Skyclimbers Q1 Newsletter
Our first update of 2025 completes the hostile faction systems for Beta and integrates various new game mechanics into the core loop. This development cycle introduces faction villages, diplomacy, and deeper combat features, providing new gameplay opportunities.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[h3]In case you missed our previous updates, here is a montage of our progress over the last year, covering all aspects of development leading towards the Beta.[/h3]
The wilderness has grown more dangerous and complex. What were once scattered bands of enemies have transformed into organized societies with territorial ambitions to rival your own. The Yagi, goat-men warriors of Drakonia, now function as a war-hardened clan with unique social structures, economies, and village systems.
The Yagi now establish fortified villages, governed by a strict hierarchy, where every rank serves a distinct purpose. From lowly thralls to powerful leaders, the Yagi create a dynamic threat that evolves alongside the player.
Hostile factions use primitive but brutal architecture to intimidate opponents and keep unwanted visitors out of their settlements.
Complex social and economic behaviors evolve to match the players' increased skills and technology. This rivalry makes up a fundamental aspect of the city-building game loop.
At the foundation of Yagi society are the thralls, laborers who handle construction and basic resource gathering. Though generally frail, some thralls rise in rank through displays of exceptional violence, cunning, or unwavering loyalty
New procedural character systems randomize every spawned Thrall, ensuring diverse gameplay encounters within a familiar theme.
Thralls exist in harsh conditions, crowded into crude shelters or kneeling before sacrificial pits, where new thralls are summoned. When settlements expand or require rebuilding after battle, thralls perform the hardest labor. Those who falter face grim fates – exile, execution, or sacrifice.
Warrior class Yagi stand watch at towers and ensure thralls keep working, with direct orders from their leader, they have the authority to dispatch any dissenters from within their ranks.
Thralls that survive long enough to prove themselves go on become specialists, taking on roles similar to human villagers. Miners, woodcutters, blacksmiths, merchants and butchers are the five specialist types.
Smiths transform raw materials into weapons, tools and crude armor. Blacksmiths hold knowledge passed down through generations of captive thralls, incorporating techniques stolen from human settlements.
Merchants oversee the distribution of goods within a Yagi settlement and facilitate limited trade with other clans. If the player earns sufficient standing with a Yagi clan, merchants may offer access to unique items not found in human settlements.
Butchers process Sentius meat. Their workshops contain tools for breaking down carcasses and preserving meat through various means. The most skilled butchers prepare ceremonial meals to fuel warriors before major battles.
Miners excavate stone and ores from nearby deposits. Their primitive tools require brute strength rather than technique. The most valued miners know which materials best serve the clan’s needs for weapons and construction.
Woodcutters are often positioned at the settlement perimeter, providing raw materials for construction, weaponry and ceremonial pyres.
With violence and warfare at the center of clan culture, they split ranks according with social standing and ride into battle with this in mind.
Thralls participate in major battles, deployed on the front lines to slow enemy advances. For those who survive, the chance to rank up can occur mid-battle, with weapons passed to those still standing in formation.
Tier 1 warriors make up secondary lines, with Tier 2 units taking on command roles, and a smaller elite group of these warriors remain in the rear to guard the leader.
Leaders aren’t strangers to battle and will routinely lead their band of elite troops to the front lines to assert dominance over thralls and followers. Sentius, corrupted and chained by the clan, are also thrust into war, wreaking havoc across the battlefield, only barely restrained by the will of their captors.
Each hostile faction has its own specific tactics and warfare technology, but in general, the clans are nomadic by nature, establishing hubs only as bases of operation. Smaller bands of Yagi travel across the landscape in search of victims, bringing the spoils back to camps or their home settlement.
The lifeblood of any Yagi clan are its warriors. Warriors patrol settlements, keeping thralls in line and defending their territory from threats. Unlike human soldiers, who train in structured formations, Yagi warriors embrace brutality and instinct, where only the strongest survive.
Combat is their purpose in life, and every warrior must earn their weapons and armor through victory in battle. Veteran warriors wield powerful weapons looted from fallen enemies, each piece a trophy of their conquests. Captains command raiding parties and lead warbands against rival factions, executing orders from the clan leader.
Yagi warriors do not fight blindly, they take advantage of their environment and infrastructure. Scattered throughout Yagi settlements and battlefields are war towers. These towers provide elevated positions for defense and ranged combat. Warriors stationed in towers maintain constant watch over their settlements. Towers also serve as strategic outposts, allowing warriors to signal for reinforcements.
