Jun 6, 2024

Fishing Planet - Dennis_FP

Dear Anglers,

Yesterday marked a historic day for Fishing Planet with the release of the Ocean Update, and we're thrilled to see your excitement! We've received tons of feedback from you, and while many of you are loving the new ocean features, we know there are a few things you didn't like as much. Your feedback is incredibly important to us, so we wanted to address some of the most talked-about issues before we share the list of bug fixes and improvements.

We've heard your concerns about the Denuvo Anti-Cheat software. We want to assure you that Denuvo is designed to prioritize user privacy, collecting only the necessary data to prevent cheating. In the first 24 hours, we identified and dealt with many cheating players, helping to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Some of you have mentioned that reels wear out quickly when using max drag. We understand this makes the gameplay more challenging, but max drag wasn't intended to be used the way it has been. This change is meant to make the game feel more realistic. To keep your reels in good shape, try to avoid using max drag continuously.

Last but not least, regarding the time-forward cooldown during nighttime: we initially enabled it because many fish species are active at night. However, after hearing your feedback, we’ve decided to revert this change. There will no longer be a nighttime cooldown, so you can enjoy uninterrupted gameplay.

Here is the list of other bug fixes and improvements:

Corrected boat antenna rotation in Fish Radar.
Fixed a bug where the guest would experience a freeze and black screen when the host finishes a Fishing Together session.
Corrected the message displayed upon event mission completion.
Applied minor fixes to the XP Modifiers window.
Implemented minor fixes for Ocean Missions.
Resolved an issue where players would be placed in a different room after returning to a Fishing Together session.
Fixed texture issues on the Scutum Boat.
Addressed an overlap of multiple tags on the same spot on the Tablet in Fishing Together sessions.
Applied various physics fixes.
Relocated navigation buttons for switching tablet modes.
Fixed UI bugs in different tablet modes.
Resolved an issue where the boat wouldn't move if the player at the helm was changed while in reverse.
Corrected the message about the end of the map displayed on the local map.
Fixed animation issues for big reels where the hand texture was seen through the sleeve while reeling.
Prevented the Extended Fishing Together session window from appearing in the guest's window after accessing the local map.
Fixed performance degradation during long play sessions.
Fixed a minor bug with Club invites.
Implemented anti-cheat improvements.
Resolved a photo mode bug for the Monster Fish Striped Marlin and other minor issues in photo mode
Fixed an issue where the yacht would tip over and fly up high after being anchored.
Corrected the pale appearance of boat and kayak slots compared to other slots.
Fixed the issue where saltwater sinkers were not working in carp setups.
Resolved the problem where it was impossible to buy items from the Lures and Baits category tabs in the Global Shop.
Applied various fixes to the Shop interface.
Fixed the preview for empty templates.
Optimized server workload for better performance.

Thank you for your continued support and valuable feedback. We hope you enjoy the improvements!
The Fishing Planet Team

Jun 5, 2024

Release Note 5.0.0: Ocean Update

Fishing Planet - Dennis_FP

Hey Anglers,

The most expected release note in the Fishing Planet’s history has arrived. Let’s go!

Here is what’s new:

