Welcome to the Encased Beta!

Since the launch of the Encased alpha, our team’s been working really hard. Thanks to the feedback and support of the community, Encased has evolved into what we always strived for: a real old-school RPG.



Now it's time for the next step. Today we're releasing a closed beta version of the game on Steam. If your Kickstarter title is Colonel or higher, check your email, the game key is already waiting for you.

The Beta that will be deployed in the next few hours is just an improved version of the alpha. You’ll discover: a new level of Magellan Station called Reactor Unit, new NPCs and new quests. Keep in mind, the beta content is still very limited and will be further developed before the final release.



We would like to remind you that we have introduced a special system to report bugs: in all versions of the game, the player can send a bug report or suggestion. Just click on the button in the top-left corner of the screen and describe the problem. The system will automatically send us a screenshot and your description of the error, attaching your PC info (which in certain situations can help diagnose the cause of the bug). This system will help us to quickly discover and rectify any remaining problems.



Full list of changes in Beta:

• Expanded introductory event with the elevator stop;
  
• The reactor level is now open;
  
• Rebalanced main attributes of different Wings;
  
• Hand-to-hand combat branch has been significantly updated – new skills have been added, old ones have been changed;
  
• A lot of skill tree changes;
  
• A batch of new weapons has been added for sale in the armory;
  
• NPCs react to player vandalism;
  
• Fixed some errors in quests;
  
• Random events have been added to time rewind;
  
• New items, statuses and effects from consuming food and drink;
  
• Many technical and performance improvements;

Important note: With the release of the beta version of the game, your save files may become corrupted. We recommend you start a new game.

In the Beta menu you can also switch to the old version and continue your playthrough.

Prepare to be delighted yet again, recruits!

Today Encased was updated with its latest round of bugfixes. Thank you everyone for your many many suggestions and bug reports to our support email and in-game reporting system. Your input is a great help to us in refining the game.

This update has squashed a lot of bugs and added some nice visual effects as well. Be sure to visit the training grounds – we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Full list of changes:

• Added static batching to improve performance
  
• Added hit effects and bullet trails
  
• Improved combat sound effects
  
• Added new techniques to the hand-to-hand combat skill tree
  
• NPCs now use various skills in battle
  
• Rebalanced starting weapons
  
• Fixed several localization issues
  
• Fixed problems with saving and loading
  
• Improved the display of the battle grid

*Old version is also available to play, just switch to "Beta testing" in Steam for that.

Great news, recruits!

As we promised earlier, the Encased closed alpha is getting a new content update. Thanks to your feedback via the in-game bug reporting system, our social networks, and Discord, we were able to identify and resolve a whole host of problems and bugs.

This update also includes a whole lot of new content: visit new levels of Magellan Station and fight any NPC you encounter!

• Fixed a lot of bugs and problems
  
• Fixed anomalies
  
• Granted access to items and objects that the player couldn’t previously use or reach
  
• Localization improvements

• We switched to a new version of the game engine. Expect visual upgrade and performance boost.
  
• Added a small scene before the player’s arrival at Magellan Station
  
• Added Magellan Garrison
  
• Added Training Cave
  
• Now you can finish your introduction quest!
  
• You’re now able to attack NPCs at will
  
• Added many new weapons
  
• You can now use different ammunition types (AP, JHP)
  
• Added many new items
  
• Added new character skills

Important note: when you install this update, your save files may become corrupted. We recommend you to start a new game. Since the game is in the alpha version and we are going to update the game constantly, old save files can be damaged if there are big changes to the game.

“The Dome and its environs were not built in one day, and the work is far from being over. Of course, mistakes in the design and construction of buildings are made, accidents occur, Oranges die... Why am I saying this? Oh yes. The community under the Dome is a living organism, it needs time to grow and strengthen. ”


The Dark Crystal Games team that never leaves its office is once again with you, and we have some news.

The first one: we are forced to postpone the early access game release (we’ll tell you a bit later why).