The Yagi’s brutal society thrives on competition and bloodshed. Members will frequently challenge higher-ranking clan members, though they rarely succeed. Failed challengers are executed, sometimes exiled. Victorious challengers rise in rank. These power struggles occur both within the same clan and between different Yagi factions. The most common cause of these power struggles is territory loss. When a Yagi settlement weakens, warriors blame their leaders, leading to internal power struggles.
Not all Yagi warriors fight alone. Some tame and control Sentius, turning powerful beasts into weapons of war.
Sentius will instinctively resist capture. The Yagi have developed brutal methods for subduing even the strongest of Sentius. Once captured, the Sentius are dragged to a ritual site, where a possession ritual is performed. This ritual severs the Sentius’ previous identity. Possessed Sentius enter a “hyper state,” growing stronger but volatile. They are powerful but harder to control and seldom obey commands. Yagi tamers rely on chains, reinforced leashes and containment crates to keep these Sentius in check. The Yagi being Magma-based warriors can only dominate Magma-type Sentius.
Once the ritual is complete, the Sentius’ body undergoes transformation, taking on a slightly different appearance. Their eyes burn with relentless fury, a sign of the rage trapped within.
Possessed Sentius serve both in battle and labor, compensating for the frailty of thralls. Magmaton, for instance, can haul massive loads, sparing weaker workers. Sentius that prove to be too unpredictable are sent to slaughter. When a Yagi tamer falls in battle, their Sentius turns feral, attacking both enemies and allies alike.
Liberating an captured Sentius is a difficult task. The Yagi responsible for possessing the Sentius must first be eliminated. Once freed, the Sentius is likely to attack anything in sight. Players must withstand their aggression long enough to use their Sentius Gauntlet. Once tamed by the player, a liberated Sentius will retain heightened abilities. They are stronger than their naturally caught counterparts and they may gain movesets typically found in higher-level variants.
The top of each Yagi warband sits the clan Leader, a towering brute that commands with sheer strength and tactical cunning. Leaders aren’t chosen through birthright. They fight, slaughter and outmaneuver every rival to claim the throne. These leaders do not tolerate weakness and will crush both their enemies and less Yagi to further their goals. Leaders have unique traits, strengths and weaknesses, making every encounter with them different. Some prefer brute force, leading warbands into open conflict. Others employ deception, setting traps and manipulating rival factions. When one leader falls, another Yagi will rise to take their place.
Leaders routinely patrol their settlements to see for themselves how thralls and their warriors are behaving. It's not uncommon for them to challenge the loyalty of their subjects.
These tyrants can become volatile, even after gaining their favorable trust. Therefore it’s important you tread carefully and avoid angering the leader, as he can order his guards to have you imprisoned, or worse at any time.
Yagi clans maintain complex relations with each other and human settlements. While humans represent their primary targets, resource competition frequently sparks conflicts between rival Yagi clans. Territorial losses significantly destabilize clan hierarchies. Military leaders face blame for defeats, triggering internal challenges and structuring of leadership. Players can exploit these dynamics by supporting clans against more threatening rivals and targeting key leadership figures. Each clan remembers player interactions, both helpful and harmful, affecting future opportunities and bounties.
Yagi settlements are typically hostile to humans, with intruders being attacked on sight. However, players can gain favor through completing key bounties posted outside Yagi village boundaries. Available bounties can include:
- Hunt a Sentius: Locate and defeat specific Sentius creatures
- Cull the Void: Eliminate groups of Voidlings
- Destroy a Void Altar: Neutralize void corruption sites
- Gather Supplies: Collect and deliver resources, weapons, armor or plans
- Raid a Rival Camp: Infiltrate and sabotage competing Yagi or human settlements
- Eliminate a Rival: Remove specific Yagi or human targets
- Gather Intel: Acquire information through stealth or interrogation
Successfully completing bounties grants limited safe passage and access to specialized traders. The Yagi only tolerate human presence when it serves their interests.
Each faction possesses a unique language shaped by its cultural influences and way of life.
The Yagi communicate through a primitive yet effective language characterized by harsh, guttural speech with minimal grammar. Their speech reflects their brutal societal structure. Their language lacks possession, plurality or tenses. Sentence structure follows a straightforward verb + object structure. Common phrases the player may come across include:
“Drogath!” - I am the leader.
“Thrak Azgoth” - You will show respect.
“Vorgh Durm” - I seek your blood.
“Thurg Thrak Gorth” - You dare enter my territory.
