ASKA News

Hey Vikings

Thor’s been beating his mighty hammer and he’s made Aska THUNDERFUL! ⛈

That’s right - we’ve teamed up with Thunderful Games as our publisher & we’re thrilled to have them on board as we continue to develop the world of Aska.

Our vision of creating an open world survival game focused on building up & leading your tribe through the harsh environment in Aska is coming together, and we are so delighted with everyone’s responses so far. Our community is ever growing & we hope in 2024 even more Vikings will join our tribe!

With that, we have a new Community Manager in the form of the amazing PaigeOnline bringing her passion for games & community to lead you all to glory and she’s going to live and breathe Aska and make sure all your amazing feedback, questions and content are recognised.

Bringing in a publisher allows our small team to focus on the important stuff (making the game as amazing as we can!). We hope you will welcome Paige and the Thunderful team with open arms and make them feel welcome.

There’s so much to be excited about for Aska this year and we’re kicking off 2024 with the dates for our next closed beta which will be 15th-21st April!
You can sign up in our Discord RIGHT NOW - https://discord.gg/WDaAcbxYMm

Don’t forget to Wishlist… oh and check out our shiny new trailer 👇
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h3]Tribe leaders! [/h3]
A new adventure awaits you on Thursday, November 23rd when we’ll run the 2nd Multiplayer Closed Beta! We’re aiming to make this the biggest Beta Test to date and are looking to invite up to 500 Vikings!

Some of the key information that we’ll want you to have:

1. The Closed Beta will run from November 23rd till December 3rd, A whopping 10 days!
   
2. Streaming or recording the game is not allowed (You’ll be required to sign an NDA)
   
3. This is a Beta Build and not the final game, Features will change and you might encounter bugs and/or loss of progress.
   
4. You are able to play alone or with up to 4 friends. Signing up together with friends does increase your chances of being selected.

[h2]How to sign-up and participate in the 2nd Multiplayer Closed Beta?[/h2]
Here is a quick step-by-step guide to sign-up & join the Closed Beta:

1. Join the ASKA Discord to access the Closed Beta Sign-Up form
   
2. Complete the Multiplayer Closed Beta Sign-up form before November 21st (00:00 CET)
   
3. The Selection Process takes place, note not everyone might be selected (See Selection Criteria)
   
4. When selected, you will receive an invitation e-mail and the NDA form
   
5. Complete and sign the NDA and send this to SandSailor Studio
   
6. Receive ASKA Closed Multiplayer Code through e-mail
   
7. Play and enjoy ASKA
   
8. At the end of the multiplayer Closed Beta, we'll share a feedback survey, please complete this, it helps us a lot!

[h2]What is new in the Multiplayer Closed Beta?[/h2]

We’ve been working on many new features and we thought to highlight a few that we’re particularly excited for you to try out during the new Closed Beta:

[h3]Happiness System[/h3]
Building a settlement from scratch is no easy task, especially when your followers each have their own needs and issues. With the new Happiness system, we’ve added depth to our Villagers, and failing to provide them with housing, furniture, amenities and leisure time will eventually take its toll.

[h3]Religion[/h3]
Playing into the Happiness system is Religion, as you can now build Runestones where Villagers will spend their leisure time, pondering the great mysteries of the universe, building up their Happiness. A priest will make sure to burn valuable resources to fuel a Blessing, which will buff attending Villagers.


[h3]User Interface Overhaul[/h3]
We’ve completely reworked the UI, going for a slicker more modern look, which includes taking a few extra steps towards full controller support! A new Villager overview menu has also been added, alongside a variety of added menu functionality.

[h3]World Boss[/h3]
The Stone Jotun has now received his own unique biome and can be now triggered and fought, once you locate him in the world.

The Stone Jotun comes with a complete array of attacks, minions and means of healing himself. He’s designed to be quite the challenge, so make sure you enter the fight fully prepared.


[h3]And much more![/h3]

• A perk system, each villager will come with their own qualities and Quirks.
  
• Fishing boats, adventure out into the ocean and catch fish.
  
• Iron tools, The metal age is upon us.
  
