Hello Pachans!
April 25th is around the corner, and we’re so excited for you to play the game!
Before diving into the amazing journey it’s been developing the game, here are a few important things to note.
❗Beta and Backer Keys❗
As the release on April 25th is fast approaching, we’ve been working on the keys distribution website to ease the process of delivering them.
Now, you can manage your platforms at https://rootsofpacha.com/orders. You can switch platforms freely up until April 10th. On that day, the beta will end, we’ll invalidate all Steam beta keys and reissue Steam release keys. Any copies set to Steam will be locked for further changes. You’ll still be able to change copies from any console to Steam after April 10th, just keep in mind that if you do, you’ll be issued a Steam key and won’t be able to switch back to a console.
❗Release and Roadmap❗
On April 25th, Roots of Pacha 1.0 will be released on Steam for Windows & Mac!
In the following sections, we will dive into all the work we’ve done to have a 40+ hour game. We’ll also call out the places where we’ve laid down the groundwork for future updates. We are committed to adding all the Kickstarter stretch goals and features that expand on the 1.0 end-game.
After the game releases, we’ll first focus on making sure the game is stable and a bug-free experience. Then, we’ll begin the process of porting and testing the game on consoles. As this happens, we will be able to share what our expected roadmap is for the remaining content.
Player Character Customization
We’ve added further customization options for your player character. You’ll be able to select one of 3 body types and pair it with one of 9 face options.
You will also be able to choose from 15 skin tones, 34 hairstyles and 30 colors, 10 styles of facial hair, and outfits to fully express your stone-age self.
Flora of Pacha
There are more than 30 plants that grow natively in the regions of the world. Initially, you’ll need to discover where they grow and collect their seeds to plant them in your fields.
If you were a beta player, you’ll notice that wild plants will now only yield seeds. We made this change to better balance the game and make harvesting that much more rewarding.
As you keep planting them, you’ll gain knowledge that’ll change how the plant looks, reveal its growth cycle, and increase the value of its yield. You’ll also be able to propagate seeds when you discover the “Idea” of a plant nursery.
You’ll also discover “Ideas” that will change how you farm: a composter to create different kinds of plant food and soil improvements, a beehive to promote their symbiotic relationship with plants, and eventually, an irrigation system.
We’ve updated the irrigation system to fit better with advanced tools that affect 3, 6, or 9 tiles at a time. Now, the middle tile in between two irrigation trenches will also be watered.
Fauna of Pacha
There are 7 tameable animals: Ibex, Ostrich, Wild Boar, Guanaco, Bison, Jungle Fowl, and Steppe Horse. Each with 10 variations to befriend and domesticate. On some days, you’ll find rare and even legendary variants hanging out with the herd.
Once you tame these animals, they are your responsibility to feed and care for as they may get upset tummies, coughs, or fleas, and you’ll need to give them some medicine.
Once you discover the “Idea” of animal breeding, you’ll be able to raise their stats and get higher-quality produce from your well-cared-for friends.
After the 1.0 release, we will introduce animal evolution, where you’ll breed animals to get more modern-day equivalents.
The Caves
As you traverse the mysteries of the caves, you’ll gain new powers, discover new materials to craft with, develop new ideas, and evolve your tools.
The Lands & Neighboring Clans
You’ll be able to explore the land you settled, the nearby forest, the depths of the caves, the expansive savanna, and the calm waters of the beach. Along the way, you’ll meet a few characters from two neighboring clans, the Yakuans of Turtle Islands and the Mograni of the Tundra.
After the 1.0 release, players will be able to continue their stories and visit these areas. It’s also where we plan to introduce the Kickstarter stretch goals of camping, ball sport, the volcano cave, and fishing by boat.
Home Sweet Home
You’ll be able to personalize your home with over 200 types of furniture and decorations. After you complete the “Idea” of an art station, it will unlock the ability to “paint” your own canvases and pottery to get even more creative with your space.
