For today’s Dev Update, we want to show you a sneak peek of a map of the game: the base of the Free Legion faction, Free Fortress!
As one of multiple faction bases, this area will be explorable later in the game, as you make alliances and enemies of the main factions of Kalsundia. Will you ally yourself with the Free Legion and climb their ranks to gain the respect of their leader Tory Chanley? Or will you raid the Free Fortress alongside the Commonwealth or the Brightwind Clan?
Please keep in mind that this map is currently in development and that every part of it is subject to improvements.
Entering the Free Fortress
Situated in the northwest desert region of Kalsundia, the Free Fortress, much like its name suggests, is a fortified construction initially built by the Avondus Empire, for their invasion that failed. Built on rocky terrain, it is now the central home of one of the main three factions of the game, the Free Legion. Militaristic by nature, their might is on full display here; while some parts of the fortress are open to adventurers and merchants, they are reminded of the Legion’s power at every corner.
The Center of Power
Free Fortress’ main building, the War Room, is where Tory Chanley, the Free Legion’s commander, receives common folk in her audience chamber, which is well-guarded by her Shock Troopers. At certain moments of the day, she retires to the War Table with her trusted lieutenant to plan the faction’s next moves.
If someone decides to make an enemy of the Free Legion, this may offer easier assassination opportunities than a direct assault; taking advantage of climbing skills to reach the ramparts, and sneaking skills into back alleys, might allow you to reach a backdoor! You may even discover a hidden vault somewhere…
Legionnaires in Training
Now, it wouldn’t be a military headquarters without Training Halls, wouldn’t it? This restricted portion of the Fortress is where new recruits train under the watchful eye of Drang Rimmator, a veteran commander of the Legion. This building becomes a prime defense location in case of enemy assaults; but perhaps an individual who’s sneaky enough could get through it without alerting anyone?
Defending the Citadel
With its many bridges and lookouts, the Free Legion can see any threats and react promptly. With ballistas on their walls and armory stockout, they are well-prepared for enemy assaults. Unless the assault comes from within…
A Time and Place for Everything
The Free Legion may be militaristic, but they are also pious and respect their dead. This is an area for them to find peace and collect themselves; a small cemetery on the side of the Temple of Maurauth, one of the ancient Lynite gods. Please don’t step on the flowers or desecrate the graves!
Temples were often used as refuges and hidden passageways were often used to get the common folk out to the countryside in case of assault.
Some concept art for Free Fortress
That’s it for today! We hope you appreciated this first look at the Free Fortress. With a good mix of exploration and loot for everyone, and locked-off areas for people that aren’t friends of the Free Legion, we’re building this map to offer something for every playstyle, with some epic fights on bridges and between ramparts if one decides to wipe the faction out, and many side paths and locked doors for the sneaky types.
What do you appreciate the most about the feeling of coming fresh into a new town or city, ready to be explored? Let us know below!
Our next Dev Update featuring a sneak peek of the map 'Free Fortress' is coming on July 19th! Curious? Good. We're keeping all the details for Wednesday 🤫
For this Dev Blog we wanted to share some work in progress on our character creation process.
Defining your character is what puts the RP in cRPG, and is a crucial first step to any adventure. The imagination you bring to your character is what turns a bunch of stats and numbers into a living, dynamic person that can change the world.
When you launch into your journey with Witchstone, you will immediately be able to define who your character is, not just the class you want to play.
“What could this mysterious “Endurer” ancestry be?”
Once you’ve determined your ancestry and appearance, you’ll get the opportunity to share your origin story with a key NPC. Of course, if you’re playing the classic cloak-and-dagger, brooding-in-the-dark-corner-type, you’ll be able to decline sharing such personal details, and go straight to the finer details of character creation.
Creating Your Origin Story
In Witchstone, your words are just as powerful as your weapons and spells. You’ll be able to feel that power right at the jump as you define your background.
“Build your background through dialogue”
Through dialogue, you’ll have to answer the following questions about your character:
What happened to your family?
What kind of environment did you grow up in? Were you raised by politicians? Did you fight for survival in the wilds? Or did you enlist at a young age, knowing only the battlefield?
What skills did you use to get by?
Why are you traveling to Kalsundia?
Once you’ve finished, your character will be granted an archetype, specialty, as well as skills, attributes, and abilities that best match your origin story. Of course, you can always go back and change things to your liking! However, every origin combination features a balanced build that is well suited to tackle the challenges of Kalsundia.
“There are a large variety of archetypes and specialties to choose from”
The Right Tools for the Job
With so many ways to accomplish your goals in Witchstone, it can be hard to wrap your head around all the options at the start.