• Reworked mini-map, more in-theme and feature-rich.
  
• Lots of QOL and improvements & bug fixes thanks to your help!
  

[h2]We’re keen to get feedback![/h2]
A lot has changed since the last Closed Beta, and your feedback has been incredibly valuable to us. Since the last Beta, we’ve fixed countless of bugs and multiplayer issues. Overhauled and finetuned existing features.

This Closed Beta is no different and sees a ton of new features and a big user interface overhaul, so make sure to let us know what you think, and share your feedback with us.

—

We’re excited to see you guys in-game on November 23rd and in the meantime, make sure to join the ASKA Discord & Wishlist the game!

~ The Sandsailor Team

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1898300/ASKA/

[h3]Stream Today[/h3]

[h3]Hail Tribe Leaders,[/h3]

Today we’re hosting a Twitch stream to do a bit of catching up. Last weeks have been pretty busy, and ASKA hasn’t been sitting idle. We flew over to Cologne, Germany for Gamescom 2023, we finished up our very first multiplayer beta, and we’ve been adding quite a few cool things to the game!
See you today at 7PM CET on our Twitch channel for a chill hangout to kickoff the new week

[h3]Post Beta[/h3]
Our multiplayer closed beta ran August 11-20, a test which has been especially exciting for us because it was the first proper run of our multiplayer game mode.
We’re happy to say that apart from some bugs which we’ve managed to fix post-test, the multiplayer mode seems solid, without any worrying issues.
So from now on we can focus on preparing the Open Beta, by fixing known issues and adding content.

[h3]New Enemy[/h3]

One thing we’ve learned is that our enemies are a bit too hardcore for new players. There’s plenty to kill during medium and late game, but too few weak enemies to help you learn how to fight. This has led us to come up with The Wisp.
This is a weak entry-level enemy that haunts the shores of ASKA. The lost souls of dead mariners who refuse to leave this world form these wandering entities. Their bodies are made of driftwood and are kept alive by the blood of the Primal Jotun, which taints this land.

[h3]New Hat![/h3]

The elements continue to be one of the biggest enemies in ASKA, and so our craftsmen have perfected the newest clothing item in the war against cold: the Thick Linen Hood!
Besides feeding into our hooded hero fantasies, the hood is a sturdier alternative to the Linen Cap.

[h3]New Fortifications[/h3]

As our enemies grow stronger and stronger with each build, so rises the need for stronger defenses. Our old wattle fences were in need of an upgrade and so our carpenters have been hard at work preparing the planks for a fresh new line of defenses: the Plank Wall, Tower and Gate. These will allow you to better fortify your villages and turn that shanty camp into a true fortified medieval village!

[h3]Hail Tribe Leaders![/h3]
Today we mark the beginning of the Closed Beta! This week we’ve been accepting submissions for what is our very first multiplayer test.



[h3]Announcing Beta Testers in Today’s Stream![/h3]
Today at 7PM CET we’re hosting a Twitch Stream to announce the beta testers, discuss the Closed Beta and showcase a bit of ASKA, make sure the chosen testers get a good clean start in the world of ASKA.

[h3][/h3]

👉Go to our Twitch channel here

[h3]What happens if I haven’t been selected[/h3]
This Closed Beta is just the very first multiplayer test and serves as a preflight for our Open Beta which is in the following months.
Even if you’re not selected, we encourage you to stick around to make sure you’re the first to join future tests.



Moreso, we have a habit of adding additional testers to a Closed test. This happens when chosen testers either drop out, or the build changes so much during a test that we simply need fresh perspectives on the game.

[h3]If I’m chosen, can I stream the game?[/h3]
The closed beta is under NDA, so streaming won’t be allowed. It's an early multiplayer test, so we're not quite comfortable with streaming the game yet.

[h3]So 7:00PM CET? What’s that in my local time?[/h3]
You can subscribe to this event to get a notification or use CET to Local Time Converter (greenwichmeantime.com) to convert time to your local timezone.



[h3]Join our Discord and follow our socials![/h3]

ASKA is a fast-growing community of survival-loving individuals and ASKA is a fast-changing game that evolves greatly from milestone to milestone.