Pets
In the 1.0 release, you’ll find 5 different pets and can invite up to 3 to live with you in a fully upgraded house. You’ll be able to pet them and have them follow you.
After the release, we plan on adding more interactions with your pets.
Friendship
Pachans love to dance, and with the right amount of friendship, they’ll dance with you too. It was important to us to create more ways to interact with the clan other than just gifting and talking.
In the 1.0 release, there are a number of “world” cutscenes with non-romanceable characters that we felt helped tell the story of who the clan is. All players in co-op will experience these at the same time.
Romanceable characters also have 3 “personal” events (at 6, 8, and 10 flowers). Since we wanted you to experience all characters’ stories, the first 2 can be seen as either a hangout with a friend or as a date.
In co-op, for the “personal” cutscenes, other players will go about their business as you’re whisked off to spend time with that character. Some of these events have different endings depending on what options you choose.
After the 1.0 release, we’ll continue adding more cutscenes to help deepen the clan’s stories.
Romance
You’ll be able to date 11 characters after seeing their 6 flowers cutscene. You can choose to date or not, which will influence the way you experience the 8 flower cutscene. The 10-flower cutscene is exclusively a date.
There is no penalty for dating all romanceable characters at the same time, although you can only form a Union with one. Actions, like kissing, will unlock if you date an NPC long enough.
In the 1.0 release, you will be able to form a Union with any of the romanceable characters by the Pacha Tree. In a future update, you’ll be able to choose your union location. And if desired, break your Union.
Children
Once you have a fully upgraded house and you’re in a Union, with either a character in the game or another player, you’ll be able to let Pacha know you’d like a child. With a little time, she will grant your wish, and a little one will appear.
Cute as they are, infants are a lot of work and will need you to check in on them and take care of their needs throughout the day, or you’ll wake up tired from a poor night's sleep. The clan is there to help, but your child needs you too.
Once your little one is old enough, they’ll have their naming ceremony to become a toddler. As a toddler, you’ll experience new things, like teaching them to walk and start to talk.
After the 1.0 release, we plan to expand this and allow you to see your children grow into more life stages.
Pachan Festivals and Events
The clan loves to appreciate the world around them and celebrates in:
- Cave Painting - paint your history on the cave walls
- Clan Gathering - submit the secret judge’s favorite dish
- Fall Carnival - compete in a music festival
- New Year's Eve - ring in the new year watching the northern nights and hearing a story
- Competition Day - compete in a variety of mini-games to win prizes
- Winter Festival - chat with the clan and have a grand snowball fight
- Racing Days - Once you discover racing, you’ll be able to race twice a season against other characters
We want you to not feel rushed as you play, so are aiming to expand the number of festivals and possible activities (like the stretch goal “ball sport”) as we update the game and add the homeland of the Yakuans and Mograni.
Discoveries & Collections 🕵
There are plenty of things to discover in Roots of Pacha.
- Explore the lands to find seeds or trade for some to grow over 30 types of plants in your fields.
- Develop 29 different ideas to change the way the clan lives.
- Cook over 70 unique recipes to become an experienced chef 🍝
- Catch over 40 species of fish in different spots and seasons 🐟
- Gather over 40 types of materials to craft or contribute around the land 🍅
- Increase your contribution by processing and preserving food in over 30 ways.
- Complete all the prophecies 🔥
Steam Achievements
We had a lot of fun coming up with over 50 achievements. For those that like achievement hunting, we hope you have fun with them!
Thank You
Roots of Pacha is created from a place of love. When we look at the game, it’s easy for us to see each of the team's contributions to the whole. Like Pachans, we worked together to create something bigger than ourselves and went on a journey that was new for us all.
We say it every devlog, but it feels even more important for this one, thank you. Thank you for going on this journey with us. Thank you to the backers who helped fund this project. Thank you to those that supported us and helped spread the word of Pacha. And thank you to the community for all your kindness.
Thank you all for your support. We can’t wait to hear all of your feedback on the release.
You rock!
The Soda Den Team