Urban Strife - turn-based zombie survival RPG - now available on Early Access

[InD_ImaginE]

We are considering all options, but BBs seem a bit fair to us, since the backers actually get to play something even before the final release. A classic KS campaign is just promises.
Also the backers get a full game key included so when everything comes to Steam they actually pay once and get both an early version of the game (BB) and the final one.

Maybe we're wrong about KS, but atm that's where we stand.

Steam Early Access, unless you have an 80-90% finished game is bound to be a lot of negative reviews. So before we get there, we need to put in a lot of work.

Why not early access instead? It's pretty much what it is right? I guess you get full sum of the money instead of Steam 30% cut, but the exposure in Steam might be better anyway?

 

[Zombra]

USG_Mucifikatorul Cool, I hope whatever crowdfunding platform you choose, it's one that facilitates spreading the word. Kickstarter has its issues but a Kickstarter link is something everybody understands - going to a creepy dark standalone website and navigating its little store interface to buy a "backer build" (What does that mean exactly outside of KS? I don't know. Will the general public?) will naturally get less traffic. I mean, I'm not a marketing expert. I just hope you get some good exposure once the curtain comes off the new crowdfunding option.

 

[USG_Mucifikatorul]

Why not early access instead? It's pretty much what it is right? I guess you get full sum of the money instead of Steam 30% cut, but the exposure in Steam might be better anyway?

EA is great for exposure. IF you come prepared. Otherwise is digging your own grave.

USG_Mucifikatorul Cool, I hope whatever crowdfunding platform you choose, it's one that facilitates spreading the word. Kickstarter has its issues but a Kickstarter link is something everybody understands - going to a creepy dark standalone website and navigating its little store interface to buy a "backer build" (What does that mean exactly outside of KS? I don't know. Will the general public?) will naturally get less traffic. I mean, I'm not a marketing expert. I just hope you get some good exposure once the curtain comes off the new crowdfunding option.

We don't plan to handle the sales and distribution of the BB. We're going to use a third party, known platform. We'll have all the details before the BB, but yea, setting up an online shop and handling sales from international customers isn't our kind of fun.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

what we

Woah buddy.

 

[Infinitron]

what we

Woah buddy.

Come on, I don't remember people calling Age of Decadence a crowdfunded game because Vault Dweller sold preorders on his website.

USG_Mucifikatorul Do you still plan on launching a Steam page with a trailer etc anytime soon?

 

[USG_Mucifikatorul]

USG_Mucifikatorul Do you still plan on launching a Steam page with a trailer etc anytime soon?

Yep, working on the trailer for Steam as we speak. We'll probably have the Steam page all pretty and ready to go by the launch of the BB. We know how vital of a promo tool it is.

 

[Fenix]

Watching your game from now on.

USG_Mucifikatorul as I understand there will be enemies with different agression level as to say, right?
Maybe their agression could change dynamically?

For example if you eliminate boss-chief of some gang in fight, the rest will be less inclined to fight, acting less agressively?
Or you have met former military unit, elminated their officer and they are, like don't want to advance your position?
Or met elite military unit, and despit elminating their officer, they stll aimed to do their best to turn you into minced meat?

 

[USG_Mucifikatorul]

Watching your game from now on.

USG_Mucifikatorul as I understand there will be enemies with different agression level as to say, right?
Maybe their agression could change dynamically?

For example if you eliminate boss-chief of some gang in fight, the rest will be less inclined to fight, acting less agressively?
Or you have met former military unit, elminated their officer and they are, like don't want to advance your position?
Or met elite military unit, and despit elminating their officer, they stll aimed to do their best to turn you into minced meat?

Killing various bosses will impact differently their groups, based on their faction. Killing a small-time gangsta who put together a band of thugs from local riff-raff will most likely disband the gang. On the other hand, assassinating a religious cult leader might trigger fanaticism among his followers. And finally an army platoon will not give up so easy - killing their officers will only trigger them to retreat to a more defensible position, but they won't disaband.

So yes, there will be different responses to your actions, mostly determined by the type of group the enemy belongs to and how bad-ass he is on the chain of command.

Also, there will be a karma/status system that will memorize your actions versus the three main factions (and their acolytes). And over time you will become buddies with some and sworn enemies with others. So of course, their response will be much more drastic.

