|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
In Totem Tribe II: Jotun stage 3 of the alpha test we introduced you to the Classical Age and the Tropics, and invited plenty of new testers. We are now able to move forward - and announce that plans are being made for the next Alpha test stage. So what can you expected from us in Alpha 4?
Medieval Age!
This is going to be one large chunk of new content - a plethora of new items, buildings, and strategic resources. We are adding new units - foot, mounted, constructions, ships, and so on. But more importantly - we will introduce you to the Preacher - a unit which will have special abilities that have not yet been seen in the game. You will also be able to max up your hero to level 50 - the highest level possible. The Classical Age, as it is now, will be revised to ensure a smooth transition for the player into the Medieval Age, which will significantly shorten the research times and allow you to move through this age faster.
A LOT of new testers
We had planned on inviting a lot of new testers to this phase, but we had to be careful because even though we have opened up the Tropics, effectively doubling the amount of space available, the wold map is still quite small. However, in Alpha 4 all those who have already signed up to be testers will be included in the next batch of invites and we are hoping to be able to invite even more people than that as we are planning on introducing an invitation system so existing players can invite their friends and family automatically.
New World Map
The world map is currently too small to accommodate all of our new players. Alpha 4 will introduce you to our new world map which has been designed for the final cut of the game. It will be at least 100 times larger than the current one. Single regions will be larger than the current whole world, so it is unlikely you that will be able to reach players in different climate zones.
That's it? What about new quests? ETA?
I have outlined our preliminary plans for Alpha 4 above, but a lot of stuff is planned to be implemented BEFORE we actually release Alpha 4: - Battle System Redesign - Guro is currently working on this. At the moment, the heroes are too powerful in battle and this takes the fun out of fighting. Heroes alone are killing most of the attacking army, and killing all the monsters without needing support and with little risk of dying. Of course we have been aware of this, and we are working on fixing it. A redesigned battle system will allow us to tweak fighting mechanics quickly.
- Interface Redesign - Astor is currently working on this. The #1 issue reported by testers initially, was that they found the interface to be both clumsy and awkward. We have been aware of this since Alpha 1 and it has taken us this length of time to make the preparations for the technical changes so we are finally able to tweak it. While we are doing this, you might notice slight changes in the interface - broken icons here and there and so on. Not too attractive to look at, but eventually you will see the improvements.
- Quest Locations - We plan to add several quest locations similar to Opposition Hideout, with our updates and much earlier than Alpha 4 will hit the shore. We have a dedicated person working on quests and conversations for them. Once we have all the content, we will add them. You will be able to learn a bit more about the world and the current story. Or - if you don't like to read - you will have a few puzzles and hidden items to hoard.
- ETA? - Well, as always - I don't want to make any promises. All I can say is that Alpha 4 will be launched this year :)
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
Its not fair!! you are luring me to play again, i cant be angry when i see all this things planned. You are all pure evil, you knew it? :D PD i supose ETA means that you are asking our opinion on what you should implement, correct me if im not right
Edited 3 minutes later by Chao.
|
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
Great news Bers. Nice to know Astor is doing something besides keeping Cats horses lol. But silliness aside: the plans look great. More quests will be nice and less time researching Classic is a plus. Great job!! |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
Sounds exciting but aww - there are 5 months left in this year!! Does this mean that you will be teasing us till December? :) |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
If it was my will only, I would release it tomorrow, but there are objective circumstances... :) |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
Do Alpha 3 Dwellings/Heroes get wiped out for a new start in Alpha 4? |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
Yes, like at the start of alpha 3, the start of alpha 4 will result in wiping all heroes/kingdoms. The Enkord Cash will be refunded though. |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
This is very excited and my only comment is that how will I test all of this classical content in only 5 months :) To Chao ETA means estimated time of arrival |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
I can hardly wait for the next phase of testing, as I am sure that it will be, yet, quite an experience. |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
If you wipe everything for this alpha, I won't play unless current ages cost 0 science point and buildings cost 0 and are instantly builded, or give us pre-made towns. |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
If you wipe everything for this alpha, I won't play unless current ages cost 0 science point and buildings cost 0 and are instantly builded, or give us pre-made towns.
this is very funny :) Every alpha there has been a wipe :) everything starts from the beginning :) |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
To Tuey, thanks and to goznij, its necesary to do a wipeout to test everything from the begining, it happent in every alpha, if not it would be unfair for new testers that haven't played before |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
Not really, some people have way better towns than me and yet they never attacked me, since it's just in alpha there is no reason to attack new players. "its necesary to do a wipeout to test everything from the begining", that's not the most efficient way to test the stuff of the latest age for example. If a wipeout is needed to create new things, like I saw in patch notes "new players only unfortunately", then that's why I suggest the option of premade towns or 0 science cost for lower ages. Well that's just me then but really if I have to do everything again, tutorial included, I won't. |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
Can't wait for the next phase, more space, more tweaking, more ages to research. I'm ready for it (I think) :) |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
The wipe required not only to test new age, but to test WHOLE game with new age integrated. Adding new age changes some stuff in the previous ages as well. |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
If you wipe everything for this alpha, I won't play unless current ages cost 0 science point and buildings cost 0 and are instantly builded, or give us pre-made towns.
Testing everything from the beginning even at the slightest change in code is a must, and this is not a slight change. When you have such a great amount of code you cannot be sure y you've found all the parts that will be affected. There are many surprises. Programmers have a saying that a program is like a plate of spaghetti - if you pull from one end you don't know at which end the pile will start to shake. So don't be angry - we agreed to be testers and this is our role at this stage. |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
I'm not angry, I'm just saying. "testing everything from the beginning even at the slightest change in code is a must" doesn't work though, since new players will be invited those will do this testing. |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
as Bers said, Classical Age is a lot shorter, that means a lot of changes to the game we are playing now. these changes are probably not compatible with our game or progress. just look forward to the new and weird (I hope). |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
Very exciting news! I can't wait for the new ages and I haven't finished this one yet. ;-) :-D |
|
|
|
|
This post created by ignored player and thus hidden.
Double click to show.
|
|
|
Hi. I received an invite, but even when I log in, I'm getting Access Denied (403?). I used a different email address because it shows someone else is using the first one. It's probably the account I had for enkord.com. Anyway, I was able to create an account, but I still can't test the game. Any idea what I'm doing wrong? Thanks for the invite. I'm looking forward to playing this game. :-) |
|
|
|
