The end of February brings you the second Tech Update!
The main objective of ELDERBORN Early Access is to develop our game based on your feedback. And the latest update, which is now available, follows this strategy.
Some of you have said that the game does not contain enough blood, while others complained about the amount of gore. What did we do to make both groups satisfied? We added a new setting! When playing the game, you can choose between:
- no gore,
- particles,
- particles + decals.
Unfortunately, for now, we are unable to satisfy those of you who asked for limb dismemberment.
We also need to mention the full controller support, which we couldn't deliver on time which we decided to push at the end of Early Access due to multiple ongoing changes in core game mechanics. Maintaining its consistency turned out to be much more time consuming than we originally expected and we decided to move this feature implementation closer to the release, prioritizing bringing you new content over full controller support in every incoming version. Of course, keep in mind that the controller can still be used in the game (if you are using a PS4 controller, it requires Steam running in Big Picture). The only drawback is that menus are not accessible when using a controller.
Last but not least, make sure to pay our discord a visit - let's talk about the future of ELDERBORN! https://discord.gg/2wu7Cpj
FEEDBACK AND HOTFIX NOTES
We are extremely happy about how you like our latest update! Keep being awesome and hit us with all the feedback you have. We. Are. ready.
Also, we've just released a hotfix with a few changes:
- improved mouse sensitivity (based on your feedback),
- fixed loading material upon changing the texture quality setting,
- fixed loading screen fade out.
CONTENT UPDATE #1 IS LIVE!
WARRIORS!
The end of January brings you the first Content Update!
With the new Early Access version of ELDERBORN we are introducing a number of new elements. You now have the opportunity to fight General Janus who wants to put you down with his sword. Who is Janus? Our introduction video will give you a glimpse of ELDERBORN's story, but this is only the beginning of what you will learn in the future.
We also feel that the game has been too easy, so we introduced some changes which should make it more difficult. We are looking forward to hearing your opinion on how the game is evolving, as well as how do you find the Janus bossfight - we'd love to know what you think about him, please share your strats with us! Maybe you have any exploits to beat him easily?
Here is a more detailed list of changes:
Intro video (for lore introduction, might be improved late)
Bossfight against General Janus
New level with a new type of trap
New weapon: sharp and deadly Officer Sickles
Weapon rebalance
Player balance changes
New music tracks and updates to tracks which have been already available
Enemies have better AI and use new attacks and moves
Javelins no longer pass through enemies - instead they hit them
Improve enemy reaction to hits, including one enemy hitting another
Item and weapon placement has been modified
End-game shows more upcoming content (it has some shots from the City level and is really worth checking out!) - please note that the loading screen there is quite extensive
Polish language is now available (Steam client interface needs to be set to Polish)
Target framerate limit setting
Improved optimization
Various bug fixes
We also need to mention that due to a new level and some changes in the placement of items and weapons we had to make old save data unusable - when launching the game after the update you will have to start from fresh regardless of your progress in the previous version.
What we decided to push to future updates:
Changes to collectibles (we are redesigning gold)
Power-up (same as gold)
What we are working on for future deliveries:
City level (let us know what do you think about the footage available after beating Janus!)
General improvements to player controls, movement and weapon
Blood decals
Good luck, WARRIORS!
TECH UPDATE #1 IS LIVE!
Today we have brought you the first Early Access update!
As listed in our roadmap published shortly after the Early Access release, Tech Update #1 brings some new features and gameplay changes, including those based on your feedback. We want to strengthen the fundaments of our game before adding more content early next year.
Some changes have been implemented, some not, some are still being discussed - you can find out why below and as always, let us know how do you find how the game has changed and... keep being awesome! \m/
PS Don't forget about our livestream starting at 10AM PST!
