The Assessor is quite a powerful keeper - however, it seems that it just isn’t that much fun to play. So we decided to rework the Assessor into something more enjoyable, so that they don’t remain benched in your next Prestige run.
Something that is very important to us for Dome Keeper is that every element in the game should be different in a meaningful way in comparison to already existing elements of the same type. For example: the laser dome. It shoots a laser beam! While we could just add another dome that moves a gun across its hull and shoots bullets, it would in essence really be the same thing. It might look different, but it would play the same and pose the same challenges when thinking about how to deal with the different monsters.
The same is true when it comes to keepers. Keepers should differentiate themselves on three levels: how they move, how they mine, and how they carry things.
When it comes to movement, the Assessor isn’t really that different to the Engineer. Mining though is quite different. Instead of the drill, the Assessor uses Kinetic Spheres and these have two functions: the rotation mining where you destroy rocks by rotating the spheres in front of you, as well as the ability to bounce the spheres between tiles like pinballs.
The difference in mining technique forces you to think more strategically about how to mine. With the Engineer you could go in any direction without planning ahead, while with the Assessor you must first create the right environment for your spheres to be as effective as possible. That’s the fundamental idea of the Assessor: setting interesting constraints on the mining so you have to be smart on your approach.
Carrying things is also quite different. When you pick things up as the Assessor they float around you in a sort of energy field, and then you can shoot these items out in the general direction of your dome. You can upgrade this ability to make the resources float together in bundles to shoot more items at a time but you can’t upgrade your carrying capacity - which means that you really have to think about how to transport your resources back to the dome.
While it worked on a mechanical level, this was in all honestly quite tedious and clumsy to play. It also ended up having a lot of unfun downtime. If you had shot your Kinetic Spheres, you were basically just waiting around for them to finish bouncing around as you didn’t have any other way to mine in the meantime. In addition to that, the way you shot your resources back towards the dome wasn’t quite accurate enough.
Another important ability for the Assessor is the Sphere Reflection. It enables you to let the kinetic spheres bounce against your keeper, meaning you could in essence use that to mine in one specific direction. While very useful, the way it functioned was entirely timing based.You, as the player, had to hit a button at the exact right time for the sphere to bounce off of you, which made it a very tedious technique in the long run.
All of this led to the Assessor not getting used much by you. We knew that the basic idea could work well, so it was clear that we had to make it much more fun to play!
Enter the Re-Assessor
We have made three major changes to how the Assessor operates, and we do believe it makes it a lot more fun and easier to control.
First, we completely replaced rotational mining. While the concept was right as a secondary, weaker mining ability to help you prepare the rock for spheres, it also meant that if your kinetic spheres were already in use, you could not mine at all. We replaced it with an ability called Contact Mining. With Contact Mining, the Assessor presses firmly against the tile, slowly breaking it down with kinetic energy. In function it is the same as rotational mining, but it does not rely on the kinetic spheres. It’s also a little bit faster than rotational mining but not very efficient.
Then we changed how the kinetic spheres are shot. Previously, you had to hold a button (which would also stop your movement) and then choose a direction. Now the spheres fire instantly, as soon as you press the shoot button. It might take a bit of time to get used to as a seasoned Assessor player, but we find it feels a lot more intuitive and fluent.
Lastly, we also tweaked the carrying mechanic. The shooting of single resources was fun to play around with, but overall an unneeded complication and simply not accurate enough. Instead you start out with the bundles, always shooting stable and precise groups of resources.
We’ve also made some changes to the tech tree of course! You can upgrade to get as many as 6 spheres. The lifetime can be upgraded as much as you want but as usual, the cost for it increases. Increasing the sphere strength does increase the reload slightly, so you might want to keep a nice balance there to make sure you have enough spheres to be efficient.
