Dev Blog #4
Hello again!
We have been hard at work since the last dev blog and dealing with some sickness in our dev team, but everyone is feeling healthy now and we're back in full production. (Thank you for all the well wishes and kind words! -BP).
Anywho, we hope you enjoy reading about what we've been up to.
[h2]Models are being prepared for animation![/h2]
Day of Dragons has moved into the next phase of development! Jia Hao, our modeler, has begun retopologizing the models for rigging & animation, and creating the texture maps for the materials, starting with the Acid Spitter.
He is working hard perfecting the details and creating high and low poly meshes for each of the five first custom models to join the game. These creatures include the Acid Spitter, Inferno Ravager, Shadow Scale, Flame Stalker, and Magma Elemental. Each model will have morph targets added to specific points. These will be used to allow seamless dynamic growth from the adorable hatchling stage all the way up to a mighty elder dragon (speaking of adorable hatchlings, who else can't wait to see them!? Eeeee - BP). Seamless dynamic growth is a game feature created by our lead developer/programmer "Jao" that we have been using in the game since EA release December 4th and allows models to dynamically "grow" over time instead of having to have a separate model for each stage of growth.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
The Acid Spitter was selected to begin the modeling process because of its simple design which allows our team to get used to the new model production pipeline before jumping straight into the more complex winged wyverns and dragons. Our animation team (Dana & Karly) have been already been working on rigs for the Acid Spitter model. All five of these creatures will be joining the world of DoD in the greatly anticipated 1.0 update!
Speaking of the next update....
[h2]What to expect in DoD 1.0 "Genesis"[/h2]
The next update that Jao is calling "Genesis" (The Beginning) will be our largest to date and we can't wait! Why 1.0 and not 0.9?
"Genesis is going to have so much content in it, that it cannot be considered a subversion update, it's the transition from 0.9 Alpha where we got systems in the game and tested them for bugs and stability, to the 1.0 Alpha, still Alpha, but this will feel like a completely new game, the placeholder dragons and maps will all be gone, the "First 5" will be in, the megamap will be in, I've overhauled the game code, updated the engine, refactored the dedicated server, added new admin features, redesigned the flight and movement system, eliminated a lot of bugs, added Vulkan support, touched up the UI, added UI panels, and so much more. This is not a subversion update, it's the beginning of Day of Dragons - what it is supposed to be, what we promised it would be. What is on Steam right now is the pre-Kickstarter version of the game - a game made with out-of-pocket funding, what you will see in 1.0 Genesis is the "beginning" of the post-Kickstarter funded version of the game, and we're very excited to deliver on our promise, even though 1.0 is just the beginning of that delivery, but it will put to rest any doubt of what our small team is capable of and prove to all of our fans and all of our backers and supporters and even our critics that Day of Dragons is that Dragon game we've all dreamed of playing and we know you will love it." -JS
We bet you are also excited for Genesis so we thought we'd give you a sample of what is to come.
[h3]New Landscape and Biomes[/h3]
One of the biggest changes will be to the landscape of the DoD world. The new map will include a number of new and Each biome will be connect via portals and spawn points for the species of dragons who call that biome home.
[h3]Seamless Growth and Beyond[/h3]
As stated above, the models will be adapted to allow smooth growth from the moment they hatch to adulthood. While the growth is seamless, there will be four main stages in a dragons life; hatchling, juvenile, adult, and elder. This will also be the first time the alpha growth stage is seen in-game.
After reaching adulthood, some species of dragons will be able to continue growing to reach the Alpha Class known as Elder Dragons. These will be massive beasts able to take on other Alpha Class creatures, such as Elementals, and can team up to take on the Terror Class (gasp! -BP). Alpha growth will not be like standard growth, however. Certain actions may slowly add to your growth and the community will need to work together to unlock the secrets.
"A note on creature classes, creatures are classed Level 1-10 with 10 being the Terror Class which is the biggest, baddest class in the game including creatures such as the Sandslayer Worm with more Terror-class creatures planned in the future. Alpha class creatures (elder dragons/elementals) are creature level 7. Behemoth Class creatures such as the KS Behemoth Ice Drake are creature level 8. So is there a level 9? Yes, Level 9 is a Leviathan-class creature. This is the first time we've mentioned this bit of info, but the Leviathan class, will be the largest class that is (unlockable) playable, and you all are going to freak out when you see what it is. ːsteamhappyː But even a powerful Leviathan will have a hard time fighting a Terror class creature without help." -JS
[h3]Nesting and Breeding[/h3]
A key feature to gain rare skins and strong dragons, 1.0 will see the first version of breeding in DoD. Players will be able to nest in their friends as adorable hatchlings. A male and female of the same species is required to nest, but you will have to choose your mate carefully. Females have a limited number of eggs per clutch and will need rest in between broods while males can father offspring at any time. With the world being a dangerous place, females can't afford to waste eggs. Picking the right male will be critical to pass on the best stats to your offspring. If only there was a way for the females to know....
