In the previous devlog, I discussed the game design challenges and the decision-making process to overcome them. This time, let's explore how we refined and addressed flaws in the core game loop design.


The calendar plays a crucial role in controlling the flow of the game, acting as a guide for upcoming events. There are two types of events, fight and non-fight. Players have the flexibility to skip any event to allocate their time to other tasks.

However, opting to skip fights comes at a cost, losing fame. The primary resource determining progression in the game.

Non-fight events serve to enhance heroes' morale and provide buffs during combat. If you have spare time make sure to join them.

Balancing time wisely and making event choices carefully is crucial for a successful game journey.


As previously mentioned, skipping or losing fights results in a loss of fame. Your fame level plays a pivotal role in unlocking the next tier of content in the game, including higher-tier heroes, upgrades, equipment, and more. If your fame level drops, there's a risk of losing access to these valuable high-tier items. Be careful!

Originally, the game concept emerged from a mix of Potionomics and Darkest Dungeon (DD). I combined key elements of both, which led to a design challenge regarding the in-game time mechanic.

In DD, time only progresses through fights, so you can't use busy heroes. Potionomics allows time to advance whenever you want, but forces a boss fight after 10 days, so you'll need to be careful with your time. I preferred the potions approach, but that created a problem because there are no mandatory fights. Time was of no importance, it became an endless resource. For example, during a hero's recovery in hospital, time can be freely advanced without any consequences.

Various attempts to introduce new mechanics have only resulted in ancillary features that do not solve the core gameplay problem. Ultimately, I decided to remove the ability to start fights of my own accord. Simultaneously, I moved from turn-based combat to an automatic combat format where fight times are predetermined and visible on the calendar. This has made time a limited resource and necessitated strategic time management.

In summary:

• Fights are no longer started at will; They occur at predetermined times that can be seen on the calendar.
  
• Combat has moved from turn-based to auto-battle, making gameplay easier.
  
• The removal of turn-based combat and the campaign map significantly narrowed the game's development scope. While challenges remain, these changes move the project closer to completion and alleviate recent burnout. The end is now on the horizon, motivating continued progress.