Greetings, noble warriors and esteemed inhabitants of Mantaria,
As we approach the exciting launch of Shields of Loyalty, we are delighted to introduce DevLog#9, showcasing our commitment to creating a gaming experience that is truly immersive and fun. Join us as we delve into the depths of our latest developments, introducing the fiery landscapes of the Lava Island and strategic UI innovations that will shape the destiny of our world.
Upgradable Buildings: Knight Faction Stables
Witness the evolution of warfare as the Knight Faction unveils their upgraded stables. Enhance your cavalry units and unlock new tactical options with these fortified structures. Prepare to charge into battle with renewed strength and determination.
Sneak Peek: Warlord Faction Mounted Units
Behold the majestic prowess of the Warlord Faction's mounted units, including Centaurs, Deer Riders, and Bear Riders. With unmatched speed and ferocity, these mounted warriors will dominate the battlefield, striking fear into the hearts of their foes. Prepare for an unstoppable cavalry charge like never before.
New Animation GIFs
Immerse yourself in the dynamic world of Shields of Loyalty with our latest animation GIFs. Witness the fluid movements and fierce combat skills of both old and new units as they clash in epic battles for supremacy.
In Closing
Join us as we continue our journey towards the launch of Shields of Loyalty, where legends are forged and destinies entwined.
Until next we meet, may the stars guide your path and fortune favor your endeavors.
The Shields of Loyalty Team
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Development Blog #8
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Greetings, noble warriors and esteemed members of the Shields of Loyalty community,
As we continue our journey towards the launch of Shields of Loyalty, we are thrilled to present to you the latest developments straight from the heart of Mantaria. The forge of Mosaic Mask Studio has been ablaze, crafting new features, refining gameplay mechanics, and preparing to unveil more about Warlord faction that will shape the destiny of this realm.
Unit Upgrades Evolve into Building Upgrades
In our relentless pursuit of innovation, we are revolutionizing the way players enhance their forces. No longer shall you solely upgrade individual units; instead, brace yourselves for a paradigm shift as we introduce Building Upgrades. By fortifying your structures, you will unlock the potential to recruit formidable Tier 2 and Tier 3 units. Embrace this strategic depth, for the fate of your armies lies within the walls of your citadels. Also these buildings will have small animations like waving flags or training soldiers to liven’ up the space.
Sneak Peek: Upgradable Buildings
While we unveil a glimpse of the formidable Knight Faction buildings, know that there are other structures shrouded in mystery yet to be revealed. Stay vigilant, for the foundations of your empire shall soon be fortified with new edifices, each bearing its own significance on the citadel that we are going to construct together.
Sneak Peek: Warlord Faction Heavy Infantry Units
Behold, warlords, for the Warlord Faction marches forth with a new breed of warriors. Among them stand the Heavy Infantry, stalwart guardians with bulky and strong statures and wielding weapons forged in the fires of war. These mighty warriors shall strike fear into the hearts of your foes, standing as bulwarks against the tides of darkness that threaten Mantaria.
Animating the Clash of Steel
Our skilled artisans have updated some of the animations of both old and upcoming units. Witness the beauty of animations and imagine them on the battlefield. From the swift attacks of agile Gryphons to the powerful stomps of Mountain Trolls, each movement exudes the essence of warfare. Can you spot the mystical units hidden within these animations, never before revealed to mortal eyes?
Embracing Feedback, Forging the Future
As we embark on this odyssey of creation, we are ever mindful of the invaluable feedback and ideas shared by our devoted community. Your passion fuels our determination, and your insights shape the very fabric of Mantaria's destiny. Together, let us march forward, united in our quest for glory and honor.
In Closing
With each passing day, Shields of Loyalty draws closer to its destined hour. Yet, let it be known that the journey is far from over. As we tread the path towards release, let your voices ring loud and clear, guiding us towards a realm where legends are forged and destinies entwined. Warriors of Mantaria, the hour of reckoning approaches. Ready your blades, fortify your citadels, and stand firm in the face of adversity. For in the crucible of war, heroes are born and legends are made. Until next we meet on the battlefield,
The Shields of Loyalty Team
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Development Blog #7
A Message from the Shields of Loyalty Team
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀We understand that we have been less visible recently, but rest assured, our goal is to launch our game with its vision intact. Our team is diligently working to enhance, expand, and fortify our gameplay options. This includes addressing bugs, refining the UI for the best player experience, and crafting a distinctive environment for our story and gameplay to align with our release date and roadmap objectives. As we approach the final stretch towards the release of Shields of Loyalty, we value your feedback and ideas greatly. Be prepared, as you will soon hear from us more frequently than ever before.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Warlords and warmaidens, hone your blades, ready your shields, and muster your troops, for the fate of Mantaria will soon rest on your shoulders.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Thank you for believing in us and for your continuous support. We had a vision, you believed in it, and we are committed to delivering on it.
