Chapter 45

Official Website:

[Desolate OL Closed Beta Alpha 0.3 Version Update Announcement]

[Major Updates:

1. Increased the number of closed beta players to 50.

2. New economic system

3. New honor system

]

[Optimizations:

1. Added several new enemy models.

2. More diverse tradable resources.

3. Fixed a few bugs.

...

]

After the announcement was posted, Chu Guang didn't idle. He continued to pin a pre-edited post on the official website's forum.

For such a significant update that affects all players, he naturally had to discuss it with the players in his role as a planner.

[Developer's Log: Alpha 0.3 Version]

"Hello everyone, I'm your beloved planner. Thanks to our hard work and the punctual participation of the closed beta players, the development of Desolate OL has taken a big step forward!"

"I'm not boasting, but this alpha 0.3 update will be the most significant update since the closed beta began!"

"Previously, some players complained that the contribution point settlement process was too cumbersome, requiring you to log out to check, and you couldn't enjoy the joy of counting money in the game. You also worried that NPCs might withhold your wages... but this worry is completely unnecessary. The manager of Vault 404, who also serves as a guide, is absolutely fair and will never withhold a single penny of your wages. I can guarantee this with my reputation!"

"However, while there's no issue of wage withholding, the contribution point settlement process was indeed too cumbersome. After receiving feedback, our planning department held a three-day meeting and concluded that we shouldn't sacrifice gameplay for realism."

"Therefore, we decided to design a new currency to replace the existing contribution points as the main reward for players completing quests!"

"This new currency is very convenient, with denominations of 1 and 10, in brass and silver. It can be used to buy food, equipment, and other paid services and items."

"Yes, after this update, food will no longer be free but will require players to spend in-game copper or silver coins to purchase. At the same time, players will receive money as a reward for completing quests... doesn't that sound interesting? The gameplay has suddenly become much richer!"

"On the other hand, after the Alpha 0.3 update, the vault will allow its residents to own private property! Items and equipment that players pick up from the wasteland will belong to them and can be traded with other players or sold to the vault for rewards."

"To facilitate this, we have introduced an additional storage system in the buffer room at the vault's entrance and exit!"

"There is a row of lockable storage lockers there, which you may have noticed. They are now open for use, and you can store money and weapons there, except for dangerous items that are prohibited from being brought into the vault!"

"What? You ask if it's free? Of course not! But don't worry, the rent is very cheap, and everyone can afford it!"

"Also, players with a large number of contribution points, don't be discouraged! Although contribution points will no longer be used as currency, your contributions to the vault and the entire civilization are recognized by the NPCs."

"After research by our planning department, we have decided to incorporate contribution points into the new 'Honor' system!"

"This system is independent of the economic system and mainly relates to the 'privileges' players enjoy in the vault... in simple terms, it can be used to exchange for titles and ranks!"

"All players start as vault residents, and spending 2000 contribution points can upgrade you to a citizen."

"In Vault 404, residents only have basic human rights, while only citizens can own private land."

"Currently, only the 'citizen' rank is available for exchange. The initial citizen rank allows the purchase of 5 square meters of private land, and this number will increase as the rank advances."

"More ranks and titles will be released in subsequent updates based on the progress of the test."

"Meanwhile, the mercenary, caravan, guild, and legion systems being designed also have certain requirements for ranks and contribution points."

"After the Alpha 0.3 version, daily quest rewards will mainly be money, and only actions that benefit the outpost as a whole will earn contribution points. This includes, but is not limited to, public positions, resolving emergencies, and great inventions."

"Please remember this!"

After posting, there wasn't much immediate reaction.

But this was expected by Chu Guang.

It was 3 PM in the wasteland, which was midnight in the real world. For those who didn't get the reservation, it was too late, and for those in the game, it was too early.

They would see it when they logged out.

Stretching, Chu Guang was about to turn off his computer when he noticed a reply to the post.

[Crow: What's going on, it's already updated!? Did I miss the entire 0.2 version?! QAQ]

Seeing this, Chu Guang was surprised.

This guy really did what he said and didn't sleep without a helmet.

But there was nothing he could do about it.

If possible, Chu Guang would want the players' resurrection cooldown to be shorter, but unfortunately, it takes time for an embryo to develop into a mature individual.

Just bear with it, you'll be able to log in tomorrow.

Ignoring the unlucky player, Chu Guang turned off his computer and went outside the vault.

