Development Questions and Answers
Hello all!
We've had quite a few questions being asking in our official discord regarding the development of Day of Dragons. Since we don't have a Dev Livestream scheduled for the time being, we'd like to take the time to answer the questions now.
If you have a question and it wasn't answered here, check out our FAQ on discord. If you don't find the answer there, feel free to ask your question in our discord #dev-q-and-a channel.
[h3]Will the developers host a skin designing competition for the community to take part in?[/h3]
Yes, we have one going on right now on our Discord server.
[h3]Will dragons be capable of using other body parts, just as their tail or claws, in means of attacking an opponent?[/h3]
Yes!
Most dragons will have a secondary physical attack. For example, the Acid Spitter has a Tail Swipe attack and then Shadow Scale has a Claw Swipe attack.
[h3]Will there be a rear attack so other players can not ride you during fights on the ground?[/h3]
For some dragons, yes.
For example, the Acid Spitter will have a Tail Swipe attack that does damage to any opponent standing behind the player.
[h3]Will the original dragon sounds heard in the "dragon introduction" videos on Youtube be used in the final version of the Game?[/h3]
Yes and no.
As the models are being prepped for gameplay, we review all of that dragon's sounds and see if they still fit the creature or if they need editing. For example, the Acid Spitter's old sounds were made for a much larger dragon before we decided it would be a Medium Small species. Therefore, his sounds were edited to better fit his size.
[h3]Will the concept pictures of the dragons be updated now that the models have been changed since the concepts were made?[/h3]
No.
The concept pictures are just that, a concept. They will not be updated though there may be more artwork created of the current models in the future.
[h3]Can you equip a new skin on an existing dragon character?[/h3]
No skins are permanent.
In order to change your dragon's skin, you will need to kill your existing character and respawn as a hatchling.
[h3]Will there be a hatching animation that involves the baby crawling out of the egg?[/h3]
It is possible for the future, but not in Genesis.
[h3]Will there be more dragons with feathers or some with fur?[/h3]
Probably.
While we don't have any planned at this time, it is very likely more dragons with feathers, and maybe even some with fur, will be added later into the games development.
[h3]Will there ever be a Salamander (a dragon with side legs) added to the game?[/h3]
Possibly.
[h3]Will the developers have custom environmental assets made for the game[/h3]
Yes and no.
We do currently have an Environmental Asset Artist, Brigade, on our team. She makes custom environment meshes for us such as nests, carcasses, and more. However, the trees, rocks, grass and other environmental assets will continue to use the excellent assets created by Willie Hammes of MAWI United who has been working as a 3D environmental artist for over 25 years.
[h3]Do the developers have any plans for progressive content? Such as boss battles, unlockable skins/dragons, and more?[/h3]
Yes.
There will be tasks for the players to perform in order to unlock skins and dragons species. There will also be "boss battles". These will come later in development.
[h3]Are there any plans to have a skill tree or skill system of some kind?[/h3]
Yes.
In Genesis, there will be a small mutation tree for players to customize their dragon's skills. This system may be expanded on further in development.
[h3]Are there plans for dragon customization such as different horns, colors, and patterns?[/h3]
Not at this time.
While there will be a way to get new colorations and patterns through breeding or other means, players will not be able to edit the color palettes or patterns. At this time there is no plan for different horns or physical features outside of gender differences and elder characteristics.
[h3]Will Hybrids have a system for better skins and stats since they can not breed?[/h3]
Yes.
[h3]Will there be unique markings on the Kickstarter and Patreon skins in the future?[/h3]
Very likely.
Like all things, the Kickstarter skins and Patreon skins are a work in progress and not finalized. Nothing is finalized until the game is full released and out of Early Access and even then, nothing is ever final in game development since polish and improvements are a never-ending process.
[h3]Will there be a system to have eggs available for a player to request instead of the parents inviting a player to their egg?[/h3]
It's possible in the future but for now, players must invite other players to their egg from their group panel.