The main changes however are in a very specific area of the tech tree for the Kinetic Spheres. Here you can choose between 3 abilities, and each has one upgrade to make it more powerful:
Sphere Reflection is still there, but has a fundamental change. Instead of you micro-managing the reflection, you now place a static reflection field in the mine. It stays there, reflecting and powering up any spheres that get in contact with it. This ability has a cooldown, but with the upgrade you can even have multiple fields simultaneously.
The second ability is to explode spheres. Shoot your sphere as usual and then press space to make any spheres near you explode. Previously the Assessor didn’t deal so well when you wanted to unearth a chamber or a large cluster of iron, but with the explode ability, you’ll uncover those gadgets and relics in no time.
The third ability is to split spheres. You shoot a sphere as usual and then you can split it to replace it with two smaller spheres, which you could then also split to get even more even smaller spheres.
We tweaked both the shooting of spheres and bundles in subtle ways, which should generally lead to them always doing what you intend. Previously, spheres would sometimes hit a corner and fly off into the distance.
Finally, we changed the keybindings. With the default bindings, it won’t happen that you can pick a gadget from a chamber that you cannot seem to pick up again after dropping it. It is consistent now and should work intuitively.
All of these changes do mean that you might have to unlearn the old ways a bit, if you were a fan of the Assessor. That being said, we really hope that you will enjoy this coming update, and that you’ll have more fun playing the Assessor. And while you wait for this update to appear, join us on the Bippinbits Dome Keeper Discord Server to talk about Dome Keeper and just to hang out with some nice people! 😊
We recently released a letter from Amazon Games & Smilegate RPG discussing state of the game and some directional changes we’re excited to make to better support new players and listen to our existing player feedback. While that letter covers the broader initiatives, the 2023 Roadmap will dive into the biggest pieces of content arriving over the next four months.
Before we explore the content, we know there are a few shocked faces out there seeing that the Slayer will arrive before the Aeromancer. Don’t worry, both will arrive with progression events to help players gear up quickly! We saw the high levels of anticipation and positive feedback surrounding the Slayer in the West when it was released in Korea in January, and coupled with many requests to try the class from our players— we decided to bring this class to you sooner rather than releasing the classes in order. New continents and Legion Raids have to be updated in order, while classes don’t have the same restrictions.
The content found below are some of the highlights we know players are eagerly awaiting, but the roadmap is not a comprehensive list of every change arriving in Arkesia over the next few months and could change. The descriptions provided are meant to be summaries of the content, and not provide any potential lore spoilers. As we approach each month, more details will be shared. There will be plenty of other quality of life (QoL) updates, balance tuning, adjustments to support new and returning players, and unique events. Stay tuned to our website and social channels for future release notes including the full list of new content, cosmetics, balance changes, events, bug-fixes, and more included in our major monthly updates. With that, let’s dive in.
May
Slayer Advanced Class
The Slayer is the fifth Warrior Advanced Class— a female remix of the Berserker class. A melee warrior who stirs up the battlefield with her greatsword and Burst Mode, this powerful class has the potential to overwhelm anything in her path. Successful attacks with the Slayer fills the Fury Specialty Meter, which, when full, can trigger Burst Mode. During Burst Mode, the Slayer's damage and movement speed greatly increase, and a Specialty skill called Bloodlust (unique to the Slayer) can be used to unleash powerful slashes and stabs.
The Slayer will release in May with a powerpass and progression events. Stay tuned to our website and social channels for event details leading up to the May update.
Ebony Cube, Progression Improvements, & QoL Updates
Clear waves of enemies in a new activity that consolidates Boss Rush and Cube and replaces them. Later this week, we’ll post a notice with information on what will happen to any remaining tickets for the existing Boss Rush and Cube activities.
Progression improvements also arrive. Knowledge Transfer has been improved to ease alternate character progression by alleviating prerequisite conditions and the duration. Another change will be added to help with new player progression. In some entry level Guardian Raids, players will receive free battle items relevant to the guardian, automatically applied as a preset, with in-game guide messages on when to use within the raid. When the player leaves the raid, the battle items will be removed. This helps ensure that newer players won’t have difficulty attaining critical battle items while progressing, and better prepares them for later raids.