With the origin system, you get the opportunity to describe in an action-oriented way how you want to play your character. Will you turn to violence only to a last resort, relying on mediating conflict between the warring factions? Will you lie and manipulate others to do your bidding? Or will you rely on your power to subjugate the island to your will?
Of course, regardless of where your character has been up until their fateful journey to Kalsundia, nothing is set in stone. The charlatan can always commit to honesty, and the scholar can always eschew the pen in favor of the sword.
That’s all we have to share for now, but we want to know, what kind of character do you usually like to play? Do you think you’ll go for your tried and true archetype, or will you see where the origin system takes you?
Dev Update #7: Narrative Character Creation
Hello adventurers!
For this Dev Update we wanted to share some work in progress on our character creation process.
Defining your character is what puts the RP in cRPG, and is a crucial first step to any adventure. The imagination you bring to your character is what turns a bunch of stats and numbers into a living, dynamic person that can change the world.
When you launch into your journey with Witchstone, you will immediately be able to define who your character is, not just the class you want to play.
“What could this mysterious “Endurer” ancestry be?”
Once you’ve determined your ancestry and appearance, you’ll get the opportunity to share your origin story with a key NPC. Of course, if you’re playing the classic cloak-and-dagger, brooding-in-the-dark-corner-type, you’ll be able to decline sharing such personal details, and go straight to the finer details of character creation.
Creating Your Origin Story
In Witchstone, your words are just as powerful as your weapons and spells. You’ll be able to feel that power right at the jump as you define your background.
“Build your background through dialogue”
Through dialogue, you’ll have to answer the following questions about your character:
What happened to your family?
What kind of environment did you grow up in? Were you raised by politicians? Did you fight for survival in the wilds? Or did you enlist at a young age, knowing only the battlefield?
What skills did you use to get by?
Why are you traveling to Kalsundia?
Once you’ve finished, your character will be granted an archetype, specialty, as well as skills, attributes, and abilities that best match your origin story. Of course, you can always go back and change things to your liking! However, every origin combination features a balanced build that is well suited to tackle the challenges of Kalsundia.
“There are a large variety of archetypes and specialties to choose from”
The Right Tools for the Job
With so many ways to accomplish your goals in Witchstone, it can be hard to wrap your head around all the options at the start.
With the origin system, you get the opportunity to describe in an action-oriented way how you want to play your character. Will you turn to violence only to a last resort, relying on mediating conflict between the warring factions? Will you lie and manipulate others to do your bidding? Or will you rely on your power to subjugate the island to your will?
Of course, regardless of where your character has been up until their fateful journey to Kalsundia, nothing is set in stone. The charlatan can always commit to honesty, and the scholar can always eschew the pen in favor of the sword.
That’s all we have to share for now, but we want to know, what kind of character do you usually like to play? Do you think you’ll go for your tried and true archetype, or will you see where the origin system takes you?
Join us for a Community Vote: June's Dev blog topic
Adventurers, it's time to vote! 🗳️
June's Dev blog topic for Witchstone is in YOUR hands! We're eager to delve into the topic you choose 👀
HOW TO VOTE Let us know in the comment what topic you prefer (refer to the list provided below)
Today, we’d like to share with you a sneak preview of the design for companions in Project Witchstone.
Companions are a staple of cRPGs. The majority of the most memorable characters in the history of the genre are companion characters. Our interactions with them are what we vividly remember from these games. We hope that this will also be the case in our twist on the conventional cRPG.
"Recruiting Companion"
In Witchstone, you can recruit up to three companions into your party. While we do have recommended companion characters, you are free to recruit anyone in the world. It doesn’t mean that everyone will gladly accept to join you though. Some will take a bit of convincing.
The people you recruit will become invaluable both in and outside combat. Of course, they are more than just tools - they are also distinct characters with their own motivations and personality, and can react accordingly. Let’s take a deeper look.
Controls and Interactions
On command, companions perform various actions for you and, depending on their own abilities and traits, open up some possibilities that wouldn’t be otherwise available to you.
During combat, you control all their actions, including movement. As the leader of the pack in a dangerous situation, they will follow your instructions without question as it is a matter of survival.
Outside of combat, you can also can give them orders, including having them interact with various elements (traps, doors, people):
Using any of their powers and abilities
Using their skills, such as sneaking, lockpicking or disarming traps.
Waiting for you at a specific location (useful to prepare an ambush, for example)
Picking up or stealing items
"UI Mockup"
But that doesn’t mean they will do your bidding like mindless robots. As mentioned previously, our approach for companions is that they are distinct individuals, and not simply extensions of your own character. While you are their leader, they do not follow blindly.
Outside of combat, they may be reluctant to perform certain actions, if such actions go against their values or if they can lead to getting harmed or killed.