Mosaic Mask Studio ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Updates
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀In the upcoming weeks, we will announce and share the new unit assets, animation GIFs, future ideas, and updates. We are looking forward to receiving your feedback and suggestions.
Leader Change
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀First of all we would like to announce that Warlord faction leader Gormur is now a hero of the same faction (But because of his demotion we will be giving him an awesome attack animation so don't worry and also we keep the horns :D) . Instead of relying solely on human leaders, we embraced the idea that our world is rich in fantasy. Inspired by this notion, we introduced KARNOTH, the new Chieftain of the Warlords.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Warlord Faction Old Avatar/Leader - GORMUR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Warlord Faction New Avatar/Leader - KARNOTH -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Karnoth in game look --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Huge Units
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Now, with the addition of Karnoth, players will have the ability to command huge units. Karnoth, a formidable minotaur warlord, will occupy 4 hex spaces instead of 1 to emphasize its colossal size. However, keep in mind that such large units will draw significant attention, making it easier for the AI to strategically position enemy units against them. This will also make managing the placement of your own units more challenging.
Spell System
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀We are dedicated to enhancing the strategic elements of the game by developing a spell system. This innovation will enable players to unleash new capabilities for building their armies and overpowering the undead adversaries. Additionally, a new troop tree for spellcasters will be introduced.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Stay tuned for exclusive previews as we have already prepared some unit and spell animations for this exciting system.
Warlord Faction
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀We have almost finished all the animation and game integration for the Warlord faction troops, so we are gearing up to launch this Undead-bashing faction soon.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Here are some exclusive glimpses of the Warlord troops' animations and sprites.
Pyromaniac Idle and Attack Animations
Thunderbird Idle and Attack Animations
Valkyrie Idle and Hero: Skirmisher Vinur Attack Animations
Warlord Troop Tree Sneak Peek
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀We will be sharing the troop tree of the Warlord Faction every week or every other day. Keep an eye out for these details as we continue to develop these units for you to enjoy playing with in the near future.
Story Driven Campaign
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Since our campaign is centered around storytelling, we are enhancing our writing skills and conveying the narrative to you more effectively. We are currently making some adjustments to the story to enhance its flow and depth.
Future of the Map Editor
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Our goal is to cultivate a creative environment for our players by enhancing our map editor, enabling easier sharing and playing of each other's maps. Introducing vast maps and mission scenarios in the realm of Mantaria will enhance replay value and bring players' visions to reality. Hence, we aim to develop an exceptional, user-friendly, and intricate map editor.
Just a reminder
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Before the game's final release, keep in mind that everything you see is subject to change. Share your thoughts and feedback to influence the future of Mantaria. Stay tuned and prepare for what's to come.
Patch 8.1.4
Engine update
One of the bigger, behind the scenes, changes we've made was to move the game over to a much more recent version of the Unity engine. This includes a jump not only in a lot of minor but also a major engine release. The decision was made for multiple reasons like the support for the previously used version will end in a very few months and the IDE was very unstable on our development systems to a degree hindering actual development.
Improvements
- optimized internal fog of war management and overall performance (further visual and performance improvements planned) - improved image compression/filtering quality in various areas of the game - impact zones for particle effects added to all units so effects should most of the time happen on the actual unit's surface - improved overall flow/speed of animations/actions, panels - reduced the size of savegames by about 90-95% - artifacts of fallen unit's will be added back to the inventory after the level has been completed - added a "fast animations" option increase the overall speed of animations/transitions for a faster general gameplay - improved input/controls - map can now be dragged/scrolled using the middle mouse button and the arrow keys - holding shift increases the scrolling speed - improved camera handling, zooming in/out tries to focus around the position at the mouse cursor so it doesn't move around randomly anymore
Bug fixes
- fixed some issues with localized texts not updating during language changes - using special abilities (or even dismissing) of enemy units isn't possible anymore - units can't move through a storm without any impact anymore
State of Play #7 - Version 1.0 in 2024
Warlords!
We have managed to acquire the needed funding to complete and publish Shields of Loyalty with its original scope in 2024!
Now with the funding in the bag, the roadmap will slightly experience a change but more shaped and valid. Most important milestones are:
Version 0.9
will arrive about late spring 2024. Because now we're able to implement the full scope, more assets and code is needed. Therefore more time. It'll include more content as planned before. More to announce in January to this topic.
Version 1.0
on windows, mac and Nintendo switch will follow by late autumn 2024 and will include:
2 additional new unit types,
one more player avatar,
one more AI avatar
as well as the whole new magic system.
More to announce in January on this topic too.
We're very happy and excited to share this news with you today!
Thanks a lot for your ongoing suppertːsteamthumbsupː
Mines & Buidings
Warlords & Ladies!
It's time to go into more detail about the upcoming big content update. Today we want to tell you about mines and buildings.