[h3]Singleplayer[/h3]
For those who would rather travel the world alone, Singleplayer mode may be more your style. The first version, Singleplayer will allow you to explore the world without the threat of other dragons and play as species you have yet to unlock in multiplayer.
[h3]And Much More....[/h3]
The 1.0 update will be a big one. We are aiming for late summer for the release and we can't wait to share it with all of you.
[h2]How big are the dragons?[/h2]
To ensure the models are the size we'd like, we've begun making charts to show the size of all the species in the DoD world. So far we have completed the first versions of the Elemental and Dragon charts. These charts will be modified and updated as more species join the world.
We are working on several more charts including an AI, a Terror Class, and an all species chart. We will also be making species sheets with age charts, clutch sizes, sexual dimorphism, and more fun facts about each species that lives in the DoD world in the future.
Click the thumbnails below to see larger versions of the charts!
[h2]Dev Q&A[/h2]
Oh no! Where is the dev Q&A section!?
Aaaaaaaaaaaa!
We got rid of it. Instead we are going to do more frequent live dev Q&As with the next one in June! These will be recorded and published afterwards for those who miss the live event. We will let you know the exact date later this month, so stay tuned. "We might even have a few of the other Devs you haven't met yet join us." -JS
[h2]From the Community[/h2]
Each blog post, we pick some of our favorite screenshots and artwork posted by the community to showcase here. Want a chance for your submission to be showcased on our next blog? Post it in the appropriate channels on our discord!
[h3]Some of our favorite recent screenshots...[/h3]
by NatureLVR576#0120
by Lex Luthor#1646
by Kimmy#6669
[h3]Some of our favorite artwork from the community...[/h3]
by Horus#9404
by Valcora101#2515
by Zanna#1395
Thank you all for reading! If you've read this far, please, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter! The links are below. Also, if you'd like to interact with the developers directly, Join our Discord! We will see you in the next development blog!
~The Day of Dragons Development Team
We have been hard at work since the last dev blog and dealing with some sickness in our dev team, but everyone is feeling healthy now and we're back in full production. (Thank you for all the well wishes and kind words! -BP).
Anywho, we hope you enjoy reading about what we've been up to.
[h2]Models are being prepared for animation![/h2]
Day of Dragons has moved into the next phase of development! Jia Hao, our modeler, has begun retopologizing the models for rigging & animation, and creating the texture maps for the materials, starting with the Acid Spitter.
He is working hard perfecting the details and creating high and low poly meshes for each of the five first custom models to join the game. These creatures include the Acid Spitter, Inferno Ravager, Shadow Scale, Flame Stalker, and Magma Elemental. Each model will have morph targets added to specific points. These will be used to allow seamless dynamic growth from the adorable hatchling stage all the way up to a mighty elder dragon (speaking of adorable hatchlings, who else can't wait to see them!? Eeeee - BP). Seamless dynamic growth is a game feature created by our lead developer/programmer "Jao" that we have been using in the game since EA release December 4th and allows models to dynamically "grow" over time instead of having to have a separate model for each stage of growth.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
The Acid Spitter was selected to begin the modeling process because of its simple design which allows our team to get used to the new model production pipeline before jumping straight into the more complex winged wyverns and dragons. Our animation team (Dana & Karly) have been already been working on rigs for the Acid Spitter model. All five of these creatures will be joining the world of DoD in the greatly anticipated 1.0 update!
Speaking of the next update....
[h2]What to expect in DoD 1.0 "Genesis"[/h2]
The next update that Jao is calling "Genesis" (The Beginning) will be our largest to date and we can't wait! Why 1.0 and not 0.9?
