Feb 5, 2021

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

Dear subscribers! Once again the latest issue of the CRONUS Newsletter is on your screens. A storm warning has been issued for the Dome this week. All employees are required to exercise extreme caution and avoid venturing into the wastelands. We don't yet know what the increased natural activity is related to.

Mysterious Artifact

CRONUS Corporation has found an outstanding artifact. During another excavation at the Nashville Research Station, an artifact of impressive size was found. On the outside, it resembles a huge ball of energy. It is hard to imagine what opportunities it will open up to mankind. Perhaps it will help unlock the secrets of the forefathers and answer the most difficult science questions or maybe even become a source of inexhaustible energy. However, many scientists note the serious impact of the artifact on climate change. Our editorial staff will follow the progress of the research and keep you informed.

Increased abnormal activity

The CRONUS Corporation is declaring a state of emergency due to increased anomalous activity. All employees are required to cancel expeditions and other planned outings until the situation improves. Do not count on high-tech equipment or protective suits. Even these can be destroyed in seconds by anomalies. Stay indoors.

Maelstrom went berserk

Since the first days under the Dome, White Wing scientists have been observing one of the most mysterious anomalies — the Maelstrom. Until recently, it behaved quietly and stayed in one place, near the middle of the Dome. But after the discovery of a new artifact, the Maelstrom went berserk. It's too early to tell if these events are related. But one thing we know for sure, it's definitely not worth going near it.

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

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Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG

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[/list]

Jan 29, 2021

☠️ Accidents at the Concord station

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

Dear employees! Once again on your screens is the latest issue of the "CRONUS Newsletter". The company management is concerned about the series of accidents that occurred at the Concord station. Deceased recruits will forever remain in our hearts. The station administration has prepared a detailed report on what happened and will tell how to avoid similar situations in the future.

Attention! Under no circumstances try to repeat the described situations, it’s really dangerous.

Five recruits fell out of the landing pod

Descent is the first thing that awaits a recruit under the Dome. Landing pods are designed by humanity's best engineers and use the power of the most advanced technology. But even the most rugged mechanisms are not immune to the negative effects of anomalies and the weather of the Dome. If during your descent you notice a malfunction or hear a strange sound, report it immediately to the experts.

Don’t try to repair the capsule yourself, and it’s certainly not advised to kick the door.

Cremated alive

No one could have imagined such an incident. One of the recruits was cremated alive in a coffin. The news horrified all employees of the corporation. It was all due to laziness and idleness.

Unfortunately, some employees avoid work by hiding from guards. Many have been caught near vending machines or in toilets, gambling their savings. But who would have guessed that one of the employees would try to hide from prying eyes in a real coffin? By no means repeat that unfortunate man's mistake. And don't ever slack on your job. Remember, together we are building a bright future, and everyone have an important role to play.

Illegal exit from the station

When you arrive at the station, you'll see a lot of special equipment you couldn't imagine in the outside world. Each unit is accounted for and under the strict control of leading engineers. To operate a vehicle, you need to undergo special training. And to leave the station, you need a special permit. Never try to go AWOL or leave the station without permission. Automated security turrets will go off instantly and shoot both you and the corporation's equipment. You’ll die for sure and your relatives will be fined for property damage.

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

Jan 22, 2021

Making Life Under the Dome Better!

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

Dear subscribers and employees, the latest issue of the CRONUS Newsletter is back on your screens! Today, we're going to talk about fashionable new products, road conditions, and the level of safety in the currently built bunkers under the Dome.

Grab your hats before they’re gone!

The CRONUS Corporation pays great attention to the needs of its employees not only in working conditions but also in the simple pleasures of life. It was at the request of the workers that fashionable hats with crocodile leather trim were brought under the Dome.

Now every employee can feel like a movie hero or a famous treasure hunter. However, remember, employees, while conquering new horizons, it is important not only to look spectacular but also to follow all safety protocols. The administration of CRONUS strongly discourages research teams from splitting up, rashly taking unknown artifacts, and using a whip in battles with the mutants of the wasteland.

Go off the road and leave your mark!

This is exactly the way of life that CRONUS employees have adopted. It made it possible to build hundreds of buildings in just a few years of Dome research. The corporation did not stop there and paved high-quality, high-capacity asphalt roads between the sites. Now every employee can easily get to almost any point under the Dome and begin their important work for the benefit of humanity.

Safety comes first!

Readers often ask us about security measures under the Dome, which is not surprising, since you can’t return from under the Dome. It's important for potential heroes of humanity to know that their lives are not in danger.

