Because the patreon reached the $10 a month goal, the first double update of the lore comic is scheduled to be released for patrons and members of the pre-alpha forum on Friday, barring any unforseen circumstances.

The lore comic will feature snapshots of the history of the pond and give background to different aspects of the game. It will follow two juvenile goldfish who are learning about the history of the pond from Goldie, the prophet.

If you are interested in reading the coming (and seeing adorable by goldfish learn about their new home) but you aren't able to become a patron, be sure to join the pre-alpha forums!


What’s next for the Patreon drive?
Next up is reaching the $20 a month goal where more breeds will be released when the game opens to the public. Currently, the only breeds that will be released at game opening will be Commons, Ryukins, Crown Pearlscales (to those who pledge the amount for them), and Bristol Shubunkins. 

Programming update
The next update on programming should be posted Sunday or Monday (possibly around the time that the weekly update is posted). I’m meeting with Justin on Sunday night so we should have a good idea of what is next then. 


Skin contest
The skin contest is still going! We’ve have three very cool entries and I’m excited to see more! This ends on Friday at 11:59 pm! You do need to be a member of the pre-alpha forums to participate.


Thank you for all of your support in this game! I’m excited to post another art update soon!

Today was a sick day but I thought I should at least get something done artwise today.

Remember the old worldmap from a few posts back?



Kinda bland, kinda meh? I've been working on the techniques I was using a little bit (and since my mom was wanting a pond dug for her yard, I started brainstorming what the shelves should look like and such) and so today ...



Ta Da! Here is the new world map, complete with areas where there are shelves/changes in depths. Water Lettuce Forest is now just that, a forest! The waterfall that makes the Depths the perfect place year round is there.  The areas are all the colors that are associated with the zones. The more detailed world maps will come soon, with what the main centers of each zone will look like.

Progress!

It's time for the weekly update!
(a little late because my laptop decided it wanted to be a paperweight so I'm using my husband's for now)

First off, thank you again for all of your support in this game and welcome to any new users! We have a few updates this week, so let's get started!


Patreon Fundraiser

We've started a Patreon fundraiser to help with the costs of development. The model that Patreon has seemed to be the best fit and easiest for this game. With monthly goals hit through monthly pledges, more things will become available, either during the development (a comic that I will talk about more later) or things that we will release sooner (more breeds, markings, etc).


The comic is the one I'm actually most excited for since that's what I used to do all the time. When the $5 a month goal is hit, I'll be posting a monthly comic for patrons (and for members of the alpha forum, so forum members don't necessarily have to donate, and the forum posted version will be a separate section only visible to members). It will also be included in the hard copy Lore book that will be released to some of the higher donation levels. The e-copy of the lore story will be available online.


Here's the link to the patreon. Even if you can't pledge anything, feel free to signal boost this fundraiser.


Ranchus!


Here is a first look at the citizens of the Rocks, the Ranchus! They will be one of the first breeds to be purchasable by river rocks.




These adorable little guys will be release a couple months after the public game is released. Now, they look a little different from Charcoal, our resident expert on all things scientific in the pond, but there might be a good reason for that ...


Pond predator ...




Oh no! It's the Spearfaced Death!
*Phew* luckily, you won't have to face him until the Pond Invader portion of the battle system is released ... of course, if we end up reaching some of the higher goals in the patreon ...


This is the image that will be seen in battle. I'm working on the image seen when he shows up in explore. This is the first of the predators to have art done of them (and he will have background art as well).


Programming Update!


Last but not least, I have some great news about the state of programming! We have a new developer who is incredibly awesome. Meet, my good friend, Justin Cook. He has already shown me some awesome things that he has worked on and I am very excited to have him as our developer. We will be meeting monthly to work on the site. I'm hoping to have more updates on this by the end of the month!


Remember that the skin contest is still on and will end on July 31st! Be sure to post your submissions in the thread for the contest!


Thank you all again for all of your support! Have a wonderful week!


-ilrak

I'm trying to create a skin for the contest, so I downloaded the files to draw with on SAI. When I realized that the lineart layer was on the same layer as the grey stand in body color. As well as where the skin would be drawn, above both layers.
I believe that It might be a good idea to have the lineart layer above the skin layer, and the skin layer above the body color layer. I feel as though it would make the designing process smoother
Thank you!

The Game Mechanic of sending a fish indoors is a method of removing fish from the game.

