New Momentum Building Up
It's been silent for a while around the Gate Project, but that wasn't a bad thing. It was a time of a lot of testing, reflection and rethinking how to proceed with this project. Always keeping in mind the end goal: a full game release.
There was a lot going on regarding reworks and new directions, but these steps are seen as necessary for this game to eventually see the light of day.
What Changes Are Coming?
During editing of the old text materials, we noticed the changes are actually surprisingly small. They focus mainly on the combat mechanics and focus switch from full 3D to a 2D/3D mix. In detail, that means:
RTS elements changed to Auto-Battler
3D environments simplified to a 2D/3D mix with simpler travel mechanics
That's basically it, though other reworks derive from the changes above
All the lore, narratives, events, locations etc. are supposed to stay as much in tact as possible.
But, Are These Changes Any Good?
During playtests, the new game concept received way more praise compared to the old concept. The new, simpler and faster-paced game loops felt way better and more rewarding. The previous 3D-RTS approach with direct control was simply a too big part of the game. It was not suitable for a (small indie) game, which actually wants to focus on a balanced mix of exploration, combat, loot, story and a bit of research and crafting. Ultimately the best decision seemed to be to move the RTS-combat out of the game concept, maybe into a later, separate game project.
With all that said, hopes are building up that the game will be now able to get back on track for a timely development and a release having a good chance to take place in 2026!