A new era, Reign of Dwarf is now Free-to-Play !
Hey there, Reign of Dwarf fanatics! It’s been an interesting journey since our official early access release in late November. We’re excited to share some game-changing news with you. Today marks not just another update but a pivotal shift in our adventure : Reign of Dwarf is transitioning to a Free-to-Play model !
🚀From humble beginnings to new horizons
Reflecting on our journey, we remember the feels of our initial release: the anticipation, the excitement, and the countless hours we poured into creating a world that you, our players, would love to explore. However, as a small indie studio, our path was not without its challenges. With limited marketing budgets, creating the widespread hype we dreamed of is a steep climb.
💡 Embracing a Community-Centric Approach
In these few months, we’ve learned, adapted, and listened to your feedback. Our community – passionate, dedicated, and ever-growing – has been our guiding star. And it’s become clear that the best way to expand our universe and welcome more adventurers into the fold is to make Reign of Dwarf more accessible than ever.
🛠️ Free to Play: A Win-Win for All
So, why Free to Play? It’s simple. This model opens up our doors to everyone, breaking down barriers and fostering a vibrant, diverse community of players. It means more allies, more adversaries, and more epic tales in the world of Reign of Dwarf. For us, it ensures that our beloved game continues to thrive, evolve, and bring joy to more players around the globe.
Free to Play isn’t just a change in how we operate; it’s a renewed commitment to you – our players. It means more updates, more features, and more unforgettable experiences in the magical realm we’ve crafted together. We’re doubling down on our efforts to continuously improve, innovate, and listen to the community that’s at the heart of it all.
What's coming now?
🛡️ Introducing Clans and Map – Building Communities in Reign of Dwarf
As we step into the exciting new era of Reign of Dwarf being Free to Play, we’ve been intently listening to the chorus of requests from our ever-growing community. A standout feature that many of you have been eagerly anticipating is the ability to form clans and have a more integrated mapping system. We’re thrilled to announce that these features are not just on our radar – they are already in the game!
🤝 Clans: Forging Stronger Bonds in the Dwarf Realm
We understand that the heart of Reign of Dwarf lies in its community – the camaraderie, the shared struggles, and triumphs. That’s why we’re introducing a robust clan system. This new feature is designed to foster a sense of belonging, allowing you to team up with friends and forge alliances with other players. You can expect to easily create and manage your clan, invite friends, and grow your group into a formidable force.
We try to constantly promote the clan system that we integrate
- New tab in inventory to create your own clan and invite a player.
- The clan member limit depends on whether the leader has the premium DLC or not.
- Within the same clan, the name of the other clan member is displayed in green instead of white.
- The names of other clan members are displayed at a greater distance.
🗺️ Enhanced Mapping: Navigating the Realm Together
To complement the clan system, we’re also enhancing our mapping features. Navigation and coordination are key in Reign of Dwarf, and our improved mapping system will be a game-changer:
- Real-Time Clan Member Locations: Keep track of your clan members in real-time, making it easier to rally the troops and strategize on the fly.
- Custom Map Markers: Place custom markers on the map to highlight points of interest, potential threats, or rally points for your clan.
- Territory Management: Visualize and manage your clan’s territory, plan expansions, or prepare defenses against rival clans.
Player Connection Indicators
Disconnected Player Color: To enhance in-game awareness, we’ve introduced a new color indicator for disconnected players. This visual cue will help you quickly identify the status of fellow players, enhancing both strategy and gameplay.
Compass Color
Connected Player Color Update: We’ve tweaked the color used for connected players on the compass. This change not only refreshes the game’s visual palette but also improves visibility and distinction between different player statuses.
Our first DLC : Reign of Dwarf - Golden Beard Bundle
Hear ye, hear ye, noble dwarfs of the realm! AnkleBreaker Studio is proud to unveil the first-ever DLC for ‘Reign of Dwarf’ – Golden Beard Bundle. It’s not just a DLC; it’s a cornucopia of exclusives, a golden ticket to the riches that lie beneath the mountains and within the heart of our community.
The Golden Beard Bundle: A Gleaming Array of Features
- Vulcain Dwarf Skin: Ignite the fire within as you embody the might of the mountains with this smoldering new skin, expertly crafted.
