Dynasty of the Sands
Dynasty of the Sands Dev Blog #6: Survival
Dynasty of the Sands Dev Blog #6: Survival
Faithful subjects,
As the sands of time continue to shift, our journey into 2024 has our development team going full steam ahead as they continue to create Dynasty of the Sands. Today, we will be unearthing a new vlog that will delve deeper into new gameplay mechanics and survival elements.
Before we unveil the exciting new blog, we are thrilled to announce that a Closed Beta is on the horizon, with more information on this coming soon. We look forward to your support throughout the playtest as you help shape the destiny of Dynasty of the Sands and share your invaluable insights. Should you desire to be a part of the Closed Beta experience, journey over to the Steam Page and request access to join the playtest.
Niall McGeehan, Game Director at Rocket Flair Studios, heralds the arrival of our latest Dev Vlog - offering an exclusive glimpse into the inner workings of the latest development progress. In this month's installment, we’re looking at the intricacies of the new and enhanced gameplay features and systems, with a strong focus on survival mechanics, the delicate balance of resource management, and laying the foundation for your first settlement.
At the beginning, players need to ensure the survival of their people in order to begin building their ancient empire. Starting in a brand new settlement, the camp serves as the center of our owned territory, from which we can expand our empire deeper into the desert, along the banks of the Nile, or even across its waters.
Survival forms the very essence of Dynasty of the Sands, the primary goal that permeates every facet of the game. Though technological advancements, infrastructure enhancements and governance reforms offer respite to some survival pressures, it remains a constant challenge.
Players' first priorities lie in safeguarding the health and survival of their villagers, centering efforts on securing essentials such as water, shelter, resources, and food. Watch the latest vlog to gain greater insights into each crucial aspect required for survival.
In our upcoming developer diaries, we aim to explore each gameplay pillar in greater depth. We welcome your input on what aspects you are more eager to learn about – so please let us know in the comments. Remember to keep an eye out on the upcoming Closed Beta, you can request access on the Steam page and stay updated through our Discord!
Until next time… May the blessings of Ra guide your path.
—————
Dynasty of the Sands is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
Social Links:
Dynasty of the Sands Website - Official Website
Twitter - Follow us at DynastySands
Facebook - Like Our Facebook Page
YouTube - Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel
Instagram - Follow us on Instagram
Find out more about PlaySide Publishing on their official website
Dynasty of the Sands - Looking ahead to 2024!
We will have some exciting announcements around Dynasty of the Sands in 2024, including more news around our upcoming Early Access launch, as well as details on playable Beta and Demos for the game. We can’t wait to share more details on these with you all as soon as we can - so please stay tuned across Discord and Steam for updates!
Back to 2023, and the team have been hard at work crafting pivotal systems - from farming to encounters with the Divine - we have been delving into exciting new realms. We can’t wait to unveil more, but for now, we wanted to share a glimpse into the progress we have made on farming and canals within Dynasty of the Sands over the past few months.
Farm plots built near an open water source, or near a canal are counted as 'irrigated'. This lends a yield bonus to many crops which in turn provides a welcome bonus to your harvests. Strategically planning your city layout around these vital resources becomes crucial in sustaining your growing population.
—————
Dynasty of the Sands is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
Social Links:
Dynasty of the Sands Website - Official Website
Twitter - Follow us at DynastySands
Facebook - Like Our Facebook Page
YouTube - Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel
Instagram - Follow us on Instagram
Find out more about PlaySide Publishing on their official website
Dynasty of the Sands Dev Blog #5: Navigating the Divine
In the world of Dynasty of the Sands, set in the ancient land of Egypt, divinity reigns. This realm is alive with deities and they are watching your every step as you build your civilization from the ground up. In this developer blog, we’re talking about one of the most requested topics so far – the Gods system within Dynasty of the Sands.
Meeting the Gods
Each playthrough introduces you to three gods, each with their own unique personalities and demands. These divine beings gradually emerge throughout the game, watching your every move and passing judgment on your rule. As you progress, their demands become ever more extreme, and their patience wears thin until you satisfy their desires.
