The “About our approach” section is back! Today, we will bring up one of the hottest topics of the Caliber community — the balance of operators.
In this article, we will talk about what we pay attention to when creating new collections, why we have to constantly change the old ones, and what examples we can provide from the game development process.
This is it! It's time! The Witch of Fern Island will officially move out of Early Access and into 1.0 on 27th of February 2024! Check out our RDA trailer!
Want more? Then join us as we bring you on an adventure through the Early Access!
New Areas
The map has more than doubled in size since the EA release. New areas, such as the desert, swamps, and cliffs, are filled with content. There are new plants, puzzles, recipes, secrets, and location-related side quests.
Mysterious round portals are also open. After applying the appropriate potion, you can travel to Astra: an alternative, spiritual reality that overlays the entire world, effectively creating a second map of the same size.
New Quests
Another part of the game where you will find a vast amount of new content. Not all of them are locked behind character relationships, though for those who enjoy building connections, there are quest lines for Yutu, Charna, and Patrice. We mentioned location-related tasks earlier: searching for plants and gaining knowledge about them. In addition to those, with the introduction of the camera mechanic and taking pictures, two more interesting stories have been added.
However, the largest of the stories is the Main Quest, consisting of many significant tasks in which we uncover elaborate narratives, explore new places, and accomplish great feats.
New Activities
The town is no longer as deserted as it was back in May. Now, tourists are everywhere, and twice a year, festivals with unique attractions are organized. And if you're looking for more intimate gatherings, the game has introduced five hangouts with selected characters.
New possibilities have also opened up in terms of item crafting. Now, among the crafting stations, you will find quern, clothing sewing machines, animal feed mixers, ovens, and, if unlocked, mills as well.
What else is important among the new things? There are more possibilities to upgrade tools, the altar, and the house. In addition to cuflows, you can now also breed Tzoru. On the island, you can now catch insects using a net and attract them with nectar.
And remember the museum with empty display cases? Now you can fill them. ALL of them.
New Improvements
Further changes suggested by the community over the last few months, as well as those we undertook on our own initiative, focused on improving existing systems.
Quick tool selection: From now on, key items such as the key or camera are always accessible to the player under a dedicated button. The number of available map stickers has increased so much that a new sorting mechanism was needed. Does anyone else remember how we used to have to use the gift-giving mechanic to hand over items during a quest? That's no longer the case. What we do have now are profiles. From now on, you are no longer limited to a single save file.
We've also increased the number of gifts liked and disliked by characters. Now, hitting the right item among the hundreds already existing in the game is not unreasonably difficult. We've also taken care of price balance to ensure that every craft is appropriately rewarding.
Quality of life Features
Since the Early Access release, there have been many valuable opinions regarding the most problematic mechanics in the game. Throughout the entire development process, we carefully listened to the community feedback and endeavored to implement key changes as quickly as possible. Here are a few more notable changes compiled with previously reported inconveniences.
The lack of space for items in chests was a challenge for players in the early versions. However, an additional recipe for a large chest quickly appeared, and later, a special rack where these chests can be placed more densely. Expanding the game with new locations and quests significantly increased the number of available space-expanding stones for equipment. Additional space has also been added to some furniture and crafting stations.
We also increased the max size of the item stack to 100 and enabled selling multiple items on stall. Both of these have often been requested.
We've read a lot in your reviews and comments about the targeting issue; the interaction system plays a crucial role in the game and needed improvement. The multitude of changes, new content, and other priorities meant that we had to wait until now to address this aspect of the game. We're proud to say that from now on, hitting targets will be easier.
For everyone who needed more information, we've been working to continuously fill in any gaps in the compendium and descriptions to make them more direct. An example of this are seeds, which now always specify the season in which they grow and how long their growth takes.
Abstract
Something that was initially intended to be a modest summary has grown into an incredibly lengthy announcement text. So many changes and novelties! The effects of our work listed here are just the most important ones we wanted to highlight. Those who have been following closely know how many smaller changes were introduced in each patch and how many bugs were fixed.
We promise to continue to listen carefully to your feedback and make any necessary changes and improvements. We hope that this summary will encourage all those who had doubts in the initial phase of the project to return. And if you're new here, we hope it convinces you to believe in our game.
The Goddesses have heard your prayers. The gates of Akratya have swung open. Deathbound awaits all of you. The Deathbound demo is now available on Steam. Embark on a bloody journey through the Lower Streets of Akratya today.
Deathbound awaits your courageous spirit starting today! We invite you to plunge into the gritty lower streets, a battlefield worn by the Church of Death and nightmarish creatures. Confront the ruthless Impending Truth, a malevolent boss born from the experiments of the essencemancers. Forge alliances with fallen warriors of Zieminal to navigate this perilous crusade together.
