Dear all,
It's been some time since our last news, but we are still steaming towards Kingmaker Beta V1.0 at an impressive rate.
Here are three images of Kingmaker as the development stands at present:
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Mapping Department:
We are currently developing 6 maps for Beta V1.0 which include:
KM_Firstblood is an open battlefield map for small to medium sized skirmishes and will likely be our first completed map in Kingmaker. The map is based on a fictional encounter between the two bitter factions and only bravery, organisation and resourcefulness will win the day for either the Yorkists or the Lancastrians.
KM_Towton is based on the battle of Towton fought in 1461, England's bloodiest battle. This will be one of our largest maps based factually on the terrain on which the battle was actually fought. This will be a revolutionary design with an pioneering system of gameplay at the centre of the development which will put the very foundation of the principles of warfare into the most exciting of scenarios.
KM_Churchill is a fictional map representing a small skirmish of the Wars of the Roses. The focal objective is a small church in need of protection against the ravages of enemy forces. This will be a tactically based map which will stretch even the most
able of commanders to pull off a victory.
KM_Escape which is another fictional based on the retreat of Yorkist forces back to friendly territory to escape torture and execution at the hands of the Lancastrians after the battle of Bosworth in 1485. The map will be very atmospheric being fought at dusk in failing light, the real question being whether the Yorkists can survive the gauntlet and escape with their lives to the safe haven.
KM_Battlefield is the epitomy of the balance of gameplay and historical accuracy in Kingmaker being an open battlefield on which all the forces of both sides will fight it out to the death for honour and glory. Whether you will succeed in achieving battle honour will depend on more than just your ability to survive the enemy onslaught.
KM_Harlech is another factual map based strongly on the siege of Harlech castle of the 1460s in which a most heroic defence was made by the Yorkists of this old, but formidable castle. You will have to choose to which side you owe your allegiance and either attack the castle with all might and power available including several pieces of fully functional artillery, or whether you will cling onto the bear rocks in defence of the last great Yorkist stronghold in the second War of the Roses.
Modelling Department:
Our first player model representing the militia of the Wars of the Roses is getting closer to completion being one of the most historically accurate representations of the late-Medieval fighting man of any game to date. The militia will form the bulk of the two teams and engage in a tremendous struggle for existence and the freedom for their King to be enthroned.
Our animation has been started in earnest with the bill and the longbow which will be the first two weapons to be added to the Alpha builds. This is the very beginning of Kingmaker's rapid advance!
For future development beyond the reaches of our Beta V1.0 we have nearly all models completed and we are currently progressing strongly with the first of our deadly crossbows which will be shown shortly to strengthen the future of Kingmaker and improve the transition from a basic Beta to the full and all-encompassing final version.
Programming Department:
Programming is progressing excellently, with advances currently being made on the multiple game modes to incorporate the most wide and full tactical oportunities within the confines of the HL2 engine. We are recreating battle as has never been seen before, with the most rewarding fighting modes, the most tactical variance and the most immersive gameplay seen to date.
Sound Engineering Department
One of the greatest, yet often the element most overlooked in games is the supporting role played by the accompanyment of music. in this area we are progressing with timeless grace as we recreate music in the style of the period to go hand in hand with the style of gameplay in Kingmaker. All the music of Kingmaker is original and composed exclusively for our use to transform you, the player back into the everlasting character who you choose to play as.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns please visit our IRC and Forums!
Forums: Kingmaker.menza.org
IRC: #Kingmaker on irc.gamesurge.com
The Kingmaker Team
