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The Repopulation's lead dev featured in three-hour livestream
Can't get enough info about sci-fi indie sandbox The Repopulation? Here's a three-hour livestream featuring lead developer Joshua Halls that should quench your thirst, at least for a little while. The stream boasts a lengthy Q&A session as well as some never-before-seen footage in the form of world fly-throughs. The Repopulation is currently in closed alpha. The devs have also announced a second Kickstarter drive designed to fund additional gameplay features as well as a Greenlight campaign to increase exposure via Steam.
Chat up the NPCs with The Repopulation's new Inquiry System
Ever wondered what other information a NPC might be hiding behind the usual quest dialogue or vendor window? What secrets is that random NPC out in the world privy to? You can find out in The Repopulation. Lead developer Joshua Halls presents an overview of the sci-fi sandbox's new Inquiry System that allows players to glean additional information from NPCs throughout the world. The system works like this: You simply click the NPC to make an inquiry. After any quest dialogues and vending is taken care of, the inquiry chat bubble will appear. Players can then ask about directions to someone or something or try to elicit hidden information using diplomacy skill. Want more information about a particular NPC, such as personality traits and profession? Ask his NPC friends around town! If you are interested in learning more of the world backstory or obtaining hidden missions, you can weasel that knowledge out of NPCs as well. The Inquiry system will also be dynamic, with NPC moods and world events affecting what may become available during an inquiry.
The Repopulation's PvP explained
Curious about PvP in The Repopulation? Look no further than the latest dev blog by developer Joshua Halls. While the sci-fi sandbox features a significant amount of both PvE and non-combat gameplay systems, there's also "a lot in the way of PvP gameplay," according to the blog. The post delves into the game's nation system, it touches on sieging and contested regions, and there are some bits about PvP-specific roles. Halls also talks about The Repopulation's flexible combat system, which offers the ability to toggle between "simulated FPS-style combat" or a traditional RPG hotbar mode. Finally, The Repopulation will feature two distinct server rulesets. The specifics are still being finalized, but the "hardcore" version will remove safe areas and allow non-consensual PvP.
PAX East 2013: Repopulation's crafting detailed in 21-minute video
Earlier this week The Repopulation's dev team released a combat-focused trailer on the eve of its trip to PAX East. Today, Above & Beyond Technologies has another clip to share, this one a 21-minute dive into the game's crafting mechanics. Lead dev Joshua Halls walks us through crafting events, resource attributes and refinement, and shows off the general complexity of the tradeskill mechanics. There's a brief mention of the game's crafting achievement system as well, so be sure to check out the video after the cut. If you're heading to Boston for PAX East, you can see The Repopulation at booth 581 on Friday and Saturday.
GDC 2012: The Repopulation demonstrates world-building elements
GDC literally has a little of everything, from indie developers to major studios, from free-to-play games to shooters to arena battles to retro to family... there really is something for everyone. As a massive fan of sandboxes myself, I was pleased to get to spend so much time with Above and Beyond Technologies' lead dev and co-owner Josh Halls and artist Kevin Grove as they demonstrated some of the features in their upcoming title, The Repopulation. (And I would have even spent longer if I could have!) While I had a monopoly on the team's attention, I had the chance to see some of the customization available to characters, both in appearance and gear, as well as get the lowdown on the world building element. We actually walked through the building of a nation, a feature that will make many a sandbox fan giddy! Although Josh was quick to point out that only a few items were available at this point in development, there was certainly enough to get a feel for the system. And I am looking forward to it!