[h3]Will taking an egg kill your current character even if you are a different species from the egg?[/h3]
No.
Your current character will save. However, if you have a character that is the same species as the egg, it will be replaced by the egg.
[h3]Will there be dynamic (aka secondary) idle animations?[/h3]
Yes.
We will likely start adding them after the Genesis update.
[h3]Will it be possible for two dragons to latch onto the same corpse at once?[/h3]
Not at this time.
[h3]Would it be possible to change the flight animation to no flapping and only have gliding unless the character is increasing speed?[/h3]
Flight animations will depend on the species.
Just like in real creatures, not all dragons will fly the same. Some may be able to glide long distances (like sea birds) while others may have to flap non-stop to stay airborne (like waterfowl).
[h3]Are the developers planning on upgrading to Unreal Engine 5 when it comes out? Or 4.26?[/h3]
Most game studios never upgrade the engine version of a released game because of all the errors and bugs it usually causes to existing code and the resulting delays in production. We currently use UE4.23.1 and it is an extremely stable and bug-free version of UE4. Versions 4.24 and 4.25 are both buggy and in our opinion not production-ready, while 4.26 is stable and introduces volumetric clouds, skies, and Niagara, it is still too new for us to even consider upgrading to as it usually takes several patches before all the bugs are worked out of a new engine version. What we have done already is pull several fixes, features and updates from newer versions of UE4 and integrate them into our modified source version of 4.23.1. So at this time, we have no plans on upgrading the engine version, but we will continue to keep an eye on new versions of Unreal.
[h3]How will Hybrids be unlocked?[/h3]
Classified :)
[h3]How do the developers plan to prevent hacking?[/h3]
No game is hack-proof, but our methods for stopping common memory hacks are redacted.
[h3]Will there be any official documents for setting up a private server?[/h3]
Yes. Configs and other Information on hosting your own dedicated server can be found in our Steam discussion forms. We will update this when Genesis 1.0 servers are released to the public.
[h3]Will there be momentum for grounded species? For example, running faster downhill and slower uphill?[/h3]
Not at this time.
[h3]Will custom nests be added to Open Testing when the Shadow Scale releases?[/h3]
Yes.
[h3]Will herbivorous dragons be able to carry plant material like how carnivorous dragons can carry corpses?[/h3]
No.
[h3]Will herbivorous dragons be able to carry corpses?[/h3]
Maybe.
We are still deciding if we want to include this mechanic or not.
[h3]Will the Micro be able to carry eggs like in the concept?[/h3]
Yes.
[h3]Is there closed testing going on right now and if so how does one become a closed tester?[/h3]
Yes, there is a small group of less than 100 closed testers who help us find and fix bugs before the public gets to play in the open test and release versions. To become a closed tester, you must be 18 or older and apply on our Discord.
[h3]Is the Bioluminescent Dragon exclusive to just Kickstarter backers?[/h3]
Yes. The Bio Dragon DLC was included in a few Kickstarter pledge tiers and is no longer being sold. Only those who possess the Bio DLC will be able to spawn in as a Bio dragon on every server, but non-bio-backers can still be nested in as the Bio on a server by a nesting pair of Bio's. However, if you do not own the Bio DLC, once your Bio dies, you will lose access to play as the Bio unless nested in again by a Bio DLC-owner. The only other way to receive a Bio DLC is from another player who has an extra or from an Official contest or give-away which are very very rare. But luckily, we are hosting a Bio-skinning-contest right now on our Discord server which will go through April 2 providing players a chance to win a Bio DLC key.
[h3]Will there be a weather system in Genesis?[/h3]
Snow and wind are confirmed, but rain is something we are probably not going to add as rain is a performance killer and most players often find it annoying.
We hope that helps answer some of your questions. We will have another dev blog at the end of this month to discuss more development news. Thanks for reading!
~The Day of Dragons Development Team
Don't want to miss out on updates? Follow us on our social media accounts or become a patron to get updates before they are released!