For example, one of the gods you’ll meet is Khepri, the legendary god of the rising sun. Khepri is a manifestation of the sun's warmth that radiates to even the darkest corners of your civilization. Represented by a scarab beetle holding the sun, Kephri is an optimistic and vibrant god, seeing great promise in your leadership and ascension.
In a vision of light and heat, Khepri, the Dawn Beetle stands before you. "I see promise in your pursuit. A difficult but triumphant path can be followed, if only the right steps are taken. Build an idol so I might guide you on your journey to greatness."
It’s no surprise then that pursuing worship of Khepri is a worthwhile endeavor. Keeping it's favor grants powerful benefits, such as greatly reducing the frequency of negative climates, including Sandstorms, Droughts and Heatwaves. Khepri also has a significant effect on the growth of your population, with new villagers joining your civilization at an increased rate under its watchful eye.
Divine Structures
To show your devotion, you will construct various symbols of faith, ranging from humble wooden idols to opulent temples crafted from limestone, sandstone, and even precious gold. These divine structures draw villagers into their aura, slowly converting them into loyal followers of the gods.
As you build these structures and gain the favor of the gods, you will slowly raise your standing with each individual god, eventually attaining the ranks of Follower, Disciple and Prophet. This divine ascension unlocks powerful benefits for your civilization.
Blessings and Curses
Every god you align with bestows upon you potent blessings. From fertility boons that accelerate your crop growth to reducing sickness that plagues your population, these blessings are a great benefit to success along your journey.
However, be warned! Neglecting the gods' requests can have dire consequences. As their patience dwindles, you risk falling from divine grace, becoming an apostate, and suffering the consequences of your neglect. Apostates receive potent debuffs, and an offering must be made to once again attain the favor of the gods.
The Dynamic Balance
The challenge of the gods system lies in the delicate balance you must attain. As you nurture your civilization, you will juggle between meeting divine demands and managing your resources. Choices you make, from constructing grand shrines to distributing resources wisely, shapes your relationship with the gods, and your people.
You, the Pharaoh will determine what resources you allocate to your people, and to worship. You may choose to ignore the gods, in favor of building great statues of yourself, or you may heed their every request, even at the cost of your own people.
As you embark on your journey through the sands of time, remember: the gods above are your witnesses, and your judges.
Until next time, aspiring pharaohs, may your dynasties rise to greatness.
—
Dynasty of the Sands is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
Social Links:
Dynasty of the Sands Website - Official Website
TikTok - Check us out @DynastyOfTheSands
Twitter - Follow us at @DynastySands
Facebook - Like Our Facebook Page
YouTube - Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel
Instagram - Follow us on Instagram
Find out more about PlaySide Publishing on its official website
Dynasty of the Sands Dev Blog #4: An Ancient Egyptian Sandbox
Faithful subjects,
Greetings, aspiring pharaohs! Today, we are delving again into our game's development and sharing insights into the creation of the expansive open world that is Dynasty of the Sands. Our goal is to provide you with an ancient Egyptian sandbox that's not only challenging, but visually stunning and a constant source of inspiration for your creativity.
The Grandeur of Ancient Egypt
First and foremost, a key goal for Dynasty of the Sands has been to capture the grandeur of Ancient Egypt. It's a world of contrasts—barren deserts stretching infinitely, lush oases along the banks of the mighty Nile, towering sandstone cliffs, and shimmering lakes that dot the landscape. Our team has put a real focus on capturing the essence of this historic setting, ensuring that every area of our game world immerses players in the beauty and mystique of the era.
Tailored Starting Locations
One of the features we had in mind from the start is the ability for players to choose their starting location within a single expansive map. Each location offers a distinct challenge based on its proximity to essential resources. Whether you decide to settle in the heart of the desert, near the fertile Nile banks, or on elevated sandstone cliffs, your initial choice will shape your city-building journey.
Desert Challenge: Starting deep within the desert presents a scarcity of resources, forcing you to master efficient resource management and trade routes early on.
River Nile Riches: Opting for a location along the Nile grants you access to fertile lands, but managing floods and maximizing agricultural output becomes your primary concern.
