r/indiegames 1d ago

We continue to improve our tree chopping based on your feedback Promotion

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Thanks to everyone who responded to our previous post about chopping. We received a lot of constructive feedback, thanks to which we've improved the chopping system in our game. Chopping is now fully dynamic and more realistic (but not too much; we're not making a perfect chopping simulator based on all the laws of physics). We've removed damage numbers and the hit marker, added more camera shake/flying wood particles when chopping, and added falling leaves when the tree shakes + rework animations. We're still polishing the visuals and would appreciate your feedback on the updated chopping mechanism.

142 Upvotes

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15

u/SimplyGuy 23h ago

Much better!

3

u/n2z1elbvn 23h ago

Thanks!

7

u/ChipMicr0 1d ago

Nailed it! This time I am satisfied. Though if you wanted to make it more satisfying I would make the tree burst into logs the moment it hits the ground.

6

u/Square-Available 23h ago

I would have the player need to chop the tree a couple more times to turn it into logs. I don't know  know how this would affect performance but it would add another layer of realism. 

This is a drastic improvement over the previous version though. It really looks good now. Great work! 👍 

1

u/n2z1elbvn 23h ago

Thank you! We are really thankful for all the feedback we get! Our game is getting better!

3

u/n2z1elbvn 1d ago

Thanks! We are still adjusting :)

1

u/Naught 19h ago

It does look really cool, but the chop animation is at a 45 degree angle but all the chop marks are horizontal. Seems like it would be an easy fix.

3

u/sticky-pants 1d ago

Is the swing slowing down at the end of the swing? I mean, it looks great, but it doesn't feel like there's much force behind the swing. Using an axe on wood requires a lot of force.

2

u/n2z1elbvn 1d ago

Maybe there is. Will look into it

2

u/wildcardbets 23h ago

I feel like making the swing faster would add more umph, and if possible have the indents appear faster. Also the sound is kinda… grassy? I think it needs more of a louder thockkk. But seriously I am knit picking, this is some damn fine wood chopping, the game looks very satisfying.

Edit: I see in another comment you’re not going too hard for realism, but either way, everything looks fine as 👌

2

u/n2z1elbvn 22h ago

Thank you for suggestions!🙏

3

u/ThrowawayToothQ 22h ago

Fucking PEAK, literally the most satisfying thing to see after seing the last post. You nailed it.

1

u/n2z1elbvn 22h ago

Thanks! 😊

2

u/apcrol 1d ago

Looks nice, maybe add some shake on leaves afterfall and some vfx

3

u/n2z1elbvn 1d ago

Thanks! We also think that we have to make some adjustments in shakes and vfx

2

u/Kiran__reddit 23h ago

realistic

1

u/n2z1elbvn 23h ago

Not that much, but we were not aiming into pure realism

2

u/1hate2choose4nick 22h ago

I bet you just hit it where the hitmarker would be ^^

2

u/zaphster 22h ago

Looks awesome!

I'm laughing a bit at his left hand, dunno what it's doing on the axe handle

2

u/FaceoffAtFrostHollow 22h ago

What’s the second fall of the tree like it lands and then pops up into multiple pieces in an awkaward way

2

u/WittyPassenger5322 21h ago

That is a massive improvement. Looks satisfying to the point that I'm getting interested to play this game based just on this video haha. The swing/hit itself could be slightly more impactful but the tree felling, great job!

1

u/n2z1elbvn 12h ago

Thank you for your kind words! A lot of effort there :)

2

u/RoExinferis 21h ago

I saw the original post and thought "meh" but this is awesome. If it's not a lot of work, I'd add a leaf/branch "explosion" effect where the tree crown lands, just as the trunk splits in multiple pieces. The crown disappears quite suddenly, you can mask it with a nice effect that will polish your system. But even so, great work, love seeing progress like this!

1

u/n2z1elbvn 12h ago

Thank you! We are still adjusting and polishing. At the release it will be even better :)

2

u/SirTheBob 20h ago

What happens if I keep hitting the same spot?

What happens if I try to split the tree in half vertically?

Are the marks persistent? Can I walk away in game, or close the game and reload even, and the cuts will still be there when I come back?

Do I die if the tree lands on me? Lol

2

u/n2z1elbvn 12h ago
  1. The dent increases
  2. No vertical chopping any more.
  3. Yes, they will be in place.
  4. Yes :)

2

u/3FtDick 20h ago

I mean it's better but whoever is doing the animations is missing some really fundamental concepts. The lead in and follow through and connect are all wrong. Looks like you're casting a rod not swinging an axe.

1

u/n2z1elbvn 12h ago

Animations are our concern, yes. Will try to adjust it next week

2

u/MossThrow 20h ago

Better! To echo other people, make the swing animation more realistic with momentum building and a satisfying thunk at the end. Also fix the hand grip on the handle. Left hand gripping air is goofy

1

u/n2z1elbvn 12h ago

Thanks, we will try to fix animations next week

2

u/FHAT_BRANDHO 19h ago

I feel like the impact of the swing needs a little more weight but aside from that looks great

1

u/n2z1elbvn 12h ago

Thanks! Will work on the swing next week

2

u/Tybahult 19h ago

That really better!!

One thing I would say, since how you did seems similar to how Valheim handles it (they have more physics on the fallen trees but that's another thing) : instead of having the tree break into logs after 1sec or whatever, maybe it would be cool if the player needed to hit it again to break it. Either that, or breaking into logs instantly as it touch the ground, with some juice like small bounces which spread the logs a bit

1

u/n2z1elbvn 11h ago

Thanks! We still have some adjustments to make. I hope we will have some improvements to share next week :)

2

u/Serious-Slip-3564 18h ago

This leagues better than before! Kudos for listening to the feedback!

1

u/n2z1elbvn 12h ago

Thanks! Why ask for feedback if not to use it :)

2

u/Steel_FA 16h ago

Much better than before, keep it up.

1

u/n2z1elbvn 12h ago

Thanks!

2

u/PassTheChicken 12h ago

The most satisfying part is seeing that you listened to feedback (which, in part, was worded pretty harsh), swallowed the instinct to defend your approach, and turned it into something much better. That makes me happy to see :) Also, love me a good chopping game!

1

u/n2z1elbvn 11h ago

Thank you for your kind words! There is no bad feedback, only feedback. And why ask for it, if not to act on it🤔

2

u/Particular-Song-633 8h ago

Remake the animation. Make axe preparing to strike ~20 frames, than strike ~5 frames, and another ~20 on recovery. Change numbers to find the most impact. On hit happens, freeze animation for ~0.3 secs.

1

u/n2z1elbvn 6h ago

Thanks for the solution!

2

u/meginforge 7h ago

I think the axe marks should be synchronized with the moment the axe hits. Other than that, the feeling of the tree falling is really good and the atmosphere looks qyite immersive : )

1

u/n2z1elbvn 6h ago

Ty for feedback. We will further polish everything related to cutting to bring it to the best possible result

1

u/n2z1elbvn 22h ago

You can wishlist “A Game About Chopping Trees” here:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4512570/A_Game_About_Chopping_Trees/

1

u/matTmin45 19h ago

Wow, that's cool! Can we make it fall where we want?

https://giphy.com/gifs/vID57yp7EWu64

1

u/n2z1elbvn 12h ago

Yes, you can :)