Bootsnake Games announces that Deadrock Divide has failed to get funded, and has posted a reply on the future of the studio.

The Future of Bootsnake and Deadrock Divide

With the Kickstarter winding down, its time for us to talk about what is next for the game and for us.

We want to thank everyone for backing the project. It's no small thing to us that people see Deadrock Divide and want to spend time in our edge of the galaxy. We think we have a great game in the works and we are very happy many of you think the same.

We weren't quite able to capture the hearts and minds of enough people to get the game funded. This is not deterring us from working on Deadrock Divide. The game will continue to go forward for now.

What does this mean?

We are going to start the process of looking for other funding options. Our number one goal with the Kickstarter was to remain independent. We very much want to make this game, so we will look at other avenues to make it happen. This does not prevent us from doing another Kickstarter, but we will have to step back and take a look at options before we choose.

Deadrock Divide may have to change in some manner to allow us to get it out the door. Our number one priority is to make an amazing open world turn-based RPG. And we are confidant we will make that happen.

Leviathyn has posted a new Pre-Alpha preview & Developer Q&A for Deadrock Divide.

First can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about Bootsnake games and Deadrock Divide?

Hey I’m Mat Staltman from Bootsnake Games. We are a small indie studio in Seattle, WA. Our first game was Containment: The Zombie Puzzler which was selected for PAX 10 and Google Play’s Best of 2013. We have been working on Deadrock Divide for just a bit over a year now. Deadrock Divide is a tactical RPG set in an open world asteroid field. As a mercenary entering the divide, you will assemble a crew, buy and upgrade different ships, and have the freedom to explore the asteroid field however you desire.

Deadrock’s Combat is heavily influenced by XCOM. What aspects of XCOM’s combat do you like and what parts do you wish to improve upon for Deadrock?

We are definitely influenced by XCOM and all the other tactical turn-based games. Specifically with XCOM, we really like how they streamlined the game to make it play faster. You don’t have to click a button to enter cover for example. You character just does it automatically when you are near it.

With Deadrock we want to push the role of the battlefield in combat. Everything is destructible in Deadrock Divide. Do you need line of sight behind that building? Take down the walls. You can shoot out cover and even create cover when you need it. We have hidden chests to be found, rocks to be mined, and many other interact-able objects to be found as you engage in combat.

I love the addition of an RPG-style paper doll equipment screen. Are you incorporating any ARPG-style random loot system?

We have random loot. However, we do not have an equipment system like you would see in Diablo or Borderlands with random stat distribution and attributes. Many of the random items you will find will be raw materials and salvageable weapons and armor. You can find a space station to buy the loot for a profit or you can get a crafting station on your ship and build the weapons, armor, and ammo yourself.

Will Deadrock include a main story with an ending (Like XCOM) or remain more of a freeform adventure?

As you explore Deadrock Divide, you will encounter three powerful factions fighting for control of the area. You can take odd jobs from them but as you do more you will have the option to help a faction complete their ultimate agenda. Each faction will have their own story line missions and end goal for winning the game. Of course, you could spend all your time exploring ruins, taking side missions, mining, trading, and never finish a story mission for any of the factions. The choice is yours.

Bootsnake Games has posted a recording of a live Stream they did on Tuesday for Deadrock Divide in the games latest kickstarter update.

Tuesday's Stream

Here is the archive from our stream on Tuesday. If you missed it, check it out. It's broken up into 5 parts for ease of viewing. And please excuse the part where I lose my voice temporarily. I'm still recovering from that sinus infection. Bleh.

 Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

We are continuing to work on updates and spread the word. Please help us get the word ou

The second kickstarter update forDeadrock Divide has more information from Bootsnake Games about the games combat, and asteroid belt.

Bridging the combat and the asteroid belt

We wanted to take the time to fill in some more information on how the asteroid belt and combat function with each other. This should give everyone a better idea at all the cool stuff you can do in the game. We'll also take a minute to talk about what is coming for this and when.

FROM BELT TO BRIDGES

When you board a ship, attack an outpost, free a mine, or one of many other actions in Deadrock Divide, you'll fight in the tactical combat. Many times, you'll simply board the ship in front of you or land on the mine you want to help or hurt. The battlefield you fight on is determined by what is happening in the belt around it.

If you land on a mine that has been attacked by pirates, pirates will be there to stop you from retaking it. If you board a ship from a rival faction, the ship layout will be based on the ship type and purpose. Simple stuff.

But you will also get a chance to alter the battle before you land. Equip your ship with ground assault rooms and you can weaken a mine's defenses before you land. Equip your boarding craft with a computer virus to try to take control of a ships computer before you fight. We want your ship and crew to be a vital part of how you choose to battle. And when the battle comes to you, we want your enemies to play with some toys too.

