Aug 14, 2020

Massive update #3. Dome — ideal place to live in.

Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG - Stormtrooper

Dear subscribers, the latest issue of the CRONUS Weekly is back on your screens. Today we will report on the completion of the third stage of infrastructure construction under the Dome, we will inform you about the great achievements of our corporation, improved living and working conditions for all employees and mind blowing inventions that have changed the usual way of life.

Third update

The third stage of infrastructure construction under the Dome has been completed. We have joined forces of all best CRONUS specialists to make a real breakthrough in the betterment of life under the Dome. Now we can safely claim that the Dome is the best place to live on the planet. And very soon, it will reveal all its secrets to the world.

Cloaking field generators

Thanks to the third major update, all CRONUS employees will receive personal cloaking field generators. These compact devices allow you to conduct reconnaissance special operations covertly to avoid losses among the personnel. With the stealth data you can see how much enemy attention has been drawn. Guard systems of the Forefathers, wasteland mutants and any other opponents will not even have time to notice that they’re now in our scientists' laboratories.

New weapons

Dome is safer than ever. But to be sure of tomorrow, CRONUS has almost completely upgraded its arsenal! New weapons with improved performance and enhanced armour-piercing capabilities, new non-lethal weapons that are perfect for scientists and pathfinders, and brand new armor and protective suits for every employee.

In addition to that, today we launch a special offer for everyone who wants to get under the Dome. 20% discount on an unforgettable journey with our Steam partner!

Encased community is the most important for us - we are going to follow up those closely for your feedback on the game.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/921800/

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The game is still in the development so if you want to stay in touch on other channels than Steam you can follow us on social media and visit other cool resources with game updates information new artworks and lore pieces.

Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG

ːlwCheckPointː Character Generator - create a character that may appear in the game as NPC and get the cool story item.
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Dark Crystal Games

ːRideCheckː Dark Crystal Games dev page on Steam
ːRideCheckː Press Center (presskit and publications)
ːRideCheckː Dark Crystal Games (news and jobs)
ːRideCheckː Artstation (art production and stories)

Black Tower Publishing
:tower: Black Tower Publishing on Steam
:tower: Black Tower's Blog

[/list]

Aug 13, 2020

Third content patch is already available!

Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG - Stormtrooper

Redesigned role-playing system, new abilities and skills, rebalanced battle mechanics, stealth and non-lethal weapons, updated locations, additional side-quests, tons of new weapons and equipment, additional animations and effects and a lot more is waiting for you in the new content expansion for Encased.

Thanks to the spring patch number 2 we got amazing feedback from the players! It was as always concrete, passionate and at the same time motivating. That’s why in the third update we added long-awaited mechanics such as stealth and reworked the most important element — the role-playing system.

The purpose of the changes in the role-playing system is to expand the player's options while creating an in-game character. We want you to be able to distribute the attributes on your own and get serious combat advantages. Now the whole system works differently:
— Action Points no longer depend only on Agility, now both Luck and Agility increase them equally.
— Each branch of combat skills is now tied to two main attributes, rather than one, and has a number of additional attributes.
— Options for creating a character with the most personalized tactics were expanded. The player is free to choose his own path, rather than follow the only road left to him by a game-designer.

You waited for it, and we finally added: Stealth! Now the protagonist can go into stealth mode to avoid uncomfortable enemies or complete a quest in a new way. Stealth Mode reveals additional aspects of many abilities. It not only increases damage, but also the chance for additional action.

We know that for you, avid RPG players, the atmosphere is very important! We want the Encased world to feel realistic and alive. To get closer to this goal, we have updated many locations. Not only do they look different, now you will meet new NPCs that can give you additional quests, tell a joke or trade with the player. Your companions will also react to in-game events, other characters and generally behave in a very different way now.

Even though the third content patch is the last update for the early access of Encased, this is not the end. Right now the Dark Crystal Games team is coming to the finish line, beyond which is the full Encased release. In the third patch you will encounter new side-quests, but the main plot will remain a mystery until the release version. Now we will focus our attention on the story content and polishing of already existing mechanics. So get ready, adventurers. More Dome puzzles, wasteland adventures and battles with crazy enemies are waiting for you.

