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Vampire Syndicate: Gangs of MoonFall News

Beta set for April 30th

[p]Hi everyone![/p][p][/p][p]I have set a date for the Beta to start on April 30th. I originally was aiming for the end of March but I would like the extra month not to have to rush on things. There is still a lot of content to be added and bugs to be fixed. [/p][p][/p][p]Once again, all crowdfunders will get access to the Beta, including everyone who pledged at the level of receiving a copy of the game (35 USD) on Kickstarter, and all Patrons with a lifetime support of the same.[/p][p][/p][p]I will also be opening up access to the Beta through Patreon soon. [/p][p][/p][p]Thank you!

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Video Tutorial for Combat

[p]Hi everyone, I decided to make a video tutorial for combat ahead of the Beta. It's pretty familiar stuff.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p][/p]

Starting party companions reveal

[p]Hi everyone![/p][p]I know I’ve neglected to talk about the characters of Vampire Syndicate, which is a cardinal sin seeing how this is a narrative-driven RPG. This delay is due to a mix of learning the engine, the impact that has on my models, and some visual redesigns. [/p][p]And maybe I like the mystery too. [/p][p]But it’s mostly a grueling process of smashing several barely compatible software processes together. Yes, like many of my comrades in this field, I have learned some Blender. No, I’m not good at it at all.[/p][p]I am pleased to say that all obstacles have been surmounted and that the only impact on character design is what is right and proper: that characters should fit their personality and background.[/p][p]To this end, the initial party that you get in Vampire Syndicate is for the most part inexperienced, young street mercs. They are still wet behind the ears, and completely unprepared for the realities of the city’s dark underbelly. Try not to get them killed.[/p][p]
Frankie[/p][p]Frankie probably got the heaviest redesign (don’t worry, his original design will be repurposed). He’s the righthand man in your small crew, the guy who talks to the brokers, researches the job, and makes sure you get paid. Frankie is a former Stormbreaker security contractor, but he’s disillusioned with corporate violence. Now he sees a better bet, you. [/p][p]
[/p][p]Proxy[/p][p]Don’t let her neurotic obsession with cleanliness fool you, Proxy is from the gutter. Poverty instilled in her three things: resentment, hunger, and the ambition to claw her way to the top. Her original plan was to use her cleverness to land a job as a programmer with one of the city’s top megacorps, but the AI proxies that she took her name from ended that dream. Now she drives an EMS cart to earn the creds, and moonlights with you. [/p][p]

[/p][p]VARA[/p][p]VARA (Variable Advanced Residential Agent) is an android that you received from an anonymous benefactor. She’s weird. She’s learning from you for her own purposes. Her likelihood to go Skynet on you is probably extremely high, but that’s the price of having a hyper advanced, anatomically correct sexbot. [/p][p]
[/p][p]Dollface[/p][p]Your tenuous and surprisingly fashionable link with the shaper cults. Dollface makes for unlikely street merc… or a cultist for that matter. But with her gift of magick, she recognizes that she offers a rare, and possibly well-paid set of skills. She may not look it, but she is also deeply religious. With the return of the Conqueror Saint, she dares to risk everything on what she believes is either a glorious destiny or glorious delusion. [/p][p][/p][p]Mesh and Bones[/p][p]Rounding out your initial party are two followers with semi-unique models. Meet Mesh and Bones. They are not full “companions” but rather hirable goons. The difference being that all full companions have unique stories and romance paths. Mesh and Bones are currently standing in for custom party members, which have not yet been implemented. [/p][p]
[/p][p]And, probably not a surprise, but you eventually run into:[/p][p][/p][p]Hatsuo[/p][p]Everyone’s favorite himbo from Memoirs is back! A former adjunct to a Courtesan’s Guild Dame, Hatsuo has earned some renown from his adventures with the same Facilitator who made all that noise last year. You get the feeling he might be slumming with you.[/p][p]

[/p][p]This is only a small sample of the roster in the game. Vampire Syndicate is intended to be a vampire epic in most meanings of the phrase. There will be lots of characters, with histories and interactions that span the history of this world. You will touch the mythical and speak with the legendary. [/p][p]This is my story of blood, tears and sighs. And I’m very much looking forward to sharing it with you. [/p][p]
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Announcement about Beta for Upcoming Release

[p]Hi everyone! As you may know, I have been planning for a possible Early Access or Beta release for the very end of March.[/p][p]I have decided it will be a Beta. [/p][p]What’s the difference?[/p][p]Both Early Access and Beta are incomplete versions of the game. For me, a Beta is more about testing the core systems and technical aspects, and Early Access is for testing content, balance and bugs. The main difference here is that it will not be available for sale yet as Early Access on Steam.  [/p][p]I only have two computers for testing, so I can’t ignore the wisdom of going through a Beta process first. [/p][p]Who gets access?[/p][p]All crowdfunders will get access to the Beta, including everyone who pledged at the level of receiving a copy of the game (35 USD) on Kickstarter, and all Patreons with a lifetime support of the same. This was not a listed benefit of your pledge tiers, but I am deeply grateful to my backers and this seems like common sense. [/p][p]If you are not a backer I am considering ways to open up the Beta, possibly through Patreon like I did with Memoirs. I would certainly welcome more people testing and playing the game. Your support, whether financially, through feedback or just general enthusiasm, is very vital to development. And to me. [/p][p]Is Early Access still planned?[/p][p]Yes! [/p][p]I’m aware that some of you are concerned about the erotic/adult nature of this game and whether it will be allowed into Early Access. I should say I have not run into any problems, and I don’t expect to under the current listed policies, and will be submitting it for Steam's approval.[/p][p]I am still planning for an Early Access launch after the Beta. How long this takes will depend on feedback and whether the game is ready. If all goes well, this can be as little as the time it needs to pass the approval process. [/p][p]Bad launches can kill games. I want Vampire Syndicate to be the best it can be, and this means taking care not to eject… er, release it prematurely. [/p][p]Is it still planned for the end of March?[/p][p]Also yes! I am currently doing a lot of content work and it looks on-track. Unfortunately, the speed of development means I can’t tell until the month of its release. If it slips, I will of course let you know.  [/p][p]Thank you! I’ll have more news about how the Beta will work soon, as well as a look at the new, more polished combat system.[/p][p]- ManlyMouseDan

A sneak peek at a combat map in development[/p][p][/p]

Video: Inventory and Loot

[p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]