4X strategy game At the Gates has received an update. Version 1.1 of the game jacks up the difficulty and rebalances a few of the rough edges. It's live to download right now on Steam and Humble.
First up, lead designer Jon Shafer has altered the game's food system. Shafer is switching to a conventional stockpile system for food. The game previously stored food "as turns", which Shafer says was impossible to balance. Players will now find it harder to predict when starvation will occur, but Shafer says that "in every other way" At the Gates will now be more enjoyable. Keeping your people fed will now be significantly more challenging as Shafer originally intended.
The game's Caravan has also been altered. What's available with each upgrade level is now more predictable. The number of specials players can expect with each visit to the caravan is now more manageable. It's now much harder to exploit the caravan in order to optimize your economy. Jon Shafer compares the new caravan to "a stingy used car salesman"; players will be able to find something that works, but it won't always be what they want. The game will be further refined in the months to come.
At the Gates has also had some attention in the bugs and balance department. Shafer has toned down clans and the rate at which they develop desires. This works with the other changes elsewhere to create a "noticeable improvement", according to Shafer. The designer says he's also fixed a number of bugs. At the Gates doesn't have a full QA team, so there are likely to be some bugs unsquashed. If you spot any, you can email them over to the team here.
If you'd like to read the full At the Gates 1.1 patch notes, you can do so right here. That Steam announcement also contains a preview of what Jon Shafer is looking to do with v1.2 and v1.3 of the game, so stay tuned for more info on that. Here's hoping the new stuff can do something to alleviate At the Gates' less-than-stellar reception.
Will you be heading back into At the Gates with this new update? Let us know in the comments below!