- VIP Pass: Jump ahead of the throng with a VIP Pass that lets you bypass the queue on our servers, because true VIPs never wait.
- Expanded Clan Size: Why stop at six when you can be twenty? With this DLC, your clan’s capacity expands, allowing for grander adventures and mightier conquests.
- The Iconic Golden Beard Skin: The piece de résistance of the DLC – adorn your dwarf with the legendary Golden Beard Skin. It’s not just a beard; it’s a statement, a beacon of prestige that shines as brightly as the gold it’s inspired by.
Forge Your Legacy with Exclusive Content
This DLC isn’t just a bundle; it’s a bundle of joy, power, and prestige. It’s an invitation to etch your name in the annals of dwarven legends, to stand out from the crowd with the luster that only gold can provide. With the Golden Beard Bundle, you’re not just playing the game; you’re elevating it.
A Golden Opportunity Awaits
The Golden Beard Bundle is your key to a kingdom of new experiences in ‘Reign of Dwarf’. Feel the power, embrace the exclusivity, and live the legend. It’s all waiting for you, noble dwarf, for when gold calls, glory follows.
Answer the call, claim your Golden Beard Bundle, and let the world see the splendor of your dwarven spirit.
🗝️ Instanced Dungeons: A Deep Dive into Our Latest Feature
The Evolution of Dungeon Crawling in Reign of Dwarf
In our ongoing quest to enhance the Reign of Dwarf experience, we’ve focused significant efforts on developing a dynamic, engaging feature: Instanced Dungeons. This addition marks a significant shift in how players explore and interact with our expansive world, offering a fresh twist on dungeon crawling.
Dynamic Portal System
- Portal Creation: Players activate portals atop mysterious towers by offering items. These portals, open for a limited time, are gateways to the unknown.
- Linked Dungeons: If another portal opens within the same timeframe, it connects to the same dungeon, creating a network of potential encounters and strategies.
What’s Inside?
AI Challenges: Each dungeon is populated with a variety of NPCs and bosses, each designed to test your skills and reward your bravery.
Unique Environments: Dungeons are more than battlegrounds; they’re rich with story, lore, and hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
Enhanced Interaction and Mechanics
Improved AI Behavior: Our focus on AI advancements ensures that each dungeon encounter is challenging and rewarding.
Dynamic Environment Interaction: Engage with the dungeon environment in ways that can turn the tide of battle, using strategy as much as strength.
Recent Instanced Dungeon Updates and Enhancements
Dungeon Experience Refinements
- Enhanced the DungeonSession and PlayerCSPManager, improving overall dungeon experiences and interactions.
- Upgraded DungeonStation functionalities and FXManager integration, adding depth to the dungeon experience.
- Introduced freezing player movement during scene transitions and added new tools for DungeonStations, ensuring smoother dungeon explorations.
- Refined DungeonStation functionalities and scene management, further enhancing the cohesiveness of dungeon experiences.
Continuous Improvements
Focused on enhancing the Lich Boss mechanics, adding new dungeon features, and refining the dungeon environment for a more immersive and challenging experience.
Addressed issues related to DungeonStation and portals, improving the stability and interaction within dungeons.
Ongoing refinements including combat mechanics, dungeon interactions, and technical improvements, ensuring that each foray into our dungeons is a unique and memorable experience.
The dungeons of Reign of Dwarf await your conquest.
We’re always fine-tuning gameplay for the best experience:
LootChest Spawner Tweaks: We’ve reorganized and fixed issues with LootChest spawners and spawn points. Now, finding treasures in dungeons feels more rewarding and less buggy. 💰
Dungeon Experience: Fixed issues in Darkness Dungeon, ensuring smoother gameplay and preventing players from getting stuck. 🏰
🛠️ The Forge of Refinement: A New Approach to Loot
Our primary goal in revamping the loot tables was to enhance your gaming experience by introducing more variability and fairness in rewards. We’ve listened to your feedback and realized that the thrill of discovery and reward needed a major boost.
Balancing the Scales
Diversity in Drops: We’ve expanded the variety of items you can find. Expect to stumble upon rare artifacts, enchanted gear, and unique consumables that weren’t there before.
