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DevBlog #20: Procedural Maps and Legendary Loot

Ah, adventurers! The world of Darfall is ever-changing, its landscapes shaped by magic, chaos, and the relentless march of time. Today, let us peer behind the veil and uncover the wonders of procedural map generation and the legendary artifacts that lie hidden within these perilous lands!

[h2]The Art of Procedural Map Generation[/h2]

No two adventures in Darfall are the same, for the land itself shifts and reshapes with every journey. Using Perlin noise, we craft living, breathing worlds - forests whisper with unseen dangers, rivers carve through valleys, and mountains stand as silent sentinels of forgotten ages.

Let us take a closer look at how the Desert biome comes to life:

Step 1: A Blank Canvas
Every great adventure begins with an untouched land, painted with the foundation of its biome.


Step 2: Sculpting the Terrain
Mountains rise, valleys deepen - but in this arid wasteland, lakes are but a forgotten dream.


Step 3: Seeding Resources
Even in the harshest of deserts, life finds a way. Trees, stone, and iron veins emerge, waiting to be claimed.


Step 4: Oasis – A Beacon of Hope
Ah, the desert’s most precious secret! These rare patches of green provide sanctuary, rich with fertile land and life-giving wood. Guard them well!


Step 5: The Perils of the Wilds
But what is an untamed land without danger?
Orcs, undead, scorpids, and dust banes
lurk within, their camps teeming with loot, hazards, and foes eager to cut your journey short.


Step 6: The Final Challenge – Enemy Strongholds
Ruined villages, towering fortresses, and cursed battlegrounds rise across the land, filled with enemies, treasures, and hidden dangers. No two will ever be the same, making every raid an unpredictable test of skill!


[h2]Legendary Treasures of Darfall[/h2]

Among the ruins and within the darkest corners of Darfall lie legendary artifacts, relics of immense power whispered about in taverns and war camps alike.

Marked by a distinct glow, these artifacts are as rare as they are powerful - echoing the legendary loot of Diablo. But be warned: they are only found in the hands of elite foes such as the Orc Warchief or the Undead Warlord.

Behold, some of the treasures that await the bold:
- Dreaded Darkplate – a caster’s salvation! This enchanted robe conjures a protective barrier, shielding its wearer from harm.
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- Phantom Mask – strike fear into the hearts of your enemies! This eerie mask immobilizes foes, rendering them helpless before your might.


Such relics do not come easily, but for those who dare, they may mean the difference between triumph and ruin.

[h2]What’s Next for Map Generation?[/h2]
Our artisans continue to refine the lands of Darfall, ensuring each map feels like a world ravaged by demonic invasion. David is hard at work adding more environmental details, from shattered ruins to remnants of civilizations long lost.


But that’s not all! Enemy camps are being reworked to feel more alive (or… unalive, in the case of undead zones). Expect stronger fortifications, richer detail, and, for orc camps, more heads on spikes - a proper welcome for those who dare intrude.


And this is only the beginning! The Spider Queen’s Lair, for example, will soon teem with cocoons, webs, and egg clusters - a true nightmare for the unprepared.

So, adventurers, sharpen your blades and ready your spells, for the world of Darfall is alive and ever-changing.

The land is waiting. Step forth and claim your legend!

Scenario Creation Contest

Adventurers, the time has come to unleash your creativity! Darfall Scenario Creation Contest is here, and we’re calling on you to craft the most engaging, original scenario using the Darfall Scenario Editor.

[h3]Rewards for the Bold[/h3]
Winners will be awarded darfall keys and a special Discord role. And, of course, special recognition for winners from the devs!

[h3]Learn More[/h3]
Need help? We just posted a dev diary and video tutorial!

And if you prefer another format - check documentation on Notion for tips.

[h2]Rules[/h2]
[expand]
[h2]Objective:[/h2]
Create an engaging, original scenario for Darfall. Entries must include finished maps (even if small), as unfinished submissions will not be counted.

