A Slightly Delayed Quick Q&A: Addressing Your Concerns from the Previous Event

[Peter]

Greetings, Chieftains!

Thank you for your patience.
As promised, we’re here to respond to your questions—though there were far more than we anticipated. Please forgive us for delivering this at nearly the last moment. Maggie and ZIMA spent several days carefully compiling these answers in between the intense preparations leading up to launch.
With that said, let’s dive straight in—

1. From Reddit Chieftain "Odd-Possible-4344" – also the most frequently asked question during this event:

"My big question for the devs (I also see a couple questions almost same): Regarding the new map migration, will the 'Ancient Teleportation Gates' allow us to transport our existing tribesmen, high tier equipment, and materials to the Shifting Sands map seamlessly?"

A: Yes and no. This needs to be explained separately for different modes.

For private & official servers: Yes! The teleportation gate allows seamless transfer of existing tribe members (including tribesmen and mounts), masks, and regular items. However, please note! Some Shifting Sands-exclusive items, such as ships and ship-related gear, as well as Phase Anchors, can only be used in the Shifting Sands. Meanwhile, the "Mysterious Marks" in the Mist Forest can only be used in the rainforest. For detailed cross-map rules, please refer to our previously published cross-map FAQ .

For single-player mode: Unfortunately, seamless transfer is not possible at this stage. We have tried many solutions, but because each character in a single-player save is completely independent, we can only "copy" or "overwrite" the character. The character's assets cannot be automatically transferred in a simple manner. Therefore, we can currently only offer a limited, one-time transfer. In the 1.0 version, we have added a save inheritance feature. When creating a new map, you can transfer your character from a different map save, bringing your character into a new world.

Please note: At this stage, single-player save transfers can only carry over character data – that is, your main character, level, mask, technology tree, and recorded tribesmen. Other data such as buildings and resources cannot be transferred.



2. From Reddit Chieftain "probablywont":

“My primary confusion is the new DLC talks about all of these new things, but is that on top of the existing animals and existing plants from the base map or is it a totally separate set of flora and fauna?
Similar for the floating ship base, will you be able to create one on the base map?”

A: Of course! We have designed an entirely new set of animals and crops specifically for the Golden Shifting Sands world, along with even more mounts and pets for you to enjoy.

However, the environments shaped by ancient civilization technology in the Mist Forest and the Shifting Sands are quite different. Anti-gravity technology is unique to the Shifting Sands world.

To also answer "Subception's" question about whether the new map might feel too "samey" — if I were you, I would take another good look at this content . As an alluvial plain shaped by the climate influence of the ancient civilization, the Shifting Sands world offers you far more than just sand.



3. From Chieftains "Musebreakz", "Rentwin", and "ChrisShadow1" – you all happened to ask the same question!

"Does Shifting Sands require a separate new server to play, independent of the main map? Can private servers continue using the main map server files to retain game progress? Can you travel back and forth between the two maps, and how? Do you need to run two dedicated servers?"

A: Yes, if Chieftains wish to run Shifting Sands on a private server, you will indeed need to set up a new dedicated server. And here is the key point – just like on official servers, private server Chieftains can travel back and forth between the two maps by using the large sea gate. For specific instructions, please refer to the tutorial we recently posted on Discord [discord.com].

As for whether existing server files for the Mist Forest can still be used and carried over – yes, they can. The EA version and the 1.0 version for the same map are compatible with each other.

One very important reminder: If you set up a Shifting Sands map server, please ensure that all your private server members own the Shifting Sands DLC. So be sure to remind them to log in on April 10th(tomorrow) to confirm that the Shifting Sands DLC has been added to their libraries.



4. Another private server question, from our Discord community's gold medal volunteer "Robo":

“how does the transfer work - do you cross on a controlled character or do you cross on your initial character? Are there any restrictions on where the character that has crossed can travel to on the destination map”

A: This is a question of detail. Similar to the cross-server principle, you will need to control your tribesman character and cross maps via the sea "Stargate". For single-player mode, as we mentioned earlier, you will need to use our save transfer feature.

Additionally, just as when you first appeared in the rainforest, the character will need to unlock the local scout to reveal the full map of the Shifting Sands.



5. Concerns from Discord Chieftains "SapphireSam7" and "Fartbox 🇦🇺":

"Can you provide a server configuration file for version 1.0? Are there new startup variables for version 1.0? Also, can the two new modes – Tribe Mode and Warrior Mode – be switched with the original Survival Mode on private servers?"

A: Regarding the server configuration file, you can still find the answers in the cross-map FAQ .