Kaiji No Ri, Japan
New map with an enormous 400 sq km (almost 100,000 acres) of ocean, home to 18 dynamically moving fish species, including Bluefin Tuna, Striped Marlin, Mahi Mahi, plus Bigfin Reef Squid, among others. Accessible to players at level 83, with a new maximum level cap raised to 90, this expansive location offers a wealth of new challenges and opportunities. As customary in Fishing Planet, players of lower levels can unlock access to the map by purchasing a DLC pack with a pond pass for 30 and even 60 days. This time, we're offering two DLC packs, providing you with greater flexibility and convenience in choosing their preferred option!
Ocean water simulation
As a standout feature that deserves extra attention, incredibly lifelike ocean water simulation, complete with various types of waves, including intense storms. The ocean's appearance will dynamically change based on weather conditions and wind patterns, offering a truly captivating experience. Immerse yourself further with realistic sounds of birds, wind, and water splashes, enhancing the authenticity of your ocean adventure.
Sea Life Simulation System
Featuring dynamic zones that highlight schools of predatory fish near the water's surface, birds actively hunting for bait fish, and pods of dolphins and majestic blue whales gracefully navigating the ocean depths. Immerse yourself further with additional elements such as cruise liners, regattas, and trawler boats, creating a vibrant and lifelike maritime environment that dynamically changes depending on the time of the day and weather.
Fishing Together
Now, you can enjoy fishing with 2, 3, or 4 players on the same boat, depending on your chosen vessel. Invite your fellow anglers for a fishing party, and even let them take the wheel if you fancy. Plus, you'll earn an additional XP bonus for Fishing Together! The more anglers you have onboard, the higher the bonus for each of you. And if you're all clubmates, you'll also receive the club room XP bonus. Fishing Together also implies that the players share common fishing conditions: common bite rate, weather, and time for all participants. Rest assured it doesn’t mean that your fellow anglers can catch all of the fish and leave not Dive into an exclusive series of group missions and achievements, tailored specifically for Fishing Together, a first in Fishing Planet!
Brand new fishing yachts for ocean fishing
All the new boats are compatible for Fishing Together sessions. Rent a boat for two players using in-game credits, or opt for the Scutum™ and Volans™ Fishing Yachts accommodating 3 and 4 players respectively, available in DLC packs. All boats feature two rod holders for each player, allowing one more additional rod in hands. There’s no longer a need for a keepnet when fishing on a boat, as all boats are now equipped with ample built-in fish storage. Equipped with state-of-the-art FishFinders 360™, these vessels detect fish across surface, mid, and bottom water layers. Navigate with precision using the new Detailed Navigation Map, Echo Sounder, Compass, and Speedometer panel.
In addition to the boat control panel equipment
Players get new Tablet software that will have not only usual tools such as already familiar to players marker buoys, but also new Navigation buoys, and additional Tabs with Echo Sounder and Fish Finder 360™, which will become available after players complete special Maintenance Adventures missions.
Navigation buoys
New special buoys, available on the new location, used to mark your favorite fishing spots and teleport among them for fast and easy exploration of such a vast location.
Over 500 new saltwater items
Over 500 new saltwater items are now available in local and global shops! These additions include delicious fresh baits like spiny lobsters, flying squid, gutted fish, and innovative saltwater lures such as pilkers, plugs, squid jigs, bucktails, trolling octopuses, and teasers like squid chains. Equip yourself with the latest super powerful saltwater gear, designed to reel in massive ocean fish weighing over 270 kg (almost 600 lb)! There is a new addition to the Global shop: the Saltwater Tackle section, featuring all the saltwater items. For your convenience, these items are included in all the shop's dropdown menus. Special high-performance saltwater equipment was added to the Premium Shop as well.
As mentioned above, two Ocean DLC packs are now available for purchase
Players can choose between two fishing yachts that hold 3 or 4 players for Fishing Together. Both packs include powerful gear, multiple baits and lures, additional storage slots, and tackle wagons for up to 300 tackles.

The Japan Odyssey Pack offers a larger four-seater boat, a 60-day pond pass with an advanced license, and more marker and navigation buoys.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2922540/Fishing_Planet_Japan_Odyssey_Pack/

The Ocean Voyager Pack provides a smaller boat for three players, a 30-day pond pass with an advanced license, and marker and navigation buoys. Both packs allow players to bring friends and have all the necessary items for saltwater fishing. Choose the one that best suits your needs.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2922530/Fishing_Planet_Ocean_Voyager_Pack/

