With Alone released two weeks ago, it's time to look to the future, and see what's coming next. [h1]Summary[/h1] The next milestone is called [b]Ironwood[/b] and is planned to include the following main changes: [list] [*]Materials (hardwood, iron &c) will be unlocked by performing a special "mission" [*]A mystical forest map defended by elves and dryads [*]An abandoned mine infested with giant spiders [*]Changes to enemies including better AI, ranged and AoE enemies [*]Introduction of an upgrade system for the ship [/list] Bear in mind that everything here is subject to change, depending on what works, what doesn't, feedback received and that sort of thing. [h1]Details and Motivation[/h1] [h2]Materials Unlocking[/h2] Unlocking different materials is a very important part of the game since using more primitive materials limits your effectiveness in resource collection and combat. Currently you unlock a material by successfully claiming a specific island. The issue is that it's a similar process and fight to any other island you'd be attempting to claim, and so it lacks a clear sense of importance. In this new milestone, this process will change. Metals will be unlocked by claiming and clearing an abandoned mine, and wood will be unlocked by taking a cutting off a World Tree in a new set of enchanted forest maps. The enchanted forests are procedurally generated maps and are swarming with elves and dryads who will stop at nothing to prevent you reaching the World Tree and taking a sapling. If you succeed in this mission, then the appropriate trees will grow naturally in your start island, giving you access to the special wood. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/42309538/1c1c481d253ed6c51f8104aeda5255f39d06944a.png[/img] To aid you in your quest, there are a number of enchanted wells which will refresh your health - of course they're well defended. The abandoned mine is still a work in progress and more information will be given in time. [h2]Enemy Changes[/h2] Aside from some specific boss enemies, most combat can easily be resolved by approaching the nearest enemy and hitting them until they stop moving. This is going to change. Firstly, with the introduction of ranged enemies - such as the bowelf [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/42309538/7c253adb3a6cb2a2bd705e2cc401a02994eda1ac.png[/img] As well as the addition of some "support" enemies which can make your life harder. The dryad for instance can cast an area of effect spell which will prevent you from moving - making you easy prey for her allies. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/42309538/9375d1d7610e655bf823e645a6ce1ad371a7adc3.png[/img] The goblins and undead will also receive their own interesting units to make combat just a little bit trickier. Of course, a lone bowelf is not much of a threat, which is why certain enemies can group up into squads - so they can support each other and require a bit more thought into how battle is approached. [h2]Upgrade System[/h2] The ability to Upgrade buildings is something that has been planned for a while now, and will be worked on fully in another milestone. However, as a first step, this milestone will include the ability to upgrade the ship to make travel times shorter, more comfortable, and perhaps even to make certain islands reachable. [h1]In Conclusion[/h1] I hope this has given a good overview of what to expect soon. There's no release date as of yet, since there's quite a bit of work to be done, but I will be giving frequent updates of features as they're implemented. Feedback is always welcome. As always, if you want to keep track of weekly progress, you can follow the dev diaries here: https://devdiaries.alone.epicllama.games/