• ASKA Steam
• ASKA Instagram
• ASKA Tiktok
• ASKA Twitch
• ASKA Twitter
• ASKA Reddit

[h3]Sign up on Discord for the Closed Beta[/h3]
You've traveled far so we're keeping it short: you and up to 3 friends can sign up for the ASKA Multiplayer Closed Beta which starts next week on the 11th



[h3]What is ASKA?[/h3]
In ASKA you get to build the ultimate Viking settlement and survive with your AI villagers. Tread in a foreign, ever-changing realm, make it your own and discover its secrets. Survive, build, craft, fight, farm and sail, but do not forget to prepare for the Dead Winter, when an ancient foe rises against you...

[h3]What you can do in this Closed Beta[/h3]

• Play in up to 4 players in online multiplayer co-op!
  
• Discover a total survival game, with cold, thirst and hunger. Make a camp, survive the weather, wild animals and undead enemies.
  
• Build a complete, self-reliant Viking village using bushcraft/pre-metal technology. Players will have access to the complete Tier 1 and Tier 2 Technology Trees.
  
• Organize and command AI Villagers. Build and furnish their homes, ensure they stay warm and well fed. Give your Villagers jobs, like Woodcutter, > Gatherer, Stonecutter, Toolmaker, FIsherman and much more.
  
• Construct Houses, resource gatherers and toolmakers. Your industries are inter-connected, allowing you to automate and optimise your village’s survival.
  
• Hunt, fish and forage for food. Venison, a wide variety of fish species, and a diverse seasonal flora form the basis of your survival.
  
• Fight a variety of undead enemies in skillful stamina-based 3rd person combat. Perform light and heavy attacks, combos, dodges. Includes a complete melee and ranged combat system. Use one handed and two handed weapons, shields, and bow.
  
• Craft a variety of stone tools and weapons, as well as a linen outfit.
  
• Explore old ruins, fight their inhabitants and obtain valuable resources.
  
• Tame wolves and turn them into companion Dogs.
  
• Paint your Tier 2 buildings in a variety of colors
  
• Upgrade your structures from Tier 0, to Tier 1 to Tier 2
  
• Set up warehouses and customize storage
  
• Use a cart to haul goodies from one place to another
  
• Smelt metal and explore mine systems
  
• Discover carpentry and refine raw wood into beams and planks
  
• Much more!
  

[h3]Features[/h3]

• Explore a large procedurally generated world, complete with a day/night cycle, realistic weather system and seasonal vegetation.
  
• Chop trees, mine rocks and gather resources from bushes
  
• Craft various tools, weapons and clothing
  
• Make a camp, survive the first nights and slowly build up your settlement
  
• Build camps, houses, production buildings, walls and fences
  
• Gain complex AI Villagers, assign them jobs, houses and make sure they have food.
  
• Villagers talk to you, sharing their issues and asking for help.
  
• Have your Villagers build structures and gather resources.
  
• Organise their schedule, balancing Work, Leisure and Sleep hours to optimise production.
  
• Set up automated production lines for food, resources and tools.
  
• Experience a complete melee and ranged skill-based combat system
  
• Defend against small occasional incursions of Revenants or wild animals. Fight alongside your Villagers.
  
• Hunt wild animals
  
• Fish a wide variety of fish species
  
• Face a variety of undead enemies and wild animals, each with their unique behavior.
  
• Build houses and decorate them with furniture and storage using a grid system.
  
• Flight System - Take the form of a raven and fly anywhere you want
  
• Proficiency System - The more a character does an action, the better they become at it
  
• Tame wolf pups and turn them in Dog companions
  
• Customize clothing with various colors
  
• Contract illnesses and heal them using the appropriate ingredients
  
• Locate and highlight valuable resources with a “detective mode” area search.
  
• Discover and cook a wide variety of seasonal food items.
  
• Discover caverns and mines
  
• Discover enemy-infested ruins
  

[h3]See gameplay on our Twitch channel. [/h3]
We stream every Friday and are here to answer all of your questions!