Saltwater trolling
Fishing technique used in the ocean where one or more fishing lines, baited with lures or baitfish, are drawn through the water behind a moving boat. This method targets various saltwater species, including larger pelagic fish like tuna, marlin, etc. which are known to chase moving prey. Saltwater trolling is a dynamic and exciting way to fish, offering anglers the opportunity to cover large areas of water and target a variety of species in different oceanic conditions.
Free spool mechanics
Which will enhance your fishing experience, especially for bottom fishing at great depths. This feature is available on all reels in the game, whether for saltwater or freshwater fishing. It allows for precise control of your line, enabling free immersion of lures or sinkers to significant depths with an open spool and securing the line at the desired depth with a closed spool. This added functionality offers greater accuracy, especially when the bottom topography is unknown and considering the fact that the depth of the ocean will be more than 100 meters at many spots, making it easier to target specific depths and fish species.
Completely revamped the Pull-and-Reel mechanics system
Provide a more immersive and realistic fishing experience, mirroring the dynamics of ocean fishing. Expect fish fights to be more challenging but also more rewarding, as they replicate the true struggle of reeling in massive ocean catches.
Gaff
Gaff animation for the retrieval and retention of large ocean fish.
New Competitive Activities and Rewards
4 new Kaiji No Ri competitions, 11 achievements, 20 new exclusive saltwater X-series items
Dozens of new missions
Including exclusive Fishing Together missions that can be accomplished only with other anglers on the same boats, and Maintenance Adventures to improve the equipment you use on your Tablet as s reward.
New anti-cheating solution
We are dedicated to providing a fair and enjoyable gaming experience for everyone. To combat cheating and ensure a level playing field, we integrated the Denuvo Anti-Cheat system for Steam and Epic Games Store players. This decision highlights our commitment to maintaining the integrity of our game and protecting our community from unfair practices. You can find out more about it here.
A small but nice new addition: meet the very first NPC in the game!
The marina administrator, who works tirelessly from early morning until late night, ensures the port runs smoothly and loves cats. He might need your assistance with calibrating new navigation tools. When you spot him, don't hesitate to approach and ask if he requires any help. You will also have a chance to deliver some treats to the kitty-cats on the pier.
Reel of Fortune
After many player requests, The Reel of Fortune is finally available on Steam.
Time forwarding cooldown has been added during nighttime
The day cooldown was originally implemented when night fishing wasn't part of the game, the night cooldown became necessary later on. Considering the numerous fish species in the ocean actively biting during both day and night, adding the night cooldown was essential with this update. An important thing to note is that there won’t be any cooldown for forwarding time to the next morning when selling fish.
UPD:
After hearing players' feedback, we’ve decided to revert this change. There will no longer be a nighttime cooldown, so you can enjoy uninterrupted gameplay.

Changes in deterministic user-generated competitions
As requested by players, there will be less randomness. The weather and bite rates now match real conditions on the waterways, meaning dedicated training will give you a better chance to win, making the process more fair and rewarding.
New start screen
While the game loads, you'll now see a stunning 3D ocean scene featuring boats, birds, dolphins, and a whale breaching the water.
New settings options
Players can now adjust the volume of boat sounds and regulate water quality with more precision.
Numerous bug fixes and enhancements
Have been implemented, including updates to the reel damage system and drag behavior to eliminate exploits related to the "unbreakable setup”. We’ve also implemented a new wear system for tackles: freshwater items will wear out faster in ocean water, just as they do in real life. As the bugfix list is very long, we suggest reading it in a different article HERE.

We're thrilled to announce the completion of this monumental update and extend our gratitude to all of you for your patience during its development. We eagerly await your feedback and wish you an incredible experience out on the ocean!

___________________________________________________________________
Follow us on social media to stay tuned and be in touch with our lovely community:

Read previous DevDiaries on the ocean update:

May 30, 2024

DevDiary: Introducing Ocean Tackles

Fishing Planet - Dennis_FP

Hey there our beloved Anglers,

The launch of the new Kaiji No Ri ocean location in Japan, which is just around the corner, will bring with it over 500 new inventory items specifically designed for this unique fishing environment. Fishing in the open sea introduces a host of new challenges, including new fish species, unpredictable weather conditions, and a completely different water consistency.

