Developer Log: Alpha 0.3

Official Website:

Wasteland OL Closed Beta Server Alpha 0.3 Update Announcement.

Major Updates:

1. The number of closed beta players has increased to 50.

2. A brand-new economic system.

3. A brand-new honor system.

Optimizations:

1. Added several mutant models.

2. More tradable resources.

3. Fixed a small number of bugs.

After posting the announcement, Chu Guang did not rest. He continued by pinning a post he had prepared in advance on the official forum.

For such a major update affecting every player's interests, he naturally had to have a proper chat with the players in his capacity as the game designer.

"Developer Log: Alpha 0.3"

"Hello, everyone. I'm your most beloved game designer. Thanks to our round-the-clock overtime and the closed beta players who clocked in on time every day, Wasteland OL's development has taken another huge step forward!"

"Not to brag, but this Alpha 0.3 update will be the most significant update since the closed beta began!"

"Some of you have always complained that the contribution point settlement process was too troublesome. You had to log out to check it, couldn't experience the joy of counting money in-game, and were always worried that the NPCs might dock your wages... Actually, that concern is completely unnecessary. In the setting, Vault 404's administrator, who also serves as the newbie guide, is absolutely just and would never shortchange you by even a cent. I can guarantee that with my character!"

"Still, while there was no issue of wages being docked, the overly cumbersome contribution point settlement process did indeed exist. After receiving your feedback, our design department held meetings for three days and three nights straight, ultimately reaching one conclusion—gameplay should not be sacrificed for realism."

"Therefore, we've decided to create an entirely new currency to replace contribution points as the primary reward players receive from quests!"

"This currency is extremely convenient. Its main denominations are 1 and 10, made in brass and silver-white metal, and it can be used to purchase food, equipment, as well as other paid services and goods."

"That's right. After this update, food will no longer be provided for free. Players will need to spend in-game copper or silver coins to buy it. At the same time, players will also receive money as quest rewards... Doesn't that sound fun? The gameplay has instantly become much richer!"

"On the other hand, after the Alpha 0.3 update, the Vault will allow its residents to own private property! Any junk or equipment players pick up in the wasteland will belong to them. It can be traded with other players or sold to the Vault in exchange for rewards."

"To support this, we have specially launched an additional storage system, located in the buffer room at the Vault's entrance and exit!"

"There's a row of password-protected lockers there. You should have noticed them before, and they are now open for use. Whether it's money or weapons, you can store it there—except for dangerous items prohibited from entering the Vault!"

"What? You're asking whether it's free? Of course it isn't! But don't worry, the rent is cheap. Everyone can afford it!"

"Also, players holding large amounts of contribution points need not be discouraged! Although contribution points will no longer be used as currency, the NPCs have seen all of your contributions to the Vault and even to civilization as a whole."

"After deliberation by our design department, we've decided to incorporate contribution points into a brand-new 'Honor' system!"

"This system is independent of the economic system and mainly concerns the 'privileges' players enjoy within the Vault... Put simply, it can be used to exchange for identities and titles!"

"All players begin with the default identity of Vault Resident. By spending 2,000 contribution points, residents can upgrade to citizens."

"In Vault 404, residents only enjoy basic human rights. Only citizens can own private land."

"At present, only the 'Citizen' identity is available for exchange. The lowest-level citizen identity only allows the purchase of five square meters of private land, and this number will continue to increase as one's identity rises."

"More identities and titles will gradually be released in future updates according to testing progress."

"At the same time, systems currently under development—such as mercenaries, caravans, guilds, and legions—will also have certain requirements for identity and contribution points."

"After Alpha 0.3, daily quests will primarily reward money. Only actions that contribute to the overall interests of the outpost will earn contribution point rewards, including but not limited to holding public positions, resolving unexpected incidents, and making great creations and inventions."

"Please make sure you remember all of this!"

After the post went up, it did not immediately cause much of a stir.

But that was within Chu Guang's expectations.

It was three in the afternoon on the wasteland side, but the middle of the night in reality. It was an ungodly hour for netizens who had not received reservation slots, and too early for players currently in-game.

Once they logged out, they would naturally see it.

Chu Guang stretched, preparing to shut down the computer, when he suddenly noticed that the post had received a reply.

Ya Ya: What's going on? It already updated!? I-I-I-I missed the entire 0.2 version?! QAQ

Chu Guang was stunned when he saw the reply.

This girl had really kept her word—no helmet, no sleep.

But there was nothing he could do.

If possible, Chu Guang wanted the players' resurrection cooldowns to be shorter more than anyone else, but unfortunately, it always took some time for an embryo to develop into a mature body.

Just hang in there a little longer. She should be able to start work tomorrow.

Not bothering with the unfortunate little player, Chu Guang shut off the computer and got up to head outside the Vault.

Ever since he had bought a batch of tools from Brown Farm last time, the players' work efficiency had indeed improved considerably.