The second one: we are releasing a restricted access version of the game for alpha backers on Steam. And if you are an alpha backer, then perhaps the access key for the alpha version is making it to your email inbox right now, and the alpha build itself is being uploaded to Steam!

We are well aware that delays suck, but sometimes they are necessary, and here’s why.

***
“Early access” almost always means that a game feels raw, unstable and poor in terms of content. We do not want to see Encased like this even at this stage of development, and unfortunately we have to choose between the earlier release and the quality. We choose quality.

Encased is a game with a rich atmosphere and a deep, developed world. And nothing kills all this like stuttering, crashes and bugs.



Sure there will be some bugs in the Early Access version of Encased, but their numbers will be minimized, and they will not spoil your game experience. To deal with errors (small and large), we’ve introduced a special system: in every game version there’s an option to send a bug report or a suggestion to the developers: just click the button in the corner of the screen, describe the problem, and the system will automatically send us a screenshot and your text, adding your computer stats to the message (in certain situations this will help to diagnose the cause of the bug). This system will help to make the game better as quickly as possible and even, over time, implement some of your proposals.


Button in the form of an envelope in the upper left corner of the screen

Another equally significant reason for the delay is the constant work to improve the interface, polishing game mechanics, rewriting, writing and editing the text – trust us, Encased has a lot of text. From the very start of the development we’ve set ourselves a fairly high level of quality, and now we are trying to keep up to it with everything we have.



We want you to see the game as it is intended. This requires effort and time, resources a small team often lacks. We hope you understand and ready to wait a bit longer.

And for alpha backers we have an alpha version.

***
“Alpha”, that is coming out in the next couple of hours, is an unfinished version of the game. The content of the first official version of Encased is very limited, all that the game consists of, including graphic assets, render, role-playing system, sound, interface, plot, et c. is in the non-final state and will be finalized by release date.



The alpha version of Encased is not intended for public display and sale, and is distributed exclusively for kickstarter-backers. But what is waiting for you in this “alpha”? An early version of the character editor, several large locations and quests, a lot (really, a lot!) of loot. As well as the opportunity to fry a cockroach, climb into the ventilation, make a bat with nails and look at the gloomy sands of the Dome, covered with fog.

In fact, this closed alpha is the first official release for us as a team. And we, like you, want this game to be of high quality, interesting and exciting, and hope that the adventures under the Dome will be remembered by everyone who happened to get into it.



***
Aside from the delay, our plans remain the same: shortly after the alpha, we will release the beta, which will be available to a much larger number of players. After eliminating bugs and polishing the content, the long-awaited EA-version will be released.

We cannot announce the release date yet, but be sure that this will happen soon enough. The Spire accepts shipments, the White Wing examines relics, the team works, and Encased moves towards the early access.

Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darkcrystalgames/encased-old-school-isometic-turn-based-rpg/

CAERUS.RECORD#98943: April 1976, note

Let’s just say Mobis was unlucky that day. Crawling up out of a waste tunnel that’s mainly used to dispose of crushed rocks, it met up with a group of newbies. They panicked, of course, threw all their grenades, shot off all their ammunition, and even fired an RPG! When I have arrived at the scene, I could’ve easily fit what was left of him into my suitcase. In fact, that’s exactly what I did.

The robot’s weapons were the most interesting thing to me. It had two mechanical arms designed for melee combat, each of which could heat up to 260 degrees centigrade. More interesting still, even smashed into pieces the arms retained this ability.



_________________________________________________________________________


You’re right Ricardo, I’m a sentimental guy. It bothers me to see all those houses built by hard-working, hopeful people, now laying in ruins. I know it’s difficult to maintain the facade of order, but in many ways the facade itself is a kind of order. With the Lord as my witness, the real catastrophe wasn’t when we lost contact with the outside world, but when the “Traveller’s Inn” closed down.




_________________________________________________________________________


These CRONUS guys like to think their gear is flawless. They take a sturdy strongbox, put a combination lock on it, and think it’s all in the bag. It’s good, even great.