The fish in the ocean are notably larger, requiring significantly more powerful setups to fight and reel them in. With depths reaching up to 500 meters in some places, anglers need heavier sinkers for bottom fishing. New tackle materials provide enhanced resistance to saltwater corrosion for durability in the ocean. Additionally, fishing from a boat, rather than the shore, requires equipment that can handle the movement while trolling and the formidable fight of larger ocean fish.

Today's DevDiary introduces the exciting new items for ocean fishing, including delicious fresh baits like spiny lobsters, flying squid, gutted fish, and giant chunks of fresh fish. You'll also find innovative saltwater lures such as pilkers, plugs, squid jigs, bucktails, trolling octopuses, and teasers like squid chains. We’ll showcase saltwater rods and reels, and reveal some details about the new animations in the game.

Let’s dive in!

Saltwater Tackle in the Global Shop

The first thing you'll notice when you open the Global Store is a new section dedicated to Saltwater tackle. Upon opening it, you'll discover a whopping 31 pages featuring a wide array of tackles for ocean fishing, ranging from level 81 to level 90.

Additionally, in all the tabs' dropdowns, you'll find new sections for saltwater items in their respective categories.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the saltwater core gear available in the shop. The selection includes spinning, casting, and bottom equipment specifically designed for ocean fishing. We'll highlight a few examples to give you a sense of what to expect and what to look forward to.

There are four Saltwater Spinning Rods all in the Kōdo Kyatchā Series by the renowned Japanese company Tsurihito™. As one of the oldest and largest manufacturers of extra heavy rods, Tsurihito™ has created the exclusive Kōdo Kyatchā with SamuraiDo® technology. These rods feature eight reinforcement layers of high modulus polyethylene "gel fiber," carbon fabric, and polymer resin, offering exceptional strength and remarkable flexibility. Despite their power, the rods have light and strong blanks, equipped with guides featuring silicon carbide inserts to prevent line tangles.

Bottom rods are represented in AquaStrike FJ and Ryōshi Kaito HJ series.

AquaStrike FJ by Fletch and Bradford™ are short bottom rods at attractive prices. They are perfect for fishing in conditions where it is impossible to swing far enough when casting and throwing the bait far. Made with alternating layers of fiberglass, these sleek looking rods are strong enough to take on big fish. The rods are equipped with strong and reliable guides that resist unexpected and heavy loads to withstand the significant weight of the fish.

The Ryōshi Kaito HJ are powerful short rods from Tsurihito™. The innovative technologies used in their production make these rods unique for bottom sea fishing. The nanofibers used to reinforce the rods with NanoFlexyPoint® technology create an incredibly strong and flexible construction. The rods are equipped with a complete set of reinforced roller guides and roller tips that can withstand heavy loads under extreme fishing conditions. All poles are treated with a special anti-corrosion protective layer against the aggressive marine environment, which increases the performance of the rods.

The shop will feature a diverse range of Saltwater Casting Rods, spanning six different series from Tsurihito™ and Fletch and Bradford™. We'll showcase two of these series as examples.

The Kōdo Tatsu Umi Pro casting rods from the latest Kōdo series by Tsurihito™ will captivate casting saltwater fishing enthusiasts with their unique properties. The rods deliver exceptional balance and power while still looking sleek. The innovative technology of applying each of the eight composite reinforcing layers to the rod provides it with the highest strength and flexibility. The unique placement of the guides allows you to use not only fishing lines, but also thin braided cords without problems and overlaps.

The ReefRider Max trolling rods from Fletch and Bradford™ are a masterpiece of engineering and design. Developed to perform in the toughest conditions, these rods are equipped with a complete set of roller guides and saltwater resistant roller tips. Innovations were used in the manufacturing process, including the Ultra Resonance System® technology, as the use of composite high-modulus materials made it possible to obtain unique properties of the rods: the ability to instantly return to their original position after peak loads, plasticity, and high sensitivity!

