Progress

We’ve seen huge improvements in the performance of our servers over the past two weeks. The devs have optimized code that was previously bogging down server speed as they added players to a match. They’ve improved the networking code as well, making it much more reliable when the network drops packets. They also fixed a critical issue that was causing inputs to be dropped frequently. Multiplayer is starting to feel pretty darned good!
Concept art for the overview of each arena is nearing completion! 2 of the 3 pieces are all the way finished, and the final one is expected to be finished within the next few days!
The design team has mainly focused on creating the terrain for the Ruins Arena. It’s been a more in-depth process than we initially expected, but we’re learning a lot about how we can improve the terrain for the full game!
This week, Kayla returned to our team after a fellowship with another studio. Just in time! Now that we have a sizable stockpile of 3D Kinfolk models and some set piece concepts prepared, both of our modelers have shifted focus to creating set pieces for the various combat arenas. The animation team has also finished all the animations required for the upcoming alpha!

Testing on the user account system has started! We plan to have this feature of our website available for everyone by the end of the month. Now that development on the account system is coming to a close, Joey is shifting gears to work on in game UI, kinfolk movement, the many abilities required for the alpha combat arena.

Community

The Devs and Discord Mods had an awesome time playing ARK for you guys last week! The all-Mod team took back their honor against the (mostly) dev team and won the community a few more coveted pieces of concept art!

We’ll be announcing more about our next Kindred Talks stream within the next week; be sure to keep an eye on Discord/Twitter for more details!

Thanks for checking in with us! We’ll see you next time, on August 28th!