Greetings!
Below is the status of where we are on the development of Elemental.
BETA 1: Game Mechanic Exploration (Fall 2009)
- Initial Build: Basic Compatibility
- Beta 1A: Initial Gameplay Skeleton
- Beta 1B: Initial Economic system Implemented
- Beta 1C: Initial AI system Implemented
- Beta 1D: Initial Diplomacy system Implemented
- Beta 1E: Initial Dynasty system implemented
- Beta 1F: Initial Magic system implemented
- Beta 1G: Initial Quest system implemented
- Beta 1Z: Finalizing Stability
BETA 2: Game Play Beta (Spring 2010)
- Initial: Caravans enabled, 3D Engine enabled, Multiplayer enabled, shops enabled, sieges enabled, visual battles enabled.
- Beta 2A: Beta Fixes. Gameplay updates. Naval transports enabled. Naval warfare enabled. MP: Wars of Magic.
BETA 3: War & Peace Beta. (Summer 2010)
- Initial: Finalized Diplomacy enabled. .Master Quest enabled. All Tech Trees enabled. Empires enabled.
- Beta 3A: Combat Magic enabled. The Hiergamenon enabled. Tactical Battles options enabled. Morale and Tactical Battle AI enabled. Spell of Making enabled.
- Beta 3B. Tactical Combat enabled.
BETA 4: Beyond Elemental Beta (Ongoing)
- Map Editor, Item Editor, Tile Editor, Effect Editor.
- Brad's Guide to Elemental Modding. Elemental Cloud Modding.
- The Hiergamenon in-game.
Release: Elemental publicly available (August 24th)
- Single Player: Beta Tester Content (spells, quests, characters released based on player feedback).
- Single Player: Modding Tools: Race Construction Set.
- Single Player: Quest Pack (a thank you for buyers).
- Single Player: Monster Pack (a thank you for buyers).
- Single Player: Notable Locations enabled.
- Multiplayer: Custom Games.
Version 1.1: First major free update (30 days after release)
- Usual performance, bug fixes, and other optimizations.
- More optimizations for better Netbook support.
- Single Player: New Content and Features based on player requests
- Single Player: AI Wars
Version 1.2 (Second free major update (60 days after release)
- Usual performance, bug fixes, and other optimizations.
- New Features based on player feedback.
- Brad's first serious mod example (Mini RPG).
- Art Package for Modders to use (content for use by modders).
- Multiplayer: Arena Mode
Copy Protection:
- Retail Edition will have no copy protection on it whatsoever.
- Digital version and updates will require Impulse to Download updates and install (but otherwise can be removed if the user chooses).
- Users who do not have good internet access at home can use http://anywhere.impulsedriven.com to download Elemental and bring it home to install on their machines.
- Multiplayer will require a valid customer ID to logon.
Notes:
All is subject to change based on player feedback and our own determination on where the game is at.