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Vampire Clans News

Devlog #14 - Hunting

“Each stone laid with the weight of centuries, each victory a testament to the perseverance of the immortal.”




Fellow Vampires,

A vampire lord is as influential as their clan is. Aren’t your brothers in arms the true sign of power? After all, they not only stand by your side but also support you with their wisdom.

Thus, we are grateful for the community of vampires on our Discord. Thank you to each and every one of you for your support, feedback, and kind words. Our team studies your activity every day and works towards creating a world where we can all conquer the lands of Paris.



We read your comments on the player’s perspective during Hunt. Therefore, we decided to implement changes in its distance and angle. After testing several options, we settled on the current camera’s placement, which you can see on the screen below. In addition, it’s now possible to zoom in and out so that you can adjust it to your preferences or occasionally admire the details of our characters and environment.



To stay within the subject of the environment, we’ve just incorporated some of the environmental animations and visual effects, breathing life into the undead world. Trees and grass now react to wind, and occasional flocks of birds cross the sky. But fear not if this sounds too lively to you, as a murky fog came over the lands of Paris to constantly remind you of the cold within your bones.



After implementing a new set of character animations, controlling your vampire is much smoother. The animation blend from the starting to the running position is on point while keeping the overall hand movement and posture natural.



We constantly improve the main combat mechanics in the game, which is Chronostasis. We believe in its uniqueness and high fun factor; hence, polishing it is one of our priorities. The last updated version of Chronostasis includes the possibility to withdraw used actions and to see which ones have been planned to cast. Further improvements include adjustment of the character’s movement during Chronostasis, both in visual and mechanical aspects; currently, the line in which the character moves is not only visible but also knows about the obstacles on its path.



Finally, give me some blood!
To bring the bloodbath effect to thrilling fights, we implemented a new functionality to the visual effect of blood. Now, liquids are dynamic so that the blood dripping from your victims could leave a crimson trail of your conquest.





Stay tuned and join our Discord channel. Feel free to share your ideas and suggestions.
discord.com/invite/Q7gQde9wR8


Devlog #13 - Castle expansion, UI

"In the abyss of time, I prevailed, sculpting the empire from the raw stone soaked in the slaughters I have made."



Greetings, fellow Vampires!

Remember that even if you are waiting for the night, there is always the day. And the day is not a time for relaxation, let alone slacking! It is a call for diligence, growth, and perseverance. After all, is not the mighty castle itself a testament to the greatness of the Vampire Lord?

In Vampire Clans, the castle is your stronghold; improving it becomes the first stone of your Vampire's development. There is room for expansion in every corner, reflecting endless possibilities to unravel.



Lately, in our graphic department, we have been primarily improving the player's experience in the base, as the quality of the interior has been enriched both in terms of the materials and the optimization. Also, we are constantly working on the gameplay mechanics within the castle. In the gif, you can see the function of building.



The User Interface has changed; the revamped version incorporates newly developed features and a visual style more aligned with the unique aesthetics of our game. So far, the new UI has been fully implemented in the castle, and partially in during Hunt.



And when the night comes, we hunt. But what would hunting be without the possibility of collecting all the treasures from your victims?
Together with the implementation of the stash system, we integrated our new UI with already programmed mechanics during Hunt. The new icons include combat skills, bat skills, and potions. The UI is already interactive.




Stay tuned and join our Discord channel. Feel free to share your ideas and suggestions.
discord.com/invite/Q7gQde9wR8





Holidays Devlog #12

As winter solstice passes, nights are still longer than days, but shadows grow larger. In the biting cold, may you feel the shiver of anticipation, for the scent of blood intensifies in the crisp air. Trace the trails left in the snow, imprints of the unsuspecting prey, a morbid ballet under the watchful eyes of the night.
If it happens that you are a mortal, beware of the elongated nights, as danger lurks in them. White snow might be tempting to step on but retain yourself, as it hides the predator’s hunger. It shall absorb the warm blood fast and cover the remains so no one can find them.
But if you are a vampire, it is the time when shadows dance! May your senses be sharp, attuned to the pulse of the night, as you explore the beauty of holidays veiled in darkness.
Merry and vigilant holidays!




Our team is refining the stealth system–an integral component that elevates the combat experience within our game. The emphasis lies in enhancing various facets of this system, such as vampiric skills, character’s movement, and enemies’ field of view. We do our best to ensure a seamless and immersive stealth interaction. Moreover, our focus extends to enemies’ behavior, which we want to ensure is programmed to have natural responses.




