I'm sure you guys are wondering. There's a lot of changes in the works for it, and we haven't really talked about the changes much, just kind of alluded to 'em. Well, I'm gonna try to explain our plans for the future here.
1: What's the biggest change?
A: Hard to say. The idea is to put less emphasis on materials and more on what we've been calling "intermediary items". These are items you build, and will often be restricted by class. They will not have a use on there own (most of the time), but will be required for higher level tools that you need to make higher level items. Like requiring electronic parts to make a lathe so you can make the barrel for a precision rifle. Just an example, and might not necessarily be what's done.
2: Well, that seems simple. How is that hugely different?
A: Check this out though. It allows us other things. This is big change number 2, finding parts and items while scavenging. You see, food is going to be found differently in the beginning. You will get sealed cans o' beans while scavenging every now and then. That means, to eat, you pretty much have to put yourself out there (until an orange plant, of course). For many high level items, (miners, grubs, turrets, orange plants, ect), you'll have to find an item. Something no one can make. Grub eggs, fusion core, orange seeds, that sort of thing. It will make these things much harder to make (and the grub will require more work to breed, but still be profitable). For lower level items, many parts will, will be required from other classes to make the proper parts for each thing. As it is though, you may find JUST enough parts to make these items without making the intermediary tools, making them significantly cheaper, but the risk of being unable to make more.
3: So classes will be more interdependent?
A: That's the idea. While you might be able to pull off getting other items from the piles, I wouldn't count on it. To consistently make certain items (such as having your own shop), you'll have to think about trading for other items, like barrels or bullet casings, or meats.
4: Wait wait wait, meats?
A: Yes, meats. Hunting is going to change the games food industry significantly. Every now and then, when you kill a creature, a piece of meat will drop. We're able to do this now where we didn't think we could before thanks to the EXP system. Depending on the creature, it may drop more expensive, and more filling meats. Guards may have the best meats (or may drop multiples). Thus, for food, you are REQUIRED to move about. Although a cultivator is required to cook these meats. Even though they have oranges, that will eventually be redone as well. A bit different when it comes to requirements (probably a requirement on chems). Lemme just say, it will be awesome and different.
5: I have other questions!
A: Well, ask 'em here! I'll try to get to 'em and consolidate the questions into the first post! ^^