Official Site:
[Wasteland OL Closed Beta Server alpha0.3 Version Update Announcement.]
[Major Updates:
1. The number of closed beta players increased to 50.
2. A brand new economic system.
3. A brand new honor system.
]
[Optimization:
1. Added several new Variant models.
2. A richer variety of tradable resources.
3. Fixed a small number of bugs.
...
]
After the announcement was released, Chu Guang didn't idle; he continued by pinning the post he had edited in advance on the official Forum.
Such major updates that affected the interests of all players definitely required a good chat with them in his capacity as a developer.
"Developer's Diary: alpha0.3 Version"
"Hello everyone, I am your most beloved planner. Thanks to our all-nighters and the beta players who punch in every day on time, the development progress of Wasteland OL has taken another big step!"
"It's not like I should boast, but this alpha0.3 version update will be the most significant one since the game's closed beta was launched!"
"Some buddies have been complaining that the process for settling Contribution Points is too complicated, requiring logging off to check and failing to enjoy the pleasure of counting Money in-game. They're also always worried about NPCs skimming off their wages... actually, this concern is completely unnecessary. The manager of Shelter No. 404, who also serves as the Novice Instructor, is absolutely just in setting; they wouldn't shortchange anyone by a penny, and I can guarantee that with my reputation!"
"However, although there is no issue of wage skimming, it's true that the contribution point settlement process is too cumbersome. After receiving feedback, our planning department held meetings day and night for three days, reaching a conclusion—gameplay shouldn't be sacrificed for the sake of realism."
"Therefore, we decided to design a set of brand new Money to replace the existing Contribution Points as the main reward players receive from tasks!"
"This Money is very convenient, mainly in denominations of 1 and 10, consisting of brass and silvery-white colors, and can be used to purchase Food, equipment, and other paid services and Commodities."
"Yes, after this update, Food will no longer be freely supplied; instead, players need to spend the in-game Copper or Silver coins to buy them. At the same time, players will also earn Money as a reward from tasks... doesn't that sound interesting? Gameplay has become richer instantly!"
"On the other hand, after the Alpha0.3 update, the shelter will allow its Residents to own private property! The junk or equipment players pick up from the Wasteland will belong to themselves and can be traded with other players or sold to the shelter for rewards."
"For this purpose, we've specially introduced an additional storage system, located in the buffer room at the entrance and exit of the shelter!"
"There's a row of lockers with customizable passwords that you've probably already noticed. Now they've been made available for use, where you can store Money or weapons, except for the dangerous goods banned from the shelter!"
"What? Are you asking if it's free of charge? Of course, it's not! But please don't worry; the rent is very cheap; everyone can afford it!"
"Additionally, players holding a large amount of Contribution Points needn't be disheartened! Although Contribution Points are no longer used as Money, all NPCs see your contributions to the shelter and the entire civilization."
"After research by our planning department, we've decided to integrate Contribution Points into the brand-new 'Honor' system!"
"This system is independent of the Economic System and mainly relates to the 'privileges' players enjoy within the shelter... to put it simply, it can be exchanged for status and titles!"
"All players' initial status by default is 'Residents of the refuge,' and spending 2000 Contribution Points can upgrade from Resident to Citizen."
"At Shelter No. 404, Residents only have basic human rights; only Citizens can own private Land."
"Currently, only the 'Citizen' status is open for exchange. The initial Citizen status supports the purchase of only 5 square meters of private Land. However, this number will continue to grow with the advancement of status."
"More statuses and titles will be released in future updates according to the progress of the test."
"Meanwhile, systems like Mercenary, Commercial Team, Guild, and Army still in design, also have certain requirements for status and Contribution Points."
"After the Alpha0.3 version, the rewards for daily tasks will mainly be Money, and only actions that contribute to the overall interest of the Outpost can reward Contribution Points. This includes, but is not limited to, holding public positions, resolving emergencies, great creations and inventions, etc."
"Please remember this!"
After the post was published, there wasn't a big stir immediately.
But this was within Chu Guang's expectation.
It was 3 p.m. in the Wasteland, and in the real world, it was the wee hours of the morning; too hellish for the net friends who had not obtained the reservation privilege and too early for the players in the Game.
They'd naturally see it when they logged off.
Stretching lazily, Chu Guang was about to shut down the Computer when he suddenly noticed that the post had received a new reply.
[Crow: What's going on, this just got updated!? Did I, I, I miss the whole 0.2 version?! QAQ]
Seeing this post, Chu Guang was shocked.
This guy really did what he said he'd do, not sleeping without a helmet.
But there was nothing he could do.
If he could, Chu Guang wished more than anyone that the players' respawn cooldown could be shorter, but unfortunately, developing from an embryo into a mature individual always takes some time.
Just hold on a little longer, you should be able to get back to Work by tomorrow.
Ignoring the unlucky player, Chu Guang shut down the Computer and stood up to go outside the shelter.
Ever since he bought a batch of tools from Brown's farm last time, the players' Work efficiency had indeed increased a lot compared to before.
