Designing the Sails in Far: Changing Tides

We at Okomotive are proud and look forward to the market launch Wide: Changing tides, the second title in the Far Universe, is available today from day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. To celebrate, we wanted to give you an in-depth look at one of the key features of the new vehicle at its heart Wide: Changing tidessail.

Hoisting the mast of the locomotive to sail through the barren landscape beyond is an iconic experience Far: Lonely Sails. We knew we wanted to build on the feature in Changing tides. One of our goals for Wide: Changing tides was to create a longer journey without making the game feel less dense or compelling compared to its companion game. In order to keep you on your toes, we needed to add more depth and a stronger sense of game domination to the core game by maneuvering the vehicle.

In the case of the sail, that meant two things. First, we separated raising the mast and sailing into two distinct actions. The ship’s mast can be erected by pressing a large button, as you may be familiar with it, with your character Far: Lonely Sails used to throttle the engine. Mast tilt is directly related to knob position, giving you a tactile sense of control over altitude. The idea of ​​grabbing a sail and jumping on deck, slowed by the sail’s drag, is as old as seafaring tales. So we wanted players to experience that in our game too.

Second, understanding and moving the sail in a position to optimally catch the wind is a key skill in sailing. Bring that part of the experience with you Wide: Changing tides was one of our goals. The sail rotation can be changed by moving a lever, turning the sail perpendicular to the wind captures the wind optimally. If you manage to hold the sail in an ideal position long enough, two additional side sails will unfurl, catching even more wind and giving you an extra speed boost. Players who appreciate the relaxing break they get while setting sail and enjoying the beautiful scenery can still do so, but players who really enjoy the mechanics will be rewarded if they delve deeper into it.

In addition to the depth of the game, the relationship between you and your vehicle is a central point of the series. We designed the Okomotive in Lonely Sails to feel like a safe, warm home in a gray and dangerous world. The ship a Wide: Changing tides should feel more like a trapped animal that you free and bond with over time. While it still serves as a vehicle and shelter, we wanted it to feel more mysterious and bestial. Our main artist Don did a great job shaping the sail into a very organic shape. By creating a structure from separate parts, the sail can now spread or fold like a bird’s wing or the fins of a fish.

In the last step I added sound to the sail. I focused on making setting up the mast, lifting and using the sail as rewarding as possible while still capturing the weight and organic qualities of the sail. When the mast is closed, the dangling of the line on the mast and the movement of the canvas will signal that there might be an opportunity to use your sails. You can hear gears turning and joints rubbing as you press the button to raise the heavy mast. When you pull the rope down to hoist the sail, you can hear the rope tension and the associated friction. The turning of the heavy mast and sail sends an audible rumble through the ship’s hull. And then, when the sail finally catches wind, a sound of taut canvas, rope and contented murmurs let you know you’ve successfully set sail.

We hope our combined efforts have created a sailing experience that feels great, challenges you and most importantly excites you. After a long time since our last release, our team can’t wait to see you hoist your sails (again) for the very first time.

FAR: Changing tides

border foundry

☆☆☆☆☆
41

★★★★★

$19.99

An atmospheric vehicle adventure that follows the emotional journey of a boy and his ship as he embarks in search of a new home. Sail through stormy waters, dive to unknown depths, and explore forgotten ruins in a beautifully crafted, flooded world. AN ALL NEW SIDE TITLE Building on the desolate setting of FAR: Lone Sails, Changing Tides trades sunburnt, dusty planes for stormy skies and high seas. With new environments, puzzles and ship mechanics, the world of FAR: Changing Tides offers both fans of this popular series and new players an exciting experience with a bigger, deeper challenge. A NEW HOME Conquer the elements as new protagonist Toe, who awakens to find himself alone and stranded in a flooded world. What was once home is transformed into an unfamiliar and sometimes hostile environment. You must steer Toe on an adventure to traverse the ruins of a once great society in search of a fresh start. CAPTAIN YOUR SHIP Experience the thrill of captaining a distinctive seagoing vessel. Together you brave the high seas, navigate violent storms and explore the dangers of a salty depths. Along the way, you’ll need to keep things going by unlocking parts, fixing bugs, and scouring the watery depths for valuable fuel and salvage. The further you travel, the more you will learn about the fascinating complexity of your ship. A MEDITATIVE EXPERIENCE FAR AWAY: The moments of danger and intrigue in Changing Tides are provided by environmental hazards and puzzles to overcome, but these feed into the solitary, almost meditative approach to gameplay. Pilot your extraordinary ship, raising the mast, hoisting and batting the sails, lighting the stove and more as you learn to sail the ocean as you mourn the loss of your home. SOUNDS OF THE OCEAN A dynamic soundtrack responds to player and environmental actions, amplifying key in-game moments and elevating atmosphere, meaning pulsating crescendos, quiet moments of reflection, and everything in between are created by the player, not written for them.