A New Chapter Begins

Hello, adventurers!

It’s always amazing when your hard work resonates with someone, and today, I’m thrilled to share some incredible news. Someone purchased Shadows of Elysium: Darkbound for $10! While the amount might seem modest, the gesture is monumental. It’s reignited my passion for this project and brought the game back from hiatus. To celebrate this milestone, I want to share my plans moving forward and give a glimpse of what’s next. Also note that I don't do this for money but it does help ensure I can get my next meal.

Finding New Motivation

Game development is a rollercoaster—ups, downs, and long stretches where progress feels like wading through molasses. When I first started Shadows of Elysium: Darkbound, it was driven by my love for RPGs like The Legend of Zelda and Dragon Quest. But over time, real-life responsibilities, the enormous standards placed on Indie Devs to compete with Triple As and creative roadblocks put the project on hold. This recent purchase was more than financial; it was a vote of confidence that the game has value and that players are eager to experience it.

Current Focus

Now that the game is officially back in development, here are my immediate plans:

1. Expanding Story and NPC Development

The narrative journey to recover the Elysian Crystal is central to the game. I’ll be expanding dialogue for key NPCs, including Queen Elryne, Princess Seralith, and Guard Captain Draeven. I’m also fine-tuning the interaction with Amarla, the god-like vendor who’s both ally and enigma.

2. Developing New Areas

I’m currently working on Solara’s Trial, the City in the Sky, and God’s Beacon. Each area will be designed to provide unique challenges and lore-rich environments, complemented by engaging random encounters.

3. Enhancing the World

From the ruins to the tower, each area will receive more polish. I’ll focus on:

• Balancing miniboss and boss fights, including Ethyrya and Zetharos. Ethyrya’s battle has seen some tweaks recently, but overall, she’s in a spot I’m comfortable with.

4. Character Updates

While Ethyrya is in a good place, I’m putting more attention on characters like Amarla, Solara, and Skoll to deepen their roles and make their interactions more impactful.

5. Supporter Content

To give back to those supporting the game, I’m adding new content to the Supporter Home. This includes two new NPCs and additional perks to enrich the experience for those who contribute.

6. New Music

Music is a vital part of any RPG, and I’m working on adding new tunes to enhance the game’s atmosphere and set the tone for key moments.

Long-Term Vision

This project is more than a game; it’s a story I want to share with the world. My ultimate goal is to create an experience that feels rich and rewarding—a tribute to the RPGs that inspired me while offering something uniquely my own. With renewed energy and support from players like you, I’m more determined than ever to see it through.

Thank you for believing in Shadows of Elysium: Darkbound. This is just the beginning of a new chapter, and I can’t wait to share what’s next.

So reiterate, I'm taking the game off hold, but I will still be working at a reduced rate as we've reached a point in the game where I can't crank out updates a bunch, I need time to add more stuff, change things, fix the bugs, etc.

Stay tuned for updates, and as always, happy gaming!

Love, Ethyrya~