Development Update #11: Claiming & Conquering
We’ve been getting a lot of questions about Starkeepers' territory conquest, “vassalization” mechanics, and political structures so we hope that this update provides some helpful insight as we dive into some of the dev team’s thoughts and design direction for this aspect of the game!
A big part of the core gameplay of Starkeepers involves clans working together to claim territories on a seasonal map. These territories provide access to important resources which can be used to build up and upgrade your Starkeep, as well as further expand your territory.
[h2]So what exactly is a Starkeep?[/h2]
Starkeeps are moveable fortresses built by players that can hold down territory for a clan, and during wars, they could be subject to siege. These are designed to be war machines that serve as a base of military operations for players. Every player will be able to create their own Starkeeps, while also helping clan mates build on their Starkeeps and fight alongside them during battles.
[h2]Why own territory? Can clans monopolize territory resources?[/h2]
The more territory that a clan controls, the more Aurum the clan will be able to control. Aurum is a shared resource that is used to upgrade Starkeeps as well as produce materials that can be used in wars. Most importantly it allows clans to launch campaigns (declare wars) and continue to conquer more territory.
Resources that can be used individually for crafting are generally available for everyone with some more special or rarer resources being dropped in co-op dungeons. Even if your clan does not hold as much territory as others, there will still be plenty of opportunity to be able to gather individual resources and to ensure that you are not left behind.
That said, a clan will not be able to monopolize Aurum.
[h2]How do you claim territory?[/h2]
To be able to conquer territories, you will first need Claims. Claims take time to create (there will be multiple ways to acquire a Claim, some Claims can also expire). As long as you have a Claim to a territory, you have the option to utilize the Claim and declare a war of conquest (scheduling in the battle against the opponent). The defeated clan will become a subordinate clan to the victors.
[h2]How do sieges work?[/h2]
As a season progresses, a war can take many battles (sieges) with the vision being that, towards the peak or later stages of a season, there could be large-scale wars spanning many battles across multiple days. Maybe even weeks! Sieges will be scheduled based on windows of availability between both sides, allowing ample time for each side to prepare for the upcoming battle. We believe that scheduling these battles will provide a better experience overall and avoid the possibility of you returning to your Starkeep only to find it was invaded while you were away.
It would be possible for clans to have multiple siege battles happening on different members’ Starkeeps at the same time. Though, it might be worthwhile taking time between battles to help repair each others’ Starkeeps and be prepped for future battles.
[h2]How does “vassalization” work?[/h2]
If a clan defeats its rival during a war, the rival will become a subordinate clan to the victors, effectively being integrated into a hierarchical structure led by the victorious clan.
This might sound like it will be full of negatives to be a subjugated clan but it isn’t all grey clouds and rain. It is generally in the best interest of the victor to keep their subordinate clans happy and to govern wisely and responsibly.
Low taxation, and generally offering assistance or support to the subordinate clan will keep relationships from becoming strained. After all, subordinate clans are often needed to help in future conquests or to defend against larger rivals. If the ruling clan is not looking after their vassals well then they may not be able to rely on the subordinate clans to help.
Additionally, subordinated clans will automatically gain a Claim for a ‘war of independence’ when defeated in a war. This Claim can then be used to declare an independence war with the goal of regaining autonomy. In the case where a clan has multiple subordinate clans, it would be possible for the subordinate clans to work together and declare independence, potentially with devastating results to the ruling clan.
The hierarchy ruling structures are sorted into four tiers. The top tier is the ultimate ruling clan. At the end of a season, that clan will be crowned the ultimate rulers. Our “vassalization” mechanics are still being worked on and things will always be subject to change but, the intention is for our approach to allow for social strategy and lots of diplomatic depth among the player base.
***
There's plenty more to come as we continue to develop other parts of the game that you will be able to sink your teeth into. Keep your eyes on our future updates for more information and teasers for everything else that you will be able to do in Starkeepers.
We continue to run playtests of the game. If you have not signed up for our playtests yet, be sure to do so over at here!
