Only Sky is the Limit: Blade of Progress
6 months ago
– Sat, May 18, 2024 at 10:04:43 AM
Wow, we are shooting through the stretch goals with extreme speed, and your continued support is just amazing!
Today, I would like to share more details about what I have been working on over the past few days and some new tiers that will be introduced based on your requests.
I am continuing to expand the close combat system. Previously, I mentioned the ability to kick enemies off ledges or intercept them as they run towards or away from you.
Today, I would like to introduce the Bayonet. Now, you will be more effective in close combat by using a steel blade to kill your enemies.
Alternatively, you will have the ability to charge at your enemies, providing additional speed to your character. This will be especially effective when you need to close the distance quickly before getting shot.
The system is still a work in progress, so some changes to animations and enemy reactions will be made. Let me know your thoughts about the Bayonet. Would you use it often?
A lot of the skills in the game will have a progression system, which will define how strong they are and whether they provide any extra stats, such as increased charging speed for a bayonet or additional damage with your kick. Upgrading each ability will provide more unique approaches to situations and help you shape the gameplay to suit your preferences.
Recently, I explored an interesting idea suggested by one of the users on Discord with the nickname (Swae). The suggestion was to add a black-and-white filter mode. I gave it a try, and this is the result:
What do you think about this filter? Should it turn on when you are low on health? I would love to hear your feedback in the comments. Also, make sure to join the Trench Tales Discord and share your suggestions there. I am actively listening to the community and love exploring new ideas and hearing what you would like to see in the game in addition to what is already there.
New Rewards:
Many of you have requested the ability to get an extra key for the game to give to friends. Therefore, a couple of new options are being introduced.
First of all, a new tier called Alpha Team:
$65 - Alpha Team
This tier is similar to the Alpha tier but includes an additional key that will provide access to the alpha version of the game.
Next, you will be able to get a regular key for the game, which will grant you access upon release as an add-on:
$25 - PC Game Key
For anyone who would like to customize their character even more and provide a more unique look, you are now able to get a "Trench Veteran" along with a "Rustic" Bayonet skin. All tiers above will automatically include these new rewards.
$60 - Shadow Recruit
Lastly, I would like to introduce a new tier called: Last Note
$110 - Last Note:
Leave a message for your loved ones, a friend, a relative, or anyone else in the game. Throughout the game, players will be able to find postcards with messages. You will be able to craft your own message as a reward. Each message will need to fit the overall style of the game. Here are some examples of what the messages could look like:
Dear Maria,
The days are long and hard here, but your letters are my beacon of hope. I cherish the thought of our reunion and hold onto it through each grueling day. Stay strong for us, my love, and know that I carry you in my heart always.
With all my love,
John
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Dear Anna,
The trenches are cold and bleak, but thoughts of home keep me warm. I miss your laughter and the way your eyes light up when you smile. Each day brings us closer to being together again.
Yours always,
John
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Dear Mother,
I am safe and well. Miss home terribly. Hope to be back soon.
Love you always. - John
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Hey Buddy,
It's tough out here on the front lines. I often wonder where you are and pray you're still kicking.
I miss our adventures and can't wait to grab a drink and catch up when this is all behind us. Stay safe and hold on.
- John
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In addition, certain postcards will lead to mini-quests and puzzles. Collecting them will be beneficial for exploring the lore of the game and completing the game 100%.
I have also updated the FAQ with the most frequently asked questions, but if you have more, please don't hesitate to message me either in the comments or via direct messages here on Kickstarter. Alternatively, I invite everyone to join the Discord, where you can see all the new features being added to the game first.
Thank you so much for your support. You guys rock!
-Alexander
Unleashing the Crown: First Stretch Goal Reached!
6 months ago
– Mon, May 13, 2024 at 08:51:18 PM
Hey everyone!
We've hit another milestone – the stretch goal for $65,000, unlocking the Crown companion! Huge thanks to all of you for your incredible support.
Get ready to welcome this feathered friend into your arsenal. With a special command, the Crown companion will mark enemies ahead, giving you a tactical advantage in locating and taking down threats.
Very shortly, we will also smash through another Stretch Goal which introduces new Weapon Classes. With a new arsenal added to it, you will be able to approach all situations using alternative ways and with greater efficiency, destroying your enemies with a heavy rain of bullets, completely eliminating their cover and anything that stands in your way. With new grenades, you will be able to affect large areas on the battlefield, killing everyone inside bunkers and trenches. What kind of new weapon class are you most excited about?