After all, the more people believe in their security systems - the durability of the container and the complexity of the lock - the more fun it is to disappoint them.

Okay.

Now I want my lockpicks back. I already know who did it, but it will be better for you if you just come forward!




_________________________________________________________________________


“People often ask me, ‘Teddy, what’s your secret? How did a donut scarfing nobody like you transform into the renowned destroyer of Forefathers security systems you are today?’ It’s true that not so long ago I was nothing but a simple security guard. But one perk of that job is plenty of free time, which I decided to spend reading books. This wasn’t just for entertainment, not at all! Real soldiers read all the combat manuals they can find, and Black Wing bases are full of them.”




_________________________________________________________________________


The warehouse is a place every employee visits at least occasionally. Here you will find everything you need - any vehicle, any type of equipment - for an expedition. Some employees even park their own cars here (for an additional fee, of course)!

For Orange Wing, it’s also the perfect place for a few hands of poker while the warden is busy elsewhere.




_________________________________________________________________________


In our quest for new technology, we discovered thousands of strange machines that we could neither use nor understand. We were pursuing immortality at the cost of countless lives! No one could have imagined what these wishes would cost us when the genie was loosed from the bottle...




_________________________________________________________________________



“What's the flag of CRONUS, Randy?” Obviously, the bureaucrats would never agree to it, but what I would like to see: a shotgun on the flag, a big, freaking shotgun, front and center. Why not? Every day on the radio it’s democracy, respect, equality, blah blah blah. Let me tell you something: a big gun is the best guarantee of order. All those Orange scum need to think twice before barking at honest guys like us. No, the charter definitely needs to be rewritten. And replace the flags of course, so the main graphic is a shotgun. Or better, two shotguns.




_________________________________________________________________________


CAERUS.RECORD #109697: Our Future

Today I observed some workers swapping out batteries in equipment and servoshells. I assumed the truck loaded up with old batteries was headed for the Spire so they could be transported out on the next platform. Instead, it drove out into the desert...

Claire, I'm afraid the conquest of the Dome’s frontier will end just like every other conquest in history. What was once a frontier will end up a garbage dump. There will be consequences, Claire, that no one will bother to fix.

Do you remember our questionnaire we created for players to create their own in-game character? The first fruits of this labor are ready to be shared. In a new Developer Diary, we’ll tell how you changed the world and story of Encased.

Submit your character as well:
https://cronus.darkcrystalgames.com/en/

Dev Update 3 — Involving the Community: First results

“So, Marcus, now you’re calling me a marauder? Bullshit. Calling me a historian would be closer to the truth.

“Look here, for instance: a fine pair of boots. I fished these out of an empty trash barrel at a gas station. They’re practically new. Someone hid them there is my guess, planned to come back for them at some point.

“You see now, yeah? Every thing has its history. That’s what I’m looking for, that’s what I collect. A sucker like you wouldn’t understand. Wait, what’s that sticking out of your pocket?”

We love stories too. A good story is the most important part of any classic RPG, and there are many of these little vignettes in Encased, each of which contributes to the narration in one way or another.

Narrative, along with gameplay and graphics, is one of the “whales” upon which a successful project depends. The narrative is served not only through dialogues, character cues and in-game documents. We, like our nameless marauder, love telling a story through things. A battered rifle hidden beneath the floorboards of an abandoned hut can tell you a lot about its deceased owner: twenty notches on the barrel, homemade ammo clip, and a telescopic sniper sight worth tens of thousands of combonds - a small, but complete story reveals itself to the attentive player who is prepared to look and think.

***

This experience is inspired by dozens of playthroughs of original Fallout, Planescape: Torment, and other cool games. We, like you, are players above all.

How does our tiny tale lead us to the rewards? Easy: recall the stories. In the world of Encased, one does not simply open a chest and pick up a “Kickstarter Shotgun” or “Backer Armor.” “Rewarded” items become part of the plot, with a natural and organic backstory for the players who supported our project from the very start. The origin of each reward item will be interwoven with the lore of the game’s universe.