The entrance to each station is equipped with bunker steel doors, anti-personnel turrets and a special detoxification chamber. You can ee sure that not only mutants, but even bacteria will not get into your new home.

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

Jan 15, 2021

🚙 🧳 Adventures under the Dome

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

Dear subscribers and residents of the Dome, the latest issue of the CRONUS Newsletter is back on your screens! In this issue, we will tell you about the amazing explorations and adventures that await you under the Dome.

New map of the wastelands

We’re introducing a brand new interface of the global map of the Dome! Now it's easier than ever to navigate in the wastelands. Even a newbie, going on a solo adventure for the first time, will be able to find a simple and safe route to any point.

Travelers have already tried out the new map and enjoyed exploring the new lands beneath the Dome. Now it's your turn!

*CRONUS administration reminds you not to visit the poorly explored regions of the Dome without permission.

Road network

Since the early days of the Dome exploration, CRONUS Corporation has sought to provide convenient and safe travel throughout the wasteland. Currently the main infrastructure facilities are connected by convenient asphalt routes. And in remote areas there are gravel roads, suitable for trucks.

According to the Corporation's infrastructure development plan, very soon all areas will be covered with high-tech roads that’ll make travel perfectly safe and pleasant!

Roadside cafes

What could be more enjoyable than a cup of good coffee on a long road trip? Especially for travelers, drivers and explorers, a whole network of gas stations has been built under the Dome, where they can not only gas up, but also relax in good company, have lunch and buy great hot drinks. The staff of the stations is always friendly and ready to tell many amazing stories about the Dome. Enjoy traveling in the most amazing place on earth!

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

Jan 8, 2021

Expanding the armory

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

Greetings, dear subscribers. The latest issue of the CRONUS Weekly is on your screens. Today we will tell you about new inventions and devices that have recently entered the arsenal of the corporation's employees. We have combined the main achievements of science and technology to solve the most complex and ambitious tasks facing the corporation's employees.

Compact flamethrower “Firebug”

The standard flamethrower proved to be a powerful and reliable weapon, capable of repelling any danger. It had only one drawback: its sheer size and weight. Not every employee of the corporation could hold it in his hands. Fortunately the latest development of corporate engineers solved this problem. Meet the Firebug flamethrower. Just as powerful, but much smaller.

This little guy fits easily into any backpack and even an office worker can handle it. Its firepower is also amazing, you can incinerate multiple enemies in a matter of seconds. Don't forget the safety precautions, though!

Harpoon

Another new product from CRONUS engineers is the harpoon. This compact device will help you to shorten the distance between you and your opponent in seconds. If you prefer melee weapons for self-defense, a harpoon can help you turn the tides of the battle and shorten the distance with your opponent as much as possible.

Cryo grenade

Another long-awaited update to your arsenal are cryo grenades that can turn your opponent into a block of ice for cocktails in mere seconds. This incredible invention is made possible by the combination of technology found under the Dome and the genius of Wesley Corporation engineers!

Grenades deal cold damage and affect an entire squad of enemies at once. This type of weapon is extremely useful in the battle against the defense systems of the Forefathers.

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

Jan 2, 2021

Patch 4 - Hotfix 2 (0.20.1230.1316)

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

Improved multithrending in AI calculations to address AI freezes in many combats;
Improved overall AI behavior and descision making;
Fixed status effects modifiers that do not go away;
Fixed texts for some perks and abilities;
Fixed puzzle in the Gretel bunker;
Added shiv into trade treasure of Ivan Kuzmenko at Concord station;
Fixed range of Frosty Flash ability;
Fixed combat AI behavior of Victor Rozalevsky;
Fixed combat AI behavior in combat with Black wings behind the bar;
Fixed missing appearance models which were available in character creation;
Fixed wrong Reconnaissance bonus for premade character;
Fixed Medical Superstar ability;
Fixed combat settings of Church medical trader guard;
Fixed vignette dialogue in ventillation shaft in Magellan Garrison location;
Fixed duplicated door in Nashville viewing point location;
Fixed damage settings of Salamander Mk II;
Fixed missing textures of Criminal abilities prepare FX;
Fixed sound of swap places ability;

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

Jan 1, 2021

New Year, New Challenges

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

Greetings, dear subscribers. On the screens of your terminals is the first issue of the new year's CRONUS Weekly. We would like to congratulate you with the start of the fourth stage in exploration of the Dome and share our plans for the coming year.

Today we're talking about a new must-see movie, updated interfaces, and the latest inventions of Blue Wing engineers. We have an amazing year ahead of us!

The movie you can't miss!

