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[josh_s]

A couple of new levels, focusing on the transporter mechanic.

[josh_s]

Today I released Tricone Lab v0.13-alpha, which is mostly a content update:

• Number of standard levels increased from 71 to 92
• See all the levels here: http://www.triconelab.com/index.php/screenshots/
• Total number of maps is now 21
• Maps have been rearranged quite a lot so I decided to reset all the playing stats

I think the next 2 things I will concentrate on will be (a) tidying up the editor and puzzle sharing features and (b) packaging the game for a Steam early access release.

As always, if you are reading this and Tricone Lab seems interesting to you please contact me and I will send a key to unlock the full version.

[nightvisioncarpetbomb]

I love how this is unlike anything else!

[josh_s]

I love how this is unlike anything else!

Thanks, a few people have mentioned that. It's both a blessing and a curse!

[josh_s]

I've been working on the cell border drawing code, trying to remove various artifacts and make it look generally smoother. I had to change the whole approach in order to achieve this, but I'm happy with the results. Here are before and after screenshots.

Before:



After:

[josh_s]

I've just finished a major overhaul of how keys (formerly "Progress Keys") work.

Keys are mini-achievements that the player is rewarded with, by completing certain combinations of levels on certain maps. A key appears on a map like this:



There are now just 8 keys in the game, each key relates to a particular area of the game mechanics. The key's symbol and name relates to the mechanic. You earn the key when you've learned, to a certain minimum level, how the mechanic works.



Each map (standard or custom) requires certain keys before it is unlocked. This is shown clearly when you download the map from Tricone Lab Online or load the map to play it:



For custom (user-authored) maps, the required key set is calculated automatically by the server based on what elements are in each map. So if a custom map author uploads a map containing levels which use the Constructor mechanic for example, then this custom map will require the Constructor key, which means it will unlock only for players who've learned the basics of how Constructors work.

[josh_s]

New level, probably quite a hard one.

[josh_s]

4 new levels I made during the holidays, which use the exploder mechanic:

[josh_s]

.... and another 4 levels I made, which use the constructor mechanic:

[josh_s]

I've reached 100 levels!

http://www.triconelab.com/index.php/screenshots/

Now working on Steam integration.

[josh_s]

triconelab v0.14-alpha is done. From now on all builds will be on Steam, and I have taken down the direct downloads from the triconelab website.

Currently my Steam integration is Windows only, but I will be adding a Mac Steam version soon, and possibly a Linux Steam version if there is demand. If you would like a Steam key for testing please contact me.

v0.14-alpha changelog:

• Major rewriting of line drawing, now much smoother
• Some tweaks to existing levels
• 8 new levels on 2 new maps, including some quite hard ones
• Keys system simplified, clarified and reorganized.
• When loading / downloading a map, the required keys are clear
• Company branding at the start
• Steam integration: download and launch from Steam
• Steam integration: auto-cloud saving of progress and custom maps (whether you downloaded them or created them in the editor)
• Steam integration: Gaining a tricone lab key gains the corresponding achievement in Steam.

[josh_s]

The v0.14 test build, as seen in my Steam library:

[oyog]

Super cool! Following on Greenlight so I can buy it when it's released! 

[josh_s]

If anyone would like to do some beta testing, pm me your steam ID.

cheers,

josh

[josh_s]

Updated trailer.

I'll be using this on the steam store page:

[josh_s]

Death by beta have done an in-depth write up of the game:

http://www.deathbybeta.com/2015/09/22/tricone-lab-alpha-hands-on/

I'll be distributing some Steam beta keys via DBB in a couple of weeks.

[josh_s]

In other news, I have completed the Steam integration for Tricone Lab on Mac. What a pain in the neck that was! But anyway, if you run Mac OSX and you would like a Steam key for testing, please do contact me!

[josh_s]

Tricone Lab has now moved to Beta status!

version 0.15-beta:

Changelog

• A couple of new, larger screen resolutions. Default changed to 1366 x 768, based on Steam stats
• More fine grained settings available for update rate. Default changed to 50 fps
• Steam Mac support
• Other fixes and tweaks for Mac
• Fixed some graphical artifacts when border lines are selected
• Changed Breakers map so that BreakSlice has to be solved before BreakLock

[josh_s]

As well as previewing tricone lab, DeathByBeta have kindly agreed to distribute 50 Steam beta test keys, for Windows and Mac OSX.

They will be available from around 11am PDT (== 7pm UK time) on Monday 5th October.

Grab one!

[josh_s]

For a bit of extra publicity, I've created a Tricone Lab kickstarter page.

Go have a look!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1272098334/tricone-lab-a-unique-lateral-thinking-puzzle-video