For example, a good-natured wizard will refuse to throw a fireball inside a tavern. Or a Blade Master with no knowledge of explosive devices won’t blindly agree to try to disarm a trap.
However, you can always convince them to follow your order. You may attempt to persuade them on why it’s important they comply, or you may be the kind of leader that uses intimidation and threats to make their followers bend to their will. Of course, how you treat your companions may affect your relationship with them over time.
"Companion refusing order"
Appreciation and Reactions
Companions, like everyone in the game, also react to what you do. Depending on their own personality, they may approve of what you do, or go all the way to being appalled and leave the party. The aforementioned good-natured wizard would be strongly opposed to any harm done to civilians (should he, of course, actually witness you performing the deed!).
More than that, companions are active participants in your story. They may propose an approach to solve certain challenges or encourage you towards a certain goal. They will speak up but in the end, it is completely up to you if you want to heed their advice or do things your way.
"Want to talk icon"
Ultimately, how you treat your companions and depending on your actions, companions may evolve into unwavering allies, or sworn enemies that will actively try to stop you.
That’s all we have on companions for now. What do you think? Let us know here or on our socials.
It’s been a while since we last spoke to you all. First and foremost, we’d like to once again answer our most commonly asked question: Yes, Project Witchstone is very much still in development!
During our 2 years of almost complete silence, the team at Spearhead Games has been hard at work on the game, making sure you all get to experience a beautiful and groundbreaking cRPG. We decided that now’s a good time to finally show you all some of the progress made on Project Witchstone and some of the innovations we are bringing to the genre. As such, we will be releasing blog posts on a monthly basis. For the first post of our return, we thought it would be good to remind you what Project Witchstone is all about.
Origins, Vision and Challenges
A key inspiration for Witchstone was the experience of playing a tabletop RPG, where the possibilities of roleplaying characters seem limitless, the feeling that the story is impacted by your decisions and that you have meaningful agency with the game’s world and its characters (at least with a good game master ;) )
While Witchstone has the look and feel of a cRPG, we don’t see it as being a traditional cRPG. Through its underlying combination of narrative, faction and NPC systems, we’re building the game with freedom of choice at its core, where those choices can have meaningful impacts on the game’s world as well as the story of your character. Unlike most RPGs, no quest is mandatory, no character is essential, and no choice is either good or bad.
Whilst this goal will provide an incredible opportunity for players to shape endless new adventures, this also poses some challenges, mostly learned behaviors and expectations from traditional cRPGs.
In more traditional cRPGs you are traveling through predetermined paths. You’re guided on paths through the highs and lows and the story is paced to match it.
We’re trying to break this on-rails, pre-determined experience and enable true freedom: the ability to work towards your chosen goal in any way you see fit. With Witchstone, you can experience your own story and shape the world in your own way but still feel the depth and quality of that journey.
We want everyone’s journey and progress to their goal to be genuinely unique; however, we also need to ensure that the experience doesn’t feel directionless.
The key high-level goals we are striving for are:
Gameplay is never directed
Witchstone is, fundamentally, still an RPG. We need to introduce the various systems including the features, and of course, the content to the player.
We want the players to have an idea of what’s possible and what next steps they could accomplish towards their goal.
That said, we also want to avoid leading and hand-holding the player too much and need to challenge some of the players’ learned behavior from playing other RPGs.
Every playthrough is unique
A different outcome to what the player is expecting shouldn’t be considered a failure. Instead, it should be just another challenge or another way to achieve your chosen goal. This idea should shape the core of the unique, emergent journey each player will experience.
Please let us know in the comments what excites you the most about Project Witchstone.
And finally, we’d like to thank all of you who have stayed with us these past 2 years, even if we didn’t talk at all about the game. Your continued support and curiosity has meant so much to the team. We promise never to disappear like that again.
🎺Adventurers! Our monthly Dev Blog is making a comeback, and we couldn't be more excited!
📅 When: Friday April 21st 📝 Blog topic: Game Overview (Origins, visions and challenges) 🎮 Join us on Discord:https://discord.gg/spearheadgames
Project Witchstone - Update
Hello adventurers⚔️
It's been a while since we made an update about our upcoming game Project Wichstone and want to take this opportunity to share more details. To ease any concerns, our team is still actively working on the game and the progress so far has been incredible!
As our team continues working hard on the development, we are also having important conversations around whether we should partner up with a publisher or if we should self-release. No matter our final decision, one thing is certain: the game is coming and it will be awesome!
Thank you everyone for your support & patience whilst we’re making Project Witchstone the best it can be. We look forward to fill you in on the details once we have everything all taken care of.