Fair Play: The drop rates have been adjusted to ensure a more balanced distribution of high-value items. This means a better chance at getting those coveted pieces without the frustration of endless grinding.
Progression-Focused Rewards: Loot now scales more effectively with your level and quest difficulty, ensuring that rewards feel meaningful and appropriate to your efforts.
What’s Inside These Mysterious Chests?
For the warriors among you, expect to find chests brimming with robust armor and mighty weapons.
Resourceful dwarves will be delighted to find chests laden with valuable materials perfect for crafting.
Every now and then, you might stumble upon a chest containing items that are… well, you’ll see!
New Monument and Environment enhancement
🕸️ The Abandoned House: A New Lair of Mystery and Danger
Nestled in the forgotten corners of our realm, this decrepit house whispers tales of old. Once a bustling homestead, it now lies in ruins, overtaken by nature and, more notably, by a swarm of mysterious spiders. This isn’t just another landmark; it’s a testament to the intricate world-building that we, at AnkleBreaker Studio, strive for.
Features:
Eerie Atmosphere: From the creaking floorboards to the shadowy corners, every element is designed to send a shiver down your spine.
Deadly Inhabitants: Fight new inhabitant, the Spiders !
Treasures Galore: For those brave enough, the house hides ancient artifacts and rare resources. But beware, the spiders guard these treasures jealously.
In the future, we plan to add some capacities to the spiders and add more challenges to terrace these areas.
🏰 Unveiling the Old Village: A future monument in “Reign of Dwarf”
We are working for future integration, in the coming weeks, on the addition of a historic and evocative monument: the Old Village. It’s not just a place to wander and marvel; it is a living testament to the days of yore, waiting to be reclaimed by those with the heart of a dwarf.
The Wonders of the Old Village
Nestled amidst the sprawling landscapes, the Old Village stands as a relic of an age long past. Its architecture echoes the grandeur of ancient dwarven craftsmanship, now waiting to be explored by new generations.
- Village Updates: We will add more life to our villages! Look out for new vines on ramparts and enhanced culling for a more immersive experience. 🌿
- Prefab World Builder Additions: More palette options mean more creative freedom in building your world. 🎨
Environmental Enhancements in “Reign of Dwarf”
In the ever-evolving realm of “Reign of Dwarf,” our commitment to creating a vivid and dynamic world continues to drive our development efforts. The recent updates have focused significantly on enhancing the environmental elements of the game, ensuring that each player’s journey is as immersive and engaging as possible.
Revitalizing the Game’s Atmosphere
- Fog and Lighting Adjustments: We’ve fine-tuned the fog dynamics and lighting across different biomes, striking a balance between visual appeal and gameplay clarity. These adjustments have a subtle yet profound impact on the game’s atmosphere, making exploration and discovery even more intriguing.
- New Environmental Assets: The addition of water wheels, and other structural assets enriches the landscape, providing new points of interest and interaction for players.
- Biome and Sub-Biome Management: Our efforts to enhance biome management have led to more dynamic world generation, creating diverse and vibrant landscapes that reflect the unique character of each region.
- Shader and FX Overhauls: By regenerating shaders and refining special effects, we’ve elevated the visual quality of key elements like the earth bend boss attack, adding depth and realism to the game’s graphical presentation.
Enhancing Environmental Interaction
- Continuous enhancements to terrain spawning and structures have been implemented, ensuring that the game’s world is not only beautiful but also seamlessly interactive.
- The update to explosive barrels and related items brings a more realistic and impactful gameplay experience, emphasizing the interplay between the player and the game environment.
- Our updates to non-building zones in key structures like PlatformsStructure & RuneStoneCircleStructure have improved gameplay dynamics, ensuring that the environment plays a more integral role in the player’s strategy and experience.
Continuous Environmental Refinement
- World and Environment Adjustments: Ongoing tweaks to world settings, including fog, ambient lighting, and material adjustments, continually enhance the game’s overall atmosphere.
- Scene and Interaction Optimizations: We have optimized interactable objects and scene tool controllers, ensuring that each element within the game world responds and behaves in a way that is both realistic and satisfying for players.