But do not expect these rewards to make the main character an invulnerable killing machine, destroying all life in their path. Balance is of no less importance to us than storyline, and we consider “Kickstarter” items to be an interesting way to reveal secrets about the world of Encased (i.e. additional lore and quests).


***

Take, for example, this lunchbox. It will not protect you from a high velocity round (though it might stop a pistol shot). It does not give the owner immunity to high levels of radiation or grant regenerative powers to the sandwiches you keep inside. But on discovering such a thing near a dusty old skeleton, sitting by a locked door deep in an abandoned bunker, one can assume certain facts. And having examined the scratches, blood stains and wiped clean handle - one might even come to definitive conclusion or two. Also, don’t forget that sandwiches do need to be safely stored someplace.

Although our campaign is already finished, everyone has the opportunity to leave their footprint in Encased. We are still collecting CRONUS employee questionnaires. Anyone who sends an interesting and detailed character bio via the form will be included in the CRONUS employees database. And if our writers find your character interesting enough, you will have a chance to see them in the game! So act now, citizen, because when release day comes, the questionnaire will be taken offline permanently. Hurry up and you’re gonna make it!



As a last point, we’ll tell you about our rewards issuing protocol. Don’t forget to check your Inbox! In the very near future, surveys will be sent to clarify contact details and shipping addresses. In addition, we will need to clarify a couple of points: how do you want your name to appear in the credits of the game; an CD-key for which gaming platform do you need... The specifics will depend on the list of awards you have chosen. Our goal here is for both digital and physical bonuses to find their owners as quickly as possible.



At the beginning of early access period, in-game rewards and pre-order bonuses will become available to anyone who helped us with the Kickstarter campaign and also supported our game on Steam. For example, a helmet and gloves from the “Pathfinder” kit - they are associated with the history of the Dome exploration, and thus may be useful at an early stage of the game.


Keep and eye on inbox, surveys will be sent soon

As you may remember, some rewards include the participation of backers in the creation of additional content, including NPC portraits, mini-quests, personalised items and characters… The work on them will be conducted during the early access period. It won’t be long now until your own little piece of the game world, created together with our writers and designers, shall appear in Encased. So another reminder: keep a close eye on your email!

Physical rewards will be sent out shortly after the final release. We take our obligations really seriously.

Once again thanks for supporting us and stay tuned!

If you have not wishlisted Encased on Steam yet - please do! (and share with friends). If you missed KS-action there is still a chance to pre-order the game.

***

Some friends of ours recently released a free demo - the prologue of their upcoming game, Sin Slayers. Sin Slayers is a dark, dark fantasy RPG with roguelike elements.



We’ve played an early version ourselves, so let us share our impressions: these guys are creating a solid, old-school, turn-based game that’s hitting all the right notes. The “heart” of Sin Slayers is turn-based combat reminiscent of classic JRPGs and the beloved HOMM series.



The project has been in fulltime development for over a year now, and is currently in the playable alpha stage. Guys are hosting a Kickstarter campaign now and they need your help!

Sin Slayers is a worthy successor to the roguelike/RPG tradition, and the additional crowdfunded budget will help make the game experience deeper, more interesting, and more varied. So if you like classic turn-based tactics within a well-developed combat system, pay attention to this game. Perhaps because of your support, Sin Slayers will reach its full potential.

“My father showed me my first miracle when I was a little boy. Starting with a photograph, he explained everything that went into the process of making it: lens, lamps, cuvettes, the mysterious dark room, photographic film, solutions, and finally the image, slowly emerging as if by magic from the void. It was as if I had discovered a window into a whole new world.

Sometimes I think this desert beneath the Dome works in exactly the same way. Perform the correct ritual and it will reveal its secrets. Not immediately, of course, but slowly. Be patient and in the end the picture will appear. You will not discover everything all at one...

But it is just as awe inspiring.”

