Concluding a fruitful year
What a year it has been for us! In 2023, we announced our game's rebrand, conducted various sessions of Pre-Alpha focus group tests, as well as a one week invite-only Alpha Zero playtest with close to 500 select players. We received encouraging and constructive feedback that has helped us continuously improve the game experience.
So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all that have followed us, tested the game with us, and given us your time and feedback!
As a small team, we managed to make a ton of progress in development this year. We completed various core systems such as the Siege and Territory War Mechanics, In-Game Economy, Questing System, and made significant improvements on our Combat Mechanics while polishing our enemy AI. I’ll also be sharing a few peeks of progress made on our in-game environments, complemented by a upgrades of our UI. Here's a look at some of our highlights:
[h2]Key takeaways from our playtests[/h2]
[h3]Combat and Movement: Aiming for Fluidity[/h3]
Improving combat movement and fluidity have been our key focus since we concluded Alpha Zero. Playtesters shared that combat felt clunky and slow at times, which detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.
We have since tested out different movement speeds, added a sprint function, and polished our animations, paying particular attention to the transition between animations.
[h3]Tutorial Revamp: Guiding Players to Success[/h3]
A pain point during Alpha Zero was the lack of tutorial to guide players at the beginning of their experience. Explanations for more complex systems in the game, such as the territory war mechanics, were lacking.
We are currently working on a completely new tutorial experience that combines the world lore, with key info on basic controls, as well as streamlining certain war claim systems to be more intuitive and easily understood.
[h3]Putting the focus on group play[/h3]
As an MMO, and one that has a focus on organized PvP experiences, Havenhold is a social game at its core. However, social and collaborative elements were lacking during the Alpha Zero experience with players reporting that they felt little need to work together with others.
We are working on creating more crafted moments for co-operative gameplay, with the addition of game systems and mechanics that would require collaboration. We are also changing the way Keeps are introduced to players to encourage guild interactions and strategic gameplay.
[h3]Enhancing PvE Experiences: Variety and Challenge[/h3]
Since the Alpha Zero test, we have added 5 new mobs and 1 new boss to the game (with more to come!). In addition to increasing the variety of enemy types, we are also enriching their skills and abilities, as well as polishing their AI capabilities to be smarter and more challenging to beat.
[h2]Art Showcase![/h2]
2023 has been a BIG year for the Art of Havenhold. I’ll let the work speak for itself 🙂
Once again, thank you so much for all the support you've shown us in the past year. 2024 is going to be even more exciting. All of us at Wolfpack Games wish you and your loved ones a happy holiday ahead!
Stay warm and healthy,
Angela & the Wolfpack
[hr][/hr]
Wishlist Havenhold on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2015760/Starkeepers/
Discord: https://discord.gg/havenhold
Twitter: https://twitter.com/playhavenhold
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playhavenhold
Website (sign up for future playtests!): https://www.playhavenhold.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmRqaLdiusy5FKg4dk2New
So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all that have followed us, tested the game with us, and given us your time and feedback!
As a small team, we managed to make a ton of progress in development this year. We completed various core systems such as the Siege and Territory War Mechanics, In-Game Economy, Questing System, and made significant improvements on our Combat Mechanics while polishing our enemy AI. I’ll also be sharing a few peeks of progress made on our in-game environments, complemented by a upgrades of our UI. Here's a look at some of our highlights:
[h2]Key takeaways from our playtests[/h2]
[h3]Combat and Movement: Aiming for Fluidity[/h3]
Improving combat movement and fluidity have been our key focus since we concluded Alpha Zero. Playtesters shared that combat felt clunky and slow at times, which detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.
We have since tested out different movement speeds, added a sprint function, and polished our animations, paying particular attention to the transition between animations.
[h3]Tutorial Revamp: Guiding Players to Success[/h3]
A pain point during Alpha Zero was the lack of tutorial to guide players at the beginning of their experience. Explanations for more complex systems in the game, such as the territory war mechanics, were lacking.
We are currently working on a completely new tutorial experience that combines the world lore, with key info on basic controls, as well as streamlining certain war claim systems to be more intuitive and easily understood.
[h3]Putting the focus on group play[/h3]
As an MMO, and one that has a focus on organized PvP experiences, Havenhold is a social game at its core. However, social and collaborative elements were lacking during the Alpha Zero experience with players reporting that they felt little need to work together with others.
We are working on creating more crafted moments for co-operative gameplay, with the addition of game systems and mechanics that would require collaboration. We are also changing the way Keeps are introduced to players to encourage guild interactions and strategic gameplay.
[h3]Enhancing PvE Experiences: Variety and Challenge[/h3]
Since the Alpha Zero test, we have added 5 new mobs and 1 new boss to the game (with more to come!). In addition to increasing the variety of enemy types, we are also enriching their skills and abilities, as well as polishing their AI capabilities to be smarter and more challenging to beat.
[h2]Art Showcase![/h2]
2023 has been a BIG year for the Art of Havenhold. I’ll let the work speak for itself 🙂
Once again, thank you so much for all the support you've shown us in the past year. 2024 is going to be even more exciting. All of us at Wolfpack Games wish you and your loved ones a happy holiday ahead!
Stay warm and healthy,
Angela & the Wolfpack
[hr][/hr]
Wishlist Havenhold on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2015760/Starkeepers/
Discord: https://discord.gg/havenhold
Twitter: https://twitter.com/playhavenhold
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playhavenhold
Website (sign up for future playtests!): https://www.playhavenhold.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmRqaLdiusy5FKg4dk2New