There’s just over a month left until the game’s release. Work is in full swing! And lately, we’ve been focusing on the Story Mode. We estimate it will take over 20 hours to complete. You don't need to worry about a game of this genre having a story. We’ve tried to ensure that it doesn’t distract from the main focus - the gameplay - and, more importantly, that it provides more motivation and clarity about what we’re doing and why. Let’s go over the numbers and see what to expect at the start of Early Access (though we’ve already started planning updates!).
So, we’re hunting for resources. There will be a whopping 24 types of them in the game! They’re categorized by rarity - from very common (like coal and iron) to very rare (sapphires, diamonds, and so on). Rarity determines not only how often and in what quantities you’ll find a resource in mines, but also the exchange rate at which you can trade them on the Market. Generally speaking, very valuable gems are rarely used in production, but they can be traded on the market for something you need right now at a very profitable rate.
Speaking of mines. Although their generation follows certain rules, chance plays a significant role here. This adds a lot of replayability, especially in Story Mode. There will be 13 mines in this mode. They all contain different sets of resources and even vary in depth. Don’t forget that mines can and should be sold. It’s very profitable! However, you can only sell a mine once you’ve extracted all its resources and archaeological artifacts.
By the way, about archaeology: the game features 13 valuable artifacts, parts of which you’ll need to find underground and dig up. Each time, the museum will pay you a hefty sum for your find.
We use the extracted resources to produce goods. The game already features a whopping 90 recipes! Moreover, the further you progress in the game, the more complex production chains you’ll need to organize. For example, to build a steam locomotive, you’ll need to set up a chain involving about ten different production steps!
Please note that all of the above applies to the game’s Early Access version. The project’s future will depend largely on your feedback.
We’re nearing the final stage of preparing the game for Early Access, so don’t forget to join our Discord to stay updated on the latest news: https://discord.gg/9eHyYap