Hey friends,
For a long time we hoped we could keep working on Caves of Qud after its 1.0 release. Not just porting and localizing to other languages (work that is well underway), but adding new layers of game to the already 17-year layer cake — things like new types of playable creatures, underground villages, new mechanics, and expanded lore. As we’ve hinted here and elsewhere, the success of the launch is allowing us to do just this! And now that we’ve had some time to take a rest, reflect on the release, and think through how we want to structure our future releases, we’re happy to share today the broad shape of our plans, even if details are yet to come.
We’re going to be focusing development into a few big expansion packs that’ll come out one by one over the next few years. Each expansion pack will be paired with a big update to the base game. The base game updates will be free, and the expansion packs will be purchasable as DLC. The first one will likely come out sometime next year. We have at least three sketched out, but time will tell what they look like beyond the first.
What will go into the base game vs. the expansion packs?
This’ll be a call based on what makes sense, whether we feel the feature being added is core to the game (a better version of what already exists) or part of a new set of non-vanilla features. Both the expansion pack and its paired base game update will have a lot of stuff in them, though.
How much will expansion packs cost?
Still TBD, but since they will be big updates that take a lot of development time and energy to make, we plan on pricing them accordingly (i.e., definitely more than the Pets of Harvest Dawn pet pack).
Speaking of, what about future pet packs?
Originally our plan was to release a cycle of pet packs — Harvest Dawn was the first. Now we think it makes sense to just add more pets to the one pet pack, possibly paired with the timing of each expansion pack release. Everyone who owns the Harvest Dawn pet pack will get the new pets for free. We -may- slightly increase the price of the pet pack in the future to reflect this; we haven’t decided yet.
What will happen to Dromad Deluxe?
The Dromad Deluxe bundle (base game + OST + Pets of Harvest Dawn) will eventually rotate out to make room for new bundles. So if you want your main menu dromad badge, get the bundle before it goes! We’ll post a warning closer to when it makes its exit.
This Saturday, July 19th at 10 AM PST, we’ll be hosting an AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) on r/fantasy. Come by and ask us a question, about expansion packs (maybe we’ll answer) or anything else!
And if you are a Seattle Worldcon member or attendee and eligible to vote for the Hugo Awards, please consider voting Caves of Qud for Best Game or Interactive Work! Deadline to vote is July 23rd, 11:59pm PST.
Thank you, friends. We’ll have more to say about expansion pack #1 later on, and a few more surprises coming soon. As always, live and drink.