Some changes are based on your feedback and some just follow the design decisions so we:
Added option to map buttons
Added option to turn on direction double tap to Dash
Added option to toggle crosshair (may help if you are feeling dizzy sometimes)
Fixed camera movement during attacks and walking (should feel more weighty now)
Fixed AI a bit (Shielded zombies actually use shields now)
Added a lot more player HP, so you can face this improved AI with no frustration
Changed enviro a bit, to keep the game tempo
Changed enemies’ placement for the same reason
Added a hitstop effect to each connecting attack, feedback on hit is now cooler
Rebalanced all weapon categories, changes in range and knockback power
Reduced parry window, you guys were too good at it
Highlighted traces of enemy ranged attacks
Nerfed Kick: bigger recovery, less pushback. But now deals a bit of damage! :D
Fixed sound options
Improved optimization (you should see the difference with more stable framerate)
Left some enemy items in-game after you slay them
Changed Sprinting logic. It’s now a separate action, you don’t need to hold it down anymore (works like in modern FPS titles). Let us know your thoughts on this since we are considering another change here
The main focus at the moment:
Dungeon - Boss Fight
Dungeon - Hell section
Story introduction
Treasures are being reworked, but we are not sure when will we introduce them in the new approach. Also, we are testing some power-ups ideas
The City is growing
What didn’t we do and why:
Flying limbs and corpse interaction - for now, it’s overkill for game optimization. Even if it works somehow, we will not include it anytime soon due to game performance
Player ranged attacks - still no ranged combat for you but… we have an idea that we want to discuss with you sometime soon, on discord maybe
Stealth and glory kills - even if we would love to make it true, we can’t. Time cost could kill the process of finishing the game and possibly the core game design also. Too risky.
Enemies reanimation. Some of you don’t like it and want it to go away but it has its reason and purpose. There is a connection between your respawn and theirs... More on this in January! :)
PATCH RELEASE AND LIVE STREAM
Our first patch goes live tomorrow at 7AM PST! To celebrate this our Community Manager, Jakub, will be streaming the game on Steam at 10AM PST.
Join and let your friends know so that they get a chance to win some game codes during a giveaway.
TECH UPDATE #1 COMING THIS WEDNESDAY
WARRIORS, our first Early Access update is coming soon!
This Wednesday we are releasing Early Access Tech Update #1 which will include some gameplay changes, new options and more. All details will be published later this week, along with more announcements we can't wait to tell you about!
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEVELOPERS
Dear ELDERBORN players,
We are nearing the end of the first month since the game was launched on Steam Early Access. The Hyperstrange dev team wants to take this opportunity to share a very special message with all of you.
EARLY ACCESS ROADMAP
GREETINGS, WARRIORS!
A week after the launch of Early Access we would like to present you our roadmap with updates we are planning. Your feedback is very important for us and it is already proving to be fruitful, for which we want to thank you.
There will be two types of updates: Tech Updates, with changes to performance and general user experience, as well as Content Updates with new areas, weapons, etc. The roadmap contains only the key points for each update but there will be more coming, including achievements, weapon balance, gameplay elements and so on - we will be sharing with you more details in advance, so please stay tuned for future posts!
ELDERBORN EARLY ACCESS ROADMAP
Tech Update #1 - November 2018
Improvements to optimization
Key bindings
Enemy AI improvement
Content Update #1 - January 2019
First boss fight (Janus)
Intro (the first version for lore introduction, will be improved later)
Two additional locations
At least 1 new weapon
Tech Update #2 - February 2019
Blood decals
Gore setting (no blood, particles or particles + decals)
Full controller support
Content Update #2 - March 2019
City level
At least 1 new weapon
At least 6 new types of enemies
Content Update #3 - April 2019
Second boss fight (TBA)
Temple level
At least 3 new types of enemies
At least 1 new weapon
Final Release - May/June 2019
Final fixes and upgrades
ELDERBORN in its full heavy metal glory \m/
EARLY ACCESS LAUNCH
The wait is over! ELDERBORN is now available on Steam Early Access! Check out our release trailer and get ready to kick, slash and hammer some enemies in a heavy metal style!
Want to know what's next? Next week we will provide you with a roadmap so that you keep track of what can you expect from our project in the upcoming months.
ANNOUNCING EARLY ACCESS
The day has finally come for an official announcement! We are teaming up with Crunching Koalas, who will be publishing ELDERBORN. The game will be available in Early Access on October 11th - add it to your wishlist not to miss it.
We want the Community to play a huge role in how ELDERBORN shapes and that's why we want to give you access to the game early. What can you expect from this version?
3 weapons of your choice Speed, power or balance?
Several types of enemies Slash, kick, block or parry, depending on who do you fight against.
Various levels Keep climbing up while avoiding enemy attacks, then enter a labyrinth filled with traps.
Git gud or die trying Just like that.
Gore, heavy metal and death Waiting for you behind every corner.
As ELDERBORN is a work in progress project, we would love to hear your feedback. Make sure to join our discussion forums.