Cliffside Majesty: If you choose the challenge of the sandstone cliffs, you'll have the opportunity to create breathtaking vertical cities, but resource transportation and stability become your main obstacles.
Verticality and Creative Expression
Rare amongst city builders, Dynasty of the Sands offers players the ability to embrace the verticality and build cities in three dimensions. We understand the allure of crafting unique, multi-tiered cities, with grand statues adorning cliff edges, overseeing the hustle and bustle of your urban center below. Our terrain tools, including roads, stairs, flattening, and smoothing, empower you to shape the land exactly how you envision it. Whether you're building a towering pyramid or a cascading waterfall garden, your creative vision knows no bounds.
Terrain Tools for Infinite Possibilities
Our terrain tools are your paint brushes, enabling you to bring your vision for your city to life:
Roads: Construct intricate road networks that connect your city's different levels and allow for efficient movement.
Stairs: Carve majestic staircases into cliffs, creating awe-inspiring pathways to higher ground.
Flattening: Smooth out uneven terrain to optimize construction space.
Smoothing: Craft natural-looking landscapes by gently sculpting the terrain, creating serene gardens and decorative elements.
A World of Challenges and Beauty
In Dynasty of the Sands, we've strived to offer not just a game, but a captivating world to explore, conquer, and shape. Each location provides unique challenges, from resource scarcity to environmental factors, and it's up to you to turn these challenges into opportunities. Whether you're navigating the deserts, harnessing the power of the Nile, or ascending towering cliffs, our game world is a canvas for your epic Egyptian adventure.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through the creation of our game's open world. We can't wait to see the magnificent cities you'll build and the stories you'll craft in Dynasty of the Sands. Stay tuned for more developer insights and updates as we continue to shape this exciting ancient Egyptian sandbox.
Until next time, aspiring pharaohs, may your dynasties rise to greatness.
—
Dynasty of the Sands is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
Social Links:
Dynasty of the Sands Website - Official Website
Twitter - Follow us at DynastySands
Facebook - Like Our Facebook Page
YouTube - Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel
Instagram - Follow us on Instagram
Find out more about PlaySide Publishing on its official website
Dynasty of the Sands: Dev Vlog | September Update | Stream
Join our Discord now.
*This stream is pre-recorded*
Dynasty of the Sands Dev Blog #3: Milestones and Objectives
Faithful subjects,
“Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Will you embrace ambition? Or will it destroy you?
Today’s development blog will explore Dynasty of the Sands’s Milestone and Objectives system and how it enables players to shape both their civilization and gameplay experience.
MILESTONES AND OBJECTIVES
At its core, Dynasty of the Sands is a survival city builder – but one major goal for the development team is to put the heka and nekhakha of a Pharaoh firmly in the player’s hands. This means an open-ended, sandbox approach to progression that allows players to truly create their own Dynasty in ancient Egypt. Long term goals will be layered with plenty of player choice, meaning that each playthrough will offer different challenges that can be tackled in a variety of different ways, laddering up to meaningful achievements that affect your civilization as whole.
Milestones
As you progress through the establishment of your city, you have the option of working towards and completing Milestones.
Each era in the game has three Milestones to choose from, each highlighting a particular player focus:
The People
The Pharaoh
The Gods
These are not exclusive, as almost every playthrough will involve elements from each of these broad categories. You can also complete any Milestone in any era, regardless of the path you have chosen before.
Milestone Tasks
In order to complete a Milestone, and advance to a new Era, you must complete the tasks associated with that Milestone. Completion of these tasks unlocks a Milestone Building project.
Milestone buildings are constructed in three stages, each requiring labor and resources to construct.
These towering monuments will advance you to a new Era, and provide some of the most powerful buffs in the game.
Event System
Dynasty of the Sands doesn't employ a traditional linear narrative, instead inviting players to create their own story set on the banks of the great River Nile.
To add to the depth of this experience, players can expect an emergent event system that tracks a range of variables to act as a storyteller during your experience.
Some Emergent Events create interesting and often difficult choices. Others create challenging scenarios, such as a particularly bad disease outbreak.
