Meta Hotline | Hot Feedback and Optimization Progress Vol. 3

Dear Metas,

After the v2.3.7 update, we added the Feedback Hot Charts section to the Once Human Feedback Platform, listing recent popular requests from the community. After logging in to the Feedback Platform, you can like the feedback you support and dislike any feedback you disagree with. The Feedback Hot Charts will display the likes and dislikes of each piece of feedback in real time, and our development team will reference it when deciding on future development priorities. (Feedback Platform link: Once Human Feedback Platform)

With each version update, the Feedback Hot Charts will also be updated, after which we will announce our optimization plans and progress for issues that charted during the previous cycle. Your suggestions are important to us, and we hope the Feedback Hot Charts will help us communicate and share our development plans and progress more openly.

Today, we'll reveal the results of the third Meta Hotline! As of June 10, the Feedback Hot Charts standings are as follows:

Thank you to all Metas for taking part. Every piece of feedback, every like, and every dislike helps the dev team better understand which needs matter most from the player perspective. Below are the follow-up details for this cycle's top suggestions.

\[Top Suggestion - Cutscenes] Automatically Skip Boss Cutscenes

\[Optimization Progress] The auto-skip feature is not being added at this time. In this round's hot feedback topics, we saw many Metas expressing a desire for an "Auto-skip Boss Cutscene" feature. We understand the core request is to reduce waiting time during repeated dungeon challenges and make the overall combat rhythm more smooth. Currently, cutscenes in dungeons already support manual skipping: Metas using PCcan press the spacebar to skip, and Metas using mobiles can click the "Skip Cutscene" button in the top-right corner of the interface.

We understand that some Metas wish for further "auto-skipping" to eliminate the need for key presses or button clicks. However, Boss cutscenes typically serve purposes such as transitioning between combat stages, providing mechanic cues, and enhancing the dungeon's atmosphere. Considering the convenience of skipping for players, the overall game's narrative expression, and the consistency of the operational experience across different scenes, we currently have no plan to add an additional auto-skip feature for Boss cutscenes. We will continue to monitor feedback regarding the experience of repeated dungeon challenges. If the existing skip operation still presents inconveniences, we will also continue to evaluate whether there is room for further optimization.

\[Top Suggestion - Fish] Fish of Same Type Cannot Be Stacked in the Backpack

\[Optimization Progress] Direct stacking of the same type of fish is not currently supported. Fish storage, backpack organization, and storage management received a high number of player likes in this round of voting. We understand the core request is to reduce the space occupied in backpacks and storage when players have a large number of fish. In response to this feedback, we have evaluated it based on the underlying rules of the current fish Items. Unlike basic materials, each fish obtained by Metas is an independent individual. Even if they belong to the same species, differences such as size and weight exist between individuals. These differences are an important part of the fish collection experience and the feeling of catching a "big fish."

If we were to directly change it so that the same type of fish fish are stored in stacks, we would need to treat all fish of the same species as completely identical Items. This would mean individual stats like size and weight could no longer be retained. While this would reduce grid space usage, it would also diminish the unique sense of collection and display value of each fish, which is not the direction we wish to take.

Another possible solution would involve significant underlying adjustments to the storage and backpack system: fish of the same type could first be merged and displayed as a single grid, with specific information like size and weight for each fish viewable upon expansion. However, this solution would involve modifications to multiple systems including storage, backpack, item display, and interaction logic, resulting in high development and verification costs. Considering the current optimization schedule and the scope of impact this feature would have on the overall experience, we will not prioritize it for now.

