State of the game.

We’re doing the final Maadoran pass, going over loose ends and such, expanding the content a bit, etc. For example, if you pass a streetwise check in the merc vignette, the merchant refers you to a man in Maadoran:

“If you're ever in Maadoran, talk to Kemnebi and tell him I sent you. He’s a careful man and doesn't hire anyone without a recommendation from someone he trusts.”

So, we did a good quest involving there different raiders and merc companies down on their luck, but it’s sort of shame to restrict this quest only to mercs who passed a streetwise check. At the same time, if you let everyone get the quest, the reward for passing that check is meaningless. So it has to be something interesting.

Now, if you recall, we had plans to port the arena demo to the new engine and combat system, add more fights and release it as a stand-alone, 5-dollar game, but then decided against it. Still, I wrote a mini-story for the extra content, so we tweaked it a bit to allow more options (didn’t need many for a straight combat game) and are adding it to Maadoran, which will be a good way to arrange an alternative introduction to Kemnebi.

Sneak preview:

You find Basil talking to a well-dressed man, backed by two grim-faced guards. The guards look at you as if they consider your very existence an insult.

“As I was just explaining to Basileios,” says the man, smiling politely, “we have a bit a problem. We have a lot of interests in this districts, as well as the others, and we employ local … collectors to keep things running smoothly. Imagine my surprise, when I was told that the collectors in this district have run into a problem and disappeared.

“We’re always concerned for the well-being of our employees, so we asked around and, well, here we are. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that mistakes were made, but let’s not dwell on the past. Moving forward is what I’m here to discuss.”
“Who are you?”
The man raises an eyebrow. “I would have thought that it would be obvious. I represent the Forty Thieves guild. Now, we’re willing to overlook what happened,” he says looking at Basil. “Of course, payments would have to be resumed –”

“Of course,” says Basil quickly.

“ – and examples would have to be made,” continues the man, looking at you. Basil shrinks and looks away. The bodyguards move toward you.
Start making examples of your own.

Wait, what about the beta-test?

Planning to start beta-testing Maadoran, related locations, and system changes in early June. Speaking of which:

R4

Looking better and better. Ivan's mostly working on DS these days, but he found some time to do the animation for the new 2H attacks: the "double-tap" and 'all-in" attacks. No, these are not their actual names.​