Emergent events can follow on from one another, creating chains of escalating decisions for you to make.
Some Emergent Events can also lead to objectives. For example, accepting a villager’s request to improve their housing will commence an objective, which might need to be completed in a certain number of days. Objective events can reward the player with crucial resources, villagers, and more.
However, failure to succeed may result in even worse outcomes…
—————
Keep an eye out for our next developer blog in the weeks to come.
May the protection of Ra safeguard you until our next encounter.
Dynasty of the Sands is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
Social Links:
Dynasty of the Sands Website - Official Website
Discord - Join our community on Discord LIVE NOW!
Twitter - Follow us at DynastySands
Facebook - Like Our Facebook Page
YouTube - Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel
Instagram - Follow us on Instagram
Find out more about PlaySide Publishing on its official
website
Dynasty of the Sands Dev Blog #2: The Silent Adversary
Faithful subjects,
In our last entry, we introduced the Death System and how that gameplay element marries with Ancient Egyptian customs. In today’s development blog, we will be exploring Dynasty of the Sands ’ Disease mechanic and how that connects together with the Death System.
Ancient Egypt was a land of grandeur and opulence, where the sands whispered secrets of the Pharaohs, but amidst this the Egyptians faced many trials and tribulations. Amongst these struggles were the ever-present threats of disease that could strike anyone down, from workers in the mud pits, to the mightiest of the elite. Disease spares no one from its relentless grasp.
SETTING THE SCENE
Through the life-giving Nile Valley, where Dynasty of the Sands is set, disease has a significant impact on society. Although the river that courses through the valley nurtures crops and nourishes the people, it can often beckon illness to its banks as well.
Historically, some of the prevalent ailments included malaria, parasitic infections, leprosy, and other infectious illnesses such as pox. If the diseases were not contained and continued to spread unchecked, it could quickly wreak havoc on both individuals and entire communities.
Disease in Dynasty of the Sands is an ever-present threat, but its danger can be mitigated and overcome.
CONTAGIOUS AFFLICTIONS
Within the realm of your kingdom, four afflictions are ever present, each capable of destroying your civilisation.
- Fever - Beware of flies, as they can infect workers at farms, hunters and wood cutters. Fever can only be transmitted by flies and villagers cannot infect others.
Debuff: Infected Villager eats 2x food. - Leprosy - This deadly disease can affect anyone and is contracted in crowded conditions. Spreads rapidly in close contact between citizens.
- Pox - Life-threatening Pox can be contracted from animal sources, drinking from unclean water and crowded conditions. Transmits between villagers and causes significant health loss.
Debuff: Infected Villager drinks 2x water. - Parasites - Parasites can infect those who drink from unclean water sources, or toil away in the Farm and Mud Pit. The rate at which it spreads is slower but transmits between villagers.
Debuff: Infected Villager movement speed is halved.
RAVAGED BY DISEASE
Each disease possesses unique characteristics that can be a catalyst to an outbreak. Villagers toiling away to collect resources are often the most susceptible to these afflictions. A simple act of drinking from open water sources immediately increases the risk of infection. Ensure you seek favour with the divine, to assist in averting any potential outbreak threats.
While certain perils are unavoidable, players possess the power to reduce the likelihood of epidemics.
When a disease begins to ravage the population, it is treated as an 'Outbreak'. This appears as an in-game event. To guide you through the treacherous landscape of this scenario, the event pop-up provides information about the disease, its effects and how to prevent it.
An Outbreak has a threshold of the number of transmissions it can spread, after which it will eventually die out, whether intervened upon or left to its own course. This prevents transmission from getting out of hand and compromising the player's experience. Nevertheless, for any aspiring Pharaoh, disease is still a dangerous matter and should be treated as a formidable adversary.
Various methods can be employed to contain and prevent Outbreaks. The placement of Healer buildings can significantly decrease the likelihood of Outbreaks occurring. Apothecaries reduce the likelihood of Parasites and Fever, while an Infection Ward is best suited for preventing Pox and Leprosy.
By creating a strategic network of buildings that can aid against various afflictions, your civilization will be kept safe, as the appropriate healers bestow their protection against the threat of Disease.
