Greetings, medievalists!
Since our Early Access journey, the only entertainment activity settlers in the game could do is playing backgammon table. We wanted to introduce new buildings for entertainment purposes, but we wanted to tie it to an existing system but make them somewhat different. That is our design philosophy when it comes to Going Medieval. Yes, we could put in new buildings, but if their only purpose was to fill out the entertainment activity bar, then why not just use a backgammon table?
We pondered a bit on this and yeah... sometimes you just need to go for the vibes and provide content variations. Hence why we are introducing 3 new entertainment buildings. We are going for activities that are relevant to the region and period of the game.
Popular in Tudor times, Shovelboard was played by the English upper classes on enormous narrow tables as long as 30 feet (9 meters). Players shoved metal weights down the tables, attempting to get them as near to the other end of the table without falling off. Presumably, the game is a formalized version of a pastime played on the long dining tables of the upper classes after dinner. Shovelboard can be played by one settler.
Quoits is a traditional game which involves the throwing of metal, rope or rubber rings over a set distance, usually to land over or near a spike (sometimes called a hob, mott or pin). Quoits is played by one settler.
Skittles, or nine pins, is a precursor to modern bowling where players roll a ball at nine pins set in a diamond formation to knock them all down. The general object of the game is to use the ball(s) to knock over the skittles, either specific ones or all of them, depending upon game variant. Exact rules vary widely on a regional basis. It is a historical lawn game and target sport of European origin. Two settlers can use skittles.
However, there is going to be a new condition in the game. We will change how the entertainment goal works. Settlers will get bored with them and can even get negative mood buffs when there is only one type of entertainment available. These negative mood buffs are available only when the settlers have medium or higher expectations (so it won't happen in the first couple of days). And that’s a good enough reason to introduce new entertainment buildings. :D
Soon, your settlers will be able to take a break from backgammon. What a time to be alive!
Also, join our Discord server as we are working on new songs and the community there suggests song names. After suggestions are compiled, folks vote for the title they like the most and that usually ends up being the final song name.
How do these things sound to you? Let us know in the comments and expect some pretty cool news soon. Until then...
Stay medieval!