This update includes some Beta expectations, UI / UX, and Sentius updates while we refine the core systems ahead of the upcoming release.

Meet the fully evolved Drakonian starters! \[ Aerapterix, Maguma, Raion ]

First is Aerapterix the Aer Magma Dual type providing a unique combination of movesets, we also plan to implement gliding as an alternative locomotion method for Aerapterix while mounted.

Second, Maguma, built like a tank, is a dual type Magma Terra Sentius with formidable stature.

Lastly Raion agile, but fierce, this Sentius is uniquely a sole Magma type even in its final evolution.

To speed up iteration on animations, sound design, and VFX we built a Sentius playground which lets us quickly load in Sentius to a scene where they can wander around, play, and simulate fights!

Some Kelpup are playing in the playground.

The playground scene is great for seeing how a Sentius looks while interacting with other entities.

Aerapterix playing with a ball.

We can also load individual Sentius into a first person style mini game by tapping on the screen to have them chase a target. These provide critical viewing angles for animation and model quality.

This "Arena" scene will load in the combat animations and play out a simple battle, letting us quickly audit combat states and prepare audio / VFX clips to go along with the correct timing of battle.

Some other artist facing tools include a material and mesh checking system so we can quickly determine any model / rigging issues before full implementation.

Here is a high level overview of what we're planning to deliver in the Beta.

Character Creation 🙍

• Choose from one of two Districts \[ We will add more during Beta ]

• Customize Hairstyles, skin tones, eye color, face morphs, and body profiles

• Starter Selection - Choose one of three starter monsters \[ Sentius ]

• Customize your starting world conditions

• Class Selection - basic class selection of the Paladin, Mage, or Ranger

World Generation 🌎

• Massive multi-biome main continent where you will spawn along with other NPC controlled factions

• POIs such as temples and NPC inhabited settlements

• Road generation

• Infinite minor continents and islands

• Hostile NPCs

• Autonomous void infection system that spreads through the land if left unchecked

Open World Survival 🪓

• Explore freely without loading screens

• Familiar progression path from gathering resources and basic crafting

• Cooking system with simple recipes

• Base building system

• Rest / heal mechanics

• Health / Stamina, but no hunger or thirst requirements \[ Survival lite ]

Platform Support 🎮

• Scalable performance including low end devices

• Windows 10 / 11 including AMD and Intel based CPUs

• GPU acceleration including FSR and DLSS

• 60 FPS target for modern devices, and 30 FPS target for low end devices

• Single player only for initial launch with P2P coming during Beta

• Full Gamepad support for all gameplay systems

• Steam Machine Support

• Steam Deck Support is not confirmed yet for the initial Beta \[ Performance dependent ]

City Building 🛖

• Build a townhall and recruit villagers

• Expand territory through population growth and other progression systems

• Build a warband / warparty of soldiers

• Defend against raids from other factions

• Resource production automation and high level management

Monster Taming 😺

• Level up your monsters and unlock new moves

• Dynamic real-time taming mechanics

• Taming economy \[ capture devices / basic tiers ]

• Evolution system

• Realtime battles alongside monsters

• Rarity system and biome based spawning rulesets

• 3 hotspots for your active party

• Master \[ Ether ] Storage for more captures

Progression

• Intro cinematic and story introduction

• Level based progression and stat increases

• Sentius leveling and statistical growth

• Class based skill unlocks \[ tentative to scope ]

• Temple based progression trials \[ tentative to scope ]

• Main quest and side quest tracking system

On the topic of progression we want most of the gameplay loop to build natural progression systems. For example base building blueprints unlock when you find new materials or build newly unlocked existing blueprints.

City building also has a natural progression flow from townhall -> houses -> production buildings -> military buildings.

Survival takes the player through -> resource gathering - > basic crafting / cooking - > base building.

These are the planned item tiers for the context of the Beta, including player crafted and city building blacksmith produced items.

Weapons / Tools

• Wood 🪵

• Stone 🪨

• Iron 🔨

Equipment

• Leather 🟫

• Iron 🔨

Keeping the material tiers limited to these types will apply to the first Era, with more complex material types being introduced in later Eras.

A major change coming to the Beta is basic player crafting, which allows players to gather resources such as wood and stone to produce essential tools.

The early gameplay loop can be punishing without them, and they are critical when you build up enough resources to build your first townhall to begin growing your population.

High tier items and repairs will still need to be made at the Blacksmith in either your village or an NPC village, so there is a balance between player crafting and item procurement.

Here is a preview of the UI layout for Beta featuring a single inventory, equipment slots, and other character information.

To manage the vast set of game content, we are using three levels of item name distinction.
DynastyThis is dictated by the Element in the corner of the item panel, in this case Magma for Drakonian.

District

The locality of the Dynasty, in this case Deep Forest \[ Marked in gold text ]

Item Name

Wooden Mage Staff, since this is a wooden mage staff...

Durability

Weapons and tools suffer from basic durability, and will break over time so their current durability level is always displayed within the hotbar item panel or inventory.

Equipment sets are complete body clothing collections, with a separate slot for the head / helmet. This means you will not be able to equip boots / change pants and torso combinations to reduce the scope.

Until next time.