Each month we take a moment to talk with you about the development process and progress from the past month, while also highlighting contributions from the Ahoy community.
This month, we’re taking a look at the latest addition to the Ahoy fleet – Seamule.
As discussed last month, we’ve decided to revisit the smallest ships within the Ahoy fleet to ensure they are prepared for playability. We showed off Seamule and her mercantile sisters briefly in a previous Developer Journal, and this month is no different. Meet Seamule!
Seamule is among several digital reconstructions in Ahoy that draw heavily on the designs of Fredrik Henrik af Chapman. Chapman, a Swedish shipbuilder, scientist, and naval officer, was active during the period in which Ahoy is set. His most notable work, Architectura Navalis Mercatoria, originally published in 1768, remains a foundational resource in historical naval architecture.
Seamule is a true workhorse of the Ahoy fleet. Every inch of space is maximised for efficiency, and the only room wasted is room not used for carrying more cargo.
Seamule, like Bumblebee, is one of the smallest ships in the Ahoy fleet. Yet, unlike the Bumblebee, she offers a surprisingly spacious interior for her officers, at least for a vessel of her size. The captain has a modest but cosy space to study charts or relax on long journeys with a book.
Sunlight is somewhat limited in cabins of this size; while the stern windows provide a bit of sunlight, the grate above the desk doesn’t let in quite enough, making a few lanthorns essential.
Seamule offers space for two private berths. The smaller of the two is divided by a simple curtain and opens out onto the companionway. This space is reserved for an officer and provides a fixed bed, even if there is significantly less private space.
The larger of the two berths is the space of the captain. The captain enjoys a larger private area which includes a fixed bed, ample storage and even room for a small writing desk for those letters you may want to keep hidden from the rest of the crew.
Returning below deck from the foremost ladder, we find ourselves in a rather more cramped space. While the officers receive a relatively private area, the crew are not left with much room at all. Being a merchant vessel, as much of the remaining space in the hull is reserved for cargo and equipment, which means that the crew may end up sleeping beneath the stars in a ship as small as this.
Overall, Seamule will offer a fantastic experience for mercantile players. The significant space dedicated to cargo will certainly enable more sizable shipments between ports, and we imagine she may perform well for the less aggressive variety of smugglers and thieves, too!
Each month we ask some of the community questions asked since the last Journal update. We’re really enjoying this process of Q&A, and we would love to hear your thoughts on this month’s Journal.
On the role of player officers:
– Respondent, Journal Questionnaire.
- What will be the motivation to be a lesser officer on someone else’s ship? The prospect of being the captain and improving my own ship seems a lot more appealing than being a midshipman on someone else’s, so I can imagine a shortage of people wanting to team up.
Playing as a commissioned officer or crew member on another player's ship is designed to be rewarding in it's own way. As an officer you’ll gain specialized experience and skills that are valuable for progressing in your own career later on. You'll have access to larger ships and higher-stakes missions, which would be out of reach if sailing solo or within your own means. This can provide a faster track to earn reputation and wealth without bearing the full costs and risks of captaining your own vessel.
Additionally, roles like midshipman or lieutenant come with responsibilities and influence on ship operations—granting you tactical and leadership experience. Teaming up also opens doors for shared rewards from successful missions, and if your crew achieves a notable victory, that success is shared among all members, not just the captain.
For those wanting to eventually captain, serving as an officer would be a great way to learn the ropes, build connections, and access resources. Additionally, serving on particularly notable ships will assist you throughout the game when looking to purchase ships or hire your own crew. People are more likely to trust your suggested experience if the ships you've served on in your own career are recognisable or successful.
We fully expect that most players would choose to captain their own ship eventually, however we think it's important to preserve a feeling that the ability to captain those ships is earned through service in one of the navies, rather than something immediately accessible to new players.
On the accessories of war:
– Respondent, Journal Questionnaire.
- Will there be scabbards and holsters for weapons like pistols and swords in the Navy equipment?
Absolutely! You'll be able to see weapons properly stowed both within your ship and on your character. Scabbards and holsters will provide an opportunity for cosmetic expression for your character.
On interior customisation:
– Respondent, Journal Questionnaire.
- Are there plans to allow players to customise the interiors of their ships, such as cabins and storage areas, to create a more personalised experience on board?
Ship customisation in Ahoy will include various interior options, allowing players to personalise specific areas within their vessels. Each officer’s cabin can be assigned to a player officer, whose personal preferences will be displayed when they’re on board. For instance, one player might choose to showcase particular portraits or artefacts they’ve collected in their cabin. These customisation choices will follow each player officer from ship to ship, making their cabin instantly recognisable without requiring adjustments each time they board a new vessel.
Larger cabins will offer even more flexibility, with options to choose furniture and select decorative items. Additionally, the ship’s owner will have control over certain aspects of the ship’s interior, like paint colours and furnishings, giving each vessel a unique look and feel.
On exploration:
– Respondent, Journal Questionnaire.
- How will exploration be handled in the persistent world? Will players be able to freely discover new areas?
Exploration is likely to be a key element for each player when they start playing Ahoy. Although the map will initially be fully visible to all players, your first journey to any new location should still evoke a sense of adventure, even if you aren’t the first to set foot there. We’re aiming to instil a feeling of discovery during your voyages in a number of ways. For instance, by maintaining a personal journal of places you’ve visited, which will serve as a basis for achievements and cosmetic unlocks as you fill it with sketches and watercolours of distinctive natural or man-made landmarks. This will allow completionists among you to feel as though you’ve truly uncovered everything a region has to offer, while keeping track of your progress in an immersive manner.
While the West Indies will be fully mapped for everyone at the start of the game, the more detailed charts used to navigate into particular ports and harbours must be acquired or purchased within the game to better improve your ability to travel along these routes. The more charts you acquire along your way, the more informed you will be in various regions of the map.
Moreover, the maps you use for navigation may evolve as you revisit locations after some time. Depth markings, more defined coastlines, and changes in the control of certain ports will develop over time. We have some intriguing ideas about involving players in the game’s cartography in a collaborative way, where each player’s exploration contributes to adding detail and information to the world over time.
Please do keep sending in your questions about Ahoy. If you have more questions for the team and would like them answers next month, please submit your questions below.
Submit your questions:
https://forms.gle/1w9MRgU3qrvTNkqn7
Until next time, good day!
Sincerely your most humble servant,
Tyler – Project Lead
Our Journal updates are often discussed at length in the official Ahoy Discord server. Whether you have questions about the topics covered in this update, or you would like to leave your own feedback or suggestions, please join our Discord server to discuss!
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