Dear employees and residents of the Dome! We have told you several times about the rich cultural life under the Dome and today we are pleased to announce the premiere of the exciting New Year's Eve post-apocalyptic sci-fi comedy "Goodbye 2020”!

The story of the not-so-distant future combines humor with a gripping post-apocalyptic thriller and elements of science fiction. Will the heroes be able to save the holiday in the pandemic conditions, confusion and the approaching end of the world? We will find out soon enough in all cinemas!

*All names and events are fiction, any coincidences are coincidental

New Year — New Stage of Research

The holidays are behind us, which means that very soon CRONUS employees will return to the work they love. We have completed the fourth stage of infrastructure development. Now it's time to unlock all the secrets of the Forefathers. New jetpacks, vehicles, electric loaders, updated models of servoshells and weapons will help us in this!

If you haven't yet had a chance to try out all the new features for yourself, hurry back to the testing grounds and seek out the upgraded equipment. The possibilities of technology will blow your mind!

*Some technologies have not passed the final stage of testing. Using them, employees agree with all the risks.

New UI

Have you noticed how much the interfaces of CRONUS personal and work terminals have changed? Our best engineers have gone to great lengths to make working on the Corporation's computers faster and more convenient. We relied on employee feedback to improve every detail, make the map more convenient, the buttons clearer, and the lists more readable.

Office work has never been so comfortable and attractive before!

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

Dec 26, 2020

Patch 4 - Hotfix 1 (v0.20.1226.1230)

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

Patch 4 - Hotfix 1 (v0.20.1226.1230)

Fixed cases of freezing combat when an avatar is knocked down.
Improved localization and fixed description of some perks and abilities tooltips.
Improved localization and description of journal logs.
Fixed the appliance of status effects from abilities Rallying Motto, Clear Commands.
Fixed XP given from turrets in Nashville.
Fixed Quentin Pollock routine.
Fixed armor check of Bodybuilder perk and Neanderthal trait.
Fixed pathfinding issues at Fallen capsule location.
Fixed Buttstroke ability of grenade launchers.

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

Dec 25, 2020

Christmas Edition

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

Greetings, dear subscribers and residents of the Dome! On the screens of your terminals is the Christmas edition of the CRONUS Weekly. In just a few days we will wish each other a Happy New Year. Today we can't wait to remind you about the most significant events of the world under the Dome during this year. About how our beloved CRONUS Corporation has grown and gotten prettier in 12 months.

It's a journey we've traveled together with you, and we want to say thank you for your support.

Beginning of the year — second major update

Since the beginning of the year, all the Wings of the corporation are hard at work. Global changes awaited us in almost every corner of the Dome. The expansion of the Concord Station alone was worth hundreds of thousands of combonds. And with the new equipment, the committee finally approved the exploration of the Dome at night. But it also led to new dangers beneath the Dome.

And in case you have already forgotten how much the Dome has been transformed, we advise you to take a look at the archived video materials that CRONUS kindly prepared for all employees.

https://youtu.be/Jitkn3Q-LQc

Middle of the year — third major update

CRONUS employees are used to solving the most difficult tasks. Only a few months after the release of the second major update, the notice of the third one appeared on the terminals of all employees. In it, our best experts paid great attention to the CRONUS arsenal. The corporation had long been searching for more humane weapons, for safe specimen collection. Also, Black Wing's best instructors began training recruits in a special combat way — stealth.

https://youtu.be/y9B641KBVcc

End of the Year — Fourth Final Update

A few days ago, the Dome received another major update. New gear, weapons, companions, and much more are now available for every employee. Huge changes were also made to the interfaces of the corporation's work terminals.

We have already received the first feedback from the staff, everyone confirms that Dome research has never been as intuitive and fascinating. In addition, our scientists have encountered a completely new type of anomalies — mega anomalies that have a significant impact on the entire environment. Now our best experts are learning how to turn the properties of these mysterious objects for the benefit of mankind!

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

Dec 22, 2020

BIG ENCASED PATCH: NEW ENEMY AI, NEW INTERFACE AND NEW COMPANIONS

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

We really wanted to release Encased this year, but we postponed it due to the introduction of new content and full voice acting. The game has increased in size, and we need time to tweak and polish it. We're releasing this patch to delight you before the final push, and also because we appreciate your participation, feedback, and help.

The development wasn’t easy. Three years of work, a large project, and a coronavirus pandemic awaited us. We switched to remote work back in the spring, some of our employees got sick, and some of them even ended up in hospital. Still, we made it: most of the work on the main storyline is complete, the game brought together an active and friendly community and the team welcomed new great people. We also signed a contract with Koch Media! They will help us finish Encased and make it a really good game.