In the world of Auratus Ghoti, this is a wonderful honor, however. The gods often come to the pond looking for specific markings, colors, or breeds of fish (and occasionally mutations) to bring to "Indoors", and so the schools of the pond often groom fry to be ready to live at "Indoors". The original seven remember Indoors as a place of recovery, but they do not remember it being a place of no return. Different schools have different views as to the reason for this change in Outdoors, but most believe that the gods have a special place for these fish in Indoors.

Fish who go to Indoors are first scooped up and placed into the clear barrier before being taken away. In exchange, the gods have bestowed favor on the schools that give their fish to live with them. This is the main way for goldfish to receive favor.

Oskar has her own theory on where the fish that are taken to Indoors go. It's not too bad since the gods seem to be very particular about the fates of these fish, but she still worries for some of the fish. Especially when the word "20 gallon" was thrown around in one case where only one fish was taken to this new fate ...

Most fish in the pond do form deep bonds with other fish, whether it be romantic or platonic.

Platonic relationships are extremely important in the pond. Fish who are friendly with each other will often look out for each other's families within schools and will look out for entire schools of fish that they are close with in the neighboring schools. Occasionally, platonic relationships are formed between fish of separate territories. Often these relationships are forged in battle training, which many think will be a big benefit when the pond invaders return to the pond. Some friends will look out for the other fish's fry.

Romantic relationships are also important and sometimes result in breeding pairs or groups. Some fish are strictly monogamous, only choosing one partner in their school and bonding with them for life. Others will form romantic bonds with more than one fish (and sometimes these bonds are reciprocated throughout an entire group of fish) and often they will spawn and raise fry in these groups. These romantic bonds are not bound to fish of opposite genders as some fish will be more drawn to love a fish of the same gender than themselves (such as Banner) and some fish in these relationships will adopt fry in their school and raise them to go on to either help the school or create their own school. Some fish, such as Charcoal and Michael, do not form romantic bonds, but sometimes these fish will still take fry under their care. These relationships are generally not formed until these fish have been adults for a while (one year or 14 days in game play)

Raising fry is one of the most important things in the pond and many schools will focus much of their time and energy on keeping the fry safe. Unlike most goldfish, the fish in this pond only lay and fertilize up to 5 eggs at a time. Charcoal is trying to research why this is the case as she is concerned that this is not normal for their species (and she would be right - though the reason is still a mystery to the fish in the pond).  All of these behaviors are very different from goldfish that live away from this pond as fry care is not as important there (and up to 500 eggs can be laid by one female). Cannibalism of fry is strictly forbidden in every territory.

Markings and skins both decorate the citizens of the pond, but they are both different.

Markings seem to be given by the gods and come after eating certain pellets with odd marks on them. Some fish seek these out from the mysterious common, Bowman (who may or may not make these themselves, rather than the gods making these pellets), but these markings end up being passed down from generation to generation. These can only be changed with other types of food, but are otherwise permanent.

The skins are completely different and are more like the tattoos that the impostor gods have been known to wear. These can be taken on and off and somehow haven't been known to damage the slime of the fish who are born into this sacred pond. No one has figured out why this, but it is curious that the Goldie, Bowman, Pearl, New Fish, Izzy, and Banner cannot wear any skins or clothing as it irritates their slime coats, yet LB, Poole, and Guy have been known to be able to wear these items. It could be due to the influence of the magic (or other outside force) from the Forbidden Zone, as Poole was rescued from there in the old pond and LB takes after her mother the most. Guy is just a mystery (and one that LB sometimes wishes would just leave her alone).

With 14 planned main breeds (not counting Koldfish), which are you most excited for? Which breed are you going to be filling your school with?

So far, a few markings have been created, and some more are being planned. These marking will be Primary (Body), Secondary (Fins) and Tertiary (Hidden color). Some can compliment each other nicely and might make for some fun breeding projects.

First off are the alpha and beta tester markings:


A Gold/Silver/White female Common with the Alpha markings and a Gold/Silver/White Bristol Shubunkin Female with Beta Markings

The Alpha and Beta markings will only be released during the Alpha and Beta testing phases respectively. After that, they can only be passes through breeding.