It had only been two days since the third batch of players entered the game, yet the concrete wall around the sanatorium was already nearly finished.

Moreover, Chu Guang noticed that some of the players, led by "Spare Me," were digging foundations in the open space before the sanatorium, laying yellow mud bricks inside and plastering them with cement.

It looked like they were building a house.

Chu Guang walked over and stopped a player who was carrying bricks.

"What are you doing?"

The player was straightforward enough, grinning as he explained.

"We heard the new NPC is a weapons merchant, so we're building her a weapon shop!"

Holy shit?

Chu Guang was stunned when he heard that.

Were they really that proactive?

He had indeed revealed some information about the NPC to Long Days Ahead, but he had never hinted at anything like building a weapon shop.

That prediction had practically reached the stratosphere!

Without showing anything on his face, Chu Guang looked toward the foundation beside it and continued asking.

"What about that one?"

The player answered with a grin.

"That? It's probably going to be a bathhouse!"

"Didn't we used to wash by the lake? But later, we realized it wasn't very safe to keep doing that. Especially yesterday, when Old White had just gotten into the water and nearly had his little worm bitten off by a catfish. So after discussing it, we decided to build a public bathhouse."

Pfft.

No, he couldn't laugh.

Chu Guang held it in, nodding with a stiff expression.

"Ahem, keep up the good work."

"Paying attention to hygiene is a good thing..."

The player chuckled.

"Alright! Then I'll get back to work."

"Go on."

Evening came quickly.

Brother Scrambled Eggs set up an iron pot in the open space. First, he tossed in a chunk of hyena fat to render oil, then threw in sliced venison and some vegetable leaves picked up from who knew where, stir-frying them over high heat and seasoning them with salt.

Tonight's menu was stir-fried bracken with venison, served with lightly boiled green wheat porridge.

Thanks to the reindeer the Administrator had brought back, the players could finally improve their meals.

"Where did that iron pot come from?" Seeing Brother Scrambled Eggs holding cookware he had never seen before, Chu Guang grew curious and looked at Old White, who was closest to him.

"That? Long Days Ahead and I made it." Facing the Administrator's question, Old White grinned.

"You made it?" Chu Guang gave him a surprised look, then asked, "Your blast furnace... is working now?"

"It's working already! The steel we produce is only average quality, but it's good enough for making some tools."

Old White smiled proudly and continued.

"I was just about to report it to you, but I couldn't find where you were. Hehe."

He had not expected these players to master even the technique of crude steelmaking.

The quality of steel produced this way might not be ideal, but wasn't every technology refined step by step?

Now they had iron.

Never mind combat power—at the very least, their productivity could rise another level!

Chu Guang was filled with emotion, his face full of admiration.

"You've done very well. I'll report your contributions to the organization."

"You and Long Days Ahead will receive a reward of 1,000 Contribution Points... in recognition of solving the outpost's steel needs."

Old White was overjoyed and quickly said.

"It is my honor to help ease your burdens!"

Chu Guang shook his head.

"You're too polite."

These players were all such talented people, and they spoke so pleasantly too. Being an Administrator was almost too easy.

He remembered that back on Bette Street, Chu Guang had heard Old Charlie from the general store say that most shelter Administrators did not meet a good end.

Shelter residents were far more troublesome than wasteland survivors. Even when they were well fed and clothed, they would still ignore the harsh reality and make all sorts of impractical demands.

Very few raiders could breach a shelter's walls head-on. Those tickle-like weapons were not even worthy of leaving the slightest scratch on a shelter's gates. Most shelters abandoned for non-natural reasons had collapsed from internal conflicts and disagreements.

When Chu Guang had heard those words from Old Charlie, he had always felt there was a trace of melancholy in his tone.

It felt as though he had lived through it himself.

When Chu Guang had first taken over administrative authority for Vault 404, he had been somewhat uneasy, worried he might not do the job well. That was why he had always left himself a way out on Bette Street, bribing Little Fish to watch over the house for him.

But now, he no longer thought that way.

Something like this might happen in any other vault, but it would never happen here.

He walked over to the stove where the food was being cooked.

Holding a bowl, Chu Guang looked at Brother Scrambled Eggs, who had just finished stir-frying a wok of food, and said, "Serve me a bowl too."

Brother Scrambled Eggs looked startled.

As far as he remembered, this NPC had never eaten with them before. He had even suspected that, according to this character's settings, the man did not need to eat at all.

Had the AI been upgraded?

"I'll do it!"

Teng Teng, who had been waiting beside the stove, eagerly took the bowl, filled it to the brim with green wheat porridge, and handed it to the Administrator.

"Careful, it's hot."

"Mm."

Chu Guang nodded his thanks, then had Brother Scrambled Eggs ladle him a spoonful of stir-fried venison, which he poured directly over the thick green wheat porridge before turning toward the vault elevator.