This is one of the 5 indie games currently in development (Feb 2018) that I reviewed on The Loot Gaming, here you'll find my full interview with developer Adam Truncale and the review, if you want to read the full article: "In Development - February's Roundup"

Itch.io

Reviewed on Windows.

Genre: top-down sandbox.

Developer: Voided Pixels.

Like most survival sandboxes, you'll have to build a base, explore dangerous surrounding to salvage resources and with luck start your own production of supplies. The Superfluous Sand takes it a step further adding a camp value that will attract NPC party members to give you a hand, at first it might seem very hard to get more value, my advice, rush the "Merchant Stall" once you start "Ranching" things get easier.

The world is very interactive and while at first, the crafting system seems basic, after a little while it escalates and lets you build shotguns and cars. Leaving you camp will take you to the exploration map, where you can travel around and stop to explore wherever you want, the game will procedurally fill the map with resources and enemies.





Combat is still a little unbalanced, it takes a very long time to down an enemy, it gets easier when you get the gun, but you still have to shot the dudes eight times for them to croak... There are other minor bugs expected in any alpha version, but it's pretty solid considering the huge amount of content.

Interview

Q: Are you working on The Superfluous Sand alone?

A: Yes, I am doing all the art and programming. I have someone (o e of my ex-students) that has done music in my games in the past; I'll most likely tap him again for the score.

Q: What motivated the concept?

A: The Superfluous Sand is a sequel to my last game The Superfluous. The Superfluous was a platformer game and I wanted to make something different this time.

Q: Right now the sandbox is pretty solid and the economic system is sweet, where do you go from here? What's the next step in development?

A: First step us to really flesh out the base building adding componets like electricity and automated turrets and ither high tech stuff. After I get the base building right I'll work on filling out the world with towns and the other races (rhinos, frog and ink peoples). After the world feels alive and there are lots of things to find and explore i'll add the story.

Q: Will the full version of the game have a multiplayer component?

A: Not sure exactly. I know people really like the idea if multiplayer games I am just nit sure it would fit this style if game. But maybe.

Q: What has been the biggest challenge while developing the game?

A: Game developing isn't my full time job. I am a high school computer teacher. Id say the hardest thing fir me is finding the time to develop. Between work and family I can squeeze a few hours a day to do it.

How can you help Voided Pixels develop The Superfluous Sand?

Right now they will appreciate feedback and bug reports very much. After the alpha version is a little more advanced they plan on releasing a paid beta and a Kickstarter/Indiegogo campaign to found the full version of the game.