The saltwater reels are simply stunning. Here are a few examples for you, but there will be much more!

The Tsunami Koiru Series are powerful spinning reels by Tsurihito™. They have a fairly large size but are easy to operate and don't require special care. Being one of the most reliable reels in their class, they fully meet all the main requirements of a modern angler. A special boron nitride coating on the various 3D-BN® reel mechanisms guarantees exceptional strength, durability, and wear resistance.

The TsuruOceanSeries from Tsurihito™ are saltwater baitcasting reels that you can trust 100%. These reels easily and smoothly overcome the resistance of heavy loads, which allows you to cast both weightless plastic lures and heavy ones with accuracy, and also increases the casting distance with less effort. The spool, rotor and parts of the drag mechanisms of the reel, made using the innovative TatsumakiLite® technology from an ultra-light and strong alloy, are wear-resistant and provide high-speed winding. They have a waterproof body that is resistant to the aggressive marine environment.

The FlowCatch saltwater baiting reels series by Fletch and Bradford™ were manufactured specifically for anglers for whom reliability is the main requirement in saltwater fishing.They possesses huge free-floating spool capacity, AntiRust® protected instantaneous anti-reverse brake bearing, StopWet® waterproof gasket, and other benefits of FaBula® protection technology. The lightness and strength of the body combined with the power and smoothness in reeling in the largest marine dwellers puts them ahead of any other reels of this class!

The powerful RaidenWheel Heavy Duty reels from Tsurihito™ are designed for deep sea trolling or bottom fishing at depths of more than 100 meters. Constructed from an ultra-light, wear-resistant TatsumakiLite® alloy, the spool, rotor and drag parts provide ideal high-speed winding.

There will also be dozens of new saltwater lines, leaders, hooks, and sinkers. Each item is specifically designed to meet the demands of ocean environments and resist the corrosive effects of saltwater. You'll have everything you need for ocean fishing, including trolling.

You'll have everything you need for ocean fishing, including trolling.

As for the lures, you will have a lot of new things to choose from.

You'll find regular lures in the shop, as well as trophy items available as mission rewards. Additionally, you can earn exclusive X-Series and Club-Series items.

Plugs -classic wooden trolling lures. Their elongated body is weighted with a metal tip and fitted with a powerful hook on the other side.They are ideal for trolling Tuna, Marlin, Mahi-Mahi or Wahoo.

Pilkers - oblong jigs with the front-placed center of gravity. They are equipped with one, two, or three hooks on leaders (mainly located in the head of the lure) and are intended for casting and vertical jigging. Amberjacks, Trevallies, and Dogtooth Tunas respond best to this lure.

Bucktails - casting lures, made in the form of a small metal fish with a long, fluffy tail made of synthetic fibers. Their main purpose is casting and jigging, as well as trolling. Mahi-Mahi, Striped Bass, Snook, and other fish that live in the surface layer are happy to bite at this bait.

Trolling Octopuses are silicone lures that resemble skirts. They are one of the most popular marine lures and perfect for beginners. They are made in the form of an octopus and have realistic tentacles. This lure is designed for trolling Tunas, Marlins, Mahi-Mahi, and Wahoo.

Squid jigs are popular front-loaded jig lures for recreational squid fishing with spinning rods. They resemble shrimp in shape and color and are made of plastic and sport two crowns of barbless spikes, which catch the squid’s tentacles when it’s attacking the lure. The absence of barbs makes it easy to remove the caught squid, but it also increases the chance of it slipping away, so while catching the squid your fishing line shouldn't go slack even for a second.