 

[Fenix]

Waiting...

USG_Mucifikatorul what does it mean - private alfa-test? In May.

 

[Iluvcheezcake]

Hm, think a proper Kickstarter would net you more exposure and $$

 

[USG_Mucifikatorul]

Waiting...
USG_Mucifikatorul what does it mean - private alfa-test? In May.

It's a FREE closed alpha with a limited number of participants. Before BB we want to have the game tested by a small group of knowledgeable TBS/RPG players who can tell us if we're headed in the right direction. Nothing fancy, just something very focused, hence the selection process.

Hm, think a proper Kickstarter would net you more exposure and $$

We are not ruling out KS completely, but it comes with a few serious drawbacks. For a non-US company, you need to go through a proxy, involving risks and more taxes. Also a proper KS costs a lot of time to create the art assets and even money (if you're going for physical rewards, someone has to pay for them). If you just put together a page with a wall of text 2 pics nobody will give you 1 dollar. Most KS campaigns costs a few thousands, money which we'd rather spend on production.

 

[Fenix]

It's a FREE closed alpha with a limited number of participants. Before BB we want to have the game tested by a small group of knowledgeable TBS/RPG players who can tell us if we're headed in the right direction. Nothing fancy, just something very focused, hence the selection process.

Are the testers already... hm... recruited?

 

[USG_Mucifikatorul]

Are the testers already... hm... recruited?

No, lol. The application/selection is still running, check the link in my sig, there's a very basic form you need to fill and that's all.

 

[Zombra]

If you're going for physical rewards, someone has to pay for them.

Seems like physical rewards always turn into a fulfillment nightmare for game KSes, particularly for small studios. I know you might not hook some people who are all "But where's my tote bag??" but you can have a successful KS without becoming a toy manufacturer. Whatever way you go, don't open this can of worms.

 

[USG_Mucifikatorul]

I know you might not hook some people who are all "But where's my tote bag??" but you can have a successful KS without becoming a toy manufacturer.

But... but... no zombie plushie? How can one live a life without a rotting undead plush toy to hug?

 

[Fenix]

Fulfilled the form...

 

[USG_Mucifikatorul]

In USG you will be able to enjoy real ballistics, with caliber based penetration, damage and bullet drop-off. In this episode of USG Weapons Testing we bring you the most underrated weapon in tactical games, the humble handgun, now reinvented as a vital tool in CQB combat. The handgun in USG brings low AP usage and excellent close range damage, outscoring most rifles in lethality up close. Just remember to keep your enemies close. Next episode, the king of home defence: the shotgun.

Please do note that we also have TRUE cover system, meaning it doesn't really matter if you/enemies are close to cover object (like in XCOM), but what actually intersects the bullet trajectory. True ballistic rules.

 

[Darth Canoli]

It's looking better and better, surreal even after the games we had to endure recently.

Keep up the good work.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

True ballistic rules

Indeed.

 

[USG_Mucifikatorul]

USG ALPHA IS A GO!

Today the application window for the Urban Strife Private Alpha test has closed and we are starting to contact by email those selected for the test. In the next few days they will receive a message confirming their Alpha participation and next a technical email including the PVT Alpha Steam key and other instructions on how to submit bugs, contact us, etc. We are just as excited as everyone for this and keen to see how our game feels in the hands of true fans of the genre. Lock & load, people, we have a world to save! Also - do not forget - Backer Build One is coming in June!

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

Saw these on Discord:

 

[Alienman]

Looks great.

I hope there is a way to turn off damage numbers though.

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

Now I wonder if corpses that lie in pools of blood are part of the scenery because fallen zombies don't seem to bleed on the ground.

 

[Lord of Riva]

Looks great.

I hope there is a way to turn off damage numbers though.

That actually looks pretty good.

I do like the Damage numbers, information is ammunition or something.

 

[Zombra]

I hope there is a way to turn off damage numbers though.

Want to take this opportunity to agree since USG_Mucifikatorul reads the thread. I love turning off the UI, as much as possible. I want to be able to take screenshots and have it look like artwork, not a video game.

Being able to turn the UI off piece by piece is even better.