[hr][/hr]
Wishlist Starkeepers on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2015760/Starkeepers/
Discord: https://discord.gg/starkeepers
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlayStarkeepers
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playstarkeepers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playstarkeepers
Website (sign up for future playtests!): https://starkeepers.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmRqaLdiusy5FKg4dk2New
A big part of the core gameplay of Starkeepers involves clans working together to claim territories on a seasonal map. These territories provide access to important resources which can be used to build up and upgrade your Starkeep, as well as further expand your territory.
[h2]So what exactly is a Starkeep?[/h2]
Starkeeps are moveable fortresses built by players that can hold down territory for a clan, and during wars, they could be subject to siege. These are designed to be war machines that serve as a base of military operations for players. Every player will be able to create their own Starkeeps, while also helping clan mates build on their Starkeeps and fight alongside them during battles.
[h2]Why own territory? Can clans monopolize territory resources?[/h2]
The more territory that a clan controls, the more Aurum the clan will be able to control. Aurum is a shared resource that is used to upgrade Starkeeps as well as produce materials that can be used in wars. Most importantly it allows clans to launch campaigns (declare wars) and continue to conquer more territory.
Resources that can be used individually for crafting are generally available for everyone with some more special or rarer resources being dropped in co-op dungeons. Even if your clan does not hold as much territory as others, there will still be plenty of opportunity to be able to gather individual resources and to ensure that you are not left behind.
That said, a clan will not be able to monopolize Aurum.
[h2]How do you claim territory?[/h2]
To be able to conquer territories, you will first need Claims. Claims take time to create (there will be multiple ways to acquire a Claim, some Claims can also expire). As long as you have a Claim to a territory, you have the option to utilize the Claim and declare a war of conquest (scheduling in the battle against the opponent). The defeated clan will become a subordinate clan to the victors.
[h2]How do sieges work?[/h2]
As a season progresses, a war can take many battles (sieges) with the vision being that, towards the peak or later stages of a season, there could be large-scale wars spanning many battles across multiple days. Maybe even weeks! Sieges will be scheduled based on windows of availability between both sides, allowing ample time for each side to prepare for the upcoming battle. We believe that scheduling these battles will provide a better experience overall and avoid the possibility of you returning to your Starkeep only to find it was invaded while you were away.
It would be possible for clans to have multiple siege battles happening on different members’ Starkeeps at the same time. Though, it might be worthwhile taking time between battles to help repair each others’ Starkeeps and be prepped for future battles.
[h2]How does “vassalization” work?[/h2]
If a clan defeats its rival during a war, the rival will become a subordinate clan to the victors, effectively being integrated into a hierarchical structure led by the victorious clan.
This might sound like it will be full of negatives to be a subjugated clan but it isn’t all grey clouds and rain. It is generally in the best interest of the victor to keep their subordinate clans happy and to govern wisely and responsibly.
Low taxation, and generally offering assistance or support to the subordinate clan will keep relationships from becoming strained. After all, subordinate clans are often needed to help in future conquests or to defend against larger rivals. If the ruling clan is not looking after their vassals well then they may not be able to rely on the subordinate clans to help.
Additionally, subordinated clans will automatically gain a Claim for a ‘war of independence’ when defeated in a war. This Claim can then be used to declare an independence war with the goal of regaining autonomy. In the case where a clan has multiple subordinate clans, it would be possible for the subordinate clans to work together and declare independence, potentially with devastating results to the ruling clan.
The hierarchy ruling structures are sorted into four tiers. The top tier is the ultimate ruling clan. At the end of a season, that clan will be crowned the ultimate rulers. Our “vassalization” mechanics are still being worked on and things will always be subject to change but, the intention is for our approach to allow for social strategy and lots of diplomatic depth among the player base.
***
There's plenty more to come as we continue to develop other parts of the game that you will be able to sink your teeth into. Keep your eyes on our future updates for more information and teasers for everything else that you will be able to do in Starkeepers.
We continue to run playtests of the game. If you have not signed up for our playtests yet, be sure to do so over at here!
[hr][/hr]
Wishlist Starkeepers on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2015760/Starkeepers/
Discord: https://discord.gg/starkeepers
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlayStarkeepers
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playstarkeepers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playstarkeepers
Website (sign up for future playtests!): https://starkeepers.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmRqaLdiusy5FKg4dk2New