Producer’s Update July 2014
Every quarter I like to give an update on how the build for The Aetherlight is going. Awesome things are happening every day here in the studio. Now that I have stopped to look back over the last few months and recount all the cool things that are in the game, it’s quite a lot!
We have spent a good chunk of the last few months breaking everything so we can fix it again. This is kinda just how game development goes – you break everything, fix it, and then break it again. Each time, it gets better, more refined, and ultimately, more fun!
Here are some of the cool things we have added recently:
First and foremost, we have been revising and tweaking and testing and developing the Abraham storyline quests, to ensure that they not only match the biblical storyline closely, but that they are fun and engaging for the player! We think the latest build of the quest is really awesome, and connects really well not only with the bible story but with the world of Aethasia. We can’t wait for you to try it!
As part of this quest, we extended one of our locations called The Isle to now include The Fogrock Mines. As a player you will get to explore deep underground the inner workings of a FogRock mine, and seek to rescue a stranded but stubborn friend of the Resistance from the mines before disaster strikes!
We also recently added the first area (Engineer’s Watch) in a whole new location – The Old Mount. This area is really exciting and involves some cliff hanger scenes…I won’t say anymore, you’ll have to play the quest to find out!
We’ve also added four new characters for you to interact with: Alexander, the impatient and impetuous gun-runner from Evercity; Lloyd, his business partner with a lust for profit and bad company; Emily, a defected Autofficer and leader of the breakers; and Grimm, a senior Autofficer who leads an elite guard of automatons. What’s also really cool is that some of these characters now can help you out in battle!
Speaking of battle, we have added two new automatons. First, there is the Optio Class.
The Optio Automatons are a close relative of the common Centurion Class machines. These specialised infantry units have had their armour revised to make way for an upgraded weapon system. The standard repeating rifle is replaced in an Optio Automaton with the longbore Dahlgren Rifle, a longer-range, heavier calibre firearm. The opposite end of the rifle is fitted with a short-range mortar to add firepower.
Then, there is the Lasher Class:
Known almost universally simply as ‘Lashers,’ these Automatons are Lucky’s special forces troops. Used for his own guard detail and special operations, they have more powerful power-plants and advanced internal difference engines, based on the Animus servo, to enable them to conduct more complex operations.
Another cool thing we have added recently is four new outfits per gender – with some exciting names like Diving Belle, Dodger, and Raggedy Anne. These outfits look awesome, and we think players will have a fun time completing quests and tasks to unlock them!
Lastly, we now have the Resistance Academy live in game! You can now visit the academy and learn more about the deeper connection between Aethasia and the story of the Bible. You can also complete the Comparison Engine, linking moments, themes, and elements from the Bible story with the game story to earn Aether!
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Aside from all of the cool stuff that you get to see and do as a player, there is also a lot of awesome work being done “under the hood.” We can now make a build for iPad or for browser, so those of you who have signed up to be beta testers can play in your browser. We also setup the whole infrastructure for sending out beta keys. If your name isn’t on the beta testers list yet, you can still add it here.
Aside from the technical developments, the world building team have been working hard to create a comprehensive “world bible” which covers all of the history, locations, and people in Aethasia. This document is approaching 100,000 words and still growing! It has been really inspiring to read some of the backstories to different characters, places, and events.
Our art team are now also starting onto something really cool and exciting – our next location! This location is called The Snowmoors and is a loose allegory of ancient Egypt. I’ve pasted the Snowmoors section from the aforementioned world bible below, along with some concept art:
To most, the Snowmoors are a desolate wasteland. The wind roars across the plains, tugging at the tenacious scrub that clings between the rocks and peeks from beneath snowdrifts. On rare days that the air is clear enough, there is still nothing to see for miles in any direction – just more rolling tundra and rocky outcrops to the bordering Red Hills.
In addition to this, over the last few months as well we have been really developing our concept of the Resistance Academy. This is where the player can visit the academy (in a giant airship!) and start to ‘join the dots’ between the story of Aethasia and the story of the Bible. We have had Margo Thorpe working on this for us. She has been tasked with developing a curriculum prototype that could be used in churches, schools, families, or by homeschoolers. Margo has done some amazing work on this prototype and we will be testing it out over the next few months!
Lastly, we are really excited to be now adding sound to the build! Craig Warne joined us last month as our Sound Designer and he has been hard at work researching what our unique musical ‘personality’ is going to be. He is also starting work soon on adding sound effects to the build, which is going to be super awesome. We’ve all been impressed by the ‘concepts’ he has composed over the last few weeks.
Coming Up
Over the next few months, we are planning to do two things. Firstly, our private beta testing program begins, so we will be methodically sending out beta keys as our infrastructure can support it. We will be then collecting feedback and data from these testers and seeking to fix any bugs or issues that arise. If you are interested in being part of our beta testing group, you can sign up here.
At the same time, we will be continuing to develop a few more features that we will slowly release over the next few months. In the next big release, the plan is to have side quests, the Great Engines, and a shop for you to be able to purchase Resistance Cache items. We might even do some experiments in this build with integrating a chat feature! We will also be continuing to build out The Old Mount, with more areas and things to do and explore, as well as adding more weapons, outfits, items, and NPCs!
Well, that’s all for now. Quite a lot is underway!
– Keep Producing