Our vampire’s unique ability–Chronostasis–is not only beneficial during combat but also vital while avoiding detection. A good mastery of the skill enables the player to roam around enemies without exiting from the stealth mode. In turn, if your vampire is spotted by enemies, Chronostasis may let you buy time to plan your further actions, whether to enter the fight or escape from the enemy’s sight.

If your vampire is sufficiently nourished with blood, they enter Chronostasis automatically the moment they are detected.




Always be aware of your surroundings; even ordinary objects can become your ally in stealth mode. You can hide under the gallows, duck into the bushes, or even take cover in the privy. The environment extends a strategic advantage, enabling vampires to hunt in unconquered areas teeming with gendarmes, vampire hunters, and rival vampire clans. Engaging in open combat within these areas may result in failure.




Also, we continuously work on creating unique but historically accurate clothing designs, and implementing them into high-quality 3D models. Here, we present you with a yet-not-textured version of a modular vampire hunter’s uniform. He slays, don’t you think?





Stay tuned and join our Discord channel. Feel free to share your ideas and suggestions.
discord.com/invite/Q7gQde9wR8


Halloween Devlog #11

...

In moonlight grace, while others sleep,
Avoiding the light, we lurk on the street.
Chills down your spine as the night unfolds,
In the vampiric world, where darkness holds.


Greetings, brave souls of our community! We wish you a fang-tastic Halloween!



On this mystical day, brace yourselves for the terrifying content we implemented in our game!

We are still in the process of polishing the core mechanics of the game. Most of the systems are functional and almost ready to be presented. In the gif below, you can see our signature Chronostasis mode, which allows you to plan your vampires' moves in advance. Upon performing planned actions, vampires are incredibly fast and effective in combat against humans. Be always prepared, as Chronostasis is only allowed when vampires are sated with human blood.



We also implemented bosses to the game - strong enemies with unique abilities and mechanics. The first one you encounter, Mother of Spiders, is presented in the screenshot below. One of her powerful abilities is summoning a poisonous rain. Not every boss is mandatory to kill, but every one of them holds unique items. This might encourage you to face those strong opponents and explore different side quests.



World creation is being constantly improved; we work on enhancing the quality of materials and objects or refining the lighting. As an example of our work, we present a screenshot of a cave where the Mother of Spiders lives.



We aim to create an immersive and historically accurate environment, as we believe that fangs are in the details. Therefore, we are in the midst of the creation of XIX-century costumes, architecture, and environmental tidbits.



At the end, we present you with a part of the Chateau of Vampires. The first time you enter the castle, it seems that it fell into disrepair after some terrible event... From now on, your task is to bring back the greatness of this place and form the clan before which the entire Paris will tremble.




Stay tuned and join our Discord channel. Feel free to share your ideas and suggestions.
discord.com/invite/Q7gQde9wR8


Playtests Incoming for Vampire Clans! 🦇

Hello vampire enthusiasts!

Today marks a milestone we've been itching to share with all of you. The sun sets, and as the world plunges into the delightful embrace of twilight, we’re thrilled to announce that signups for Vampire Clans playtests are now officially open!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1578940/Vampire_Clans/


🎮 Why Playtest?

For those unfamiliar with game development lingo, playtests are our way of ensuring the gameplay experience is seamless, balanced, and most importantly, fun! By inviting players to try out our game before the official release, we gather invaluable feedback to refine the gameplay, fix any lurking bugs, and ultimately ensure that the world of Vampire Clans is one you’ll want to dive into, night after night.

💪 Our Journey Thus Far...

It's been a journey of blood, sweat, and countless nights (because let's face it, vampires aren't big on daytime). From the first conceptual sketches to the intricate lore we’ve woven into the fabric of our game, every step has been taken with immense care and passion. Now, the time has come to share our hard work with a select group of players who can help us take Vampire Clans to the next level.

💌 How to Sign Up?



If you're as excited as we are and wish to be among the first to experience the dark and enticing world of Vampire Clans, head over to our Steam page where you can sign up by clicking Request Access.

Remember:

Playtesting is not just about playing – we value your feedback! Please be prepared to share your thoughts, experiences, and any issues you encounter.
The game is still in development. You might encounter some issues, but that's what the playtest is for! Your understanding and patience are much appreciated.


🙏 A Big Thank You!

Lastly, we'd like to express our heartfelt gratitude to this incredible community. Your continued support, engagement, and excitement for Vampire Clans are what drives us to perfect our creation.

Get ready to embark on a supernatural journey, and may your clan reign supreme in the nights to come!

Stay nocturnal,
The Vampire Clans Dev Team 🦇❤️