We will continue to monitor feedback regarding the experience of fish storage, backpack organization, and storage management. If the issue of fish occupying too much space remains a persistent and concentrated concern, we will continue to evaluate whether to improve the fish management experience through optimizations in fish storage, backpack management, or storage display.

\[Top Suggestion - Fish] Increase the variety of fish

\[Optimization Progress] Fish with different color patterns are currently in development and are expected to be released within 3 months; additional new fish species are planned for release within this year. Fishing has consistently been one of the more popular casual modes among Metas in Once Human. After the suggestion to "increase the variety of fish" received significant positive feedback, we re-evaluated the current richness of fishing content and the value that new fish species would bring to the gameplay experience. Our assessment concluded that adding new fish species can introduce more novelty to the fishing process and provide new goals for Metas who enjoy collecting, displaying, and pursuing rare challenges. Currently, fish with different color patterns are in development and are expected to be completed and released within 3 months. Additionally, we have plans to introduce more fish species, which are expected to be completed within this year.

\[Top Suggestion - Deviations] Add an attribute filter function during Deviation Fusion

\[Optimization Progress] Development priority has been significantly increased, with an expected release in the second half of the year. Within Deviation Fusion-related gameplay, we have observed that as Metas secure and cultivate an increasing number of Deviations, the process of selecting specific-attribute Deviations for fusion requires repeatedly browsing and comparing through multiple pages of the Deviation list, leading to increased operational complexity.

We understand the community's desire for an attribute filter function and recognize that this feature would help Metas locate target Deviations more quickly, significantly improving operational convenience during Deviation Fusion. After this suggestion received substantial positive feedback, we have significantly increased the development priority and have begun advancing the related development work.

Currently, the development team is progressing multiple optimization and content items in parallel. Considering the overall development schedule and testing/validation pace, this feature is expected to be released in the second half of this year.

\[Top Suggestion - Animal Distribution] Add animal distribution location search on the map

\[Optimization Progress] Development priority has been significantly increased, with an expected launch in the second half of the year. Currently, animal distribution is not entirely fixed to specific locations, but will change with version updates and related rules adjustments to preserve the fun and unpredictability of wilderness exploration. However, we have also noted that in current game modes such as crafting and breeding, the demand for certain animals is relatively high, leading many Metas to feel that their objectives are not clear enough and the search cost is somewhat elevated when looking for specific animals. To address this, we previously included "adding animal distribution location search on the map" in our optimization plan.

After this suggestion received numerous likes, we have significantly increased its development priority and will continue to advance related development work. Upon launch, Metas will be able to more conveniently check the approximate distribution information of animals, reducing the time cost associated with aimless running around the map, and also plan capture and breeding routes more strategically. According to the current plan, this feature is expected to launch in the second half of this year.

\[Top Suggestion - Fridge] Extend the Fridge's Storage time

\[Optimization Progress] No plan for overall extension of fridge storage time for now; ingredient freshness experience is scheduled for specialized optimization in the second half of the year. Ingredient stockpiling and dish management are relatively high-frequency operations in Metas' daily survival experience. We understand the desire for food to have a longer storage time, thereby reducing the pressure of frequent organizing, replenishing, and processing of ingredients.

After this suggestion received numerous likes, we re-evaluated the current fridge's freshness duration. Regarding finished dishes, even without any buffs applied, a dish can be saved in the fridge for approximately 20 days. After being enhanced by an Advanced Stove, the storage time can be further extended up to a maximum of 40 days, which can generally cover longer-term daily stockpiling and usage needs. Therefore, we currently do not plan to further extend the overall fridge storage time.

However, we have also noted that the more concentrated pain points in the current experience primarily stem from the shelf life of certain ingredients. For example, some ingredients only last about 3 days even after being deposited in the fridge, resulting in relatively higher pressure for organization and restocking. Regarding the freshness experience after ingredients are placed in the fridge, we plan to conduct a dedicated optimization in the second half of this year.

Moving forward, we will continue to pay attention to the specific feedback from Metas regarding ingredient reserves, dish crafting, and survival experiences, and will further evaluate related optimization opportunities based on actual usage.

That's all for this edition of Meta Hotline. Your feedback, including your likes and dislikes, is the foundation of Once Human's continued development. We will continue to monitor the Feedback Platform and listen closely to your views. Please keep sharing your honest opinions via the Feedback Platform. Your suggestion may make the next Hot Charts!

Once Human Development Team