It had only been two days since the third batch of players entered the Game, and the concrete Enclosing Wall surrounding the sanatorium was almost finished.
Not only that, Chu Guang noticed a group of players under the leadership of "Spare people under the knife" digging a foundation in the Open Space in front of the sanatorium, laying yellow mud bricks inside, and applying cement.
It looked like they were building a house.
Chu Guang approached and pulled aside a player who was moving bricks to ask,
"What are you guys doing?"
That player was straightforward and explained with a chuckle,
"We heard that the new NPC is a Weapon Merchant, so we're building her a weapon store!"
Holy shit?
Hearing this, Chu Guang was startled.
Was it so self-aware?
Although he did indeed share information about NPCs with Fang Chang, he had never hinted at anything like fixing a weapon shop.
The level of prediction was out of this world!
Keeping his face expressionless, Chu Guang continued to look at the foundations beside him and asked,
"And what about the other one?"
The player replied with a smile,
"That? It should be a public bathhouse!"
"Remember how we always went to the lakeside to clean up? But then we realized it wasn't too safe to keep doing that. Especially since yesterday, when Old White nearly got his little worm bitten off by a catfish as soon as he hit the water. So we discussed it and decided to build a public bathhouse."
Pfft.
No, he couldn't laugh.
Chu Guang held it in, nodding with a stiff expression.
"Ahem, keep up the good work."
"Hygiene is important..."
The player laughed,
"Alright! Then I'll go get busy."
"Go ahead."
The evening came quickly.
Brother Scrambled Eggs set up an iron pot in the open space, first throwing in a piece of hyena fat to render the oil, then tossing in the pre-cut deer meat and some foraged greens into the pot for a vigorous stir-fry, seasoning them with salt.
Tonight's menu was ferns stir-fried with deer meat, accompanied by a side of plain boiled green wheat porridge.
Thanks to the reindeer obtained by the Manager, players were finally able to improve their meals.
"Where did that iron pot come from?" Seeing Brother Scrambled Eggs holding kitchen utensils he hadn't seen before, Chu Guang's curiosity was piqued, so he turned to Old White, who was closest to him.
"That thing? Fang Chang and I made it," said Old White with a chuckle in response to the Manager's question.
"You made it?" Chu Guang looked at him in surprise and continued to ask, "Is that blast furnace of yours... operational now?"
"It's working! Although the steel it produces is of only average quality, it's perfectly fine for making some tools."
Old White said with pride, then continued,
"I was just thinking of reporting it to you, but I couldn't find where you were, heh."
Chu Guang hadn't anticipated that these players had mastered even the primitive method of smelting steel.
Though the quality of steel produced by this method might not be top-notch, doesn't all technology mature step by step?
With steel.
If not combat power, at least their productivity could ascend another level!
Chu Guang reflected on this, his face showing admiration.
"You've done very well. I will report your achievements to the organization."
"You and Fang Chang will earn a reward of 1000 Contribution Points... as recognition for addressing the Outpost's need for steel."
Old White was overjoyed, quickly saying,
"It's my honor to alleviate your burdens!"
Chu Guang shook his head.
"No need for that."
These players were all talented, and they knew how to speak pleasantly. His role as the Manager seemed too easy.
He remembered when he was on Bet Street, Chu Guang had heard from Old Charlie at the general store that most Managers of the refuges didn't end up well.
The residents of the refuge were far more difficult to please than the survivors of the Wasteland. Even well-fed and clothed, they would still disregard the dire situation and make unrealistic demands.
Very few Looters could penetrate the refuge's Copper Wall and Iron Wall outright; their weapons mere tickles against the refuge's gates, leaving barely a scratch. Most refuges that fell into disuse for non-natural reasons did so due to internal conflicts and disagreements leading to their collapse.
When he first heard these words from Old Charlie, Chu Guang always felt a hint of melancholy in his tone,
As if it was a part of his own experience.
When he first took over the management rights for Shelter No. 404, Chu Guang was also somewhat apprehensive, worried that he wouldn't handle the job well. That's why he always kept an escape route for himself back on Bet Street, bribing Little Fish to watch his house.
But now, he no longer thought that way.
Similar events might happen in any refuge, but they definitely wouldn't happen here.
Walking up to the stove where the meal was being prepared.
Chu Guang took a bowl and said to Brother Scrambled Eggs, who had just finished cooking a pot of food,
"Serve me a bowl too."
Brother Scrambled Eggs was surprised.
In his memory, this NPC had never dined with them before. He even suspected that the lord had a setting where he did not need to eat.
Could the artificial intelligence have upgraded?
"Me!"
Teng Teng, who was waiting by the stove, quickly took the bowl, filled it with a generous portion of green wheat porridge, and handed it to the Manager.
"Careful, it's hot."
"Mm."
Chu Guang nodded in thanks, had Brother Scrambled Eggs ladle some stir-fried deer meat on top of his thick porridge, and then turned to head towards the refuge's elevator.