Echoes of the Machine DLC Announcement
Hi there!
So, as expected, here's the long-awaited announcement for the upcoming DLC dubbed Echoes of the Machine. It should be made available in mid-March 2025. It will feature a new multi-map storyline and a ton of late-game content.
Before I explain what it should contain, please understand that this is still in early development, and some of the stated features below are subject to potential changes. This article is more about giving you a general layout for the DLC than explaining everything point by point exactly as it will be.
With that in mind, let's dive in! 🙂
[h2]New Story Mode[/h2]
I'm not going to go into the details of the story itself, obviously, but it's a separate story from the main game, still in the same universe. You will be facing an army of robots handled by a prewar AI gone rogue.
Similarly to the base game's story mode, you'll visit multiple world maps, meet new factions, do missions for them, and gather resources and information to defeat the machines.
Comparatively, it should be slightly shorter than the other story, but it will feature more unique content not seen before. As the theme implies, you'll meet many new enemy types, and uncover new late-game technologies and high-tech weaponry to deal with the threat.
[h2]Main Features[/h2]
It is a bit early to detail every single planned feature, many of them are still in the concept stage, and quite a few would count as massive story spoilers. So, instead, here's a very neutral list of the planned features:
[h2]What about the main game?[/h2]
A free update for ATC will accompany the DLC. Some of the systems stated above should be part of the free update (like the robot-making overhaul), but you'll still need the DLC to exploit them to their full extent.
[h2]Pricing[/h2]
Echoes of the Machine should be priced at around $9.99. This might sound a bit high with a main game at $14.99, but After The Collapse is quite under-priced (especially after several years of inflation) while still receiving free updates. So, yes, this DLC is meant to fund further development, I'm not going to be shy about that.
[h2]Release Date[/h2]
As for the release date, as stated above, it should be around mid-March 2025. Until that time, I'll solely dedicate my work hours to the DLC. So don't expect many updates for the main game, besides potential maintenance patches, in the coming months. I can only work on so many things at the same time. 🙂
Oh, and the official page for the DLC should be available next month or so. I still need to figure out a couple of things in that regard. I'll keep you posted.
[h2]Development[/h2]
I will try to post devlogs for the DLC, at least for the new systems. I have to admit it has become difficult to find the right balance between keeping you informed about the development and not spoiling the content. Most of the fun stuff falls deeply into story spoiler territory. Still, I'm sure I'll figure out something to talk about!
Cheers!
So, as expected, here's the long-awaited announcement for the upcoming DLC dubbed Echoes of the Machine. It should be made available in mid-March 2025. It will feature a new multi-map storyline and a ton of late-game content.
Before I explain what it should contain, please understand that this is still in early development, and some of the stated features below are subject to potential changes. This article is more about giving you a general layout for the DLC than explaining everything point by point exactly as it will be.
With that in mind, let's dive in! 🙂
[h2]New Story Mode[/h2]
I'm not going to go into the details of the story itself, obviously, but it's a separate story from the main game, still in the same universe. You will be facing an army of robots handled by a prewar AI gone rogue.
Similarly to the base game's story mode, you'll visit multiple world maps, meet new factions, do missions for them, and gather resources and information to defeat the machines.
Comparatively, it should be slightly shorter than the other story, but it will feature more unique content not seen before. As the theme implies, you'll meet many new enemy types, and uncover new late-game technologies and high-tech weaponry to deal with the threat.
[h2]Main Features[/h2]
It is a bit early to detail every single planned feature, many of them are still in the concept stage, and quite a few would count as massive story spoilers. So, instead, here's a very neutral list of the planned features:
- New story-line with 3 acts, and voiced (static) cut-scenes
- A new hostile terraforming faction, the Machine Empire
- A new playable high-tech faction archetype that can access special world map locations
- Numerous new robotic enemies
- Expanded late-game tech tree featuring new drones, energy weapons, turrets, and so on
- Overhauled robotic station to build new robots and drones
- Multiple new world map locations, some of which unlock special interactions
- New map generators (both underground and above-ground) with their dedicated tile-sets
- New unique survivors
[h2]What about the main game?[/h2]
A free update for ATC will accompany the DLC. Some of the systems stated above should be part of the free update (like the robot-making overhaul), but you'll still need the DLC to exploit them to their full extent.
[h2]Pricing[/h2]
Echoes of the Machine should be priced at around $9.99. This might sound a bit high with a main game at $14.99, but After The Collapse is quite under-priced (especially after several years of inflation) while still receiving free updates. So, yes, this DLC is meant to fund further development, I'm not going to be shy about that.
[h2]Release Date[/h2]
As for the release date, as stated above, it should be around mid-March 2025. Until that time, I'll solely dedicate my work hours to the DLC. So don't expect many updates for the main game, besides potential maintenance patches, in the coming months. I can only work on so many things at the same time. 🙂
Oh, and the official page for the DLC should be available next month or so. I still need to figure out a couple of things in that regard. I'll keep you posted.
[h2]Development[/h2]
I will try to post devlogs for the DLC, at least for the new systems. I have to admit it has become difficult to find the right balance between keeping you informed about the development and not spoiling the content. Most of the fun stuff falls deeply into story spoiler territory. Still, I'm sure I'll figure out something to talk about!
Cheers!