—————
In our next developer blog, we'll be delving into the Milestones and Objectives System and how that intertwines with an array of gameplay elements.
May the protection of Ra safeguard you until our next encounter.
Dynasty of the Sands is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
Social Links:
Dynasty of the Sands Website - Official Website
Twitter - Follow us at DynastySands
Facebook - Like Our Facebook Page
YouTube - Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel
Instagram - Follow us on Instagram
Find out more about PlaySide Publishing on its official website
Dev Diary #1: Death
Faithful subjects,
Welcome to a new series of development blogs from Rocket Flair Studios and PlaySide Publishing. Here, we will explore the secrets of Ancient Egypt and take you along on our development journey as we traverse the path to Early Access. Expect regular entries as we enter the final stretch of production and approach Early Access release in 2024.
Over the past 12 months, we have continued to toil away at the development of Dynasty of the Sands and have plenty of updates to share with you all. In this month's update, we will be delving into the Death System and how it ties into gameplay as well as Egyptian history.
EMBRACING MORTALITY
Death was a central part of life in Ancient Egypt, deeply entwined with people’s religious beliefs. They viewed death as a transformative process, and had a deep reverence for the afterlife that permeated much of their culture.
Keeping these ideologies in mind, it was important for death to play an essential part in Dynasty of the Sands. Consider this as you construct and expand your empire…
BURIAL RITES
In game, when a villager dies, their body remains in place and is not automatically disposed of. However, for villagers nearby these neglected bodies, witnessing the remains of those who perished will lead to a drop in happiness. If those poor souls are left for too long under the harsh elements, they will contribute to the chance of a disease outbreak.
It’s important to respect and manage the dead to ensure your ever-expanding city can continue to thrive. To do so, players can lay Burial Plots and construct Tombs to lay their dead to rest, so the Gods may ferry them to the afterlife.
Burial Plots
These shallow graves were the most used amongst the Ancient Egyptians, especially for the common folk and when complex infrastructure was lacking. The dry air and heat of the desert created a natural mummification process which erased the need for embalming.
The Burial Plot tool allows the player to drag out an area within their city to act as a burial site and the size of the Burial Plot will determine the amount of bodies that can be buried there. If a villager passes away, the nearest available Warehouse workers will automatically transport the dead to their final resting place.
The Burial Plots must be placed strategically through the city and require players to evaluate the space within their city. For example, if a plot is placed too far away from the populace, it will put pressure on the city’s infrastructure as the dead must be transported over greater distances. On the other hand, the presence of a burial site in close proximity to where villagers live or work can cause immense dissatisfaction, so choosing a suitable location can be a fine balancing act.
As time passes, like sands through the hourglass, more and more villagers' fates may be sealed as they succumb to the harshness of ancient life. As the death toll grows, players will need to expand their burial sites, otherwise they may face disease and have an angry populace to appease, as well as the Gods.
Tombs
Burial Plots may meet the needs of your city in the earlier stages of the game, however, as your population grows, they will inevitably desire a more prestigious resting place befitting their standing status within the hierarchy of society.
Villagers will have different status’ and Noble villagers, which we'll cover in another developer blog, will expect to be enshrined in Tombs. While these grander burial sites come at a significantly higher cost, failing to create these structures will undoubtedly result in the happiness of the Nobles to be negatively impacted.
Beware. Do not create displeasure among the Nobles as it can lead to them abandoning your city.
Once a Tomb has been constructed, you must choose and allocate which villagers will be buried there. Although any villager can be buried in a Tomb, remember they are most important for maintaining the happiness of your Noble population.
—————
We hope you have enjoyed the insight into one of the many features that will be available in Dynasty of the Sands and have found it as interesting for you as it is for us. The development team at Rocket Flair Studios are diligently working to bring Dynasty of the Sands to fruition and are eager to unveil more about the game over the coming months.
In our next developer blog, we'll be discussing the Disease System that goes hand in hand with the Death System.
May the divine Egyptian Gods grant you blessings until the next time we meet.
Dynasty of the Sands is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
Social Links:
Dynasty of the Sands Website - Official Website
Twitter - Follow us at DynastySands
Facebook - Like Our Facebook Page
YouTube - Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel
Instagram - Follow us on Instagram
Find out more about PlaySide Publishing on their official website
Dynasty of the Sands Dev Diary #1: Death
Faithful subjects,
Welcome to a new series of development blogs from Rocket Flair Studios and PlaySide Publishing. Here, we will explore the secrets of Ancient Egypt and take you along on our development journey as we traverse the path to Early Access. Expect regular entries as we enter the final stretch of production and approach Early Access release in 2024.
Over the past 12 months, we have continued to toil away at the development of Dynasty of the Sands and have plenty of updates to share with you all. In this month's update, we will be delving into the Death System and how it ties into gameplay as well as Egyptian history.
EMBRACING MORTALITY
Death was a central part of life in Ancient Egypt, deeply entwined with people’s religious beliefs. They viewed death as a transformative process, and had a deep reverence for the afterlife that permeated much of their culture.
Keeping these ideologies in mind, it was important for death to play an essential part in Dynasty of the Sands. Consider this as you construct and expand your empire…
BURIAL RITES
In game, when a villager dies, their body remains in place and is not automatically disposed of. However, for villagers nearby these neglected bodies, witnessing the remains of those who perished will lead to a drop in happiness. If those poor souls are left for too long under the harsh elements, they will contribute to the chance of a disease outbreak.
It’s important to respect and manage the dead to ensure your ever-expanding city can continue to thrive. To do so, players can lay Burial Plots and construct Tombs to lay their dead to rest, so the Gods may ferry them to the afterlife.
Burial Plots
These shallow graves were the most used amongst the Ancient Egyptians, especially for the common folk and when complex infrastructure was lacking. The dry air and heat of the desert created a natural mummification process which erased the need for embalming.
The Burial Plot tool allows the player to drag out an area within their city to act as a burial site and the size of the Burial Plot will determine the amount of bodies that can be buried there. If a villager passes away, the nearest available Warehouse workers will automatically transport the dead to their final resting place.
The Burial Plots must be placed strategically through the city and require players to evaluate the space within their city. For example, if a plot is placed too far away from the populace, it will put pressure on the city’s infrastructure as the dead must be transported over greater distances. On the other hand, the presence of a burial site in close proximity to where villagers live or work can cause immense dissatisfaction, so choosing a suitable location can be a fine balancing act.
As time passes, like sands through the hourglass, more and more villagers' fates may be sealed as they succumb to the harshness of ancient life. As the death toll grows, players will need to expand their burial sites, otherwise they may face disease and have an angry populace to appease, as well as the Gods.
Tombs
Burial Plots may meet the needs of your city in the earlier stages of the game, however, as your population grows, they will inevitably desire a more prestigious resting place befitting their standing status within the hierarchy of society.
Villagers will have different status’ and Noble villagers, which we'll cover in another developer blog, will expect to be enshrined in Tombs. While these grander burial sites come at a significantly higher cost, failing to create these structures will undoubtedly result in the happiness of the Nobles to be negatively impacted.
Beware. Do not create displeasure among the Nobles as it can lead to them abandoning your city.
Once a Tomb has been constructed, you must choose and allocate which villagers will be buried there. Although any villager can be buried in a Tomb, remember they are most important for maintaining the happiness of your Noble population.
—————
We hope you have enjoyed the insight into one of the many features that will be available in Dynasty of the Sands and have found it as interesting for you as it is for us. The development team at Rocket Flair Studios are diligently working to bring Dynasty of the Sands to fruition and are eager to unveil more about the game over the coming months.
In our next developer blog, we'll be discussing the Disease System that goes hand in hand with the Death System.
May the divine Egyptian Gods grant you blessings until the next time we meet.
Dynasty of the Sands is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
Social Links:
Dynasty of the Sands Website - Official Website
Twitter - Follow us at DynastySands
Facebook - Like Our Facebook Page
YouTube - Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel
Instagram - Follow us on Instagram
Find out more about PlaySide Publishing on their official website