Deathbound demo introduces five playable characters, each with their own distinctive abilities:
Unleash steel prowess as Therone Guillaumen, the right hand of Goddess Death.
Spearhead the fight against Death Soldiers as Iulia Tchevlaskia, a Cult of Life Freedom Fighter.
Display brute force with Agharos of Meriva, the closed fist of the Archduke.
Wield relentless magic as Olivia Heinz, chancellor to the King of Krulezgon.
Strike from the shadows as Anna Lepus, the disenchanted assassin.
We welcome your feedback, opinions, and suggestions. If you stumble upon any bugs in this pre-alpha demo, please report them using the provided {LINK REMOVED}FORM or on our Discord server.
{LINK REMOVED}
Before you venture through the gates of Akratya, we encourage you to explore previous Community Hub's news, updates and Dev Journals. More of this will be shared soon, providing insights into the developers' work and inspiration behind the creation of Deathbound.
Rizia advances, reclaims territories from Pales; Lespia urged for support.
February 1st 1924
In a swift and strategic offensive, Rizia has successfully reclaimed its former territories up to the borders at Terador and Fort Ales in the ongoing Pales War. The surprise assault has dealt a blow to Pales, which now vows to defend its remaining lands.
Pales has urgently appealed to Lespia for assistance in shoring up its defenses. The international community watches closely as Lespia weighs the decision to intervene in a conflict that continues to reshape the geopolitical landscape.
As the war enters a critical phase, Rizia celebrates its victories while remaining vigilant for potential counterattacks. The outcome hangs in the balance, and the plea to Lespia adds a diplomatic layer to the unfolding conflict, leaving the region on edge with anticipation.
As a former Special Forces operative newly discovering the murky waters of Private Military Contractors, you find yourself a newcomer to an abandoned Lamang Island, tasked with navigating its depths and completing objectives assigned by a cast of shady characters with enigmatic motives. You approach Handshake, a slick and professional head operator that always welcomes you with a task. Here is what he has to say to you...
GATHER INTEL: RAT’S NEST
Handshake: So, here's the deal. It looks like some of those rats in town didn't get the memo and are still scurrying around and causing trouble. It's time to put a stop to their operations. Your mission is to conduct a thorough search of the town and its outskirts and identify the hideouts used by these punks. Keep your eyes peeled for any suspicious signs or markings that might help you uncover them. The main areas of interest are the town's northwest and southeast sections.
Once you've identified the hideouts, investigate them discreetly. We want to gather as much information as possible before moving. Don't engage in direct confrontations unless absolutely necessary. Don't forget, your primary objectives are reconnaissance and gathering intelligence.
How would you approach Handshake’s assignment?
There is no predetermined path to success. Beware of ever-changing environmental and PvP variables that could turn it into an intense firefight with a surprise enemy patrol or a suspenseful standoff with rival PMCs. Therefore, remain vigilant and strategically leverage every available advantage that the intricate landscape of Gray Zone Warfare presents.
PREPERATION IS HALF OF THE SUCCESS
Focus on your mission: gather intel on the enemy and their base. Your plan needs to adhere to this goal. First and foremost, gear up and choose your weapon of choice wisely. Utilize a granular modification system to fine-tune every detail of your arsenal according to your preferences. Advanced ballistic systems leverage extensive real-world data – every single modification can make a world of difference.
Remember, staying undetected is key. Opt for lightweight gear to move quietly and make a quick exit if needed. In the event of alerting the enemy, be ready to have at least one weapon with a silencer to resolve the unexpected situation.
When strategizing for your mission, it is crucial to decide whether to go as a lone wolf or as part of a four-man fire team. Take into account their individual proficiencies and coordinate roles and equipment based on the strengths of each team member to optimize efficiency and ensure a successful operation.
MASTER DEPLOYMENT AND ADVANCEMENT
Be it for a short venture to accomplish a task or a massive undertaking to acquire new gear, approaching a target area is a dangerous game. The diverse array of adversaries, such as criminals, military in service to the local dictator, and rival PMC operatives, can intervene in your steps.
In your best interest, approach each location cautiously, whether on foot or aboard the Little Bird transporting you to the selected LZ (which you must discover first to unlock). Choosing the right Landing Zone is a critical part of your planning process, as the Little Bird can be visible from afar; hence, a longer hike might sometimes be the key to a successful mission.
Choosing to explore on foot not only enhances your overall progress but also uncovers hidden gems in Lamang. You might stumble upon unexplored locations with scarce loot or discover intriguing side stories—all while staying focused on achieving your main mission.
ADAPT, SURVIVE, AND THRIVE
The ultimate challenge in every operation unfolds when players encounter opposition. Move in carefully and start your surveillance. Track the movements of enemies, note how many come and go, and study patrol routes for any patterns.