"Genesis is going to have so much content in it, that it cannot be considered a subversion update, it's the transition from 0.9 Alpha where we got systems in the game and tested them for bugs and stability, to the 1.0 Alpha, still Alpha, but this will feel like a completely new game, the placeholder dragons and maps will all be gone, the "First 5" will be in, the megamap will be in, I've overhauled the game code, updated the engine, refactored the dedicated server, added new admin features, redesigned the flight and movement system, eliminated a lot of bugs, added Vulkan support, touched up the UI, added UI panels, and so much more. This is not a subversion update, it's the beginning of Day of Dragons - what it is supposed to be, what we promised it would be. What is on Steam right now is the pre-Kickstarter version of the game - a game made with out-of-pocket funding, what you will see in 1.0 Genesis is the "beginning" of the post-Kickstarter funded version of the game, and we're very excited to deliver on our promise, even though 1.0 is just the beginning of that delivery, but it will put to rest any doubt of what our small team is capable of and prove to all of our fans and all of our backers and supporters and even our critics that Day of Dragons is that Dragon game we've all dreamed of playing and we know you will love it." -JS
We bet you are also excited for Genesis so we thought we'd give you a sample of what is to come.
[h3]New Landscape and Biomes[/h3]
One of the biggest changes will be to the landscape of the DoD world. The new map will include a number of new and Each biome will be connect via portals and spawn points for the species of dragons who call that biome home.
[h3]Seamless Growth and Beyond[/h3]
As stated above, the models will be adapted to allow smooth growth from the moment they hatch to adulthood. While the growth is seamless, there will be four main stages in a dragons life; hatchling, juvenile, adult, and elder. This will also be the first time the alpha growth stage is seen in-game.
After reaching adulthood, some species of dragons will be able to continue growing to reach the Alpha Class known as Elder Dragons. These will be massive beasts able to take on other Alpha Class creatures, such as Elementals, and can team up to take on the Terror Class (gasp! -BP). Alpha growth will not be like standard growth, however. Certain actions may slowly add to your growth and the community will need to work together to unlock the secrets.
"A note on creature classes, creatures are classed Level 1-10 with 10 being the Terror Class which is the biggest, baddest class in the game including creatures such as the Sandslayer Worm with more Terror-class creatures planned in the future. Alpha class creatures (elder dragons/elementals) are creature level 7. Behemoth Class creatures such as the KS Behemoth Ice Drake are creature level 8. So is there a level 9? Yes, Level 9 is a Leviathan-class creature. This is the first time we've mentioned this bit of info, but the Leviathan class, will be the largest class that is (unlockable) playable, and you all are going to freak out when you see what it is. ːsteamhappyː But even a powerful Leviathan will have a hard time fighting a Terror class creature without help." -JS
[h3]Nesting and Breeding[/h3]
A key feature to gain rare skins and strong dragons, 1.0 will see the first version of breeding in DoD. Players will be able to nest in their friends as adorable hatchlings. A male and female of the same species is required to nest, but you will have to choose your mate carefully. Females have a limited number of eggs per clutch and will need rest in between broods while males can father offspring at any time. With the world being a dangerous place, females can't afford to waste eggs. Picking the right male will be critical to pass on the best stats to your offspring. If only there was a way for the females to know....
[h3]Singleplayer[/h3]
For those who would rather travel the world alone, Singleplayer mode may be more your style. The first version, Singleplayer will allow you to explore the world without the threat of other dragons and play as species you have yet to unlock in multiplayer.
[h3]And Much More....[/h3]
The 1.0 update will be a big one. We are aiming for late summer for the release and we can't wait to share it with all of you.
[h2]How big are the dragons?[/h2]
To ensure the models are the size we'd like, we've begun making charts to show the size of all the species in the DoD world. So far we have completed the first versions of the Elemental and Dragon charts. These charts will be modified and updated as more species join the world.
We are working on several more charts including an AI, a Terror Class, and an all species chart. We will also be making species sheets with age charts, clutch sizes, sexual dimorphism, and more fun facts about each species that lives in the DoD world in the future.
Click the thumbnails below to see larger versions of the charts!
[h2]Dev Q&A[/h2]
Oh no! Where is the dev Q&A section!?
Aaaaaaaaaaaa!
We got rid of it. Instead we are going to do more frequent live dev Q&As with the next one in June! These will be recorded and published afterwards for those who miss the live event. We will let you know the exact date later this month, so stay tuned. "We might even have a few of the other Devs you haven't met yet join us." -JS
[h2]From the Community[/h2]
Each blog post, we pick some of our favorite screenshots and artwork posted by the community to showcase here. Want a chance for your submission to be showcased on our next blog? Post it in the appropriate channels on our discord!
[h3]Some of our favorite recent screenshots...[/h3]
by NatureLVR576#0120
by Lex Luthor#1646
by Kimmy#6669[h3]Some of our favorite artwork from the community...[/h3]
by Horus#9404
by Valcora101#2515
by Zanna#1395Thank you all for reading! If you've read this far, please, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter! The links are below. Also, if you'd like to interact with the developers directly, Join our Discord! We will see you in the next development blog!
~The Day of Dragons Development Team