1st Year Anniversary and State of EA

Hello Researchers! It's about a year since Research Story launched into Early Access! 🎉 Initially, I planned to reach 1.0 at around 1 year after the EA release, but the scope of the game grew and it will take a bit longer to get ready. While I work on larger content updates, here's an Anniversary Update (v0.7.11) that has some of the common player-requested QOL features! I hope you enjoy these additions.

v0.7.11 Update Notes

New QOL Features & Content!

• Added random name generator for creatures.
• Added a 'Move' button for Creature Pens.
• Added Shoulder Bag! Buy from the General Store for 8 additional slots in the inventory.
• Added Iron Chests, which can store more items than normal chests. Can be painted.
• Added Item Signs! Sold at the Carpenter Shop. Can be painted.
• Added Paths! Paths can be crafted and placed outdoors. Sold at the Carpenter Shop and Stoneworks.
• Added Wood Path.
• Added Darkwood Path.
• Added Stone Path.
• Added ability to hold RMB to pick up Fences and Paths quickly.
• Added new SFX for footsteps for grass, wood and stone paths.
• Added Darkwood Plank.

Additional row of inventory slots (unlockable).

Decorating with some of the new items!

QOL & Balancing Changes

• Item price and materials required can now be seen in each row of shop items.
• Crafting Stations (Composters, Forges etc.) now drop items near the player instead of towards the bottom of the station.
• Added new Job Board Requests, and adjusted existing requests.
• Job Board Requests now take seasons into account.
• Increased Ruby and Gilded Gem spawn rates in the Lava Mines, especially when you go deeper.
• Increased Emerald and Sky Quartz spawn rates on Floors 55-59;
• Changed some plant and creature spawn boundaries in the Mines.
• Improved UX for Recording Station UI. Scrollbar would no longer refresh every time the Books Menu is returned to.
• Tiny Flower can now be used to make Kelp Fertiliser.
• Tiny Flower can now be used with the Dehydrator to get 1x Fiber.
• Yellow Blue Fur can now be used in the Spinning Wheel.
• Yellow Blue Fur and Glaciroll drops can now be used with the Composter.
• Hard Stone now works as a stone instead of a material in the Magic Forge.

Rhea requesting for Hydranbear in Autumn.

Fixes

• Fixed a bug with fishing where the player reels in nothing even though they clicked while the exclamation mark is showing.
• NPCs who are sleeping will no longer react to the Bell.
• Fixed a repeating dialogue by Sesame.
• Player right clicking on a creature and a placed item will prioritise the creature.
• Fixes for clashes between fishing and opening of chests.
• Fixed being able to open chest and Autofeeder inventories at the same time.
• Fixed being able to open Feed Crafter/Bait Press and Autofeeder inventories at the same time.
• Fixed being able to use drill at the bottom of the Mines (Floor 80).
• Fixed a bug where item prices are not unlocked after shipping.
• Fixed a bug with Sun Lamp + Sprinklers combination that causes some normal sun lamps to work as higher-tier sun lamps.
• Fixed a bug that caused some Gloomberries to stop regrowing.
• Fixed a bug where Lisa's name shows "???" even though player has already met her.
• [CN Localisation] Fixed some translation errors.

Controller Updates

• Fixed being able to talk to nearby NPCs while fishing, which causes a softlock.
• Changed the default option to "No" when returning to the surface of the Mines.
• Fixed reading signs while trying to fish.
• Fixed talking to NPCs while trying to fish.
• While the player is facing the water with fishing rod and bait, fishing is prioritised.
• Improved UX for Shops. Items are automatically selected without having to press 'A' first.
• Improved UX for Recording Station UI. D-pad can now be used for selecting books.

Steam Deck

• Fixed duplicate buttons on the Main Menu (Language and Discord buttons).

Remaining content updates for Early Access

Here are the key content updates I wish to complete before 1.0 is ready:

• Creatures research update (part 2): Rare, 'variant' creatures (called Shimmers) + better creature management

• Heart Events for non-romanceable NPCs

• More content for romanceable NPCs, including Orange & Red Heart Events

• Other life-sim mechanics, such as Cooking

• End-game content: Legendary Research, Marriage + Married Life Events

• Misc: Side Quests, more decor items

To all our players and fans, thank you so much for all your amazing support on our journey! When I first started developing this game, I thought I'd make a small game over the span of a year. I worked on Research Story almost daily, and before I knew it, it's been over 3 years... But I still remain motivated to build it further - both because I enjoy the process, and because of every bit of support that you've showed along the way. We wouldn't be here without you. So really, thank you! 💗

In the meantime, I'll continue to make the game the best that I can. As usual, I'll be here if you have any questions, comments, or feedback! Have a great week! :)

Miki