(from a scrap of paper found drifting across the sands of the Southern Region.)

The graphics for Encased are slowly but steadily taking on a more polished and distinctive shape. It’s very important tous that with a single glance at the screen, players can say, “Yeah, I know that game!" Our artists and level-designers are working long and hard to fulfill that goal.

Why don’t we check on some of their work? Let’s take a look at screenshots from some of our work-in-progress locations.



Imagine that later today you’re scheduled for a serious talk with some bigshot from management. You have a feeling an assignment is coming up, something big involving new responsibilities. It’s obviously in your best interest to get as much information as possible. What’s your plan?

You could search for information on a public terminal; hack into the main servers; study the Dome’s strategic map in order to draw conclusions from key site placements; or find a Silver Wing associate and charm or intimidate them into sharing privileged information. There will be many different possibilities, and it’s up to the game to present them for you. But which solution you choose is always up to you.



The road leading to this cave is obstructed by hazardous anomalies. You don’t know what’s inside. How dangerous said anomalies might be is also a mystery to you. But due to an overheard conversation between two people from a nearby village, this site is particularly tempting. What to do...

You could attempt to find a different way in; use scientific equipment to discharge the anomalies; use your agility to cautiously squeeze past them; put your visor down and take your armor for a test run; or simply turn back. In every situation, you will have several options for finding a way in or out.



In the darkness of the alternative past, bunkers littler the desert. Along with the turrets guarding them. Here is a situation every genre-loving gamer has experienced at least once: You need to get inside, but the entrance is guarded. Problem is, you don’t know if the bunker’s inhabitants and their turrets see you as an enemy or a friend. It’s probably a good idea to double check.

But the easiest way is not always the right one. Maybe you should look around for a secret tunnel; ask an inhabitant on a smoke break about the pros and cons; use your lockpick and hacking skills; or just throw an EMP grenade and tell everyone it was a lightning strike. A motivated individual will always find a way.



What could be better than a cozy evening enjoying the warmth of a post-apocalyptic bonfire? An evening spent on nothing but quality time. Fun activities may include: scaring away a gang of raiders attracted by your fire; stealthily accessing the storeroom of a deserted filling station; eavesdropping on the latest secrets and gossip of the folks occupying the nearby ruins; or engaging in some fair (or not so fair) trade with the locals.

Don’t forget to admire the beautiful scenery on the way!



Is there anything beautiful to be found in a swamp? If you don’t mind getting your hands, legs and everything else dirty, then yes. Otherwise CRONUS wouldn’t send yet another expedition into these parts. Truth be told, all participants are currently MIA. A slightly rusty, tracked vehicle is the only sign of the expedition’s passing.

Now you have to map an uncharted, toxic swamp, fight off monsters, look for traces of survivors, search their corpses for evidence, and finally put their sad story together. Or maybe you’ll go your own way and pursue your own goals. Though the swamps will be no less unpleasant, this need not be the main episode of your gaming experience.



While conquering the Dome and its virtual territories, don’t forget about the real world. Or rather about Steam, our bridge between the digital and the material.



If you want to help spread the word about our game - check out the store page, add Encased to your wishlist, and tag it.



By doing so, you’ll help us complete several of our goals.

• First, the post-apocalyptic gaming community’s size will increase, since it will be easier to find Encased while searching.
  
• Second, Steam’s service quality will be improved. The platform will recommend our game to those who are really interested, making it much more useful to their (and our) customers.
  
• Third, it will increase the popularity of our product, improving our possibilities for growth and development- everything we need to make our game more eventful and engaging.

List of recommended tags:



We really want to release Encased right on the dot. We’re going all-out to deliver alpha- and beta-versions to our backers without delay. But sadly, we’re not quite making it.

Perfectionism is to blame. None of us wants to release raw product. It’s not about reputation, but simply because we respect our players, because we’re just like you. We’re making a game we ourselves would wish to play.