FROM BATTLES TO THE BELT

After a battle is over, the aftermath has effect on the asteroid belt. Some effects will be smaller than others like looting chests, and some effects will alter the belt.

On battle maps, we have interactive objects like computer terminals, mining nodes, freight chests, and more. Many of the objects will affect only the battles like a healing machine, but some will have effects on the world.

Sending a hacker to a computer is a great way to weaken a space station for some time. That would reduce its ability to defend itself in the future, take control of automated mining, or allow you to glide past other defensive stations on your way through the belt.

A BATTLE CAN LINGER

One of the things about battle is that your crew will get hurt. Lasers are cool and quite dangerous. Some of those laser burns may last longer than others.

We will not have permadeath in the default difficulty for the game. Permadeath is really cool for people who want it though, so we will have harder difficulty with permadeath for those that want the challenge.

If you take damage in one battle, your starting hit points for the next battle may be lowered. If you have a good medic, they'll heal faster between fights. A healing bay speeds the healing even more.

The more dramatic damage happens if a crewman is knocked out in combat. We have a damage table and your crew member will be left with a lingering injury. A deep wound that reduces movement speed. A small twitch that affects your ability to pilot the ship. A cool scar that makes you intimidating when bartering, but affects your ability to shoot straight.

Hospitals in Deadrock Divide are quite good at patching up young mercenaries. You'll be able to remove the lingering effects for a cost bringing your crew back to their full capabilities.

BELT TO BATTLE TO BELT

The actions you choose to do on the belt will have massive impacts on the world. This ranges from choosing a faction to how you choose to complete a mission.

In one of the first story lines, there is a space station that is being harassed by a group of pirates. The pirates have taken up residence on an old mine that is very difficult to assault.

You'll be able to undertake a number of operations to take out the pirate base. You will be able to take out their defenses remotely allowing for a smoother landing, or weaken their holdings in the area, reducing the number of men they can call on. For more drastic action, you can even cause an asteroid to crash into the station, making a pretty epic explosion and killing a few pirates in the process.

Each option will have different hurdles, rewards, and consequences. We know you'll enjoy making decisions and exploring their aftermath.

Bootsnake Games has posted the first kickstsrter update for Deadrock Divide that talks about Memorial Day, permadeath, and mentions a new live stream.

Happy Memorial Day

Thank you so much for your support on our launch. We are already at 9% which is pretty awesome.

We know this weekend is a holiday in the US so we wanted to get this out before everyone takes off from work!

Permadeath

I want to start off with answering a question that has popped up a couple times now about permadeath in Deadrock Divide.

A: We aren't going to have permadeath. If a crew member goes down in combat, there may be a lingering injury that reduces stats. You will be able to fix the injury by going to a hospital or cyberneticsist.

If we add permadeath, it won't be default. It would be more like an option thing.

Great question!

Stream

This Tuesday we will be streaming the game so you can see it in action. Starting at 2pm PST you can catch us on the Indie MEGABOOTH channel at http://www.twitch.tv/indiemegabooth We stream here every Tuesday playing various games but this month will be all Deadrock for you all.

Deadrock Divide is a new Kickstarter game from developer Bootsnake Games. They are asking for $50,000,and describe their game as the following.

Control the Fate of Deadrock Divide

You arrive to find the area teeming with miners, pirates, and corporations, all competing for control over valuable resources. Secure contracts and hire, equip, and command your squad of mercenaries to conquer the asteroid belt and become a legend of Deadrock Divide.

• Fight in XCOM inspired turn-based tactical combat. Use lasers, turrets, grenades, and more to overcome your enemies. Destructible battlefields open the doors for huge variety in how you choose to fight it out.

• Explore an asteroid field full of miners, pirates, heroes and villains.

• Buy one of many ships, upgrade your ship with special rooms that change how the ship functions in both flight and tactical combat.

• Upgrade your characters with new weapons, armor, belt buckles and more. Unlock the secrets of fantastic weapons, craft your own boots, or take the relic of a famous star fighter.

• Choose one of three factions and help them conquer the region in their quest to control the flow of Deadrock.

• Trade with the stations and denizens of the Divide. A complex economy is at work moving goods from mine to station. Build mines and make money by getting your hands dirty.

• Build your characters how you want using a trait system. Characters unlock trait points you can spend how you want. Have heavy weapons soldier who can heal, a telekenetic pilot, a character with some abilities in many trees, and more.

Deadrock Divide is our take on tactical games by combining elements of sandbox RPG. It provides replayability with random elements that make each playthrough fresh, including beating the game with each of the three factions.