Underworld - Game Delayed & Prototype February

[Silver]

The latest development blog for Underworld Ascendant has some expected news for backers. The game was originally planned for a November 2016 release but has been delayed. There is instead a plan for a prototype February and the team at Otherside Entertainment have committed to developing the 'Necropolis of The Ancients' even through the goal hasn't been met.

A Special Word from OtherSide's Paul Neurath

It probably comes as no surprise, but it's taking longer than we'd hoped for Underworld Ascendant to come together. The release will extend beyond the original November 2016 date.

Our goal is to make a game that's not only wonderfully fun and super polished, but also genuinely innovative. We're pushing hard on the Improvisation Engine, going deep with making The Stygian Abyss feel like a living and breathing dynamic environment, on achieving the subtle interplay with the Faction politics, and more.

Innovating is hard work, and not an entirely predictable process. The team learned this lesson on the original Underworlds, and with Thief: The Dark Project and other games that pushed the envelope. We do feel that taking the time to make the game great is the right call.

Before we will be ready to share an updated release date, we want to get over the hump on the key innovations and know that they are working smoothly. In February, we expect to share a new Prototype build with Backers that shows much progress.

We are hugely appreciative of your patience and support, and in being part of seeing this game come to life.

A Rewarding Announcement

To thank our fans for their patience as we work to ensure Underworld Ascendant is everything it can be, we're providing two gifts…

First off, we've gone ahead and unlocked the current Stretch Goal for The Necropolis of The Ancients, a foreboding lower level location where the game's most powerful Undead, hidden secrets, and rarest arcane treasure can be found.

[…]

An Ecology Lesson of Underworld Ascendant's The Stygian Abyss

Since the start, we've discussed how The Stygian Abyss will be its own character. We're striving to create a world that's fascinating to explore, a place where you want to unearth every last secret and that remains constantly full of surprises.

Will O Wisps are harmless & helpful.

Part of that is narrative, but in Underworld Ascendant, the story is meant to always work in support of gameplay systems.

For instance, the Will O Wisp (seen left) is a creature that acts as "the sun" in The Underworld. It ingests Mana and excretes light, so is an absolutely key part of the subterranean ecology.

Without it, and the incursion of foreign environments through dimensional gateways, The Stygian Abyss would be a completely desolate place where life wouldn't exist.

But the presence of these factors has led to a thriving ecology to exist underground, allowing for rich flora and fauna, as well as towns housed by the three Factions (the Dwarves, Deep Elves, and Shamblers), Lizard Men, and more.

At odds with this fragile habitat are The Undead, who drain Mana to ambulate in a sad parody of life. They're not necessarily "evil," but have a parasitic relationship with the environment, only taking and giving nothing back.

You've seen some of The Undead before and may have even fought a few in our Pre-Alpha Prototype, but we wanted to show you previously-unrevealed concept art of another: The Eidolon.

These floating spirits are part of the "Confounder" AI class, meaning that they enhance enemies or detract from the player in combat. In the case of the Eidolon, they attempt to keep their distance, using their abilities to raise fallen allies and convert the bodies of fallen foes into Undead.

More information.

 

[Vindicator]

Has any crowdfunded game ever made the projected release date?
This delay comes as a surprise to no one.

I was a big fan of Ultima Underworld 1&2, so I can't wait to play this one… as long as Richard Garriott has nothing to do with it.

 

[rjshae]

... the team at Otherside Entertainment have committed to developing the 'Necropolis of The Ancients' ...

Glad to hear that part.

 

[ds77]

Has any crowdfunded game ever made the projected release date?
This delay comes as a surprise to no one.

I was a big fan of Ultima Underworld 1&2, so I can't wait to play this one… as long as Richard Garriott has nothing to do with it.

So true. I loved Garriott as a kid, Ultima 6-7.5 took me to amazing places! As an adult, I then realized how bad of a game designer he is (imo). Still a hero to me as long as ignore anything from the 21st century

 

[Bedwyr]

Refusal to learn from others is a big problem, I think. He doesn't play a lot of other peoples' stuff.

 

[Deleted User]

Refusal to learn from others is a big problem, I think. He doesn't play a lot of other peoples' stuff.

Each artist approaches their craft in their own way. The isolationist approach to creating art actually has many benefits as well.

 

[luj1]

this is the new ultima?

 

[Avantre]

Has any crowdfunded game ever made the projected release date?

Eh, if a game (kickstarted or not) ships to its original projected date then it's probably because it's been rushed out to sell. As long as delays don't drag on again and again forever, I'm not too worried.

 

[RickTheWatch]

Im fine with waiting, cant wait to play this!
Still, wouldnt be suprised if this gets an early 2018 release date...

 

[henriquejr]

this is the new ultima?

This is meant to be inspired by Ultima Underworld.

 

[Farflame]

Will O Wisps - I like that idea. I hope there will be enough interactivity with them. You know… not every game allow you to interact with "sun" and stay alive, right?

Thw only thing that doesnt sound very good to me is their combat influence. I wound expect they help those who are less dangerous to the environment. Or just slowly heal everyone in order to save life or something like that.