Since he bought a batch of tools from Brown Farm, the players' work efficiency had indeed improved significantly.

The third batch of players had only been in the game for two days, yet the concrete walls around the sanatorium were almost complete.

Not only that, Chu Guang also noticed that some players, led by "Spare a Life," were digging the foundation in front of the sanatorium, laying yellow mud bricks, and applying cement.

It looked like they were building a house.

Chu Guang walked up and asked a player who was carrying bricks.

"What are you doing?"

The player was straightforward and explained with a grin.

"We heard the new NPC is a weapons merchant, so we're building a weapons store for her!"

What?

Chu Guang was surprised.

So proactive?

While he had indeed hinted to Fang Chang about the NPC, he never suggested building a weapons store.

This prediction was spot on!

Chu Guang didn't show any expression on his face and continued to look at the adjacent foundation.

"What about the other one?"

The player smiled and answered.

"That one should be a public bath!"

"Previously, we always went to the lake to wash, but we found it wasn't safe. Especially yesterday, when Brother Lao Bai almost got his 'little worm' bitten off by a catfish. So we decided to build a public bath."

Chu Guang tried hard not to laugh and nodded with a stiff expression.

"Cough, keep it up."

"Hygiene is a good thing..."

The player grinned and said.

"Sure thing! I'll get back to work."

"Go ahead."

Time quickly passed to evening.

Fried Egg set up a pot on the open ground, first throwing in a piece of hyena fat to render oil, then adding sliced deer meat and some leaves he had picked, and stir-fried over a high flame, sprinkling salt for seasoning.

Tonight's menu was fern stir-fried with deer meat, served with a light green wheat porridge.

Thanks to the reindeer brought by the manager, the players could finally improve their diet.

"Where did you get that pot?" Seeing the kitchenware Fried Egg was using, which he hadn't seen before, Chu Guang asked Lao Bai, who was closest to him.

"That? It's something Lao Bai and I made," Lao Bai grinned at the manager's question.

"You made it?" Chu Guang looked at him in surprise and asked, "Your blast furnace... is it working?"

"It's working! The quality of the steel isn't great, but it's good enough for making tools."

Lao Bai smiled proudly and continued,

"I was just about to report to you, but I couldn't find you, hehe."

Chu Guang was surprised that the players had even mastered the technique of smelting steel using primitive methods.

While the quality of the steel produced this way might not be ideal, any technology improves step by step, right?

With iron.

Even if not for combat, at least the productivity could take a step forward!

Chu Guang was impressed and showed his admiration.

"You've done a great job. I'll report your contributions to the organization."

"You and Fang Chang will receive 1000 contribution points as a reward for solving the outpost's steel needs."

Lao Bai was delighted and quickly said,

"It's an honor to help you!"

Chu Guang shook his head.

"You're too kind."

These players were all talented and spoke so nicely, making his job as a manager too easy.

He remembered that when he was in Bet Street, Old Charlie, the owner of the general store, once told him that most vault managers didn't have a good end.

Vault residents were much harder to please than wasteland survivors. Even when they were well-fed and clothed, they would still ignore the harsh reality and make unrealistic demands.

Few raiders could breach the vault's defenses. The weapons they used were like scratching the surface and couldn't even leave a scratch on the vault's door. Most vaults that fell into disrepair due to non-natural causes did so because of internal conflicts and divisions.

When he heard this from Old Charlie, Chu Guang felt a hint of melancholy in his tone, as if it was a personal experience.

When he first took over the management of Vault 404, Chu Guang was a bit nervous, worried that he might not do a good job, so he kept a backup plan in Bet Street, hiring Little Fish to watch his place.

But now, he no longer thought that way.

Such things might happen in any vault, but they would never happen here.

Walking to the cooking area, Chu Guang held a bowl and said to Fried Egg, who had just finished a pot of stir-fry,

"Give me a bowl too."

Fried Egg was surprised.

In his memory, this NPC had never eaten with them, leading him to suspect that the NPC didn't need to eat.

Did the AI get an upgrade?

"I'll do it!"

Teng Teng, who was waiting by the stove, eagerly took the bowl, filled it with a large bowl of green wheat porridge, and handed it to the manager.

"Be careful, it's hot."

"Thanks."

Chu Guang nodded in gratitude, then asked Fried Egg to give him a scoop of stir-fried deer meat, which he poured over the thick green wheat porridge, and then turned to head towards the vault's elevator.