Ebony Cube and new player experience improvements aren’t the only QoL updates arriving in May. With reworks to end-game raiding entry limits & rewards, attention granted to Gunslinger/Deadeye stances & weapon glows, and more, there’s plenty to improve every adventurer’s experience in Arkesia.
Proving Grounds Season 3
Season 3 of Competitive Proving Grounds PvP arrives. Prove you’re one of the best warriors in Arkesia to earn season ranks, rewards, and prestige. The end date for Season 3 has not yet been determined, but will continue for the foreseeable future. Good luck on the battlefield!
June
Elgacia Continent
The Demon invasion beginning in South Vern and the Legion Commanders' powers are growing with the Chaos Gates all over the world. With Kazeros' resurrection nigh due to the Dimensional Rift, it's time for gates of Elgacia to open. Kadan and Nineveh will lead you to Elgacia, the land of Lazeniths. What will happen in the final paradise built by Regulus? Explore Ereonnor, the city of light built in reverence to the Gods, the blessed Hestera Garden, and the sacred Mount Phylantos in the continent of Elgacia as you uncover the secrets of the Lazeniths. Venturing to Elgacia will require Item Level 1460.
Kayangel Abyssal Dungeon
A 4-player Abyssal Dungeon will release that can be accessed after completing the Elgacia story. With several difficulties, a variety of players can participate— but the harder the difficulty, the more impressive the rewards will be, one of which enables the ability to upgrade Ancient Legion Raid gear set bonuses to level 3.
Fortunespire Floors 26 - 50
The next 25 floors of the Tier 3 Tower will release, providing new battles and challenges to vanquish, and in return, earn valuable rewards.
July
Kakul-Saydon Legion Raid Inferno Mode
The most difficult version of Legion Raids, the Inferno difficulty is all about proving you’re among the best of the best in Arkesia, and earning the accompanying prestige. Rather than chasing the normal rewards of gear, materials, and everything else you’d receive in a Legion Raid, Inferno rewards instead showcase your victory with titles, achievements, Stronghold structures, and more! The Inferno difficulty of Kakul-Saydon will require Item Level 1475, and a full build set-up in the Book of Coordination.
Elgacia Epilogue
Epilogue quests to the continent of Elgacia will release a month later. Visit familiar faces and key characters around the world of Arkesia after the events of Elgacia.
Music Box of Memories & QoL Updates
The Music Box of Memories is the vestige of ancient civilization long gone, manifesting as a gadget that can be played with 'Memory Orbs', a new collectible. Experience new stories of the inhabitants of Arkesia who have not received the spotlight with the Music Box of Memories. Gain hints from various continents and progress quests to collect Memory Orbs and earn rewards. Along with the Music Box of Memories, more QoL updates and will release in July.
August
Akkan Legion Raid
After the battle with Plague Legion Commander Akkan in South Vern, Queen Ealyn kept some of Akkan's flesh to research the Legion Commander. However, some of the pieces have disappeared, and have begun to gather in Arthetine. Could it be that Akkan, the bringer of death, has concocted a terrible scheme to bring back his terrifying power?
Aetanople is slowly being sumberged by water permeated with the power of disease, and the souls of the deceased still wander the living world, shackled by Akkan's spells. Akkan needs to be stopped before all of Arkesia succumbs to his horrid rot and decay.
Journey to Arthetine to battle the Plague Legion Commander in a new 8-player Legion Raid. The normal and hard versions of the Legion Raid will release, each with their own Item Level requirements. Normal: All 3 gates can be entered with Item Level 1580 Hard: All 3 gates can be entered with Item Level 1600
Aeromancer Advanced Class
The Aeromancer is the second Specialist Advanced Class. With power of mystical illusion she’s able to manipulate the weather to devastating effect on the battlefield, or fight to vanquish enemies with spectacular flourishes of her umbrella. The Aeromancer’s Identity is Sun Shower. The Sun Shower Raindrop Meter is filled as the Aeromancer successfully hits enemies with skills, and Sun Shower can be used when the meter fills all the way up— providing dual benefits of offense and defense. Upon using Sun Shower, the Aeromancer’s basic attacks and movement skill evolve while active, nearby enemies are constantly damaged, and her (and her party's) damage received from enemies is reduced.
