Project Haven - July Development Update

Code Three Fifty One and posted a development update on Project Haven and will release an updated demo on July 24th for Steam Stealth Fest 2023 (that's today):

July Development Report

New updated demo and a sneak peek at Project Haven's latest development progress.

Hello mercenaries (and stealth enthusiasts)!
We are happy to announce that Project Haven will be featured in the upcoming Steam Stealth Fest 2023 (from July 24th to 31th), and we will be releasing a new updated demo so that you all can enjoy the thrill of stealth gameplay like never before!

Your feedback matters!
But before we get started with the exciting updates, we want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who took part in the previous event and provided us with invaluable feedback. We've been working hard to incorporate your ideas to make the game even more immersive and polished. Your insights have been crucial in shaping the game's direction. So, let's dive into the key points you've raised during the previous event.

The things you loved the most!

Multiple paths:
We are happy to hear that you guys really enjoyed the freedom and flexibility of our level designs. The wide range of options provided by the environment with its multiple paths and different vantage points were a real hit among you. Make sure to play the follow up to the first mission to see for yourself!

Numerous Gameplay Elements:
The options offered by the gameplay mechanics were also well received. Mechanics such as lean, strafe and change stance offered a range of tactical options during combat, empowering you to devise multiple strategies to overcome different challenges.

Stylish Aesthetic:
The overall style and aesthetic of the game seems to have resonated with you. The soundtrack also found a special place in your hearts, and that means a lot to us, but especially our composer.

Story and Setting:
The storyline and rich setting grabbed the attention of several of you, leaving you curious to see what more lays ahead.

Areas We Should Improve.

Clunky Cover System:
Some of you shared concerns about the cover system functionality and responsiveness. A few of you felt that certain areas that should have provided cover weren’t properly identified as such, causing confusion and frustration during combat.

Inaccurate Aiming:
While many of you enjoyed Project Haven’s third’s view aiming mode, some found the reticle occasionally to be imprecise, affecting the overall shooting experience.

Difficulty Aiming Grenades:
Tossing grenades from a third-person view proved to be challenging for several of you. Accurately judging the grenade's trajectory, landing spot, and blast radius seemed to not be an easy task.

User Interface Clarity:
The user interface requires improvement, as some elements were not intuitive or could be more user-friendly.

Awkward Dialogue Lines:
While many of you seem to really love or be neutral about it, some of the dialogue lines and voice acting did not resonate well with others and were perceived as awkward or out of place.

We hear you!
We have been carefully working to address the feedback received, while staying true to the game’s original concept, and we are excited to share the following changes in this next demo that address some of your concerns along with a few new additions:

Enhanced Cover System:
Say goodbye to clunkiness! The cover system was completely redesigned. We've added a new snap-to-cover mechanic, allowing you to easily take cover where you want. We also added a mercenary’s ghost figure when the mouse hovers over a potential cover spot, making it easier to see their current stance and know exactly where they are going to end up facing. Additionally, the shield icons previously projected on walls have now been moved to the floor, improving top-down visibility. We now also display all the nearby potential covers, for more situational awareness.

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Thanks Redglyph!