Squid Chains are teasers imitating a flock of squids. They consist of several silicone squids, located one after the other on a monofilament 2- or 3-meter-long line. As a rule, the main lure with a hook is attached behind the last squid. They are ideal for catching Tuna, Marlin, and Mahi-Mahi.

There will be plenty of fresh baits like Japanese Jack Mackerel, Japanese Flying Squid, Japanese Anchovy that are excellent for all pelagic predatory fish such as Tunas, Marlins, Mackerels, Bonitos, Yellowtails, and Trevallies.

Japanese spiny lobsters are valuable commercial crustaceans in Japan, while also making a perfect bait for the Giant Grouper, as well as gutted fish. Fish stripes are best for bottom fish like Snappers, Trevallies and Amberjack, but these fish won’t skip the chance to taste gutted fish as well.

As usual, the game features a local shop at the new location. It will offer the most common items you might need, ensuring you won't have to travel back to the Globe if you run out of bait or forget something. For your convenience, the local shop will have two sections.

Another exciting addition is Free spool mechanics that will enhance your fishing experience, especially for bottom fishing at great depths. This feature allows precise control of your line, enabling the free immersion of lures or sinkers to significant depths with an open spool and securing the line at the desired depth with a closed spool. This added functionality offers greater accuracy, especially when the bottom topography is unknown and considering the fact that the depth of the ocean will be over 100 meters at many spots, making it easier to target specific depths and fish species. Additionally, a gaff has been added to the animations, used for bringing large fish aboard the boat, further enriching the overall fishing experience.

This was a brief introduction to the ocean inventory items available with The Ocean Update and some of the new animations, but there's much more to come. We've also started working on a new matchmaking system for competitions in the game. Our goal is to revise the competition rating and leaderboards to make them more dynamic, fair, and motivating for players of all skill levels and fishing experience.

While we put the finishing touches on the final details of the Ocean Update, we thank you for your patience and continuous support.

Tight lines and see you soon!

___________________________________________________________________

Follow us on social media to stay tuned and be in touch with our lovely community:

Read previous DevDiaries on the ocean update:

You are always welcome to ask for help in our support: support@fishingplanet.com
*All visual content in this DevDiary is crafted to showcase the upcoming features; however, there may be slight differences upon the actual release of the update

May 10, 2024

Live Bait Fiesta Cup 2024

Fishing Planet - Dennis_FP

Hello there to our lovely community,

We invite seasoned Anglers and newcomers to join us for the Live Bait Fiesta Cup!
Don’t forget that Fishing Planet’s Tournaments are not only an opportunity to challenge your angling skills, but also a great chance for beginners to fish at high level locations for in-game money. All of the players who register to the Tournament, get access to all the participating locations along with the licenses for qualifying fish.

Get your bottom and match gear ready. Leave your rod stand at home — it won't be needed.
Please note that only fish caught from the shore will be considered valid during the tournament. The winner will be determined based on the maximum weight of their ten heaviest catches.
Throughout the tournament, you'll embark on an exhilarating journey through three stunning warm countries in South America. Explore waterways surrounded by tropical jungles and inhabited by unique impressive fish.

Your adventure will take you to the Peruvian Lake Maku-Maku, the Amazonian Maze in Brazil, and the Marron River flowing through the Bolivian rainforests. These locales boast incredible flora and fauna, attracting sport fishing experts from around the globe. Prepare to face off against seasoned pros in this tournament!

Remember, the greater the challenge, the sweeter the victory. Compete for the title of Champion and win substantial prizes, including generous amounts of Credits, Baitcoins, and exclusive equipment items. Join us for an unforgettable fishing experience!

Stay tuned and don't miss the registration date for the Live Bait Fiesta Cup!

Registration of tournament participants begins on May 13th at 18:00 UTC.
The tournament takes place from May 14 to May 19th, 18:00 UTC

Tournament schedule dates:

May 14th — first qualifier on the deep-water lake Maku-Maku in Peru.
May 15th — second qualifier in the Amazonian Maze in Brazil.
May 16th — third qualifier on the foggy Marron River, amidst the Bolivian jungle.
May 18th — semi-finals on the Marron River in Bolivia.
May 19th — tournament finals in the Amazonian Maze, Brazil.