- Resource Management and Placement: Significant improvements in resource spawning and placement have led to a more balanced and realistic environment, making resource gathering and utilization a more integral part of the gameplay experience.
New 3D assets to forge a incredible experience
🛠️ Forging Ahead: Unveiling New Tools of the Trade
Eager blacksmiths and industrious miners of “Reign of Dwarf”, gather ’round! We’re thrilled to showcase the latest additions to your arsenal—expertly crafted tools designed to make your journey through the realms both efficient and exhilarating. Behold, the new instruments ready to be wielded by your skilled hands:
The Mighty Hammers
Metal Hammer: Forged from the finest ores, the Metal Hammer stands ready to crush and reshape the world to your will. Its sturdy design is matched only by its relentless durability, ensuring that not a single strike goes to waste.
Mithril Hammer: A masterpiece of dwarven craftsmanship, the Mithril Hammer is a testament to the fusion of strength and magic. Lighter than it appears yet unyielding against the toughest of materials, this hammer is a treasured companion for any adventurer.
The Essential Shovel
Shovel – Digging Tool: Whether you’re unearthing treasures or laying the foundation of your stronghold, the Shovel is your trusty partner. This digging tool is not just functional but a work of art.
Each tool is not just a means to an end but a symbol of our community’s relentless spirit and unyielding pursuit of greatness. These new items are more than just equipment; they are a representation of our dedication to growth and excellence within the game.
🎭 A New Look for the Brave and the Bold
Hail, valiant inhabitants of “Reign of Dwarf”! It’s time to infuse your adventures with a dash of style and a whole lot of character. We’re rolling out the latest fashion from the forges and studios of AnkleBreaker Studio, ensuring that you step into the fray not only battle-ready but also with unparalleled panache.
Sturdy Blacksmith Attire
Blacksmith Clothes: These blacksmith clothes are designed to withstand the heat of the forge and the rigors of battle. Practical, durable, and yet, strikingly stylish, they’re perfect for those who shape the weapons and tools of legend.
Masks of Mystique and Power
Fantasy Masks for Dungeon Reward: These masks are not just protective gear but symbols of might and mystery. Earn them as rewards in the perilous depths of dungeons and wear them as badges of honor.
The Roaming Vagabond Ensemble
Vagabond Clothes: For those who wander the lands in search of treasure and tales, the Vagabond Clothes are your new garb of choice.
🔥 Unveiling the Vulcain Dwarf Skin: Embrace the Fire Within
Adventurers and forgers of destiny, a new essence has been ignited within the heart of our realm. We’re thrilled to present to you the fiery embodiment of the mountain’s might – the Vulcain Dwarf Skin.
The Embodiment of Molten Might
Vulcain Dwarf Skin: Meticulously sculpted by the renowned Héloïse Lunven, this skin is more than a mere cosmetic novelty. It’s a symbol of the fiery soul of the mountains from which the Dwarves hail. The Vulcain Skin is not just worn; it is embraced, a testament to the burning spirit that fuels the relentless drive of our dwarven kin.
A Sight of Smoldering Splendor
Stand before friends and foes alike, adorned in the Vulcain Dwarf Skin, and let the flickering flames of your eyes herald the untamed power at your command. Let the stark markings upon your skin narrate tales of the earth’s deepest secrets and the forges that burn tirelessly beneath the mountains.
Wield the Heat, Bear the Legacy
This skin is not for the faint of heart. It is for the bold, the courageous, the ones who walk through stone and flame with unwavering resolve. It’s for those who seek to channel the ferocity of the volcanic heart, crafting their fate with hammer and will as unyielding as the core of the world itself.
🧔♂️ Golden Beard: A Symbol of Prestige
The Golden Beard is not just a symbol of unyielding strength and honor but also an accessory that any self-respecting dwarf lord would kill to possess. It’s a statement, a way of life, and a shiny beacon of prosperity that reflects the glory of your underground empire.
Equipping the Golden Beard boosts your dwarf’s charisma, allowing for better trade deals and awe-inspiring leadership that can rally troops like never before.
🩲 Upgrading the nudity censor mode!