Now we're going to reveal the full list of changes, fixes and modifications of the version 0.18.813.1850:

New objects and art

Building types: research modules, town buildings, underground structures;
Biome elements;
Weapons of different degrees of deadliness: particle accelerator "Supernova", dart gun "Wasp", acid gun "Viper", disc thrower "Slingshot";
Non-lethal weapons: sprays with pepper and sleeping gas, taser;
Models of inventory items: food, items, books;
Models of tools: teleporter, cloaking devices;
Equipment of the Phalanx and the Church factions;
Models of truck vehicles;
Redesign of weapons to match manufacturer styles;
NPC portraits for the Phalanx and the Church factions;

Updated and renewed locations

Concord station;
Parking lots of Magellan and Nashville;
Renewed Sonora bunker;
Radioactive cemetery;
Crossroads location;
Location with weapon dealer shop;
Enter into Kaleidoscope project bunker;
Kaleidoscope project bunker and ventilation on the technical floor of Magellan;
Technical floor of Magellan;
Some smaller locations were completely remade;
Sewers;
All toilets on all location :);

Technical changes

Status effects active within a certain radius from the object or character have been improved;
Reworked companion behavior;
Reworked combat system;
Reworked addictions to alcohol and various other substances;
Reworked death status;
Difficulty levels;
Profile system;
Added new character parameters: Learning ability, Skill Points, Inspiration and Authority. "Learning ability" shows how much experience a character gains from certain actions; "Skill Points" shows how many corresponding points the character will gain as his level increases; "Inspiration" increases party evasion rate from enemy attacks; "Authority" increases the chance of critical hit for your party;

New animations and effects

Visual effects for new combat abilities and the weapon itself;
Visual effects for non-combat abilities;
Ability sounds;
Combat animations: jumps, knockdown, push forward and back;
Turrets animation;

Story and plot

New random encounters;
Random encounters during sleep;
New side-quests;
Companion reactions to in-game events;
NPC reactions to player companions;
Added an option to skip a part of tutorial;
Added the path for the Orange Wing in the "Detective" quest;
Puzzle in the Nashville cave;
Special prologue playthrough for the mentally powerless character (with the Indicator of Brains equal to no more than 2 points);

Combat, equipment and weapons

A lot of new abilities for each weapon class;
Dozens of new perks, reworked old perks;
New types of weapons and equipment of different quality with new icons and models have been added to the game;
Reworked properties and parameters of weapons and equipment;
New equipment: portable teleporter;
New items: training books, strengthening and health restoration items for robotic partners;
New equipment for Wings;
Fleshed out recipes and the possibility of gradual improvement of weapons, with improved quality and transition between tiers;
New relics;
New enemies with new abilities;

Gameplay mechanics

A redesigned progression of skills such as Hacking, Stealing, Barter;
"Leadership" skills are now combined with "Communication" skills;
"Gambling" skills are now combined with "Criminal" skills;
Some psionic abilities now increase fatigue after use;
Added "Teleportation" ability;
Some weapons now have a "cone" damage zone (flamethrower, chemical sprayer, etc.).;
Added spread of shotgun pellets (multi-target attack);
Added stealth mode;
You can now play through the game without killing anybody.

Encased community is the most important for us - we are going to follow up those closely for your feedback on the game.

Aug 11, 2020

Whats awaits you in third content patch? — Encased dev update #10

Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG - Stormtrooper

The experiment of CRONUS Corporation comes to an end — life under the Dome is suitable for human habitation. Researchers may still encounter very dangerous cockroaches, but in most cases we have fixed the problem.

On August 13 we will release the third and final content patch for the early access of Encased. After that, the next update will be the release version of the game. Big changes are waiting for us, the third patch is the last chance for players to touch the early version of the game, to see how the story begins! Today we will reveal the details of the third content patch. Reworked RPG balance, updated locations, exciting stories and adventures, stealth, non-lethal weapons and new artifacts to study — learn all about this in our new video.

Encased community is the most important for us - we are going to follow up those closely for your feedback on the game.

Aug 7, 2020

Travels, adventures and hacking into personal computers

Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG - Stormtrooper

Once again the latest issue of the CRONUS Weekly is on your screens, dive with us into the world of a great future! Today we will tell you about the future of the tourism industry, laptops and special equipment for researchers and nature scientists.

Travel to Crystal Sands

Regular readers ask us, is it possible to look at the Dome with their own eyes without getting inside? Of course it is! Without further ado, we would like to show you Crystal Sands, the city of dreams built by CRONUS in a matter of months. An oasis of high technologies, growing right on the border of the Dome. This is where the journey of every new CRONUS employee begins.