We talked about mercenaries in the past. But mercenaries want to be paid. On the one hand with gold and on the other hand with gems. You'll find this new resource within mines in the future. And the mines are the next major content of the update. Here is a WIP screen for you: The mine entrances are already present in the maps, but were not accessible this far. That changes now! Explore these regions and make big loots like gold, artifacts and gems!
The last major content of the update will be the reorganization of the management screens. We have bundled the army and training screen so that all settings and information can be made and seen on only one screen. Here we go: this WIP shows the level 2 buildings for a few units. Clicking a building will show a menu where you can select wheter you want to buy an unit or to update the buiding to research next higher tier unit.
Of course, there will also be bugfixes and many minor adjustments to the game. We'll announce more every week, so join our discord! We are planning September/October this year for the release. But keep in mind that this is only an estimate. We will do our best to keep the date!
Enjoy the news and feel free to share them on your channels or communities.
Have a great day folks!
Mercenaries & more
Warlords & Ladies!
It's time to go into more detail about the upcoming big content update. As you can see from the headline, it's about the mercenaries. We have already published first pictures on other channels --> Twitter - https://twitter.com/mosaicmask and Discord - discord.gg/gBGem9C7B9 . Here are the units collected again.
These can be hired in a new location, the "tents". Use these powerful fellowers to achieve your goals faster and more effectively. This will result in a better loot in the future!
And...by the way...we're animating them more powerful and brutal (still WIP). A perfect fit to our dark fantasy look, or not?
Of course, there will also be bugfixes and many minor adjustments to the game. We'll announce more every week, so join our discord discord.gg/gBGem9C7B9 ! We're aiming September/October this year for the release. But keep in mind that this is only an estimate. We'll do our best to keep the date!
Enjoy the news and feel free to share them on your channels or communities.
Have a great day folks!
State of Play #6
Warlords and Ladies!
We continue to develop SoL and the next release is right behind the corner. However, we are only taking small steps forward. So, we need our community now. To implement the planned scope faster and to develop all your great input you would like to see, we need your interaction!
What you can do?
leave a steam review (very important!)
join our Discord server and be active
use youtube and twitter to share posts and videos
tell other strategy enthusiasts about our game and share your experiences
Why do we need your interaction now? To let other players know that Shields of Loyalty is out there and what an extremely great TBS game with high potential it is!
Regarding the further development, here are the next key milestones:
Version 0.9 will include the 2nd playable faction -> Warlord Gormur and his mix of barbarians, mystical creatures and shamans. The version is planned for Q3 2024.
Version 1.0 will include the third island "Lava Desert" with 10 brand new levels. This would complete all the main content and the release of the full version. Version 1.0 is planned for Q2 2024.
Please keep in mind that all above given dates are estimates and not confirmed yet!
Between the major releases we’ll have a few more minor releases. The next 2 of them will be available within the Version 0.8 and will contain the following:
As previously announced, new content with “mines and mercenaries”. So we’re talking about new locations -> the mines and new units -> the mercenaries.
A rework of the menu. We’ll change a few screens to speed up the process and avoid klicks.
Reorganization of the troops. We’ll drop the light Infantry on Player side. Therefore we’ll increase the amount of mercenaries.
More to announce soon.
Thanks a lot for your ongoing support!
Development Blog #6
Warlords and Ladies!
Before we start with the latest developments from Mantaria, here's something on our own behalf: we now have a Discord server to intensify the discussions and the exchange with you! Join us here --> discord.gg/gBGem9C7B9
Let's start with all the news around Shields of Loyaltyːsteamthumbsupː
Mercenaries
We'll introduce mercenaries in one of the upcoming updates. These all new strong but expensive companions can be hired in a new location, the tent. They cost a certain amount of resources per round, which is always due at the beginning of the round. If the amount cannot be paid, the unit cannot be used. Mercenaries are strong units that can decide a battle!
Mines
The mines are comming! Access to these underground levels will be possible soon. What awaits us here? A kind of dungeon level set in abandoned mine shafts. A very unique setting with special challenges but also rewards. The new resource "gems" will be found here, which can be used to hire and pay mercenaries. Furthermore, the captured miners and constructors can be freed form prison here. They will join your troops and will be able to build large trebuchets for you (this feature will come later, though).
Menu control
We'll remove the training screen. Instead, the buildings in the Army Management Screen will be upgradebale twice so thatt all actions can be performed directly from here.
Are you already excited about the new features? Feel free to discuss with us on Discord and let us and the community know what you think.
Thank you all for your ongoing suport!
Patch 0.8.1.3
Bugfixes
fixed a bug where loading old savefiles caused crashes (white/blach screen).
fixed wrong behaviour of lightnings causing fire. Fire only occurs in woods now.
increased the performace with the new smoother "fog of war" edges.
Social
We've a discord server now! Please join the community and share your thoughts and ideas on Shields of Loyalty and help us to improve the game --> discord.gg/gBGem9C7B9
