Under a Desert Sun: Seekers of the Cursed Vessel – Demo Launch

[h2][/h2][p]Hi everyone,[/p][p]I’m Raymond. About a year ago, I started Revolving Gear Studios to finally try my hand at making video games full-time. I’ve been a hobbyist developer for years, and I always dreamed of building something bigger and more focused. That’s where this new Action RPG was born: Under a Desert Sun: Seekers of the Cursed Vessel.[/p][p]The Under a Desert Sun name might sound familiar — it comes from a small VR project I made years ago. I loved the world-building so much that I realized there were still plenty of stories left to tell in that universe.[/p][p]Why an Action RPG, you might ask? Before starting anything, I thought long and hard about what my first studio project should be. I kept coming back to the games that shaped my childhood: LAN parties with friends, playing Diablo or Titan Quest until sunrise, fueled by coffee and cola. Honestly, I was always more focused on saving the world, while my friends were all about the loot… :P In the end, I couldn’t think of a better reason to make a game than to follow my heart.[/p][p]So here we are! This demo is an early, polished slice of Act 1 — a first taste of what’s to come, released a few weeks ahead of Steam Next Fest in October.[/p][hr][/hr][h3]What you’ll find in the demo:[/h3][p][/p]

• [p]Fast-paced ARPG combat with two classes: Soldier & Adventurer[/p]
• [p]Local co-op support (up to 4 players)[/p]
• [p]A first look at the game’s 1930s pulp-adventure style, story, and atmosphere[/p]

[h3]What’s not here yet (but will be in Early Access):[/h3]

• [p]The final loot & inventory systems[/p]
• [p]Online co-op[/p]
• [p]Later Acts, additional classes, and the full skill card deck[/p]

[hr][/hr][h3]Looking Ahead – Early Access & Beyond[/h3][p][/p][p]I’ve chosen Early Access very deliberately — for me it isn’t a gimmick, it’s a necessity. I want to use it as it was meant to be: to find passionate players who want to help shape the game, and in full transparency, to help fund further development.[/p]

• [p]Current status: Right now you have the demo. Later this year, the Early Access release will follow with the same two classes and the whole of Act 1.[/p]
• [p]The road ahead (next ~2 years): I’ll continue working full-time on the game, adding:[/p]
  • [p]Four more story Acts (main quest + sidequests)[/p]
  • [p]3–4 additional classes, including at least 1 magic-focused character and 2 full melee characters[/p]
  • [p]Online co-op[/p]
  • [p]Full voice acting[/p]
  • [p]And everything else you’d expect from a complete ARPG you can enjoy with friends[/p]

[p]And I want to be transparent about our studio’s stance on pricing and content. I know that when you buy Early Access, you’re spending your hard-earned money — often money you also need for essentials in a world where everything has gotten more expensive. That means when you buy Under a Desert Sun, you will get a complete game.[/p]

• [p]No paid cosmetics[/p]
• [p]No seasonal passes that demand constant reinvestment[/p]
• [p]No microtransactions hidden in the corner[/p]

[p]The only possible extra cost in the future would be for proper expansions (DLCs), and those will always add substantial content: a new story Act, at least one new class, and a new set of items for every class.[/p][hr][/hr][h3]One last thing[/h3][p]This demo is a work-in-progress, but it’s already playable and fun — and I’d really like to hear what you think. Leave feedback, tell us what parts you enjoyed, and if you feel like it, leave a review. Early impressions matter a lot as we head toward Next Fest, but most of all they help me understand what’s working and what still needs love.[/p][p]Thanks for giving this first adventure under the desert sun a try.[/p][p]– Raymond @ Revolving Gear Studios[/p]