This partnership will allow us to remain who we are and do what the studio was created to do — develop exciting games focused on the wishes of players, not on analytics, monetization and PR. All the work related to quality control, publishing and promotion of the game will be done by our new partners from Koch Media, we believe in their experience and professionalism, and we know that they will do a great job.

In the meantime, here's the last pre-release patch. After that, we're coming to the finish line to release the game you've all been waiting for!

List of changes by category

Story

Encased development is still in an active phase, but work on the main storyline is complete, and the game is fully playable, from start to finish. We want to keep the intrigue alive, and there will be no finale, as well as the second and third acts in the upcoming patch. But don't feel sad: we've added new companions, random encounters, and other important things.

We added two new companions: a crime fighter nicknamed Sparrow and a movie actor Cheerful Jack,
We added biography details and additional questions about the world, factions and other partners to personal companion dialogue,
Companions now have more context reactions,
Companions now react to other companions,
We added reactions to car theft in the prologue.

Gameplay

Skill cap increased to 150,
Changed the system of learning skills. Now skills are divided between 5 ranks. To unlock them you’ll need 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 skill points respectively,
Ability point mechanics removed,
Combined the "Stealth" and "Criminal" skill branches,
Rebalanced and refined perks: their total number increased to 79, significantly changed their influence on the gameplay,
Character creation menu now has pre-designed heroes available,
The character creation menu now allows you to add one of 15 optional traits to your character,
Reworked formulas for calculating base values of attributes and skills,
Active abilities of the skill "Psionics" are divided between 4 types of psi gloves based on one type of effects: electricity, freezing, fire or mental,
Anomalous zones were added to random encounters, affecting gameplay,
Devices: added jetpacks that allow you to move around the location,
Devices: added harpoons, allowing you to pull an enemy to you,
Devices: added different types of grenades,
Piloting: added abilities for servoshell,
Piloting: in some locations you can ride on electric forklifts, also added puzzles related to electric forklifts,
Piloting: added the plot-related ability to use cars in the prologue,
Improved support for stealth and non-lethal playthroughs.

AI

Enemy behavior in combat became much more advanced. Enemies now actively use items, abilities, and act within their specialization. The changes affected not only the "combat" AI: we introduced the first version of the crime system. Now NPCs react to the player's unlawful actions: you can no longer break into doors in front of guards and must use stealth. It is better to leave the scene of the crime as soon as possible: the injured character or just a random witness will immediately start patrolling the area and conduct their own investigation. If you are caught, civilians can call guards, who, however, can be intimidated or bribed.

Combat AI was redesigned and optimized: enemies actively use abilities, heal themselves and their allies, use consumables (tasers, alcohol, sleep grenades, stimulants),
The behavior of the enemies became more diverse and interesting, and all of them have specializations now,
Fixed errors with experience and fatigue gaining during non-lethal walkthroughs,
NPCs now react to crimes committed by the player. They can investigate what happened, change the faction's attitude toward the player, call guards, etc.,
Added a jail system in the settlements: the player's character can be imprisoned, can escape, etc.

Interface

We drew a new, beautiful interface that changed all old elements: the main HUD, the PDA (work is still in progress), the global map. The interface of the character creation screen, the combat grid, aiming, ability icons, and much, much more has changed. We got the most readable and user-friendly UI that allows you to focus on the story, exploring the world, leveling the hero and making tactical decisions in battle.

Reworked game screen interface,
Added ability to scale the main interface,
Redesigned difficulty choice interface,
Redesigned character creation interface,
Redesigned global map interface,
Reworked PDA interface — Abilities, Perks, Attributes,
Reworked PDA interface — Inventory,
Redesigned combat grid and aiming indicators,
Redesigned stealth interface,
Added option to disable camera shake.

Art

The game's graphics have improved significantly since early access, but we continue to work on the visuals, adding portraits, illustrations, icons, and other visual content to Encased.

We added a lot of unique portraits for characters, both for regular NPCs and story characters,
Added illustrations to random encounters,
Updated ability icons,
Faction equipment items for the characters of the first act are now displayed,
Added and replaced a lot of assets,
Changed, refined and optimized lighting on many locations,

Locations

We reworked some of the encounter locations: added new content and improved visuals,
Improved story locations.

Other

Added voiceover for story interactions in the prologue (Russian version only).

There's still a lot of stuff not included in this patch. We're actively developing controller support, directing the voice acting, tweaking and adding many of the little details that always make games more beloved and memorable. Encased is that kind of game for us, and we want it to be that way for you too.

We are very close to the end of development. Just a little more and the full version of the game will appear on Steam, GOG and consoles. Final release date will be announced a bit later.

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