Y’all, another Q&A is rolling in! You asked (a TON of questions, sometimes many times), and we have the answers ready. There are sooooooooooooo many questions that we had to split this post into 3 parts so we wouldn’t overload the page.
Go and enjoy!
Q: Will there be DLSS support?
A: Yes, we are planning DLSS support. We are waiting to implement it in a newer version of the engine, so not sure if it will be there for the demo, but most likely for the full release.
Q: Will there be a system to produce synthetic drugs? Setting up labs and buying chemicals?
A: Yes, DDS2 lab system is way more advanced than what we had in the original. All of the drugs have their production chains, base ingredients are obtained in various ways (not to spoil anything). You have control over how complex your production and distribution chain is and how many types of products you want to focus on.
Q: What is Rafał's favorite color?
A: Yes.
Q: What's the estimated time to complete the game (hours)?
A: It will highly vary depending on your goals and playstyle. We put much effort into making DDS2 fit for both casual and hardcore “max out” audiences that want to spend very long hours and weeks in the game. You have a lot of control over your priorities, scale of the operation, expansion range and tactics. Depending on how much you want from the game you could possibly spend anything from 15 to 100 hours in one complete playthrough. It is very hard to estimate.
Q: How will the co-op work? Are you all equal in the group or are there leaders, distributors, and street dealers?
A: The game host is the main boss and has a few additional options, but you are mostly equal. How you divide your duties all depends on your planning. There also are NPC employees who can do some stuff for you, and balancing bonuses for smaller parties and single players.
Q: What is the maximum number of people you can play with?
A: For now we plan to make the co-op for up to 3 people. This might change for the full release. The limit is both a technical and a design+balance thing to consider and we need a bit more time and polish to finalise the decision.
Q: How does the save system work when playing in co-op?
A: Each game session is started by creating a new cartel. The cartel progress is saved on the host computer (or a single player PC) or dedicated server. There are also some progress elements that save locally per player. You can freely and easily migrate cartel save files between machines as well as between Co-op and single-player sessions at any point in time. Example: You can start a singleplayer session and decide to invite your friend along the way, use your save on a dedicated server to continue, or use a coop session save to continue and finish the playthrough alone.
Q: Will there be an option to create a gang?
A: Creating a cartel is the basis for starting a new game session. It’s built out of both players as well as NPCs.
Q: Where is Eddie ;(?
A: Eddie is one of the playable characters you can choose from as well as one of the two selectable narrators for the story.
Q: Will there be any new drugs in the game?
A: Yes, there are a few new drugs as well as new drug forms. Part of the available drugs are the same types as in the original, but each of them has a unique production chain, with multiple lab equipment types and sizes. Obtaining product is much more complex and engaging than simply unlocking and ordering.
Q: Will gangs/wholesaling become more prominent?
A: There are more wholesale clients to obtain in the game, yes. You also hire NPCs to “automate” your distribution chain, so you don’t have to deal with all the clients (if you don’t want to). This way you can also focus on more wholesale deliveries, big batch production and smuggling just to supply your employees with products and collect cash.
Q: Can I make my own drug and name it?
A: You can’t make “your own drug” per se, but you can make named mixes like in DDS1. You can produce all of the types of drugs available on your own tho.
Q: Will there be freedom to explore in co-op, or is there a tethered system?
A: You can free to explore wherever you like. There is no leash or distance limit system for the players. You only need to keep in mind that for listen servers (local player-hosted games) all explored areas need to be partially loaded on the server, so it may affect the host’s gameplay performance depending on his rig.
Q: Will there be any plot in the game or is it just an introduction and free play?
A: There is a full story for the cartel and an entire playthrough up till the end. There is an open ending for the cartel and a final “ending ending” for each player unlocked upon reaching the cartel ending. The main story and how you go through it will also partially adapt and evolve depending on your choices, priorities and playstyle.
Q: Will you be able to place drugs in marked zones like Eddie did in DDS1, or just sell from hand to hand?
A: Yes, you can hire your own NPC dealers that you supply by dead drops. You start the game as a “man on the ground” but can progress all the way up to only managing large-scale operations and using minions to do most of the leg work for you.
Q: Will we be able to get dyes to make custom colored drugs?
A: There are no dyes, but we’ll think about that. There are multiple color coding and custom naming features for organizing your gameplay tho. You can name employees, hideouts, containers, boats, organise substance storage and more.
Q: Will you be able to create a sub-network of NPC dealers in single-player mode, e.g. have NPCs distribute your stuff or collect resources?
A: Yes, that’s exactly how it works. You can hire NPC’s for dealers as well as other tasks and distribution.
Q: Was the playtest a full release or a beta?
A: The playtest is still in progress and considers the full game, but we are still working on some of the content, balance and mechanics. The community testers help us with finding issues, discuss features and polishing the balance of the whole game.
Q: Will there be a gang reputation?
A: Yes, you have a reputation to maintain with the game world and it has a much wider impact on the gameplay than in DDS1.
Q: What was the cat for? WHAT ABOUT THE CAT?!
A: I’m afraid that if I told you, I would have to kick you :)
Q: Will all drugs be able to be sold everywhere or will it be like a b c like in DDS1?
A: Different areas have different demand proportions, but you can distribute almost any drug almost anywhere. There are only a few exceptions, but the demand for certain drugs varies in different areas. This being said, in the end mostly you decide on what and where you want to sell and to what extent.
Q: If we are all going to be in different ranks, how does the money system work? Do the employees get a cut and can do their own thing?
A: Yes, all employees cost money. Daily or % from the sales, depending on their task. The more people you hire, the less money you make (per sale) but can do more work and tasks. Just like in any company… or organised drug operation.
Stay tuned for part 2!
Ah, btw, Dealers!
Remember the music challenge? We’re still collecting your entries so if you forgot to press send on your submission, you have a few days until the end of the month! So, get yourself recording and send us your happy creativity 👀🎶