Territorial expansion begins with small encampments that develop into larger settlements as they secure resources. Their growth follows a predictable pattern. Initial camps house a handful of Yagi, which then transform into basic settlements with rudimentary structures. Basic settlements establish themselves into villages with specialized roles, eventually becoming fortified strongholds. Much like the player’s city-building journey, The Yagi will actively compete for land, resources and dominance.
New systems have been developed for procedural camp generation in three stages: small, medium, and large. This ensures that every camp is unique to the seed it was spawned in, allowing for greater exploration and increased risk of encroachment when building a settlement.
Larger camps can rival small villages in scale, but they won’t include a leader or all of the specialists found in a complete settlement. These camps are always marked by a central wartower, which, if dismantled, will scatter the Yagi and remove the camp’s influence. Over time, the game world will evolve dynamically based on how many camps you clear, which can then be settled by humans from your District.
Hostile factions develop their own economies based on warfare, resource production, and limited trade. After claiming land, thralls will begin to fill basic ranks, and within time resources can be used to build the war machine for raids which feed a growing army. After earning the clan leader’s respect, hostile factions will offer trade items specific to their culture.
Deeper relations and earned respect can ultimately lead to long-term trade routes, along with protection guarantees for your caravans. Otherwise, Yagi or other hostile factions will routinely ambush and disrupt trade routes with other districts, resulting in financial and personnel losses.
This concludes the hostile factions update and completes the features planned for them in Beta. The team will now pivot to implementing these systems across all Dynasties, including the other hostile factions: the Chojin of the Foryoku Dynasty and the Unaki of Rokkuton.
Our development roadmap is still on track, with Beta planned for this year, followed by public Early Access in 2026.
- Console Betas will be rolled out after the PC Beta is available to backers
- Most core game loop systems for Beta have been completed
- The team is now focused on asset production and scaling systems to deepen gameplay
- Quarterly updates will be delivered to backers at a minimum -- 4x annually
- Development continues regardless of additional funding
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected] via email.
[h2]Fulfillment[/h2]
If you haven't received your plush, USB, etc, and moved recently...
Please contact [email protected] via email with your backer email and new address.
- USB production and shipment continue in limited capacity
- Funds are being used primarily for development at this time
- A batch of USB drives will be going out with this update
- Check your email for a shipping notifications
- Make sure to update your address if you happen to move
[h2]Keys and Platforms[/h2]
Contact [email protected] via email for a Steam key!
All backers are eligible for Steam keys, even if you selected consoles for your platform.
- Steam keys are valid through Beta, until new keys are generated for release
- Once console Betas are available, separate keys will be sent to your email address
- Skyclimbers will be supported on new consoles along with legacy consoles
- This includes Switch 2 and potential successors to Xbox / PlayStation
We appreciate the patience and support from our community during this long period of quiet development. Rest assured, the team at Paratope is working around the clock to bring Skyclimbers to life, and we are committed to making the Beta both polished and fun!
Until next time...
Player-built settlements will periodically face random raids by groups of Voidlings or Yagi. These hostile forces will target both villagers and buildings, posing a significant threat to your community. During raids, villagers can be killed, and those who are injured will require healing.
Every month, the appearance of a Dark Moon will herald even larger and more formidable raids, escalating the danger to your settlement. Preparing for these assaults and strategically utilizing your guards will be crucial for your village's survival.
By carefully managing and expanding your settlements, you can create a powerful and self-sufficient network that supports your broader objectives. Failing to do so can result in the destruction of your kingdom. 
To integrate these villages into their expanding kingdom, players must first improve diplomatic relations. Positive relations are essential for negotiating a purchase price and recruiting villagers from these settlements. 
These procedurally generated settlements will differ in resource type, density, specialist availability, and population size. 
Built on three core pillars—resource generation, housing, and governance—these villages evolve naturally through different Eras.
Players can enhance diplomatic relations by trading key resources and assisting villages with tasks such as bounties, dispatching enemy camps and activating Shoi points of interest. 
These actions will solidify alliances, making generated villages valuable allies that seamlessly integrate with player-built settlements.
By connecting player-built and procedurally generated villages through diplomacy, you can establish a robust trade network and strengthen your strategic position. Allied villages will support the player during times of need, providing additional security and resources.
For those who prefer not to construct their own settlements, these generated villages offer a convenient and efficient alternative.
Courtyards contain ancient statues and viewing areas of the village. Some Shoi artifacts remain as ruins until their true purpose is later uncovered. Richer villages will feature more ornate structures, and blueprints for statues and decorations can be acquired through purchase or quests.
