Developer: Shockwork Games

Release: Late 2018 / Early 2019

Genre: Turn based RPG

Art Style: Drawing

Official links: Blog/Facebook

Alder’s Blood is a game that is being developed by the indie Polish developer “Shockwork Games”. It is a fairly new project, its first teaser being aired last September. I talked with Michał Bernat, Art Director and Project Manager of the game and he answered some of my questions about this project.

What inspired you to start working on Alder’s Blood?

We wanted to make a PC game since the day one, when we started working together as a team. The breaking point that led us all to the decision happened when I started my first playthrough of Darkest Dungeon. I saw that game and I was like: “we can do something like that!” Once we were certain, that from a technical point of view we can handle a project like this one, we started with the design sessions.

The game seems to be influenced by games like Darkest Dungeon and XCOM, with a Bloodborne aesthetic. What will set Alder’s Blood apart from them and what aspects will remain similar?

The graphic layer is being made in 2D – that is really the only thing we have in common with Darkest Dungeon. XCOM is simillar in gameplay, but Alder’s Blood is focusing on melee combat instead of shooting to aliens (we still have shooting in our game, still – it’s a secondary mechanic). The overall aesthetics are similar to Bloodborne, but [SPOILER ALERT!] we won’t have any Lovecraft inspirations or Cthulhu themes in it[SPOILER END!]. We share the theme of hunters hunting beasts and that is pretty much it. The whole story resolves around the conflict between civilisation, reason and logic represented by the mankind versus nature, violence and irrationality that consider primal. We also prepared a wider period of time in our history than in Bloodborne, which should provide Alder’s Blood different and original look.

Can you tell me a bit more about the story of the game and the world behind it?

The game takes place in a reality that was once dominated by technology and intellect, known as a human aspect. Milestones of that world and civilisation were lost. All these events happened a long time ago. Dark days had come, bringing the long period of neverending waves of evil terrorizing the mankind. Monsters, attacking everything in their path, forced humanity to lock itself inside heavily fortified cities. A handful of people still living under these conditions are desperately trying to survive. In this grim setting, our characters – the Hunters – bring a light of hope. These heroes return in the turbulent times to find and end the source of the nature’s wrath.

What about the class system? How many different Hunters will there be and how will they differ from each other?

We want to create around 15 different character classes. Definitely not all of them find their place in the final version of the game, but we want to support Alder’s Blood after the premiere, bringing updates to the table.

Classes will play a specific role on the battlefield. For example, Jaeger is our sniper (right now). Sometimes, these roles may be mixed together. Antiquarian, who can be our main damage dealer can also support other characters by healing them.

In your Hunter’s profiles, you mentioned different weapon sets. How many different build options do you plan to include in the game? What about characterization options like different colours etc?

This is something we still call “work in progress”. We have ideas about characters’ customization, but as I mentioned earlier, we want to provide many character classes. At this moment, we bow towards character classes connected to one, specific weapons set.

The smell system is an idea I’ve not seen in other games. How will you implement it as part of the gameplay?

This is one of our ways to make a game exciting and surprising without RNG systems in combat mechanics. Smell generated by our characters, is carried away with the wind and can be picked up by our enemies’ nostrils. Monsters can be aware of your presence “outside” the field of vision. You will have to look out for the wind direction and plan your moves, because you can easily lure too many enemies at once.

Will you feature a larger strategic view, like the Geofront of XCOM?

Yes. This is our main goal during the design sessions that happen pretty much right now. We want this strategic view to be as fun as the tactical battles. We will provide research, crafting and region control mechanics in it. There will be some extra features – like a Moon Phase mechanic. Each Moon Phase have a different global effect on the world. Every effect can change the situation not only on the strategic map; Moon will affect also tactical encounters.

Do you have plans of a crowdfund campaign in the future?

Yes, we are planning a Kickstarter campaign in the near future, but we don’t know the exact date, but it’s not a secret. We will announce it to the wider public, when we will be able to show the “preview link” of our campaign. It’s better when everyone can see the actual upcoming campaign instead of just “hearing about it”. When most of the campaign will be ready, we’ll post a preview link of it on our social media to show you guys how it’s going to look like and to hear your feedback of course!

Where could people find you in order to learn more about the game and keep up with future updates?

We are very active on our social media, we also run our own blog, IndieDB devlog and we are posting a lot of stuff on Reddit!

Join our Discord – https://discord.gg/D8KD7nF

Blog – http://aldersblood.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/aldersblood

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ShockworkGames

IndieDB – http://www.indiedb.com/games/alders-blood

Reddit – https://www.reddit.com/user/Shockwork_Games/

What is the current status of the game? Do you expect to release it soon?

The game is still in early development. We already did a lot in the tactical combat area. We also started working on the strategy layer of Alder’s Blood. Our goal is to release the game during the last quarter of 2018 or the first one of 2019. Stay tuned, stay calm, read our blog and find us on social media!

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And that’s it for Alder’s Blood. A friend of mine discovered it and sent it to me and I have to say I am hooked. I cannot wait to get this game on my hands and I will definitely pledge for it when the Kickstarter campaign comes up. We need more dark fantasy turn-based experiences out there!

What are your thoughts on this upcoming title? Are you sold on the idea?