So the release date may be delayed, but not by much. Early Access will begin before the summer. Before that, we of course intend to keep our Kickstarter promises. Everyone who pledged for alpha and beta access will have it in due time.

Right now, we’re working hard, trying to not lose touch with our player base, remembering our promises, and relying on your support. Believe us, we really value your continued faith and support.

From: Victor Danilevsky (danilevki_v!MAIL-5601-SilverWing)
Subj: "Equipment for laundry rooms"

Good day Rajesh,

I hope you remember our conversation a couple of months ago when we talked about the cargo truck orders. Didn’t think I would need to remind you about your responsibilities once again!

Raj, laundry room orders from around the Dome have been left untouched for almost two months now. Please fill the outstanding washer and dryer orders or I will personally make sure you'll be washing your own shirts in a bucket until retirement!

Sincerely not yours,
Victor Danilevsky
Senior Supply Department Specialist, Silver Wing


____________________________________________________________________________



Attention: recording now! Speak into the microphone, please.
— Adam Rudkovsky, Private, Black Wing. The incident occurred on the F-10-Anchorage site.
— Was Captain Fasmer with you?
— Yes, sir. We descended two floors deeper when it happened.
— I need you to relate all the relevant circumstances and details.
— We lost contact with Fasmer on the second floor. He started to behave oddly, began to twitch like he was drowning and fiddle with his seals... trying to take his helmet off. He screamed something to us, but we couldn’t make out anything sensible over the interference. Then he moved down the corridor and into the hall with the relics, and locked the portal from inside.
— And you haven’t tried to force your way in to save him?
— With respect, are you kidding, sir? Radiation down there reads 400 times normal!

____________________________________________________________________________




We agreed with Ginger that whenever we buried a fallen comrade we would place something alongside them in the grave, something that reminded us of them. Not for their sake, of course. For ours. It’s too easy to burn all those bridges, but if we didn’t let go we would need to remember far too many.

Ginger doesn’t know that I got rid of most of our old photos. Of Karma, Max, Alexey. Old Man too (in his favorite camouflage jacket), and others who’ve fallen.

Us, as well. Ginger with her long hair, and myself before it went gray. We’re smiling in every shot. Our clothes were so clean.

I burned the photo album in the field, hurried back to barracks, and went to the bathroom to have a long stare at my own reflection. Damned if I know why.

____________________________________________________________________________



Good afternoon, my darlings! This is Richard. Get closer to your screens sweethearts, because I am about to show you something g-r-e-a-t!

Are you ready? ARE YOU READY? I present to you something essential, something you never knew you needed until now: a compact hand dryer! Towels, towels, dirty wet towels! They take up space, they always need washing, they stink of damp and mildew, and quickly wear out. But I’ve got good news, now you can throw those filthy rags away! Get rid of ‘em and make some space for the best miniature dryer in the world!

Call us right now and you will get a genuine space pen specially designed for astronauts as an early bird bonus!

____________________________________________________________________________



Hey hey hey! Hello, my darlings! It’s your old friend Richard from Telemarket! Did you know that a housekeeper spends an average of 24 minutes a day washing dishes? That’s more than 11,000 hours in the course of a lifetime! Eleven-goddamned-thousand hours right down the drain along with the dirty water and day-old pizza crusts!

I know exactly what you’re thinking: “My god, Richard, we need to do something about this!” So do it! Call us right now and order a state-of-the-art Atlantic dishwasher! The basic model starts at only 549.99 combonds (delivery service not included).

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We’ve been here almost a week and team morale is at rock bottom. We bypassed every barrier to access the first two floors, and filled up two cars with the documentation we saved. Every time we go up, they check us with the dosimeter.

Everyone is dead certain something very important and dangerous was lost in this bunker, but no one knows what it is. And why is the one undamaged fixture in this entire area the toilet? The rest is in ruins.

CRONUS Foundation was actively exploring, and exploiting, the Dome right up until the Incident. Thanks to Blue Wing’s efforts, roads traversed the sands, settlements blossomed, and research complexes arose alongside the mysterious edifices of the Forefathers. Some of these facilities subsided deep underground, a strange predilection of the ancient race.