Villagers from the District are similar in appearance, aligning with the overall Dynasty and Era theme. The first Era Drakonian design draws significant inspiration from Vikings. Historic District rivalries and trade relations will influence gameplay opportunities. Districts still honor the elemental theme of their Dynasty; for the Drakonians, this is represented by a Magma-themed banner.
Jarls are key figures within the District, making decisions about war, territory, and trade. Building relations with Jarls can lead to alliances, trade benefits, and quest opportunities. Each settlement is governed under a jarl, and some powerful leaders may command multiple settlements with large militias. 
Each building follows a similar construction style, using resources gathered from its biome. All Districts are currently being developed through the first Era, with base attributes carrying over into future Eras. You can collect blueprints from various Districts to expand your building options. Character customization options will also be tailored to your chosen District.
The Paladin can wield a variety of melee weapons, including swords, spears, axes, and hammers. Each weapon type has its own attack speed, range, and durability. One-handed weapons allow players to carry a shield for defense, while two-handed weapons offer more power but leave players vulnerable during attacks.
Larger battles may require multiple unit types.
It's up to you as the commander to build a strategy.
Squabbles with the opposing clan can lead to major battles.
Voidlings will fight both sides should the battle run into night time.
Hordes of Void can overrun powerful units with numbers. 
Players can now swim and dive in large bodies of water, with swimming consuming stamina. Additionally, resources can be gathered underwater.
The new free-climbing system offers improved fluidity and maneuverability. Players can now climb most surfaces they encounter, from cliffs to buildings. Climbing consumes stamina, requiring strategic planning.
Players can now glide through the air from high places using a paraglider. It's especially useful for covering large distances or safely descending from great heights. Like swimming and climbing, using the paraglider will consume stamina.
Alongside new locomotion methods, walking and running have been revamped with responsive new sub-states.
The stamina bar can now be found as a pyramid-shaped icon near the player on screen, making it easier to manage stamina-consuming actions without having to glance at a distant corner
The resource depletion system has been reworked to be more user-friendly. Gathering plants and ground pickups now requires only a single button press. 
Mining and woodcutting are no longer restricted to the multi-tool. Any weapon or tool can be freely used to deplete stone and trees, without the burden of long animations or cooldowns when gathering resources.
Albarott are key species in the ocean biome ecosystem, making nests on rocky islands.
Orcalf and Orchydro make use of a new underwater herding algorithm.
Companion Sentius will follow you on foot or wing, accompanying you on your journey.
Villagers can own domestic Sentius such as Yacabur for food, labor, and companionship. 
Super rare Sentius such as Thracion may flee when you approach them. Encounters are rare, so you’ll need to choose wisely before making your move. Certain quests may also be tied to locating these elusive Sentius.
Taking on a pack of hostile Sentius can be challenging, even with a companion. 
You can watch your Sentius fight, but you may need to step in if more hostiles join the battle.
Your companion Sentus may flee to avoid fainting during battle. 
Third-stage Sentius evolutions are mini-bosses, with high stats and dangerous attacks. 
Defeating these Sentius requires practice and an understanding of their tactics and strengths. Elemental advantages can make all the difference in battles like these. If you're trying to tame Sentius at this level, the right preparation is essential.
A brand new sky and weather system has been integrated, bringing new developmental and artistic possibilities. As before, it includes time of day progression, but now also features a range of weather conditions such as rain, thunderstorms, snow, and fog. Different biomes will have distinct weather patterns. Weather is now paired with audio and particle systems to create biome-specific ambiance.
Hex is the nearby moon of Lithan, your home planet. 
A planetary neighbor of three unknown Dynasties can now be seen on the horizon.
A new clustering and spatial partitioning algorithm enables denser forests with better performance. Clustering allows for more efficient memory management, keeping usage low and preventing stuttering. Combined with a new level of detail management system, it improves performance by reducing the number of objects rendered.
AI (humanoid and Sentius) now employ a wide array of combat behaviors, including dodging, parrying, and strafing. An entity management system optimizes processing power through parallelization and memory pooling. With these techniques combined, the engine now supports large-scale real-time battles.
Night-time rendering is brighter in the overworld with more accurate colors. 
Scenes now support more dynamic lights, with better shadow detail. 
Reaching the ocean biome can take hours, depending on the continent's size.
Border zones feature formations from both neighboring biomes.
Longer render distances for terrain allow you to see the upcoming biome, with improved performance thanks to a custom detail loading system.
Weather and ambiance profiles adapt dynamically to each new location. 
New lighting transitions during dawn and dusk feature light scattering. 
