My Time At Sandrock Sequel May Surprise Fans, Says Dev

Xu Zhi: We are grateful for all the praise we have received. As a matter of fact, we intentionally designed the combat so it’s not overly complicated and can be accessible to both casual and simulation audiences. We wanted to make it easy for everyone to gather the necessary resources. However, we have taken note of player feedback and are working on adding a more challenging ruin for those seeking a more intense combat experience. Our current plan is to release this update before Christmas on PC and by January of next year on console platforms.

Xu Zhi: While both Portia and Sandrock have the common goal of rebuilding a town, the underlying themes of these two games are vastly different. Portia is set in a livable seaside city, while Sandrock is situated in a harsh desert environment with limited access to water. This stark contrast in natural resources also affects the resource-gathering process.

Our team did not live in a city with such a harsh environment, so in order to portray a real desert town, our core members, including story writers, traveled to the northwest desert region of China for over 10 days to gain firsthand knowledge on combating desertification. Through these trips, we observed the behaviors of plants and animals and drew inspiration for in-game stories and functions.

In fact, some of the characters in Sandrock are actually based on real Chinese local farmers who are experts in combating desertification. These farmers are experts in combat desertification, with many years of experience in desert greening, using methods such as the straw grid, which can be found in Sandrock.

By incorporating these real-life techniques into the game, we hope to educate players from all over the world on the issue of desertification and inspire them to hopefully implement these methods of curing the desert in real-life settings. This is the power of video games – they have the potential to bring about real change in people’s lives.

Xu Zhi: We decided to make Sandrock a separate title, near the end of Portia development. This is because we wanted to challenge ourselves with a game of different vibes. Compared to Portia’s coziness, Sandrock has its own unique characteristics that can be used to shape a different story and desert-related gameplay. Plus, we wanted to add the much-requested multiplayer feature in Sandrock at the time. The story in Portia has already finished content-wise, and there’s no plan at the moment for future DLCs for the title.

Xu Zhi: We’ve gathered and evaluated a lot of feedback from Portia fans; here are some examples of things we’ve optimized in Sandrock.

1. In Portia, players could only save at the end of each day, which could be frustrating. In Sandrock, we have made it more convenient by allowing players to save anywhere they want.

2. Many Portia players expressed interest in a co-op game mode, so we have added a multiplayer co-op mode in Sandrock.

3. Crafting in Portia required players to hold crafting parts in their hands, which was a common complaint. In Sandrock, we have optimized the process by allowing the game to access data directly from storage boxes.

4. In Portia, players had to carry items in their bags to submit commissions and orders. In Sandrock, we have simplified this process by allowing the game to read items directly from storage boxes.

These are just a few examples of the improvements we have made. Players of Portia will notice that Sandrock is a significant step up in every aspect.

Xu Zhi: One of these challenges was crafting the expansive and rich main story, as it involved a complex plot with many twists and turns that we had never attempted before. This required a significant amount of time and energy to ensure that the story was logical and engaging for players.

Another challenge we encountered was porting the game in-house for the first time. This process had many flaws and ultimately resulted in the console version of the game not meeting our expectations upon release, which we are deeply sad about. Moving forward, we are fully committed to optimizing the console version to match a similar level of high quality as the PC version, with updates already underway.

Xu Zhi: We plan to release some DLC with exciting content to explore in 2024, but we can’t announce any specific details yet. One will feature new gameplay mechanics, while the other will be related to the storyline. Both DLCs will have a longer production cycle, so they will be released next year.

Xu Zhi: There is no plan for the next My Time series game before the summer of 2024. Our focus at the moment is on providing free content updates for Sandrock post-launch, addressing bugs, polishing the console version and the production of future DLC content. Our goal is to ensure a satisfying experience for all those who have supported us and own the game.

Xu Zhi: Haha, most of the characters are still very friendly. Cooper, for example, may come off as snarky at first, but as players get to know him, they’ll discover that he’s just a simple rancher who’s not afraid to speak his mind. Compared to Portia, we wanted each townsperson in Sandrock to have their own unique personality. In Portia, where the environment and living standards are rich, the NPCs are generally good-natured from the start to the end.

However, in Sandrock, a city on the edge of the desert, the harsh living conditions may have shaped the residents to be more self-protective, giving them a perceived ‘bad’ reputation. Through the main storylines and the players’ impact on the development of the town, we can witness the growth and changes of these character personalities, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the game world and feel a sense of fulfillment.

Xu Zhi: Let’s keep this a secret for now and let players discover it on their own. But I can give you a little hint – There are some exciting Easter eggs and collaborations with Portia in the game, like the small gift from Portia Mayor Gale in the Sandrock city town hall. Some other Portia characters will also visit Sandrock, so explore the game to find it all by yourself!

Xu Zhi: While we can’t officially confirm anything just yet, let’s just say that the future successor to My Time Series may have a few surprises in store. For now, you’ll just have to stay tuned for more updates.

Xu Zhi: My Time at Sandrock is a game full of warmth and passion. Whether you’re facing challenges in real life or simply looking for an escape, we hope the game will transport you to the charming My Time world and hopefully make things a little better.

My Time at Sandrock is a simulation management game with a great community-praised story that sets it apart from all the other simulation games on the market. We have poured our hearts into creating a fulfilling narrative packed with exciting, romantic, and touching moments. This is not just My Time; it’s Our Time – a journey that we invite you to embark on and experience the love and dedication we have put into every aspect of this game.