Important! Please, read the Competitive activities rules before you register. We've recently joined the Epic Games Store, which means you can play against folks on Steam too! The most important part is that you can have Fishing Planet accounts on both platforms, but you can only use one Fishing Planet account per device for tournaments.
We know gaming with family is awesome, but for tournaments, each family member should play on their own device. If you share a device, just pick one person to compete.

Do not miss an opportunity to get everything you need in the Live Bait Fiesta Pack!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1804848/Fishing_Planet_Live_Bait_Fiesta_Pack/

Tight lines and good luck!

May 2, 2024

DevDiary: Exploring Kaiji No Ri

Fishing Planet - Dennis_FP

When we set out to create the ocean map, we weren't aiming to just add a new location in Fishing Planet. Our ambition was to go big. We wanted players to feel like they were stepping into a whole new world, with endless possibilities and giant fish waiting to be caught.

But let us tell you, turning that dream into reality wasn't easy. In fact, sometimes we joke that it would have been faster and easier to build a whole new game from scratch! And that joke is actually not too far from reality.

Now, after months of hard work, we're getting closer to the finish line, and it's been quite the journey. Today we're excited to present a new addition to our DevDiary series for you to take a closer look at the location and some of the new features accompanying it. Sit back and enjoy!

Discovering the immensity

You already know that the new location is going to be massive. We've discussed its size in previous DevDiaries — it's set to span 20 by 20 km, totaling 400 square kilometers, or roughly 40,000 hectares, which is almost 100,000 acres.

To give you a sense of scale, we previously attempted to estimate these dimensions by comparing them to all our other Fishing Planet locations combined and multiplied at least by twenty. Now, however, you can see for yourself with the following image.

Take a peek at all of our locations gathered in the upper left corner. We're confident you'll recognize some of your favorite maps by their outlines.

Now, let's zoom in for a closer look in the picture below. We've highlighted the Mudwater River for you with a red square so you can see it up close and truly grasp the enormity of the new map. Remember, when it comes to fishing, it's the size of the water surface that matters, so disregard the green areas on the maps. Take a moment to appreciate just how much blue there is on the new map, showcasing the vastness of the saltwater waiting for you at the Kaiji No Ri location.

Ocean water: mastering the waves

When it comes to video games, graphics play a crucial role, particularly in simulators. In Fishing Planet, water constitutes 90% of our graphics. Water is an incredibly complex element, like nothing else in the real world. Freshwater and saltwater have distinctly different physics, appearance, and behaviors. This is one of the reasons why crafting a saltwater location felt close to developing an entirely new game – we had to build 90% of the graphics from scratch. We're proud to say that we like the outcome of our efforts.

We've created different water shapes and technologies for various platforms - mobile, consoles, and PC. It actually consists of three different types of water, which are significantly different in terms of calculations, although they may appear the same. Some of them were created using the Gerstner wave formula, while others utilized FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) and tessellation technology to ensure the most realistic approach. Calculating buoyancy was a challenging task given the variety of water technologies involved, but we've managed to do it.

The appearance of the water also varies significantly depending on the weather and time of day, yet it maintains its stunning and remarkably realistic quality, whether it's day or night, sunny or cloudy.

The ocean isn't always serene; sometimes, storms brew, and waves grow sharp and tumultuous. For such occasions, we've developed a special water dynamic. And let us tell you, this one's our favorite!

No kidding, the ocean turned out so realistic that after our first trips, some of us even felt a bit dizzy! :)

The water you see in the videos above isn't the final version yet. We're still refining and enhancing small details to make it look as realistic as possible. It's also important to mention that optimizing such an expansive water mass is crucial to ensure all players can enjoy it across various platforms and devices. Therefore, our developers pay special attention to it.