Your voices have echoed through the halls of AnkleBreaker Studio, and we’ve heard your call. Today, we’re excited to announce an upgrade to our nudity censor options — introducing the new underwear mode!
New User Interface and 2D Skins concepts
🎨 New Skin Manager UI: Customize Your Dwarf to Perfection!
Dwarven brothers and sisters, we’re beyond excited to unveil a fresh new update that’s sure to kindle the flames of customization – introducing our revamped Skin Manager UI! Gone are the days of a drab and mundane dressing room. It’s time to don your armor with style and personal flair!
Step into the Forge of Personalization
With the Skin Manager’s new UI, you can now forge your character’s appearance with unprecedented detail. Here’s what you can expect from this polished and intuitive interface
🌬️ Frost & Fire: Future Skins Preview
Brace yourselves, valiant dwellers of frost and flame, for a glimpse into the future attire of your avatars in “Reign of Dwarf”! Each concept is a work in progress, a labor of love, and a hint of the enchantment to come. We are committed to creating a wardrobe of skins that not only stand out in a crowd but also resonate with the core of your character’s spirit.
Soon, you will have the chance to adorn your dwarf in these skins, each meticulously designed to enhance your presence in both the realms of fire and ice.
Your Part in the Legend
Share your thoughts and help us shape the future of “Reign of Dwarf” attire. Which elements call to you? What skins do you desire to don in your epic quests? Let us know!
Fixes and improvements
🚀 Performance Improvements
We know how important game performance is, so we’ve made several optimizations:
- Faster Game Loading: We’ve improved the loading times for starting the game and accessing the game menu. 🕒
- Optimized Light and Effects: Adjustments to fire light controllers, torches, and sun flare intensity ensure a balance between beautiful visuals and smooth performance. 🔥
- Efficient Item Library Loading: Addressing previous issues, the Item Library now loads more efficiently, reducing those pesky delays. 📚
- Server-Side Optimizations: The user manager now only checks the distance for connected users, reducing unnecessary workload on the server.
- Client-Side Tweaks: We’ve disabled updates to the IK (Inverse Kinematics) of sleeping players, reducing the load on your system for a smoother experience.
- FPS Gain: These optimizations are not just numbers! From our observations, you should see an overall FPS gain of at least 20%. We’re pushing the limits to ensure you have the most fluid and responsive experience in Reign of Dwarf.
Optimized Steam Sessions
- Streamlined SteamAuthSessionManager: Sessions now terminate more swiftly when exiting the app.
- Performance Pioneering
- Rod Parent Constraint Group: Work-in-progress update aims to minimize update calls, enhancing overall performance.
- Server Stability and Performance
- Enhanced diagnostics with added debug information when a player is kicked due to errors in parsing data.
- Fixed issues causing players to get stuck in buffer zones of instanced dungeons.
- Addressed specific disconnection issues and lag problems during the loading of instanced dungeons.
- Enhanced the Clan System to prevent it from hindering server restarts.
- Improved the handling of disconnected and deceased players for a smoother gameplay experience.
Debugging Delve
- ServerManager Debugging: Added logs to tackle the “Spawned NetworkObject” issue, aiming for a more stable server environment.
- FishNet Serialization Debugging: Embedding the prefabId in WriteNetworkObject for better issue tracking
🛠️ Fixes and Refinements
We’ve squashed some bugs and refined features for a better game experience:
- UI and Interaction Improvements: Fixed chat UI and inventory issues, enhancing player interaction.
- Clan System Updates: A newly implemented clan system now lets you create and manage clans, fostering a sense of community and teamwork.
- Building Mechanics Refined: We’ve made attempts to strengthen the code for BuildingEntity, BuildingEntityManager, and BuildingSpawnerManager. Upgrades failing due to overlap issues are now a thing of the past!
- Inventory Interface: Fixed an issue where the inventory button could be displayed in MainMenu after being disconnected.
- Placeable Objects: Optimized to avoid updating decay information unnecessarily, leading to better performance.
- Sound Emissions: We’ve disabled sound emitters when not needed for certain objects, reducing unnecessary processing and improving client performance.
- VOIP Enhancements: Reduced the frequency of user distance checks needed for VOIP, ensuring smoother communication.
