual feast!
Warehouses with Capacity Management: Your town's warehouses now come with a robust capacity management system. This addition promises to add a strategic layer to your gameplay.
Attention to Detail: We've paid meticulous attention to the finer points, ensuring a smoother, more immersive gaming experience.
I'm genuinely excited about these developments and can't wait for you to dive in. Your feedback has been invaluable throughout this process, and I'm confident these changes will take your gaming adventure to new heights.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Your enthusiasm and support keep us motivated.
Wishing you many epic adventures ahead!
Yours sincerely,
Scott
1st October 2023
Dear Players,17th October 2023
Greetings, noble players,14th December 2023
Dear players,
I've uploaded a new patch. This helps me fix bugs as active players find them. I've completed the Trade system, commenced work on the Troop attack, defend, looting, movement; player profile customisation, and end game mechanics such as Letters, Words, Cathedrals. I've also updated the town Keep and done some work on Explorers.
2nd January 2024
Dear players,
I'm excited to share that several updates have been implemented recently. One significant enhancement is the functionality of cathedral letters – as you elevate the level(s) of your cathedral, your bishop will now actively seek out letters. This adds a new dimension to your strategic gameplay.
In addition to this, approximately 15 minor bugs have been identified and fixed to improve your overall gaming experience. It's all about creating a smoother and more enjoyable environment for everyone.
On another note, I'm delighted to welcome a friend from the Netherlands who has joined me in this endeavor. Currently, he's working diligently on enhancing the in-game mail system, which will soon be a seamless and immersive feature.
Moreover, a considerable amount of effort has been invested in developing new skins. If you navigate to the "Skins" tab in the top menu, you can get a sneak peek at some of the skins that will be available in the future. I'm truly excited about the creative possibilities these new skins will bring to the game.
To be honest, I've been so engrossed in these updates that I've lost track of all the specific changes – a testament to the intensity of the development process. It's safe to say that the game has evolved in various ways.
As always, I appreciate your continued support and patience. Your feedback is invaluable, and I'm committed to making this game the best it can be.
I must admit, I'm quite tired after all this work, but the passion for the game keeps me going. God bless you all for being a part of this journey.
Best regards,
Scott
15th January 2024
Dear players,
I've managed to troubleshoot the network errors we were having with multiple players online and the overview reading other players numbers.
Best regards,
Scott
27th January 2024
I've made significant progress on the game and almost completed the login functionality. The remaining task is to establish a mail server for oilybeard.com, allowing the sending of emails from @oilybeard.com addresses. Currently, the authentication emails are configured to come from my [email protected].
Password reset emails are also in place, and I've implemented some security measures.
I dedicated the past four days, almost continuously, to installing PayPal for purchasing Mongrel Points and acquiring skins for various aspects such as towns, maps, and profiles.
Approximately 20 skins are fully completed. While all the skins are ready, I just need to make slight modifications and place them on a transparent background for the keep and great hall in town buildings.
I believe that covers everything. Additionally, I resolved the trade bug where logging in resulted in no resources, fixed the rank button error, and addressed a few other issues that I can't recall in detail.
I want to add something. I was chatting with a guy I know the other day and he had an idea about introducing new game mechanics I could implement after the game is complete. It appears I actually will complete this game, hopefully close to April, and I feel hopeful I could introduce some new stuff as well.
I would like to introduce a much deeper technology tree - Warhorses, Leather, Armor, Damascus Steel, Steel Shields, Hardened Steel Lances, Elite Knights, Mechanical Systems for Upgrading to Advanced Seige Engines, Elite Swordsmen and Slingers and Elite Crossbowmen.
I don't think it would be that difficult, as I have written all this base code myself and it's just a matter of deepening what I already have. It's just a thought, and I wouldn't commence work until Oilybeard is live.
The guy who wrote Stardew Valley has continued to update and extend his game since he released it in 2016, and it kind of made it his own, as he initially adopted another game he loved and is introducing gameplay elements he likes.
I loved the game I adopted to write Oilybeard, and I am personally passionate about it, and theres some other things I have ideas for as well.
I haven't deployed this patch as yet. I want to complete the work on the PayPal functionality first. Today is my day of rest. :)
God bless, Scott
Mongrel Game Studios
30th January 2024
I've introduced PayPal functionality. You can now purchase Mongrel Points (MP). But there's no function to obtain skins yet, although twenty skins are showcased on the skins tab.
I've also completed work on Account Login email verification, password reset etc. From now on, if you purchase Mongrel Points you won't lose them. I won't delete any user accounts, although i will delete the rest of the database on occasion.
I've also done a number of bug fixes.
God bless, Scott
Mongrel Game Studios
10th February 2024
I've completed the skins. I still need to implement character profile customisation, so you won't have access to the avatar from skins yet.
I got hacked in five seconds when I let my guard down. lol
I've also done a number of bug fixes. The game may not be ready till June or July this year as I still have to do the entire war mechanics. It took a lot longer for me to get the groundwork done, but work is progressing really well, and I'm onto the rest of the profile customisation, then brotherhoods, then war, then a few things to tidy up like tool makers guild, seals guild and morale, and I think the game is complete!
God bless, Scott
Mongrel Game Studios
5th March 2024
I've completed the character profile customisation and applied it to the rank table. All avatars and skins are available.
I copied all Cathedral Code to the Serjeant Character. Letters will be found according to the cathedral level(s).
I've introduced Quick Locations. You can now save a friends town location for easy access from the map and trade interface. You can also add buddys to your friends list. You can also customise your avatar and town main building, Keep or Great Hall.
I've also done a number of bug fixes.
God bless, Scott
Mongrel Game Studios
19th April 2024
I've done a lot of work on Creating Words from Letters. All the core mechanics are in place for this, which is how you win the game. If your brotherhood creates all 15 Words, you win.
Brotherhoods are complete, except for the brotherhood profile page. But you can create a brotherhood, invite other players to it, theres a forum inside where you can discuss anything with other members, and its feature complete.
I've done a lot of bug fixing, introduced skins for the brotherhood avatar, and a couple new skins for the character avatar.
God bless, Scott
Mongrel Game Studios
20th May 2024
I've pretty much finished all the Warfare, Battle Reports etc. You can now attack each other at will, and destroy each others towns, buildings, enemy troops, steal Words and Letters, Resources, Products, defend your friends, attack your enemies.
God bless, Scott
Mongrel Game Studios