Control panel and devices

If you've checked out the Fish Species Guide for our upcoming location, you already know that the majority of fish species in this area are highly migratory, covering many kilometers each day. With such vast movements influenced by natural factors like weather, wind, time of day, and depth, it will take anglers quite some time to study fish behavior. But fear not! We've got you covered.

Introducing brand new Echo Sounders and Fish Finders installed on all saltwater boats, along with a comprehensive GPS navigator map built right into the boats themselves, ensuring convenience for all the anglers.

As you can see in the videos, the depth varies significantly. With the Echo Sounder, you'll have visibility of the depth and bottom relief beneath the boat, and different depth zones can be identified on both the Fish Finder and the GPS navigator. The Echo Sounder will display fish directly beneath your boat, while the Fish Finder will detect fish in a wider radius around your location.

The Fish Finder also displays fish across different layers - upper, middle, and bottom - helping you determine the most suitable tackle to use. Indeed, certain spots on the map are teeming with fish, tempting you to cast your rods non-stop!

Sea Life Simulation System

Another addition tailored specifically for the saltwater location is the Sea Life Simulation System. Mirroring real-life phenomena, when tuna schools pursue smaller fish, they drive them towards the surface, attracting flocks of seagulls eager to snatch their share. Fishing in these spots promises excitement, with tuna leaping out of the water just as they do in reality!

We’ve made sure to provide anglers with clues on locating bottom-dwelling fish on the map. While they won't be leaping out of the water like tuna, there will be other indicators of where to find them in the location. These hints are left for you to discover, when the map is released.

Navigation Buoys

We mentioned earlier the GPS navigation built into the boats, but there will also be already familiar to you Tablet with the map and other useful features. Given the vast size of the location, traveling from one end to the other can take quite some time. To simplify navigation, we've created the Navigation Buoys for saltwater locations. These special buoys allow you to mark your favorite spots and teleport directly to them, streamlining your journey.

Setting a Navigation buoy is simple: travel to the desired location, open the map, and click the plus button. The buoy will mark the spot instantly.

If you wish to travel to any of your Navigation Buoys, simply click on it and hit the button. You'll be instantly transported right there!

But Navigation Buoys don’t only exist on the Tablet navigation map, they are real objects in the water. You will be able to see them when you are passing by.

At night Navigation Buoys illuminate with red light, making them visible from afar. You can also enjoy the sight of stars in the night sky, with the lighthouse and port lanterns adding to the ambiance. These features take extra time, but it was important for us to create a cozy atmosphere for nighttime fishing.

Picture yourself stepping onto that boat in the hazy dawn, starting the engine, and gliding slowly and silently out of the marina. Then, as you gain momentum, you cut through the waves and venture into the vast open ocean!

We appreciate how much you're looking forward to this update, and we're working tirelessly to bring it to life. It is crucial for us to ensure that the experience you have in this location is everything we envisioned for you and we thank you for holding tight until it’s released.

Keep an eye out for the next DevDiary, where we'll delve into the details of saltwater tackles and gear. Until then, tight lines, and enjoy your fishing adventures!

P.S. Just a little treat for you

We know you've always wanted to approach those yachts and ships that you can see in the distance at various locations in the game, and at Kaiji No Ri, you'll finally have the chance! For example, there will be Cruise Ships in Japan. You can sail to one, take a close look from all angles, sail alongside it and…

…even crash into it! We know you wanted to try it! Have fun! :D

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Facebook Group

Read previous DevDiaries on the ocean update:

https://steamcommunity.com/games/380600/announcements/detail/4156329795249248305?snr=2___

https://steamcommunity.com/games/380600/announcements/detail/4214880391847589527?snr=2___

You are always welcome to ask for help in our support: support@fishingplanet.com

*All visual content in this DevDiary is crafted to showcase the upcoming features; however, there may be slight differences upon the actual release of the update