It's easy to get here and see the Dome for the first time in person! Just fill out a request form at the main office, buy plane tickets and book a room in the most advanced hotels available to mankind. Crystal Sands will welcome you with open arms.

Portable computers

Until recently, our computers could hardly fit in huge rooms, but now, thanks to technologies discovered under the Dome, computers have been reduced literally to the size of a wallet and are easily stored in a backpack pocket. The engineer's portable device is useful for working with terminals, fine-tuning elevators, automatic doors and other technical facilities. Its strict minimalistic design and strong metal case will make you instantly feel like a guest from the distant future.

Dart gun — protector of science

Joint work of Blue Wing engineers and White Wing scientists created the dart gun. This super-compact device will help researchers better understand the Dome's fauna. Its poisoned darts will deal with hostile creatures, taking the subject out of consciousness for a long time.

That way researchers will be able to capture a creature and send it to the base for detailed study of body structure and metabolism.

*Attention, in case of emergency and dart hitting a person, you should see a doctor immediately. The dose can be fatal for humans.

Encased community is the most important for us - we are going to follow up those closely for your feedback on the game.

Jul 31, 2020

Invisibility and sudden maelstrom under the Dome

Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG - Stormtrooper

Dear subscribers, the latest issue of the CRONUS Weekly is back on your screens. Today we will tell you how the technology of the Forefathers will become part of our daily life, why weapons of the corporation do not need improvements and where it is the best place to watch amazing weather activity under the Dome.

Cloaking field generator

More and more of our operatives admit that they feel like heroes of fantastic novels and aliens from the distant future. This is not a euphoria, because every employee of the corporation has the most high-tech tools available to them. Who wouldn't dream of becoming invisible as a child? At CRONUS, it's possible. Based on the Forefathers' technology, Blue Wing Engineers have developed a cloaking field generator that can deceive security systems, bypass dangerous predators and safely conduct complex special operations without risking the lives of employees. All this thanks to a super-compact device with only two buttons!

Working prototypes are already successfully used in the field and soon the outside world will also get to use this amazing technology.

Weapon modifications are strictly forbidden

Attention all staff! CRONUS Corporation provides you with the most high-tech weapons available to mankind. Rifles, pistols, SMGs, lasers and energy guns are all available to you today. But despite this variety, some "enthusiasts" continue to make ridiculous attempts to create their own guns, collected literally from garbage. How can such devices compare in terms of power and safety with the products of our partners in arms companies?

Possession and use of improvised weapons will be discouraged at the administrative level. Violators will be subject to administrative sanctions.

Weather anomalies

There is no place in the world more amazing than the Dome! You've probably heard of weather anomalies near the centre. Our scientists are tirelessly studying the mysterious atmospheric phenomenon. We already have first results: the maelstrom, as its observers have dubbed it, is completely safe and will not damage residential clusters or scientific bases. All we have to do is keep watching and wait for it to die down. The majestic anomaly is a real joy to watch for every Dome inhabitant. The best view is from the observation deck of the Concord Station.

Encased community is the most important for us - we are going to follow up those closely for your feedback on the game.

Jul 24, 2020

CRONUS Artifact Auction

Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG - Stormtrooper

Greetings, dear readers!

The long-awaited release of "CRONUS Weekly" is finally on your screens. Touch the future today! For you, our loyal subscribers, we offer the most valuable artifacts based on forefathers' technology at tempting prices. In addition, we will tell you about a new invention — a glove capable of concentrating your mental abilities, and offer you an adventure into an unknown world! Let’s go into details about each of today topics:

CRONUS home shopping

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAABptCQKSw

Technology is always moving forward. Today we are pleased to show you video presentation of our latest products! Take a look at them in action and learn more about the miraculous properties of these items. White Wing scientists tirelessly explore the mysterious artifacts left by the forefathers, while Blue Wing engineers use scientific data to create amazing devices that are already transforming our usual way of life.

Everything that once seemed like magic is now available to you, thanks to the tireless work of all CRONUS employees.

Beware of counterfeits

Dear readers, we’re fast to warn you that only the official CRONUS catalogue is a reliable source of valuable artifacts. Any rumors about miraculous objects distributed on the grey market are deceitful.

Only the official channels of the corporation guarantee proper quality of the product and not some shiny pieces of metal covered with fluorescent paint.