Some Planned Primary Markings:
Stipple
Shine
Glaze
Disruption
A Yet to be named Layering Pattern for Body

Some Planned Secondary Markings:
Crypsis
Panda
Grain
A Yet to be named Layering Pattern for fins (Possibly called "Tips" or "Points")
A Yet to be named "Shiny" Fin marking

Some Tertiary Markings:
Dalmatian
Flame
Dot
12 Points
A Yet to be named Layering Pattern
Countershade (Or Belly)
A Yet to be named "Shiny" Tertiary marking

I'm planning out a piebald marking that will either be a tertiary or primary

(The next posts will have images of the markings that have been worked on).

There will be 15 main breeds in the game (not counting hybrids of the breeds). Each of the breeds has a strength and weakness for battle and are listed here from most common (starter) to rarest (limited). The Starter breeds can be gained by any new player at registration, obtained through breeding or breed change foods, or in found eggs. The other breeds can only be obtained through breeding or through breed change foods (with the exception of Crown Pearlscales who can only be obtained in the kickstarter). The currencies that can be used to purchase the breed change foods are listed alongside them (Gravel, River Rocks, and Favor).


The Starter Breeds


Common
A Starter breed, this is the second largest breed (after the Koldfish). They are mostly speed based and are a very welcoming breed, even if they are fans of getting to the food first. (Gravel)


Ryukin
A Starter breed, this is the tank of the pond. They are territorial and wary of outsiders. Physical Strength is their main feature. (Gravel)


Common Breeds


Bristol Shubunkin
A common breed, this is one of the few single tail varieties in the game. They are known for their nascerous scales and their B shaped caudal fin. They are slower than commons but get nearly as big. (Gravel)

Egg
A Common breed, these fish lack a dorsal fin and are very curious. They are believed to be the forebearers of Ranchus, Lionheads, and Celestials to the more scientifically minded fish. These fish are dextrous. (Gravel)


Jikin (May be moved to a different rarity if Wakins are added to the game)
A Common Breed, these look almost like a Common Goldfish until you see their split tail. They are thought to have come from a Common who ventured into the Forbidden Zone (and are released in October). They have high speed and mid range intellect. (Gravel)


Telescopes
This common breed is known for its bulged eyes. They are thought to have helped with the creation of Celestials in the more scientifically minded fish. They are high range in intellect. (Gravel)


Uncommon Breeds


Oranda
This uncommon breed is believed to be high in intellect because of the appearance of a large brain, but in battle, they are more mid range. Unlike Ranchu and Lionheads, these fish have dorsal fins. (Gravel)


Bubble Eye
These uncommon fish have a mid range magic ability but are slowed down by the sacs under their eyes. They have to stay away from sharp objects or they will tear the sacs and suffer a terrible infection. (Gravel)


Tosakin (Suggested by Hibou)

This breed is believed to have been developed from Ryukins and almost went extinct during World War II. They are known for their distinct, curled tail fin. In game, they have high magic ability. (River Rocks)



Rare Breeds


Celestial
These rare fish have eyes that are always looking to the heavens. They are the best magic users and the most pious to the gods. They believe that they were created and chosen by the gods themselves. They lead most of the religious faction of the pond. (Favor)


Lionhead
These fish are known for their massive wens and are rare in the pond. They often lose eyesight from over growing wens and need to get them trimmed occasionally (not a fun procedure). They are high on physical damage, however, and can go into berserk rages during battles. (River Rocks)


Ranchu
These fish look like Lionheads except for a few small differences. Their wens do not grow as large and their backs are more rounded, like the egg fish. They are magic users but look for the science behind the magic, unlike the Celestials. A few expeditions have revealed that the magic may come from the forbidden zone and not the gods. (River Rocks)


Crown Pearlscale
An extremely rare breed (kickstarter exclusive), this breed is known for its wen and the calcified bumps on its scales. These bumps fall off easily from being knocked against rocks or other solid objects, so these fish can be a bit stand offish and sedentary. They are tanks, however, in battle – but they avoid it at all costs. (Funding Drive Only)


Pom-Poms
These fish are known for the growths on their nostrils. They are smaller fish and are very quick and agile. New fish only arrive in the pond in July – Something that the Celestials think is due to the fire flakes from the sky. (July Event Currency)


Koldfish
A rare hybrid of a Koi and a Goldfish, this fish is unable to breed because of its genetics. They grow very large and are slower moving fish. Though they cannot be bred, they are extremely tough fish in battle.  (June Event Breeding/Currency)