[h2]Submission Guidelines:[/h2]
1. Participation:
- Open to all community members.
- Submissions shouldn’t be copies of other participant’s works.
2. Content Requirements:
- Each entry must include:
- A clear description of the scenario.
- A finished map (even if small), created using the Darfall scenario editor.
- Incomplete or placeholder submissions will not be accepted.
3. Submission Process:
- Submissions must be uploaded to mod.io and linked in the contest channel on Discord.
- Deadline: All entries must be submitted by 14/02/2025.
- If you want to submit a different scenario later - you can do this! Just add “Replacement submission” in the message with the new scenario and we will count only the last entry.
4. Limits:
- Maximum of one entry per participant.
- Collaborative submissions are allowed but will count as a single entry.

[h2]Judging Criteria:[/h2]
  • Submissions will be judged based on:
  • Creativity and originality of the scenario concept.
  • Quality and functionality of the map.
  • Alignment with the Darfall theme and mechanics.
  • Playability and balance.


The judging panel will consist of our Developers, and winners will be announced one week after the end of the contest.

[h2]Prizes:[/h2]
The number of winners will depend on the total number of entries:

- At least 10 entries: 1 Winner (Receives 2 Darfall keys).
- At least 15 entries: 2 Winners
- 1st place: 2 Darfall keys.
- 2nd place: 1 Darfall key.
- At least 20 entries: 3 Winners
- 1st place: 2 Darfall keys.
- 2nd place: 1 Darfall key.
- 3rd place: 1 Darfall key.

Each winner will additionally receive a shout-out and a special role - @Guild Cartographer

If fewer than 10 submissions are received, the contest may be extended or we will choose a winner among the participants.

[h2]Additional Rules:[/h2]
  1. The scenario must be your own work (though you can copy classic maps or be inspired by other creations).
  2. By entering, you grant permission for your submission to be featured or showcased in Darfall-related content.
  3. All entries must adhere to community guidelines. Offensive or inappropriate content will be disqualified.

[/expand]

We look forward to seeing your creative scenarios and maps!

DevBlog #19: Darfall Scenario Editor

Welcome, adventurers! The power to create your own scenario (or even campaign!) lies at your fingertips with the Darfall Scenario Editor. We have prepeared this video guide to walk you through crafting your very first scenario: an ambush where your Ardan faces off against enemy orcs.

There is also a text version below!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
And if it won't be enough - there is documentation on Notion.

And here is a text version of the video:
[expand]
[h2]Step 1: Set the Stage[/h2]
1. Terrain Painting
- Choose terrain tools and assets that fit your scenario. For an ambush setting, use demonic dirt, orc land, and ominous lava lakes.
- Adjust details by painting mountains, burnt trees, and grasses to add depth.
- Use the Shift key to erase and refine your terrain.
2. Add Features
- Place rock formations, resize and rotate them for a rugged look. This step helps create a visually compelling and immersive battlefield.

[h2]Step 2: Place Heroes and Enemies[/h2]
Add Characters
- Place Ardan and his adversaries - the Orc Sharpshooters and their leader, Ragnok.
2. Assign Teams and Tags
- Ardan → Player team, Alpha tag.
- Orcs + Ragnok → Team 1, Beta tag.
3. Adjust Stats
- Fine-tune HP, damage, and other attributes for balance.

[h2]Step 3: Create the Cutscene[/h2]
1. Set Up a Trigger Region
- Define a region where the ambush begins as Ardan enters.
2. Build the Cutscene
- Add a trigger event: “When Ardan enters the region.”
- Create actions such as camera pans, dialogue sequences, and movement freezes to stage the ambush. Use the “Show Dialogue” action to add character conversations.
3. End the Scene
- Resume game time to transition seamlessly into battle.

[h2]Step 4: Design Quests[/h2]
1. Main Quest: Defeat the Orcs.
- Sub-quest 1: Defeat Enemy Orcs (Progressive Task).
- Create a variable counter, Enemy Orcs, starting at 0.
- Sub-quest 2: Defeat Ragnok (Single Task).
- Triggered by his defeat at any point in the scenario.
2. Quest Flow
- Ensure tasks can be completed in any order for player flexibility.