New worlds for you to discover

Dear employees! The Department of External Affairs of CRONUS Corporation announces the opportunity to go on an unforgettable adventure in a new world and fight against the terrible monsters that have invaded the planet! Lead a squad of superhumans Ultori, respond to the call of the intelligent city of Arx and challenge the Moon itself!

An introductory version of the adventure is already available for free in the shops of our reliable partners: Steam and Gog.

Encased community is the most important for us - we are going to follow up those closely for your feedback on the game.

Jul 17, 2020

Useful to Know. Important CRONUS Information

Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG - Stormtrooper

Greetings, dear readers!

This time your regular issue of CRONUS weekly will be extra educational. Every day you ask a lot of questions about absolutely basic things that every resident of the Dome should know. It seems that large training manuals aren’t easy to read through. In this issue, we will briefly outline the basics that every newcomer should be familiar with.

M.I.N.E.R.V.A.

Readers often ask us how CRONUS manages to record, systematize and analyze the vast amount of knowledge of the forefathers. M.I.N.E.R.V.A. helps us to do this.

The intelligent computer system M.I.N.E.R.V.A. is the latest invention of our scientists and engineers.

It connects all computers under the Dome into a single network: servers, work terminals, personal communicators — everything is connected. But the main advantage of M.I.N.E.R.V.A. is an artificial intelligence, with each day it’s getting smarter and smarter thanks to the machine learning module. And thanks to regular scanning of the environment by the handheld devices, M.I.N.E.R.V.A. database is able to update constantly.

One day, it’ll be able to play chess with you or solve mysteries of the Dome. And today M.I.N.E.R.V.A. is already the best friend of any user!

CRONUS Knowledge Points

Many of you have already familiarized yourself with scanning. But did you know that CRONUS scanner is not a toy. When you scan the property of a company or its employees, both alive and dead, you get CRONUS points.

You can exchange those points for the most needed items: medical supplies, equipment and gear. It’s a support of independent research projects.

Psionics and Psi Glove

As always, we left the most interesting things for last. Psionics are not yet fully understood and mastered. But thanks to painstaking work of the best scientists, many have already learned to use this energy for the benefit of the corporation. CRONUS scientists have found that each person has a special attribute in the body called Psycho. Don’t rejoice just yet, only people with the highest attributes can use Psycho in the field. Those lucky ones will need a special glove that concentrates their energy.

Encased community is the most important for us - we are going to follow up those closely for your feedback on the game.

Jul 10, 2020

Cultural Heritage under the Dome

Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG - Stormtrooper

Greetings, employees and first settlers!

Once again the latest issue of the CRONUS Weekly is on your terminal screens. In the latest issue we will tell you about some special cultural aspects under the Dome, continue to write about new weapons, as well as share new research info on artifacts of forefathers.

Cultural Heritage under the Dome

The Dome brought together a huge multicultural community, representatives of many nationalities, professions and views. It brought together scientists, soldiers, office workers, former inmates and engineers to build the new complex and even brighter world.

This week, Silver Wing reporters managed to communicate with the Russian-speaking community to discuss a phenomenon called “Russian Fallout”. For better understanding of the subject, we prepared a detailed video report.

Cryo Turret of the Chimera Series

This time, the weapon section will be continued with a brief description of a Cryo Turret. We have already told you about the Chimera Series Rocket, Shotgun and Machine gun turrets. But we've left the most interesting one for last.

Cryo Turret is the best solution for neutralizing a target. It's effective in both distance and close combat. Each unit is equipped with two powerful cryo-lasers capable of freezing anyone. If the enemy gets too close, the unit will create a cryo field of up to three meters long around it. It’s a real breakthrough in weaponcraft and artificial intelligence.

New Forefathers Relic — Fluff

Once again, valiant scientists delight us with new discoveries. This week, White Wing employees have studied the previously unknown Relic — Fluff. The bizarre spherical object has earned its name thanks to its unique properties.

It weighs no more than a balloon. The relic creates a field around itself that reduces the weight of objects inside it. The best minds of CRONUS are already building theories and plans to apply the miraculous properties of the artifact for the benefit of humanity. But as long as its properties are not yet fully studied, it is under strict control in the artifact storage facility. Who knows it’s true limits in ability to suppress gravity?

Encased community is the most important for us - we are going to follow up those closely for your feedback on the game.