Lightnings,
After the game entered early access and players provided feedback about the lack of content, I decided to take some time to revise the current development plan.
Game's World and Progression
Originally (around 2 years ago), the game was designed to be fairly linear and without deep character progression systems, with an average playthrough lasting about 12 hours (2 hours per location). However, as development progressed, the scope of the game kept expanding, while the original plan for how players would progress through the game remained unchanged. Until now.
Initially, I planned for each location to be visually distinct (each with its own biome), which made sense for a linear game (where visual variety is crucial). However, this approach requires a lot of time to create all the necessary assets. In a situation where the game needs a large amount of content quickly, this plan is no longer realistic.
As a result, I revised the current plan and have already begun implementing it:
Instead of 6 locations for the entire game, the game will now be divided into Acts (or islands), with locations within each Act belonging to a single biome. However, the number of locations will be significantly higher, and the way you progress through them will be different.
For example, instead of 6 locations for the entire game, my next step is to create 17 locations for Act I.
Amarict now features a massive miniature of an entire planet that players can rotate to choose the level they want to explore.
All levels of the Act will be available right from the start. To complete an Act, you need to unlock access to the Act's boss, which is done simply by killing monsters, and then defeat it. It doesn’t matter which location you play on—killing monsters gradually brings the boss closer to appearing within the Act. Defeating this boss will mark the Act as complete.
More precisely, only the first difficulty of the Act will be considered complete, as each Act will have an additional five difficulty levels (separate from the existing difficulty levels), each introducing unique conditions (and rewards).
This means that, in Act I alone, you will be able to explore any of the 17 locations in whatever order you choose. Each run will progress you closer to unlocking the Act's boss. However, be cautious—dying will set back some of that progress.
After defeating the Act I boss, you will unlock higher difficulty levels for the Act, which will improve the rewards. Additionally, they’ll unlock the next Act (if it’s implemented).
Modifiers
Another element I plan to introduce to diversify gameplay is Modifiers. Occasionally, the Act map will refresh, applying to all locations various Modifiers (sorted by rarity depending on their difficulty). Here are some examples:
- Attacks no longer regenerate health. Rewards increased by 50%.
- The location is shrouded in eternal night. Shadows occasionally spawn Vipers (otvrats with daggers), spreading darkness instead of poison. Rewards increased by 25%.
- Upon death, Corrupted items and Ichor will be permanently lost. Rewards increased by 20%.
- Two-handed sword damage increased by 50%, while two-handed hammer damage is reduced by 50%. Rewards increased by 10%.
- Some parts of the location are covered in molten lava, which gradually applies the Ablazed effect when entered. Rewards increased by 15%.
These changes weren’t part of the original plans, but considering the current state of the game, I felt that significant adjustments were necessary. It's better to implement them now, during the early stages, to ensure that the game’s foundation is solid and stands the test of time.
This may impact the release date of the next update, but I’m doing everything I can to launch it as soon as possible. Let me know your thoughts on these changes: I’m eager to hear your feedback as we shape the game together!
Thank you so much! Happy voining!
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