Devlog #2 - August

Let's start with the big reveals, with an exclusive preview of an all-new environment !

A treasure hunter set out to explore every corner of an ancient city swallowed by the sea, determined to extract all its riches.

Until his greed eventually awakened a legendary guardian creature...

As you've probably guessed, in this chapter you'll be diving into the abyss, so get your diving suits ready !

As you progress through the dungeon floors, the visual elements and enemies will evolve to tell the story of the location. This approach will be a common feature in all Duramen dungeons !

In the previous devlog, we talked about Diego, the boss of the Summit Farm dungeon. We've made significant progress on the room where the battle takes place. There are frames hanging everywhere… Could they represent something important to him ?

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We also had to give him a voice, and it’s Simon, our art director, who stepped up for the role !

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e8e92b_59d84099dae1470bb305c1ace42436a5/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

The combat interface has been significantly improved. Now, Alva’s health bar is visible above her head, and the boss’s health bar appears at the top of the screen, divided into sections that indicate when his shield reappears. We’ve also made good progress on the battle itself.

There's even a transition now when Alva gets knocked out.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e8e92b_c7008755af9440f89260daa8b17b698b/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

The dungeon's level design has also made great progress. We decided to slightly reduce the size of the floors for a denser and more focused experience. And Thibault, our level designer, has developed a passion for spikes… They're everywhere now, so watch out !

To progress through the rooms, you'll need to avoid obstacles, all while managing the combat. It makes progression more engaging.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e8e92b_87b056c0a8f34fceb2b1c28be6c69751/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Visually, significant work has been done on the lighting and illumination in the dungeon, as well as on the 3D elements. Notice the tools on the walls, the hay bales scattered on top of each other, and the grain sacks laid out haphazardly…

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e8e92b_ad097263fbd447eb86f0ac92d3171660/720p/mp4/file.mp4

It's important that every player feels at home in Acornia ! We've worked on the village's soundscape to make it more immersive.

The rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the hum of insects change depending on the time of day. You'll have to wait until nightfall to hear the gentle symphony of crickets.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e8e92b_475c6b6132ad41208f5b7c4d78fd4b76/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Of course, the weather also affects the game's sound atmosphere. As you step indoors, the sound of raindrops becomes muffled… Doesn't that make you want to sip on some hot chocolate? (In this video, you can also catch a glimpse of the 3D improvements made to the shop ! )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Tjq1agjQIE

Alva now has her own musical theme ! It will recur as a leitmotif on several occasions. Alexis chose to include an oboe, to evoke Alva’s connection with wood (fun fact, she used to be a carpenter !), the Great Tree, and her agile and airy nature. 

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e8e92b_cbf5ca54a0194edeac2f03f8bb840c53/720p/mp4/file.mp4

The seasons will also come with their own unique themes ! Here’s what spring will sound like, starting with the afternoon and evening.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e8e92b_3855beef2d224e2bbfba88c967dd885c/720p/mp4/file.mp4

You know that moment, when the day ends, things calm down and slow down… That’s the theme you’ll hear at that moment, during the last hour of the day.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e8e92b_69f02fc7517a4aa4a41389ee23494364/720p/mp4/file.mp4

From now on, each month, we’ll be spotlighting a character. This time, it’s Marne !

Marne is the young pup who accompanies Diego everywhere. And for good reason, he’s Diego’s grandson ! Marne grew up with his musician mother in the big city, and Diego only discovered his existence belatedly. But he immediately recognized Marne's talent for farm work and took him under his wing.

Marne is naive and optimistic… The complete opposite of his grandfather ! So their relationship is quite tumultuous. However, Marne greatly admires Diego, so he makes the best of it. The old farmer is lucky to have such a patient grandson…

September is going to be a busy month, and we’ll have plenty of things to share with you. It's also when Pierre will be moving into the studio ! His office is already set up.

That's all for this month !

Thank you for following and supporting the project. We're inviting you to choose your community name, so don't hesitate to vote !

What should be the name of the community ?

• Acorns
• Acornians
• Acornites
• Something else ? (Comment below :D)

Join our official Discord server to chat with us and other... Acornians(?), we’ll be happy to welcome you !

On a side note, we’re excited to share a special announcement about our previous game, Tinykin ! We’ve just released high-quality plushies of the red and green Tinykin. Getting one is the best way to support us and help us create even more amazing products in the future. Thank you to everyone who checks them out, we hope you'll like it ! https://www.makeship.com/shop/creator/splashteam

(And if you take both, you'll get a 10% discount !)