Discord | Twitter | Youtube | Instagram
We've had quite a few questions being asking in our official discord regarding the development of Day of Dragons. Since we don't have a Dev Livestream scheduled for the time being, we'd like to take the time to answer the questions now.
If you have a question and it wasn't answered here, check out our FAQ on discord. If you don't find the answer there, feel free to ask your question in our discord #dev-q-and-a channel.
[h3]Will the developers host a skin designing competition for the community to take part in?[/h3]
Yes, we have one going on right now on our Discord server.
[h3]Will dragons be capable of using other body parts, just as their tail or claws, in means of attacking an opponent?[/h3]
Yes!
Most dragons will have a secondary physical attack. For example, the Acid Spitter has a Tail Swipe attack and then Shadow Scale has a Claw Swipe attack.
[h3]Will there be a rear attack so other players can not ride you during fights on the ground?[/h3]
For some dragons, yes.
For example, the Acid Spitter will have a Tail Swipe attack that does damage to any opponent standing behind the player.
[h3]Will the original dragon sounds heard in the "dragon introduction" videos on Youtube be used in the final version of the Game?[/h3]
Yes and no.
As the models are being prepped for gameplay, we review all of that dragon's sounds and see if they still fit the creature or if they need editing. For example, the Acid Spitter's old sounds were made for a much larger dragon before we decided it would be a Medium Small species. Therefore, his sounds were edited to better fit his size.
[h3]Will the concept pictures of the dragons be updated now that the models have been changed since the concepts were made?[/h3]
No.
The concept pictures are just that, a concept. They will not be updated though there may be more artwork created of the current models in the future.
[h3]Can you equip a new skin on an existing dragon character?[/h3]
No skins are permanent.
In order to change your dragon's skin, you will need to kill your existing character and respawn as a hatchling.
[h3]Will there be a hatching animation that involves the baby crawling out of the egg?[/h3]
It is possible for the future, but not in Genesis.
[h3]Will there be more dragons with feathers or some with fur?[/h3]
Probably.
While we don't have any planned at this time, it is very likely more dragons with feathers, and maybe even some with fur, will be added later into the games development.
[h3]Will there ever be a Salamander (a dragon with side legs) added to the game?[/h3]
Possibly.
[h3]Will the developers have custom environmental assets made for the game[/h3]
Yes and no.
We do currently have an Environmental Asset Artist, Brigade, on our team. She makes custom environment meshes for us such as nests, carcasses, and more. However, the trees, rocks, grass and other environmental assets will continue to use the excellent assets created by Willie Hammes of MAWI United who has been working as a 3D environmental artist for over 25 years.
[h3]Do the developers have any plans for progressive content? Such as boss battles, unlockable skins/dragons, and more?[/h3]
Yes.
There will be tasks for the players to perform in order to unlock skins and dragons species. There will also be "boss battles". These will come later in development.
[h3]Are there any plans to have a skill tree or skill system of some kind?[/h3]
Yes.
In Genesis, there will be a small mutation tree for players to customize their dragon's skills. This system may be expanded on further in development.
[h3]Are there plans for dragon customization such as different horns, colors, and patterns?[/h3]
Not at this time.
While there will be a way to get new colorations and patterns through breeding or other means, players will not be able to edit the color palettes or patterns. At this time there is no plan for different horns or physical features outside of gender differences and elder characteristics.
[h3]Will Hybrids have a system for better skins and stats since they can not breed?[/h3]
Yes.
[h3]Will there be unique markings on the Kickstarter and Patreon skins in the future?[/h3]
Very likely.
Like all things, the Kickstarter skins and Patreon skins are a work in progress and not finalized. Nothing is finalized until the game is full released and out of Early Access and even then, nothing is ever final in game development since polish and improvements are a never-ending process.
[h3]Will there be a system to have eggs available for a player to request instead of the parents inviting a player to their egg?[/h3]
It's possible in the future but for now, players must invite other players to their egg from their group panel.
[h3]Will taking an egg kill your current character even if you are a different species from the egg?[/h3]
No.
Your current character will save. However, if you have a character that is the same species as the egg, it will be replaced by the egg.
[h3]Will there be dynamic (aka secondary) idle animations?[/h3]
Yes.
We will likely start adding them after the Genesis update.
[h3]Will it be possible for two dragons to latch onto the same corpse at once?[/h3]
Not at this time.
[h3]Would it be possible to change the flight animation to no flapping and only have gliding unless the character is increasing speed?[/h3]
Flight animations will depend on the species.
Just like in real creatures, not all dragons will fly the same. Some may be able to glide long distances (like sea birds) while others may have to flap non-stop to stay airborne (like waterfowl).
[h3]Are the developers planning on upgrading to Unreal Engine 5 when it comes out? Or 4.26?[/h3]
Most game studios never upgrade the engine version of a released game because of all the errors and bugs it usually causes to existing code and the resulting delays in production. We currently use UE4.23.1 and it is an extremely stable and bug-free version of UE4. Versions 4.24 and 4.25 are both buggy and in our opinion not production-ready, while 4.26 is stable and introduces volumetric clouds, skies, and Niagara, it is still too new for us to even consider upgrading to as it usually takes several patches before all the bugs are worked out of a new engine version. What we have done already is pull several fixes, features and updates from newer versions of UE4 and integrate them into our modified source version of 4.23.1. So at this time, we have no plans on upgrading the engine version, but we will continue to keep an eye on new versions of Unreal.
[h3]How will Hybrids be unlocked?[/h3]
Classified :)
[h3]How do the developers plan to prevent hacking?[/h3]
No game is hack-proof, but our methods for stopping common memory hacks are redacted.
[h3]Will there be any official documents for setting up a private server?[/h3]
Yes. Configs and other Information on hosting your own dedicated server can be found in our Steam discussion forms. We will update this when Genesis 1.0 servers are released to the public.
[h3]Will there be momentum for grounded species? For example, running faster downhill and slower uphill?[/h3]
Not at this time.
[h3]Will custom nests be added to Open Testing when the Shadow Scale releases?[/h3]
Yes.
[h3]Will herbivorous dragons be able to carry plant material like how carnivorous dragons can carry corpses?[/h3]
No.
[h3]Will herbivorous dragons be able to carry corpses?[/h3]
Maybe.
We are still deciding if we want to include this mechanic or not.
[h3]Will the Micro be able to carry eggs like in the concept?[/h3]
Yes.
[h3]Is there closed testing going on right now and if so how does one become a closed tester?[/h3]
Yes, there is a small group of less than 100 closed testers who help us find and fix bugs before the public gets to play in the open test and release versions. To become a closed tester, you must be 18 or older and apply on our Discord.
[h3]Is the Bioluminescent Dragon exclusive to just Kickstarter backers?[/h3]
Yes. The Bio Dragon DLC was included in a few Kickstarter pledge tiers and is no longer being sold. Only those who possess the Bio DLC will be able to spawn in as a Bio dragon on every server, but non-bio-backers can still be nested in as the Bio on a server by a nesting pair of Bio's. However, if you do not own the Bio DLC, once your Bio dies, you will lose access to play as the Bio unless nested in again by a Bio DLC-owner. The only other way to receive a Bio DLC is from another player who has an extra or from an Official contest or give-away which are very very rare. But luckily, we are hosting a Bio-skinning-contest right now on our Discord server which will go through April 2 providing players a chance to win a Bio DLC key.
[h3]Will there be a weather system in Genesis?[/h3]
Snow and wind are confirmed, but rain is something we are probably not going to add as rain is a performance killer and most players often find it annoying.
We hope that helps answer some of your questions. We will have another dev blog at the end of this month to discuss more development news. Thanks for reading!
~The Day of Dragons Development Team
Don't want to miss out on updates? Follow us on our social media accounts or become a patron to get updates before they are released!
Discord | Twitter | Youtube | Instagram