In the latest stages of development we were debating how the camera should work in Citadelum. Did we want a classic look that reminds players of some of the greatest games in the genre or go for a more modern approach that takes advantage of the game engine and detailed graphics?
In Citadelum, players can expect a camera system designed to give them as much freedom and customization as possible, featuring two different camera angles that are both functional and get the most of our 3D map. We mean the isometric view and a closer, “perspective” camera.
This is the game’s isometric camera mode:
This is the game’s modern camera mode:
Aside from selecting one of the two aforementioned options, players will have complete freedom to move the camera around to their heart’s content, having the ability to rotate it in any direction and more importantly, zoom inside the game’s buildings.
When the latter happens, walls and roof will become transparent to show the details found inside, giving a more realistic and personal look at the game’s various buildings, decorative items, furniture, and also the people inside.
Players, though, will not find themselves limited to zooming inwards, as they will have the opportunity to do so backward as well, allowing them to have a much clearer view of the entire city they have built from the ground up.
And not just of the city, but of the territories around it.
When players zoom out, they will be presented with the map of the game’s regions and other cities, which will be crucial in helping them throughout the process of developing their own. Players will be able to explore new territories, removing the mist, establish trade routes with other cities, discover unique relics and even deploy their legions to fight their enemies, but this is a topic for a future devlog.
But there’s more! If players zoom even further out, they will reach the Pantheon, and meet the ancient gods.
Overall, players will have total control of the game’s camera, using different configurations: mouse (use the wheel for zooming in and out), menu options to jump from the settlement to the map and the Pantheon or keyboard shortcuts.
You can tell us which is your preferred default POV in a strategy/ city building game in the comments below. And worry not, you can expect new devlogs and updates to come, and until then, stay safe Romans.