Flexibility and preparedness for the unexpected are equally crucial, so be ready for plans to deviate. Adjust swiftly to ensure survival in the face of unforeseen challenges. Keep in mind that not every scenario warrants confrontation, and opting to steer clear of conflict can often lead to more favorable outcomes.
The duration of your mission is solely determined by you. Every moment spent in the hot zone heightens the risk of your demise and the potential loss of your hard-earned progress. Yet, it also increases the odds of hitting the jackpot to complete your task. Always remember – every move matters!
CELEBRATE ONLY ONCE YOU'RE SAFE
Once you've gathered enough intel and secured your loot, it's time to slip back to base with your findings. Keep your eyes peeled for any movement or sound until the last possible moment in a hot zone. Call in the Little Bird for extraction, approach the available LZ location in time, get to the chopper, and reach your base camp.
It's time to celebrate the fruits of your completed task and claim the well-deserved reward! Deposit the valuable haul you have collected into your secure stash, restock efficiently, and gear up for newly unlocked challenges.
Every successful mission increases your odds of surviving your next venture, but it's crucial to understand that other PMCs on the island may share similar objectives. You can collaborate, ignore, or things might take an unexpected turn. The dynamic paradise of Lamang Island is always alive!
GRAY ZONE WARFARE'S SPECIAL FORCES CONSULTANT'S APPROACH TO MISSION
In pursuit of authenticity, we've sought the expertise of Ondřej Spisar, a.k.a. Spicy, an ex-Czech special operations forces veteran serving as our consultant and animation reference actor. With 19 years of invaluable experience and specialized training, Spicy brings a unique perspective to our commitment to maximum realism. We asked him how he would leverage his expertise to ensure success in the face of the recon mission 'RAT’S NEST.' Watch the interview to gain a professional perspective on Gray Zone Warfare!
GZW NEWSLETTER
Our very first newsletter was released today. If you haven't signed up yet, you're missing out! Go HERE to sign up now!
What To Expect: ✅Latest #GrayZoneWarfare updates ✅Monthly Exclusive Dev. Interview ✅Creator Spotlight: Highlighting top GZW videos by talented content creators ✅Fans Spotlight: Showcasing fan reactions of the month
It is with great pleasure that we can announce that the first tests of Bek, our Dooper Virus vaccine have shown great success in the Clinical Trials.
With that in mind, we are thrilled to announce the next stage of the fight against the Dooper Virus, BioGun Demo will be taking part in Steam Next Fest!
It’s been a long journey, but throughout the years we have never stopped our tireless work on BioGun, so to see it finally take shape is a very special feeling! What's more, we are using this demo to collect the last bits of feedback and community thoughts on the game in preparation for the soon-to-be-announced full launch! (Stay tuned for that announcement).
What can you find in our Demo?
5 Bosses from the main game, 3 main bosses, and two secret bosses!
Two distinctly unique areas, both hand-drawn and representing an individual organ, are ready to be explored.
A great Metroidvania game experience, whether you are a veteran of the genre or new to it, you’ll find a lot to enjoy.
The fate of our canine friends worldwide rests on Bek’s shoulders, and it will be YOUR task to guide Bek in his quest to destroy the Dooper Virus, once and for all!
I'm super excited to finally say that the Kādomon prologue is now live on Steam! After having such an amazing reception to the game on Discord, the prologue is now ready to play for everyone.
Collect, assemble, and battle your team!
This free-to-play version has loads of content for you to play, and even more will be coming to the full game later this year.
Introducing a new Kādomon: Malarky
We took a poll on Discord for which should be the next Kādomon added to our autobattler, and Malarky was the winner! Malarky (along with their two evolutions, Hammarc & Thoraladon) is a Water/Lightning type and jumps about within your team as they attack. 🦈
Start building your Kādodex today!
So far our Discord community has already played over 2,100 hours! A BIG thank you to everyone who has played so far, and if you can, a review would be really appreciated. As a solo indie dev, support from players is incredibly helpful to to getting Kādomon noticed. Your feedback already has been amazing, and I hope you enjoy this new and improved version of the game! 💙
If you'd like to join the community on Discord and share you strategies, click here. 🍌
📣 LAST CALL 📣 This is your last week to get to the Black Team Chest! Grab those epic rewards including a SCRATCH CARD in the 8th chest while you still can 💰
Players in France, China and Japan can now enjoy Citizen Sleeper in their own native languages!
In case you missed the news, we've just added a big language update to Citizen Sleeper, and the game now support French, Japanese and Simplified Chinese.
What's more, we're celebrating with a huge 50% off discount! Grab it now and jump into your new life on the Eye.
Don't forget to wishlist Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector below: