It has been a long time since the last update. I have been very busy focusing on working on the game. I'm sorry for that but here is a big one.
Earth of Oryn is doing amazing on Steam (it has been wishlisted almost 100 000 times). It's a great new for the future of the game. Thanks a lot!
Development
Here is a good summary video about how the game looks like at the moment: Don't hesitate to comment and like the video on Youtube. It helps a lot with the Youtube algorithm. Thanks!
Screenshots
What has been done since the last update
Fixed a lot of behaviours concerning workers deliveries mechanics.
Reworked a lot of GUI components and GUI effects.
Reworked the tutorial and adding new steps.
Added shortcuts.
Reworked the build tool.
Reworked the dragging tool to build roads and walls and adding VFX and sound.
Fixed cursor selection tool.
Reworked map navigation behaviour.
Fixed building inventories.
Fixed resource collection mechanics.
Added different OST while playing with different civilizations.
Reworked weather VFX.
Improved performance on a lot of tools and the game in general.
Started adding settings for keys binding.
Fixed some bugs with the bug reporting tool.
Added archers and their specific mechanics.
Reworked whole combat system.
Added outline on selectable objects.
Added tool to clean vegetation and destroy other buildings.
Added a new "Repairer" job for workers.
Added some cooldown on citizen task decisions so they don't get stuck in a loop.
New game mode "Mission" where you can select a mission and a seed to unlock other ones. All 4 civilizations are now playable.
Fixed people dying for no reason.
Faster combat AI.
Added a mini grid to the existing grid placing system.
Reworked the whole technology mechanics and added new ones.
Reworked animal behaviour (still early stage).
Added new informations to tooltips.
Reworked some buggy layouts.
Resolved some pathfinding issues.
If a job is taking place in building, worker will now go inside in order to work.
New culte building, technologies and priest job.
Fine tuned ground slope textures for better terrain readability.
Units can now have an aura affecting other citizen.
New landscaping tool.
New dashboard with a lot of different displayed data (lists, charts,...)
New manufacture building allowing item transformation.
Started working on power building (windmills).
Reworked zoning tool.
Reworked farming mechanics.
Added environment sounds.
Fixed miscellaneous other bugs.
And what I'm planning to do next
Bug fixing and improving mechanics based on new feedback.
Power buildings and their mechanics.
Wild life.
Adding new content based on existing mechanics.
Adding new original missions.
If you need more information and/or want to chat with me and other Oryn players, I invite you to join the Discord server.
Best regards,
Elivard
March 2024 update
2024 here we are! It will for sure be a key year for Earth of Oryn as the game is planned to launch into Early Access this very year!
Thank you so much for being this many following the game! I'm a solo developer and this is huge for me. ːsteamhappyː
Beta testing
I'm very happy to announce that beta testing has started with Kickstarter backers last January! I'm gathering a lot of feedback and bug reports and it's helping me a lot to improve the game. If you like to get involved with the development of the game or simply say hi, I invite you to join Earth of Oryn Discord. Some beta testing seats may become available for none Kickstarter backers.
Development
Check out this summary video about how the game looks like at the moment:
Development December - March
Setting up the Playtest environment for beta testing.
Fixing tons of bugs with the first beta testing feedback.
Started implementing localization system.
Found a music composer for the game. First tests are in the latest version.
Reworking the building system and roads/walls drag and drop.
Added archers for enemies (and soon for the player).
Added a bug/feedback reporter.
Added features to destroy buildings.
Random goals and events for each map.
Added a feature to give instructions to units (like an RTS).
A gazillion of other small improvements following beta tester feedback.
Next I'm going to work on making the existing systems more robust and improve the building and fighting systems.
Get more updates - Follow me on other social networks!
It's October and I'm posting this new update about what I have done in September.
Development September
I have been working on a new game mode called "Random single mission". It will be one of the main mode for early access with the "Creative mode".
Campaign: Select a campaign and play a set of mission following an original story. (For 1.0)
Story single mission: Select a mission with an original story. (For 1.0)
Random single mission: Generate a level following different parameters then play it. (Early access)
Creative mode: Generate your own map with you own biome and then modify this map with some god mode tools. Enter play mode if you like to. (Early access)
I have also worked on some other parts:
Improved weather system.
Refactor some code into Unity jobs to gain performance.
October
Better random single mission mode
Law system
Taxes system
Rework marchand system
Better way to learn the game. I like to remove the current tutorial and create something that work with every level and is more like a "Hint mode".
Refactor some other code into Unity jobs to gain performance.
Video summary of September
If you like to see a more day to day progression about the Earth of Oryn I invite you to follow me on Twitter.
Cheers,
Elivard
July-August update - Gamescom 2023
Dear followers,
It's already mid August and it's time for me to give you some news about the game.
Development
July-August
I have been testing the game with my publisher Stray Fawn Studio (I'm already at version 17). It's super insightful and it's helping me a lot to focus on what's important.
I'have made a lot of improvements and fixes such as:
Improving citizen behaviour, fight system and pathfinding.
Adding some panels to get an overview of your city such as your citizens, items and buildings.
Reworking the advertisement panel to become more useful giving you tips and informations based on realtime events. Plus you can now access to its history.
Improving building placement.
Proofreading and correcting labels.
Adding a general settings menu.
Improving mouse controls.
Improving performances.
Fine tuning the tutorial and creating better alpha demos.
Expanding the map size from 10 000 to 22 500 square meters (the goal for early access is 90 000).
A lot of other fixes.
September
Using all the feedback I will have gathered at the Gamescom to improve the game so I might slightly adjust my roadmap by this time. The alpha testing will be approaching for some Kickstarter backers! I will be contacting you by Kickstarter to deliver keys.
Gamescom 2023
I'm super exited to announce you that I'll be at the Gamescom 2023 in Koln Germany in the Indie arena booth!
The game will be available to test on a laptop with the very first public demo. The goal is to gather as much feedback as possible.
I can't wait to meet some of you IRL! Please tell me if you are going!
Video summary of July-August
If you like to see a more day to day progression about the Earth of Oryn I invite you to follow me on Twitter.
Cheers,
Elivard
June 2023 summary
Dear community,
Here are some news about the development of the game.
Developpement
June done
Reworking and taking a decision on the new logo.
Adding emotional feedback on characters.
Build system improvement.
Build menu (GUI).
Rework tutorial.
Reworking camera controls and adding a right click and drag on to move the map.
Improving performances.
My backlog for July
Improve enemies fight system.
More items getting the "extrusion mode".
Fine tune citizen behaviour.
Completing missing information on buildings.
New demo versions.
Video summary of May and June
Discord
I'm inviting you to join Earth of Oryn Discord server. I would be super happy to meet you and discuss about the game and its future!
Cheers, Elivard
April 2023 summary
Dear community,
April has been a great development month for me and I have plenty of news to share with you. I was sharing news monthly on Kickstarter and will now do the same here on Steam.
Developpement
I'm still focusing on the demo cleaning bugs and improving existing features (while hiding some that are really not ready). The goal to have the base gameplay loop being clean and enjoyable before expanding to new features.
April done
First deployment on Steam with a Mac & Windows version. The pipeline is working and ready to use!
Reworking the game interface.
Creating developer tools to make level design easier (also the backbone for the creative mode!).
Improved save system.
Demo almost ready with a tutorial (about 20-30minutes of gameplay).
First technology use case done.
Reworking the zones attribution tools so it provides a better user experience.
Cleaning a lot of small bugs.
New logo iteration (I'm still taking some time before making an official change so it's still possible to make changes if needed).
The goal was to improve logo readability. "Oryn" is made from a fully custom font and the "O" represent a coin which is an important part of the game lore. It has a medieval, fantasy style. Any feedback is super welcome!
My backlog for May
Finishing the demo and gameplay videos.
Core features improvements (better performances by implementing Unity DOTS).
Improved combat system.
Improved building system (building and roads).
Better resources gathering and farming systems.
Statistics
I'm so happy how things are going.
Top 700 most followed game on Steam following SteamDB. (You are more than 3000!)
More than 27 000 wishlists on Steam.
Video summary of April
Discord
I'm inviting you to join Earth of Oryn Discord server. I would be super happy to meet you and discuss about the game and its future!
Cheers, Elivard
Kickstarter is 100% funded and is ending soon!
The Kickstarter is funded and ending soon!
Some exclusivities you can get from the Kickstarter
A price discount.
Lifetime DLC's access.
Access to a Kickstarter exclusive early access.
Access to the beta.
Exclusive Discord title.
Your name on the game credits.
Some Kickstarter exclusive in game items that will never be available again.
We are already at 37%! We are currently on track to hit out Kickstarter goal, but the more we go over the better!
There's still plenty of time to back, and as a little way of adding flexibility, we've added a new tier: Nomad. If you simply want EoO with no bells or whistles, and to cash in on a nice reduced price for the game, check it out! (19€ when then price should turn around 35€ when the game release)
We also have lifetime DLC access as an add-on due to an outpouring of support. Please, share Earth of Oryn with your friends and help us get the word out there!
Wanna be an early player and get some exclusive content? Subscribe on Kickstarter and get an email when it's launched and when it's almost over.
I'm making this Kickstarter because I feel like it's the most suitable way for a solo developer like myself to make a project with the scope and scale I'm planning for Earth of Oryn.
It's also the best way for me to keep the game as indie as possible while being able to keep the same art and gameplay direction I feel is most suitable for the game.
This has been my life for the better part of two years now, and it truly is a dream come true for me. I want nothing more than to be able to make Earth of Oryn, and (assuming people are interested in it) support the game for years to come with both free updates and DLC drops.
Anything made above the Kickstarter's goal will allow me to spend more time improving the mechanics, the gameplay, and potentially even bringing on some people to help me here and there.