[h2]Step 5: Link Triggers for Gameplay[/h2]
1. Activate Quests
- Create a trigger to activate quests post-cutscene and reactivate Ardan’s movement.
2. Track Progress
- Add events for orc deaths: “When Sharpshooter dies”, increase the Enemy Orcs counter.
3. Complete Tasks
- Set conditions:
- “When counter reaches 2/2”, mark Defeat Enemy Orcs as complete.
- “When Ragnok dies”, mark Defeat Ragnok as complete.

[h2]Step 6: Mission Accomplished[/h2]
1. Final Trigger
- Create a condition: All Beta enemies (orcs + Ragnok) are defeated.
2. Victory Actions
- Complete the main quest, fade the screen, and trigger a game win state to celebrate the player’s success![/expand]

[h2]Your Turn to Create![/h2]

This is just the beginning of what you can craft with the Darfall Scenario Editor.

Now, adventurer, it’s your time to shine. Set the stage and share your masterpiece with the world! 🌟

RTS Fest is here – and so is Kalen!

Ah, adventurers, the RTS Fest is upon us, and it brings great news!

During the event, you’ll have the chance to play Kalen, the Slayer, a ferocious warrior ready to carve his name into legend.



Want to learn more about his abilities and lore? You can read about him here.

But that’s not all. A special contest is coming this week, so keep your eyes sharp and your wits sharper. Stay tuned for more details!

0.11 Update: RPG Hero Selection, Hero Traits & Localization

Greetings, Darfall Players!

We’re thrilled to announce that the latest content update, 0.11, is now live!

This update focuses on polishing the experience with numerous fixes and tweaks, but the spotlight is on the addition of Chinese and German localization, a brand-new RPG-styled hero selection screen, and the introduction of class Traits.

[h2]Hero Selection[/h2]

To enhance the immersive fantasy experience of Heroes, we’ve reworked the character selection screen! You can now view your heroes in fully 3D, bringing the RPG vibes to life, similar to what you’d find in MMORPGs. Since Darfall blends city-building and RPG gameplay, we could never miss this feature!


(Huge props to our talented artist Jakub for making such an fantastic scene)

The screen will be improved with few more details and animations as we will near the full release this year.

[h2]Class Traits[/h2]

Each hero now comes with a unique trait tailored to their class. In the Demo, this is available for the Mage, Ardan.

You can now experience his Energy Overflow trait: locate an Energy Fountain on the map, stand inside it, and charge up the buff to its full duration.



With the Energy Overflow buff, Ardan’s energy capacity doubles, enabling him to unleash a devastating barrage of magic on invaders, or the occasional unlucky orcs.



[h2]0.11 Changelist[/h2]

[h3]New Features[/h3]
  • Survival: Brand new RPG style hero selection screen


[h3]Improvements[/h3]
  • Increased the size of the "Under Attack" marker for better visibility
  • Added German and Chinese localizations
  • Reworked the model of the Cryptstalker
  • Scenario Editor: Updated scenario editor icons
  • Scenario Editor: Improved scenario erase tooltips
  • Scenario Editor: Can now place minimap markers using trigger actions
  • Survival: Added roads to survival maps


[h3]Balance[/h3]
  • Increased Spider Queen egg laying distance


[h3]Fixes[/h3]
  • Fixed an issue where the sound of ballista and tower attacks wasn't played
  • Fixed an issue where the hero's level XP wasn't displayed
  • Fixed an issue where the salvaging UI became stuck
  • Fixed an issue where the in-game console was cutting off part of messages
  • Fixed an issue with audio distortion while zooming in and out
  • Scenario Editor: Fixed an issue where copying nested actions didn't work properly
  • Scenario Editor: Fixed music not playing in scenarios
  • Survival: Fixed corruption effects that stayed on units forever


If you encounter any issues or want to share a suggestion, feel free to do so in our discord suggestions forum, or bug-reports forum respectively.

As always, we deeply value your feedback and suggestions as we continue to refine Darfall. Thank you for your incredible support, and we can’t wait to hear what you think about this update!

Stay tuned for more exciting updates and improvements,
SquareNite - from beyond the darkness of the Darfall Wastes.