Hello everybody, Goba here!
As you know from the credits, Act 2 is scheduled for release this year. As of now, I am on-schedule and things are going as planned. New mechanics and new features are already implemented, with more on the way.
So, how are things going? Without ruining the surprise, here are a few screenshots of what I've been working on!
One of the new dungeons, code named "Cathedral," is home to some of the most interesting and innovative gameplay Carter's Quest has yet seen. An old Wizard's temple, pre-Phyllubis, that holds secrets lost to time in the age of Homunculi. Most of all, however, it seems to hold new truths about people we've already met.
A new, highly-optimized crowd system, fit for the huge population density of the Elven capital of Iridopolis. In stress-testing, over 1000 characters have been able to appear on screen without breaking a sweat. This feature is in active development, but even early work has bore tastier fruit than I could have ever expected.
New enemies have already been created, with many more still waiting to be made. Emphasis is being placed on creating enemies that lend new textures to fights, forcing you to make more decisions in combat than before.
New storytelling possibilities have been unlocked with the new "bumper" system, that allows characters to interject seamlessly into gameplay. No more cutscenes taking control away for simple worldbuilding details!
All visuals are subject to change and refinement. Only a month into development and Act 2 is already shaping into an interesting experience. What I've shown you represents only a fraction of the work done, and let me just say on behalf of everyone who's seen it, you are going to be delighted by what's coming.
Thank you, everyone! Keep an eye out for new details coming later this year!
- Goba