User:Konggamedev/sandbox

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Besiege is a strategy sandbox video game developed and published by Spiderling Studios. The game was released for Windows, macOS and Linux in February 2020, which followed a five-year long early access phase. A console version for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S was released in February 2022. Besiege is the game that contains a sandbox toolkit to build your custom siege engines. The game can be played single or online multiplayer with multiple community mods and steam workshop to play around with.

Development

Pre-Alpha Update

On November 7th, 2014, Spiderling Studios posted the menus and physics update. Key features - Build interface improvement, Center of mass, Time controller, Save and load, Undo and redo, Machine translation, Machine rotation, Ground tool, Delete mode, Custom key Binding, Bin tool, Machine stats, Free build mode, Camera resetting, Control navigation, Game options.

Alpha Release

On January 17th, 2015, Besiege alpha version is available. The developer posted the Greenlight Trailer and steam greenlight page.

Steam Release - V0.02

On January 28th, 2015, Besiege is available to purchase on Steam. The steam version was not yet support the Mac and Linux. Some fixes and improvements have been added along with the 0.02 version update.

Minor Update 4 - V0.04

On February 23th, 2015, Mac and Linux supported have been done along with the release of 0.04 version minor update.

Additional Content

• Wooden pole block
• Slider block
• Small balloon block

Improvements

• Tool to see machine's overlaid key mapping
• Flip propeller, New propeller art
• Asymmetrical Decoupler
• Flamethrower toggle mode
• Contractible spring toggle mode
• Less friction cog
• Blood on boulder and plow block
• Copy-paste shortcut
• Close tab shortcut

Minor Update 5 - V0.05

On March 10th, 2015, Spiderling Studios posted 0.05 version patch note with the announcement of the upcoming 0.1 major update. They mentioned about the new 0.1 island which would be ready in 4-6 weeks. The game is moved to Unity 5 (previously used Unity 4), which potentially improves the game performance and steam integration system is in-progress. After the developer have received a lot of difficulty adjustment feedback, they have considered and decided to make sure that the game is not too difficult for casual players while providing some tough goals for more skilled gamers.

Additional Content

• Large wheel block
• Ball join block
• Small flame torch block

Improvements

• Auto mode wheel
• Auto mode cogs
• Auto mode flying spiral
• Optimized wooden block mesh
• Harder balloon pop
• Improved wheel menu
• .bsg file explains all variables
• Can type numbers in Key-mapping/Parameter tuner
• Proper highlighted block in Key-mapping/Parameter tuner
• Better swivel joint art

Major Update 1 - V0.08

On April 27th, 2015, The developer decided to name the version 0.08 instead of 0.10 as the first major update, due to the version number is the features milestone toward the full game. The update introduces the new island, Tolbrynd, which starts with 5 levels (10-15 levels to be added later)

Additional Content

• New Island, New environments, NPCs & Structures
• 5 New Levels
• Drill block
• High Friction Grip Pad block
• Physics-based brick system

Improvements

• Player prompted upon Island completion
• Island completion sets it on fire
• Changed water on main planet menu
• New audio feedback upon Island & level selection

Changes

• Camera now moves parallel to floor
• Increased camera far clip plane from 500 to 1500.
• Cannon ball is now 2x heavier
• Boulder now breaks above a certain impact force

Minor Update 6 - V0.09

On May 24th, 2015, Spiderling Studios announce that v0.10 update will be released in around 6 weeks.

Additional Content

• Large Cog Block
• Small Wheel Block
• Shrapnel Cannon Block

Improvements

• Reorganised Block Tabs
• Locomotion Tab
• Redesigned icon for Mechanical Tab
• New texture for Blade block
• Grip pad is more rigid

Major Update 2 - V0.10

On July 16th, 2015, Spiderling Studios announce that their team has been expanded so they can implement more exciting features with higher production speed.

Steam Workshop

Besiege can now easily share and download other players' siege engines through Steam Community.

New Levels

New 5 levels have been added to the game.

Additional Content

• Steam Workshop Support
• 5 new levels
• Remote Grenade Block
• Small Propeller Block

Improvements

• Changed background color for new machine thumbnails
• Grabber can grab static objects and the ground

Changes

• Can freeze Unpowered Cogs rotation by using the key-mapper tool

Minor Update 7 - V0.11

On August 21th, 2015, Spiderling Studios posted the 0.11 version patch note with several issues fixed

Additional Content

• Water Cannon Block
• Rope & Winch Block
• Drag God Ability
• Zero Gravity God Ability

Improvements

• Improved Spikeball visuals
• Created new ‘God Powers’ section in the settings menu
• Optimized Knights in Ipsilion
• Improved visuals of block selection menu

Changes

• Explosive Decoupler now has stronger joints
• Lowered particles emitted on wood collisions
• Removed drag on Metal Spike Ball
• Removed drag on Wooden Pole
• Reduced Grabber SFX volume
• Moved Plow to Armor Tab

Reception

Another Rock Paper Shotgun article by Jay Castello which is a released-version review published on March 2, 2020. Jay Castello admired the game varieties that kept her engaging and trying to construct the new better siege engines. Although there was some lack of guidance that was mentioned in the article, the game has had a strong community support with mods, guides, tricks created by people who have a very good handle on besiege construction tools since the game was released early-access in 2015.

On the date September 22nd, 2022, Besiege has Overwhelmingly Positive all reviews on steam with 95% positive reviews from 39,871 reviews, and Very Positive recent reviews with 93% positive reviews from 171 reviews.

Worth a Buy (Game review youtuber) published his Besiege (early access) video review on January 23, 2015 after he had played the game for 1 hour. He mentioned that the game caught his eye with its look and cheap price of 6$. The game building mechanic is fun with lots of crazy weapons to equip and experiment with. Worth a Buy summarizes that this game is fun, cheap, and really worth a buy.

PC Gamer article by Rick Lane, Besiege lets you build siege weapons in a medieval fantasy realm. It contains four Kingdoms, with each Kingdom having many levels in it. The level is nicely crafted, with objectives for you to do in order to pass the level. Each level is designed to make you come up with a new mechanic with different tasks for you to do. You will be given a building area at the start of the level. Besiege provides a toolkit that’s easier to understand compared to Kerbal Space Program, but lacks a good tutorial to guide the beginners. The toolkit contains a lot of objects for you to use and work with. You can build from cranes to flying machines with it. Besiege allows you to adjust individual object parameters such as power, speed and even binding it to do certain actions.