Dear Stormworkers, This week we want to tell you about a new feature that has been asked for a lot and continues to be a popular request - first person equipment! Hand held items are coming to Stormworks in the next big update. You will have a body in first person, and will be able to see this body at all times, if walking, running, swimming, or seated. This will be your body, as you designed in the character editor when starting the game. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//28842908/9f3e25eaccf49cad16fbe9806b3fbbd2577404d2.gif[/img] As you know, the next big update is going to be a special one, having taken a long time to develop, and containing many big features we have already announced including game mode modding, new procedural missions, new game mode options, and now first person items, there is a huge amount of work that has been going into this next big release. Many of the features relate to each other, and many of the minor update features you have seen over the last few months relate to the next update, as we use those new features in new ways. All will become apparent as we announce more about the next update. What Is The Handheld Equipment? We have previously announced hand held ropes, where you can dynamically create rope links, for tethering, mooring, refuelling, or recharging. These hand held items will be very useful, not just for operating your own vehicles, but also performing missions. These handheld items are all about allowing players to do more in the simulation, and have greater power to interact with the world. Other handheld equipment we are announcing this week is handheld repair tools! You will be able to equip handheld welders to repair damaged blocks, and repair vehicles, to get systems back online, fix leaks, and get your vehicle moving again. There are two types of welders - torch welding, allowing faster repairs but not being possible while submerged, and submerged style welding, which isn't as quick but is essential when damage is flooded or on the ocean floor. These tools are about helping those in need with damaged vehicles, stopping damaged vessels from flooding, or keeping your mission moving forward even when your vehicle sustains critical damage that would previously have ended the flow of gameplay. We are really excited to share this new equipment and talk more about other hand held items we are adding to the game. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//28842908/8b9b1540bcaa23092befda20fd6253f9344be42d.gif[/img] When Will The Next Update Arrive? With the new upcoming announcements, we are trying to be as transparent as we can be about where development is going and what is next for Stormworks. Some questions are difficult to answer because we don't know the answers yet ourselves. A release date is one of those areas where we haven't decided yet. As you are aware, this isn't a regular major update, but is going to be especially big, and there are more features we are yet to announce, and others we are yet to add. We expect it to take months rather than weeks to get this update ready. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//28842908/a0d172e50cef5d351b49647ae231f3737ce7fe10.gif[/img] Please let us know about your ideas for other first person equipment you would like to see added to the game. We always love hearing your ideas and are enjoying discussing ideas and development earlier as it gives us more time to take your suggestions on board and shape development of the game. Much love <3, The Stormworks Developers