Why Early Access?

“Birthright is made from a solo dev passion project in Unreal Engine. It has been in development several years and evolved from single player to have full dedicated server support. With Early Access we want to start engaging with players to shape and prioritize the last big features as well as the small ones.

Pre production is now finished meaning dedicated server har same functionality as single player. Yes you can operate indepentendly or together and join Battles/Sieges/Dungeons with other Players, or attack their Settlements while they are locked up in combat elsewhere.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“This game is a long term project. The overall plan is to stay in Early Access until the major features are implemented and iterated on.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“Combat will be heavily tuned and partly be remade until it is where it needs to be with a deeper connection for AI and Tarot cards behavior.

Add Skeleton Mesh merging and textures with Texture Animation support for large scale combat performance on characters further away. (Horses are already VAT and Undeads are planned to be too for large zergs).

End Game content such as The Dragon, Volcano, Raids from afar and The Other Side.

Trading for Players will be plottable on World Map to choose exact routes for caravans. Creating optimal trade routes to really show their strength as Trade Lords.

And new Battle/Skirmish/Siege maps along the whole period. Along with lots of more POIs (Points of Interest) that will push the world and story forward.

More Settlement Extensions Dialogues that are unique.

More special Followers, items and treasures. (There is already over 1400 items in the game).”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“All fundamental features are already in place. Warmongering, Trading and Adventuring are the staples that all are functional. But they will be adjusted along the way with added content and polishing.

Dedicated Server support is in place and both Single Player and Multiplayer is developed for each feature. They are always on par in features but sometimes they can work a bit different since World Map is not in play during Combat in Single Player. While in Multiplayer both AI and other Players can join your combat at any time from World Map.

Project is upgraded to UE5 and always follow 1-2 patches behind UE release cycle. This doesn't mean expensive things like Lumen light etc is used. Dedicated Server system is based on same replication code as Fortnite.

Combat uses UE5's Ability System. And has basic directional attack and parry with unique attacks for 1h, 1h+shield, 1h spear, 2h, archer and polearm. Some like polearm and 1h spear also have secondary mode with new sets of attacks.
Mounted combat has 1h, spear and archer implemented so far.

Dungeons have interactables (urns, skeletons, graves, chests, barrels etc) for looting and and other destructibles (chairs, tables etc).
There are 8 Dungeons Themes currently and more will come. We use a custom Dungeon Generator to create infinite amounts.
Very rough Bosses are implemented in Dungeons. But in future will be more a mix with Dark souls type with stages.

Being Light Fantasy much like Game of Thrones several creatures are already implemented such as Skeletons, Ghouls, Undead Lords, wolves/dogs, giant scorpions, minotaurs, trolls. But they are not common nor will there be Magic and high fantasy. Even though Status Effects is a big thing both as Buffs and Debuffs.

All World Map characters operate for their own good. Not only Lords will try secure their future, expect a Troll King to do the same.

Armies need some micro-management such as repair, healing, food and horses need hay. But there is plenty of loot and items to build your soldiers into something to fear on the battlefield.
But make sure you got the goods to support your crusade!

Over 1200+ items are already in game, more to come.

Market system is fully in place and each day the World Market index is recalculated along with each Local Market (settlements) similar to real life economics. This creates natural fluctuations and openings for good trade deals.
Each Settlement set their base Tax, while the Territory Warden set the Territory Tax and finally the Ruler set Royal Tax on top of that.

Settlements make meaningful Trades each morning with nearby Settlements depending on Local Markets need and best deals. Lords can manage their Settlement but does not directly own everything locals produce.

Titles have meaning and grant Rights that give access.

More than 100+ Settlement Extensions is fully implemented to upgrade and produce items. They add many different effects on the settlement along with production of items, recruitment etc

More than 20+ World Extensions that can be build anywhere on World Map close enough to a Settlement. Everything they produce are Taxed by nearby Settlement.

Hardcore game mode with Family inheritance. Find Spouses and marry between families creating a dynasty and lineage. (Hardcore mode is optional and both softcore and carebear settings are there for customization).

No Tutorial or Manual right now. You will need to figure things out by error and trial. And you will die a lot.

However if one can deal with the above there are many hours of entertainment already.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“Price might go up after Early Access.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“Always available on Discord and Steam Forums. Come to Discord and express your opinions of the game :)”