Random Fact about the game
Now, let's talk about one particular enemy that you will encounter in the game. Among the many adversaries that you will face, this one will likely be the cruelest. Its name is the Shadow of Fear.
These frail beings shy away from direct confrontation, preferring to lurk in the shadows. But don't underestimate them – in moments of desperation, they'll strike from behind, fueled by an unyielding desire to survive.
I'm thrilled to share more about the game's development with all of you. Additionally, I am also working on more exciting features which I will unveil in the next update!
Your support means everything, and together, we're crafting something truly special.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Alexander
We finally reached 100%. Thank you for your support!
6 months ago
– Sun, May 12, 2024 at 02:27:11 PM
Hello everyone,
I'm thrilled to announce that the Kickstarter campaign has not only reached but surpassed 100% funding! This milestone is a testament to your incredible support, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for believing in my project. I am looking forward to what we can achieve together!
With the core funding secured, I'm excited to introduce the stretch goals that will take Trench Tales to new heights:
$65,000 - Crow Companion: Unlock the ability to enlist the help of a faithful crow companion. Your crow companion will assist you on a battlefield and become a strong member of your team.
$75,000 - New Weapon Classes: Expand your arsenal with light mortars, heavy machine guns, smoke grenades, and gas grenades. These new weapons will add a whole new layer of tactical depth to your gameplay experience.
$100,000 - Body Parts Dismemberment System: Experience visceral combat like never before with body parts dismemberment system. Every blow will have weight as limbs and appendages can be severed in combat.
$150,000 - New Location: Explore a brand-new, breathtaking location filled with mysteries and challenges.
Your support has been nothing short of amazing, and I'm incredibly excited about the possibilities these stretch goals represent. Let's work together to make them a reality!
Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this dream a reality.
Warm regards,
Alexander
Update #1. We have half way through!
7 months ago
– Thu, May 09, 2024 at 04:04:27 PM
Hello everyone!
We are halfway through in just two days! Thank you all so much for the support, and I can’t wait to share this game with you!
Since the start of the Kickstarter, I have been working hard on answering questions and also continuing the game development. Yesterday, I worked on a new combat scenario ( house capture ) and artillery strike special Skill. I hope you will like it.
As the game is being developed, I am constantly adding to an arsenal of how each combat situation can be approached. In the last couple of days, I was experimenting with possible melee options. Now we will have Kick! And you can use as a stealth approach in some situations. Here are the results:
Let me know what you think about it! :) As the Kickstarter continues, would you like to see more updates like that with the development content, or would you like to learn a little bit more about the game/lore? Let me know down below in the comments.
Console Release
In addition to that, I would also like to answer some of the most popular questions here.
I think the number one question that I am getting is: will the game be available on consoles?
I am developing the game and optimizing it as we go with consoles in mind. I would like to see it, and it is one of the stretch goals that I have in this Kickstarter campaign. Porting the game is a time-consuming process and can be challenging for a solo developer, but if we are able to reach this stretch goal, I will be able to expand the team and get some extra help on this end. As of right now, the initial goal is to release the game on Steam, and based on the results of the release, proceed with the game port. If we exceed all the expectations during this Kickstarter campaign, I can try to push the release on multiple platforms, though it still will be up to the approval from Sony and Xbox. So in short - I would love to, if I have the capability to do so.
Some of you have been asking about specific rewards and what they will look like, so I wanted to share them with you here. The first is the cultist cape, which you can find in the Cultist Tier. Take a closer look at this specific cape:
Next on the list is the Trench Veteran Set ( Headgear ) in the Forgotten Hero Tier.
Lastly on todays list is the Iron Battalion of the Ashenport Headgear
NEW REWARD
$ 850 Close Combat ( Limited 20 )
With all the High Tiers being sold out, I would also like to introduce: Close Combat. This tier will feature specific combat scenarios. If you have something in mind and you would like to contribute a little bit more to the development of the game and expand combat interactions, this tier will fit you perfectly. Along with me, you will be able to shape specific combat scenarios that other players will be able to play during their playthrough. This tier will also have a limited amount, due to the amount of work it will require from my end, but I can't wait to work with all of you and see what kind of cool things we can come up with together.
I hope you all enjoy the new additions. I'd love to hear your ideas about other rewards or add-ons you'd like to see.
Join Official Trench Tale Social Channels:
Once again, I would like to sincerely say thank you from the deep of my heart for your tremendous support during this journey. Seeing so many messages during this time and all the support here on Kickstarter motivates me more and more, and I would like to bring an epic experience to all of you. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Alexander
