Welcome Goblins, to another development update! I hope you've all been enjoying August, as it's nearly over (my, how time flies) and as I type that I realise how close we are to the game's Early Access launch! I'm still not going to announce that just yet, but blimey if we aren't beginning to really feel the pressure. We've got an amazing team and every confidence we'll be delivering this game soon, to a really high standard... as you know Early Access launch is just the beginning so we're also planning the update roadmap and that's all really exciting too. Anyway, what choice cuts of development am I going to share this time? Read on! [h3]SHOP EXPANSION GAMEPLAY[/h3] We keep talking about letting you play for as long as you like, even at EA launch. And with that comes a challenge - what will you want to spend all your hard-earned Gold on? Well, we've spent a lot of time figuring that out, and we want to show you a little glimpse that tells a lot. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44616587/db48d4c135033f504abe9352308247e8f059d369.png[/img] [i]This is a mockup, the real button will be Well Nice.[/i] The extra button there is to move into Shop Expansion Mode, where we let you tinkering goblins purchase expansions and cosmetics across all areas of the game. We obviously want you to be able to upgrade your Tools. We think it'd be ace for you to customise your workspace in some meaningful ways. And we also want to let you spend on, for want of a better word, buffs or modifiers that make your days as a Trash Goblin more fun, all while locking into the vibes of the game and the world we're building. We're still discussing and feeling out which ones we want to launch with, but it's safe to say they'll feature in these updates as and when we get them into a shareable state. I want to tease, but not over-promise! [h3]CUSTOMERS AND MORE![/h3] One thing we're completely confident of is the initial cast of characters you'll meet in the Early Access launch version! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44616587/97ae905767c504e2149d04bccfaca195550d9d58.png[/img] [i]Left to Right we've got Geronimus, Redoir, Aimon, Nomia and a new mystery character![/i] No prizes for spotting there's one more who we'll unveil properly at some point soon, but currently we call them "Delver Goblin - Aunty X". The X makes them sound a bit sinister, but trust me when I say that the only person who needs to be nervous around this character is Aimon. I'll say no more! This means the current plan is that Donoval & Jaq won't feature in the launch version, but of course, this is the "minimal" plan and as soon as we know how much time we can devote to more quests, they'll be top of the list to be added back in! We just want all the named characters to have really awesome stories for you to enjoy with them, so until we're confident we're hitting our quality standards, we won't promise anything more. [h3]DIABLO IV LOVES GOBLINS TOO?[/h3] We didn't realise [url=https://news.blizzard.com/en-gb/diablo4/24121369/gilded-grandeur-awaits-march-of-the-goblins-returns]Diablo runs an event[/url] that [strike]celebrates[/strike] makes players be mean towards goblins every year?! Well, we told our little fellow about it and despite our warnings he couldn't resist the opportunity to meet some new customers, and maybe even turn them into friends?! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44616587/e42708210006aa8031e507da8876025e60a0891d.png[/img] [i]Our lil' goblin is just so excited to share his trinkets with other goblins, regardless of the dangers involved![/i] We're not so sure it was totally safe to be there, but I don't think anyone could confuse our Goblin for any other type. Besides, it was a flying visit and we're told nobody got hurt. [h3]SXSW[/h3] Oh boy, I wonder how many of you spotted this in the build version of that screenshot? We've been shouting about it a bit and will be more, but Trash Goblin is going to be at [url=https://www.sxswsydney.com/sxsw-2024/games-showcase]SXSW Sydney[/url]! Sadly the team can't make the trip but we're super excited about people playing our game all the way around the world, so if you're there in Sydney, please do tell us - maybe even take a selfie with the game and share it with us! [h3]FOLLOW TRASH GOBLIN[/h3] If you haven't, please do go and "Follow" Trash Goblin on Steam, it'll help us reach you with even more great goblin content and updates, especially once the game's out! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44616587/87aecb0825c25f565691ef62768e5aed998e3625.png[/img] [i]See that highlighted button? It sits right next to the Wishlist button - which you've already all clicked of course because you're the greatest goblins in the world - and this is what it looks like when you've been lovely and Follow-ed the game too 🥰[/i] [h3]TOODLES FOR NOODLES...[/h3] ...that's daft-and-tired-writer-speak for "bye for now". Yup, that's it for this update, so until next time make sure your favourite goblins don't go near Diablo IV ⚔️