In-game Chat
- Mute and Ban Notifications: Added global notifications for these actions, maintaining a fair and enjoyable environment for all.
UI and Map Navigation Enhancements
- SceneTools Sprucing: Improved method naming and added logs for damage area control.
- UIMapNavigation Tweaks: Refined respawn points, marker names, and map marker visibility.
- Clan Positioning Protocol: Fine-tuned clan member tracking for more accurate positioning.
Compass Calibration Correction
Ensured Accurate Compass Marker Data Updates: Addressing issues with clan member positions not updating correctly on the compass.
Technical Improvements
- Memory Leak Fixes: Addressed small memory leaks on the client side, optimizing overall game performance.
- Collider Adjustments: Reworked goblin camp mesh colliders for a better gameplay experience.
MapNavigation Marvels
- Enhanced Zoom and Movement: Offering a smoother mapping experience with new displays for beds, bags, and buddies.
- Vivid Map Visuals: Upgraded texture and color association in MapNavigationManager.
- UIManager Update
- Improved UI Interaction: Restricted map opening in Blocked player UI & Radial menu for a more intuitive user experience.
Audio evolution in "Reign of Dwarf"
Crafting an immerssive auditory experience
At AnkleBreaker Studio, we understand the power of sound in creating an immersive gaming experience. It’s not just about the visuals; the auditory landscape plays a crucial role in bringing the world of Reign of Dwarf to life. Our dedicated sound team has been working tirelessly to ensure that every sound, from the rustling of leaves to the clash of swords, adds depth and realism to your journey.
🎶 Echoes in the Darkness: Bringing Sound to Life in the Dungeon
Venture into the depths of the Darkness Dungeon in “Reign of Dwarf,” and you’ll find that the experience is now more hauntingly immersive than ever before. At AnkleBreaker Studio, we’ve been at work, infusing this enigmatic space with a symphony of new sounds and music, meticulously crafted to heighten your adventure.
The Whispers of the Dungeon
As you navigate the winding corridors and cavernous halls of the Darkness Dungeon, you’ll notice the ambient sounds that fill the air. These aren’t just background noises; they are carefully designed to evoke the dungeon’s eerie and mysterious atmosphere. From the subtle drip of water to the distant rumble of stone, every sound serves to deepen your immersion into this ancient and foreboding place.
Life Amongst the Shadows
The dungeon’s inhabitants, too, have found their voices. Each AI, from the stealthy Skeleton Archer to the menacing Lich, now boasts its own unique set of sounds. The clatter of bones, the whisper of a cloak, the hiss of a sword drawn from its sheath – these sounds not only signal the presence of these creatures but the threats they pose.
The Lich Boss: A Musical Undertaking
In line with our latest feature, the Instanced Dungeons, we are composing a special theme for the Lich Boss. This haunting melody encapsulates the eerie and formidable presence of the Lich, adding a whole new layer of intensity to the dungeon experience.
Recent work on sound design
As soon as we add content to the game, it is likely that we will have to work on new sounds to associate with it, which is why with the change of the digging tool, now a magnificent shovel worthy of the greatest gravediggers, we have added tailor-made swings.
Let's create a beautiful community together
🙏 A Heartfelt Thank You
As we embark on this new chapter, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each of you who has been part of our story so far. Your battles fought, kingdoms built, and stories shared have shaped the world of Reign of Dwarf into what it is today. We’re excited to open this world to even more players, and we can’t wait to see how our community grows and evolves with this transition.
🌈 Looking Ahead: A Future Fueled by Passion and Play
The move to Free to Play is just the beginning. We’re gearing up for an exhilarating ride filled with new content, enhancements, and community-driven improvements. Our commitment to delivering an exceptional gaming experience remains unwavering, and we’re thrilled to have you with us as we write the next chapter of Reign of Dwarf’s legacy.
So, grab your gear, rally your friends, and dive into the adventure – the world of Reign of Dwarf is waiting, now more accessible and alive than ever!
Stay tuned for more updates, and once again, thank you for being the heartbeat of this game.
Adventure awaits, and it’s free for all! With gratitude and excitement,
AnkleBreaker Studio 🛠🧡