Some even survived the Incident, and a few survived more or less intact.

Bunkers. Who among us fans of the post-apocalyptic genre doesn’t like a bunker? Preferably ancient, dilapidated, and abandoned. Or on the contrary, well maintained and populated. Encased provides plenty of options - for every taste.

In such locations one may stumble upon rich rewards. Or perhaps run into trouble. Or reveal a secret of the ruined world. Or all of the above!

White Swan Research Station is just such a place.

Soon after the Incident, local scientists decided they had the brains and the resources to go it alone. The head of the base, Vera Dammerung, overrode the complex’s security systems, drove out the Blacks and the Silvers, and imposed severe restrictions on access.

However, it is still possible to penetrate the station. If the guy manning the intercom buys your story, or you are a genius at persuasion, or convince them you make a better ally than enemy - the main gates will swiftly open. The point is not to overdo it. Scientists typically avoid physical conflict, and the guards here are all automated, robotic - which means they are ever vigilant and have no concept of mercy.

But you can also rely on cunning and ingenuity. There is a second, hidden entrance within a labyrinth of nearby caves. If you successfully navigate those narrow stone passages, bypassing the traps and defeating your opponents, in the deepest recess of the caverns you will find a back door to the bunker. However you will likely have to do some talking there as well.

But it's worth it. A handful of former White Wing employees have something else to offer: crazy theories, stories of academic squabbles, violent struggle, and a massive cover-up... In other words, a run-of-the-mill scientific community, multiplied by a high-tech sci-fi future, flavored with the grim spirit of the post-apocalypse.

For example, you might try to solve a dilemma for two former colleagues. They each accuse the other of villainy, deceit, sabotage and -more seriously- coffee theft. But dig deeper and you’ll find out there’s more, and not much of it related to science (yes, a woman is involved, one with a good old-fashioned dark past).

Having earned the favor of the bunker’s inhabitants, the hero will gain access to rare, experimental equipment, as well as upgrades made possible with the assistance of certain specialists. The station scientists will also buy advanced relics at a good price. Speaking the language of RPGs, White Swan is a hub for high-level weapons and armor, and interesting quests.



The leaders of White Swan wish above all to maintain their neutrality. Nevertheless, if you belong to certain factions you can always try to play diplomat. For example, Carmine Heights and the New Committee would love to collaborate with the Dome’s preeminent scientists. Always remember that the consequences of your choices, and the actions taken to implement them, rest entirely on your conscience.

Therefore, all experienced wasteland explorers -as well as the greenest of rookies- are strongly advised to pay the “eggheads” a visit at some point.

But don’t forget: those turrets flanking the entrance are no joke.

And while you sit back and imagine the battle with turrets and the epic relic armour upgrade, we’d like to talk about how Ecased is doing.



In one word — well. Dark Crystal Games is working hard to put Encased in early access.

Lately, we set up a new terrain system and now we turn the whole desert upside down. We put rocks here and there, plant sickly bushes, hide anomalies. That’s why we’ve expanded the team by hiring a talented level designer.

There are new people in other departments as well — considering the amount of 3D content we need, we’ve got a couple of 3D modellers. By the way, they made a cool game recently. We won’t name it, but if you love RPGs you almost certainly heard of it.



A lot of assets were modified and improved: uniforms, environment items, character models… All for the sake of the game looking as good as possible when it’s out.



The modification job is not all though. We have numerous ideas for various content, from a random encounter with predatory fireflies we came up with in the first month of development to a separate infrastructure for the Orange Wing employees. From a bunker that was a teleporter testing ground to raiders’ den hidden inside a dried up well… The team is at last on the google docs our game designers and writers filled with their wildest ideas. So by the moment the game is in the early access the desert will be thick with quests, random events and stashed arms, as well as many other things we all love the classic RPGs for.

Thanks for being with us!