However, we regret to say that you may be disappointed regarding the mode question. We have discovered that Tribe Mode and Warrior Mode present significant and complex issues on private servers, particularly with different tech tree modules and certain mode-specific mechanics. The experience on private servers would be very problematic.

Therefore, we have temporarily disabled the mode-switching function. For now, game modes other than Survival Mode are only available for single-player and co-op modes.

Please rest assured, however – Tribe Mode and Warrior Mode will be made available to private server Chieftains in a future update. We will adjust their values and mechanics to allow private server owners greater freedom to customize and create their own custom modes.

Additionally, to maintain mode stability on official servers, they will all be set to Survival Mode by default. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.



6. A question from Discord Chieftain "Ich":

"Can we customize our own game? Have you added enough customization settings to support 1.0 and the Shifting Sands DLC?"

A: The answer is almost certainly yes. Chieftains who enjoy customizing their game settings need not worry. With the 1.0 update and Shifting Sands DLC, we have added even more customization settings to allow you to explore both worlds with greater freedom. These include certain fourth-wall-breaking settings related to ships.



7. Questions from "[ACD] Ovkgar" regarding PvP official servers:

"What is the maximum number of PvP players? What is the maximum tribe size? What are the rates and opening days? With the ability to build ships now, will this impact server performance?"

A: The player caps and rates are essentially similar to what you currently experience on official servers. As for the server performance impact of ship building – you are correct. That is why we have had to impose restrictions on official servers. Besides, if you wouldn't want a giant battleship covered in turrets blocking the nearest iron mine, limiting ship scale is one way to prevent that.

The buildable component limit for ships will be set at 10% of the single-player mode scale. On this basis, we ensure that all ship functions remain fully operational:
● Thatch Boat build limit: 4
● Small Wooden Boat build limit: 30
● Falcon-class Airship build limit: 60
● Shark-class Airship build limit: 100



8. Questions from Chieftains "P0PER0", "Cmdrmonty", and "Extra_Compote_7513" – and Maggie has received countless private messages expressing the same concern:

"Why would the developers decide to release such a large DLC for free? Won't this put huge financial pressure on your revenue? And does this mean that during the free DLC claim period, there will be many patches and updates released?"

A: Let us first answer "P0PER0" and "Cmdrmonty". This decision came from a topic we discussed many times in our meetings: "What should we use to thank the Chieftains who have supported us since Early Access?"

Ultimately, we chose this rather bold approach: a brand new map, complete with new gameplay, environment, ecology, civilization, and masks.

Financial pressure? Yes, and it will be significant. We have never denied this. As far as we know, this is an unprecedented move in the industry – even Valve, during our communications with them, expressed surprise at this decision. This inevitably carries certain risks.

But this is our ambition: we love seeing the reaction to such an unprecedented announcement. The response and support from you, our Chieftains, have convinced us that this was the right decision.

Of course, our ambition also includes your voices. If you are willing, please share this game – the one that made this unprecedented decision, Soulmask 1.0 – with any friends or communities who have not yet heard of Soulmask. This would mean a great deal to us. We truly need more people to get to know us.

Alright, enough with the sentimentality. As for "Extra_Compote_7513's" question, our answer is yes. We are even preparing a Roadmap for after the launch of 1.0 and Shifting Sands. More importantly, we will also release hotfixes as needed for any unexpected but urgent issues, as well as those you are most concerned about. Please rest assured.



9. The final question, from "𝓓𝓢𝓛𝓸𝓴𝓾𝓽𝓾𝓼" and "EvilGeek1968", regarding our future plans:

"Curious whether there will be more new DLCs in the future. Have you considered what the setting for the next DLC might be? What are you currently working hard to achieve? Will there be a marketplace in the game?"

A: Good question. A marketplace is a great idea – as long as tribes don't immediately reach for their weapons when they see each other, there might be a chance to make this happen. For now, though, we recommend buying supplies from wandering merchants.

Back to the main topic. At this stage, our focus remains on continuing to polish the follow-up content for version 1.0 and the Shifting Sands DLC. As we mentioned above, updates will continue to roll out for some time.

As for the future – I specifically asked ZIMA, and the answer is: yes, there are indeed plans! In fact, the influence of masks based on different ancient civilizations has always been the core theme we most want to explore. We have already started designing the next concept. Perhaps you will see it before too long.

Closing

Alright, that concludes our Q&A. We hope these answers have helped clear up the questions on your minds.

Once again, thank you for your continued support, patience, and invaluable feedback. Every question and suggestion drives us forward.

And finally—
April 10th. Don’t miss it.
We look forward to celebrating this milestone together with all of you.