Update # 9 - Second Milestone Update
[p]Hey Everyone,[/p][p][/p][p]Welcome back to our ninth weekly update – and it`s a big one, as this marks our second major milestone. Version 0.32 brings some of the most significant core Kingdom War gameplay changes in years.[/p][p][/p][p]We’ve overhauled how your kingdom develops, with building construction and research now taking months on the world map. And RTS and world map modes now have true continuity between them – bringing long-term strategy and planning to the forefront.[/p][p][/p][p]This update also delivers a full rework of Eastern Europe, adding several new playable Slavic and Pagan nations, a massive music expansion, smarter AI, and a complete balance pass across multiple factions. Most importantly, this milestone completes our broader goal of making each culture feel truly unique – with distinct units, mechanics, music, art, and more.[/p][p][/p][p]Slavic nations like Novgorod and Smolensk now stand apart with wooden-only towns, all-new visuals, and custom voice acting – while Pagan tribes such as Livonia bring fresh gameplay and exclusive unit rosters. All of this builds on the unique design direction we previously introduced for Muslim factions.[/p][p][/p][p]We’ve also added 20 new music tracks to deepen immersion, and reworked over a dozen units and buildings for Eastern factions. Finally, the entire game has been rebalanced to reflect the new pacing and cultural variety.[/p][p][/p][p]Thanks again for all your feedback – it`s been essential in shaping every weekly update. Check out the full Update 0.32 details below![/p][p][/p][h3]Disclaimer: [/h3][p]With an update of this magnitude, we expect a few new issues to pop up, and we’ll still need about a week to wrap up all the loose ends – like giving each culture a unique tech tree and finalizing some art assets. We expect everything to be ironed out with the 10th update next week.[/p][p][/p][h3]Building Times[/h3]
- [p]Building construction time added to the world map – no longer instant[/p]
- [p]Buildings now take time to construct on the world map[/p]
- [p]Time to construct is shown alongside the building cost[/p]
- [p]Construction time ranges from 1 month to 1 year[/p]
- [p]Notifications now appear when buildings start and finish construction[/p]
- [p]Buildings take significantly longer to complete in RTS mode[/p]
- [p]Improved continuity when switching between RTS and world map[/p]
- [p]Switching between RTS and world map no longer auto-completes all tasks[/p]
- [p]Buildings under construction on the world map continue building in RTS[/p]
- [p]Incomplete construction in RTS mode will continue progressing on the world map[/p]
- [p]Technologies in the research window now take time to unlock[/p]
- [p]It`s possible to research several technologies at once[/p]
- [p]Technologies take from 2 to several months to complete[/p]
- [p]Added voice dialogue and event log notification when research is completed[/p]
- [p]Constructing Academies and Churches improves research speed and cost (WIP)[/p]
- [p]Major changes to Eastern Europe on the world map[/p]
- [p]Kievan Rus split into Principalities of Chernigov, Smolensk, Novgorod, Suzdal, and Kiev[/p]
- [p]Four new unique playable kingdoms added to sandbox: Republic of Novgorod, Principality of Smolensk, Principality of Chernigov, Principality of Kiev[/p]
- [p][/p]
- [p]Completed work on Slavic nations' unique gameplay and art[/p]
- [p]Slavic nations use only wooden materials – no stone walls[/p]
- [p]Unique voice acting and flags added for Slavic armies on the world map[/p]
- [p]Added two playable Pagan nations – Chiefdom of Livonia and Chiefdom of Liuthania[/p]
- [p]Began work on implementing Pagan art set and gameplay differences (WIP)[/p]
- [p]Work in progress – many assets currently shared with Slavic nations[/p]
- [p]Unique unit roster for Pagan nations (partially shared with Slavic factions)[/p]
- [p]Pagan nations have more units available at the Hamlet's Mustering Hall, but fewer in their cities[/p]
- [p]Pagan nations don`t get access to high-tier siege engines – no trebuchets or catapults[/p]
- [p]Pagan nations don`t have crossbowmen but can train basic mounted archers[/p]
- [p]Fully unique unit roster for Slavic nations[/p]
- [p]Slavic factions gain extended options for Rams and Siege Towers[/p]
- [p]Slavic nations can train basic mounted archers but do not have crossbowman tech[/p]
- [p]Added unique unit art for 12 Slavic units[/p]
- [p]Slavic units feature a distinct look – national clothing, hats, beards, and chainmail-dominant armor[/p]
- [p]15 new lord portraits designed for Slavic factions (WIP)[/p]
- [p]New town houses for Slavic nations[/p]
- [p]New Town Hall added for Slavic towns[/p]
- [p]Slavic towns designed to use only wooden materials[/p]
- [p]Work in progress: large town designs for Slavic factions[/p]
- [p]Work in progress: new village houses for Slavic towns[/p]
- [p]Work in progress: new textures for Slavic buildings[/p][p][/p]
- [p]Further decreased rate of AI attacks on the world map in certain scenarios[/p]
- [p]Fixed a major issue with AI attacking large cities and behaving poorly[/p]
- [p]Large towns are now properly defended by the AI instead of the garrison running out[/p]
- [p]AI will only ride out from towns if it`s 100% certain it can win[/p][p][/p]
- [p]Major gameplay rebalance to account for new building construction system[/p]
- [p]Additional balancing of progression based on new research timings[/p]
- [p]Gameplay rebalanced for Muslim factions[/p]
- [p]Gameplay rebalanced for Slavic factions[/p]
- [p]Gameplay rebalanced for Pagan factions[/p]
- [p]Unique Slavic music set added with 16 all-new tracks[/p]
- [p]Expanded Muslim music set from 6 to 16 tracks, all newly composed[/p]
- [p]All-new lord portraits for Nomad factions like Cumania and Pechenegs[/p]
- [p]New portraits for Pagan tribal factions – Livonia and Liuthania[/p]
- [p]Lowered War/Peace window layer so it doesn`t clash with the "Defeat..." window[/p]
- [p]Added close button for the tutorial tooltip window[/p]