Little devlog about optimisation and debug

Hello everyone,

I hope this devlog helps clarify some points regarding when and why I work on game patches and optimizations. Optimization is a long-term process that aims to create a polished and efficient product. Initially, the focus is on making something functional and enjoyable, even if it’s resource-intensive. Later, the goal shifts to refining and optimizing it to ensure better reliability and reduced system costs.

Since optimization takes considerable time and effort, I approach it in a balanced way to maintain a steady flow of updates. However, there are specific areas that require substantial attention to significantly improve the game. Let me explain a few key points:

1. Interaction System

The current interaction system relies on a plugin that is poorly suited for the size of the map and the features in the game. The underlying code is inefficient and not optimized for my needs. Soon, I’ll be replacing this with a custom-built system tailored specifically to the game’s requirements.

2. Physics System

Some physics elements, while secondary in importance, are extremely resource-intensive. I plan to rework these systems, which should reduce their resource consumption by nearly 95%. This will significantly improve overall performance.

3. Memory Usage

Currently, I’m transitioning actuals systems to a "soft reference" structure. For those unfamiliar with this term, it means the game will only load assets when they are needed, rather than preloading everything. With the number of clothing assets and the map size set to grow, this optimization will help keep RAM usage manageable, even in an open-world setting (though it’s not a miracle cure).

4. Debugging and Bug Reduction

Fixing bugs isn’t always a straightforward matter of debugging. Sometimes, "bug nests" emerge due to interactions between systems that weren’t originally designed to work together. This can happen in a growing project like LDR, especially when some systems were initially created under tight time constraints. These temporary systems are now being revisited and reworked into permanent, durable solutions. I’ve reached a stage in development where all new systems are designed to be long-term solutions.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me on Discord—I’m always happy to chat and provide more insights!

Thank you for your support and patience as I continue improving the game!