The Aeromancer will release in August with a powerpass and progression events. Stay tuned to our website and social channels for event details leading up to the August update.
Sonavel Guardian Raid
For a long time Levanos, the Elemental King, protected Arkesia by following light and order. He’s abandoned his mission of protecting nature, chosen chaos, and has turned in to Sonavel, obsessed with anger and chasing only darkness. Sonavel must be defeated before he destroys that which he once protected! Players can challenge Sonavel in a new Guardian, which requires Item Level 1580 to participate.
Looking Ahead
We’re excited to witness players experience the unique events, explore new parts of Arkesia, battle in new PvP battles, and prepare for the challenging experiences awaiting in the new dungeons and raids over the coming months. In the meantime, stay tuned to our website, social channels, and the release notes for the full list of new content, store updates, events, bug-fixes, and more over the coming months. We’ll see you in Arkesia!
We are delighted that you have joined us and you can be a part of our upcoming game! 🥳 Pet Shop Simulator is in the early stages of development and we want your feedback and ideas so that we can create the best gameplay for you!
In Pet Shop Simulator, you will be able to play the role of a pet shop owner who cares about the needs of his pets and customers. Your goal will be to find a great home for each pet and give them a good life. 🤗
Stock your shop with the right assortment to ensure that each pet has the right equipment. Make our customers' dreams come true by finding the perfect pet for them and providing them with proper care. Remember that taking care of the pet's well-being and appearance is the key to satisfying the new owner! 🥰
Don't forget to properly manage your pet shop. Replace bedding, feed pets, care for aquariums, and offer specialized equipment to meet the needs of your customers. Grow your business, expand your assortment and properties, and listen to your customers' opinions to provide them with the best possible service. 😻
Join our community and become a pet shop owner in Pet Shop Simulator! 👇 We are waiting for you with open arms and we are very happy to share this adventure with you. 😍
Finally got everything into a stable build good enough to release into the beta. This update makes a lot of very fundamental changes to the radar and detection systems in the game. These effect everything from the AH-64D's radar to the guidance systems of Hellfires so you may experience bugs!
1. Rebuilt the Radar detection system entirely so that it is now a unified detection system that can handle any type of detector whether it is Radar, Laser, Heat etc etc.
2. Decoupled the detection system from the main turret system so that turrets no longer have their own inbuilt detection system. Instead turrets are now slaved to a separate detection object.
3. Added in the AGM-144 Sidearm. This is an Anti-Radiation missile (basically a modified Sidewinder) which will home in on the 1st Radar source that it detects - you cannot lock it on to a specific target.
This makes it somewhat tricky to use and is best fired against Tor units. However, with practice you can time the launch to coincide with a particular radar ping.
4. Updated the Threat Display to help de-clutter the interface. I've reduced the saturation of the threat discs and also added a vector circle around each threat.
5. Radar pings are now displayed for 3 seconds and fade out gradually.
6. You can now distinguish between Pulse, Doppler and PulseDoppler radars on the Threat Display.
Pulse radars have a white expanding circle that animates whenever your threat display detects a an incoming source as well as the yellow line. Currently the Tor uses a Pulse Radar.
Doppler radars only have the yellow line. Currently the Shilka uses a Doppler Radar
PulseDoppler will have a white circle made up of dots rather than a solid line plus the yellow line. Nothing uses this radar type just yet.
7. Incoming radar sources now use a slightly less accurate method of determining Line of Sight. This means radar shouldn't see you as easily when just peeking over the top of a hill or as you pass behind tree cover. I will be able to expose this value in the Game Settings menu to allow you to configure your own Radar LoS sensitivity shortly.