Matrix Games

Today we start a new series of Dev diaries coming directly from the developers of Neverdark, Simteract studio.

In this first entry they will speak about their vision for the game. It's an introduction to what the game will be about, and it will be followed by future dev diaries going more in detail about specific features. The word to them!

 

What is Neverdark?

A question we’ve been asked time and time again at conferences, but one we’re excited to answer for you as well! We’re very eager to talk directly with all of you about what our game is, and how it came to be. This will be the first of many dev diaries showcasing both the game and the development of Neverdark as it progresses towards release.

Neverdark, at its core, is a love child between a society management sim and a tactical, turn-based combat game. You, the player, act as the leader of your society after a man-made blackout has destroyed the world’s electrical grid. You’re tasked with the not-so-simple burden of reclaiming cities that have fallen under the control of unfriendly factions and gangs. How you reclaim these cities, however, is a choice only you can make.

 

Blackout

Post-apocalyptic settings are not new, and we knew that in order to move forward with the idea we needed to differentiate Neverdark from other games in the genre. With an electrical blackout we have the opportunity to focus on our society and the hardships that come with managing groups of scared, desperate people. Old-world technology exists, but is nonfunctional. Remnants of cities stand as hollow reminders of how much mankind was able to achieve. Memories of what used to be “normal” will never fade, but it will not be an easy task to restore even a fraction of those memories.

 

Neverdark levels – real-world cities’ maps: Tokyo, New York and Paris

 

Restoration & Rule

A leader can progress and reign with a variety of methods, and we want players to explore these methods to find their unique preference with ruling. Edicts are proclamations that give you the freedom to steer your civilization towards peace and prosperity, or war and militarism.

Each of your decisions carries weight. Your citizens react to the way you treat them, and the sacrifices you make for them… or using them. The happiness, obedience and safety of your citizens is tracked through our Social Parameters system. Let any of those three parameters fall too low and the consequences could be disastrous.

 

Unfriendly Faces

When the blackout occurred, the innocent and scared fled from the chaos of the cities. The opportunistic and less honourable stayed behind to pillage, murder and destroy without reprimand. As you attempt to wrest control from the gangs and factions that now rule the city, you’ll find yourself having to play their own game in your desire to succeed.

Bribe, pacify, ignore or attack these factions. Pit groups against each other as you gather your own strength, or build up prosperity and pay off each faction to keep the peace. Do whatever is necessary to persevere, whether that means making allies or destroying enemies.

 

More to Come

This is just the first of many dev diaries from us at Simteract! We have more features and mechanics to show off over the coming months, as well as giving you an inside view of the development process. We look forward to answering any questions you may have about Neverdark, and we’re eager to share more in the next diary!