Monthly Development Update 32
Islander
- Owner
This month I've been working on the website quite a bit. It's already starting to shape up very nicely and I'm quite happy with the outcome. I went back and forth with K.Digi a lot, thinking of ideas we'd like to implement so it isn't just a boring corporate landing page, but something more interactive, with a real reason to come back to it. I managed to add a lot of cool features, as well as give you guys a rundown and immerse you a little in the lore of Akura! I hope you'll get to play around with it soon, I'm aiming to bring it out alongside the new Supporter Public Build we're pushing to release.
We've also been working hard on remaking the Patreon system. We felt the way it works now is too constrictive and not rewarding or interactive enough, so we're planning to change how the whole thing works through the website. We'll still use Patreon for the packages, but now, by connecting your Patreon to your website account, you'll earn a new currency called Relics. Each tier earns a set amount of Relics every month, the higher your tier, the more you earn, which you can then spend on the exact cosmetics and rewards you want from the shop, instead of being limited to only what that package offers. This way you can save up and get exactly what you want. There will be many ways to earn Relics, but for now it's just through Patreon, Refer a Friend system and if you were a Kickstarter supporter. More ways will be added in the near future. But once the website is live you can ask Auriel Stormheart on the main page for a tour of the website and she'll explain everything you need to know.
On another note, thanks to the website, our roadmap and Playables page will be Automated, meaning as we work on new Playables or features for the game it will automatically update it on the website, so you can always keep up with the progress we're making on things in real-time! This is one of the many efforts we're making to make sure we can always be as transparent as possible.
Video Devblog:
View game page
Website:
https://echoesofextinction.com/
JOIN THE PLAYTEST: https://echoesofextinction.com/join-playtest
K.Digi
- Manager
This month has been a really exciting one for me personally, officially coming on board as part of the EOE production and operations team!
A huge part of my focus has been helping organize and connect departments more efficiently as the team and project continue to grow.
Over the past few weeks I’ve been heavily involved in restructuring production/task systems, cleaning up the development backlog, coordinating progress between departments, tracking blockers and dependencies, supporting QA organization, and future creature pipeline planning.
One of the biggest highlights for me has been working closely with Islander on the development of the new EOE workspace app and website systems.
We’ve been pushing hard on onboarding the team into the app, refining workflows, improving task tracking, and building a system that should make development far smoother and more efficient for everyone moving forward.
It’s honestly been amazing watching the app and website evolve so quickly behind the scenes.
Another exciting milestone this month was getting my Patreon rewards proposal finalized and then seeing Islander start bringing those ideas to life directly onto the website. I genuinely can’t wait to see the community react to the website updates, reward perks, and everything else we’re building around the world of EOE.
Honestly though, one of the best parts of this month has simply been getting to know the team itself.
Between all the one-on-one calls, production discussions, and general chaos, it’s been awesome learning everyone’s personalities and quirks.
EOE genuinely has such a passionate and talented group of people behind it, and I’m really excited for what’s ahead.
Arrived
- Artist
This month I finished up the models and textures for the tribal corpses, and split them into body parts. You'll find these in the upcoming cannibal camps that we have planned.
Chikangia
- Programmer
Hello everybody,
This month we finally manage to fix the last issues caused by the UE 5.7 update.
With this sorted out, we can finally work on the game again.
I implemented a new interaction system with some nice features to better visualize objects you can interact with and displaying the current available actions.
Also, holding interactions should be a lot smoother now and can be canceled at any point.
FuriousSmaug
- Programmer
Hey all!
This month I worked through some small QoL features and started our environmental tolerances system. For environmental tolerances, I started by implementing the seasons and temperature system. While currently in game, no effects are seen yet and will be the next phase in the project. Looking wet in the rain, feeling the effects of hot and cold, and careful management on travel are all next up on the chopping block.
Asides from major features, smaller ones were also added or improved. New colors and patterns have been added for some species, the digging ability has been added and currently being refined to work with our new interactables system Chika is working on, and the IK system has gotten its first pass. All of these aim to bring about a few more small changes to help bring the dinosaurs on par with our wants and desires.
Finally, QA has gotten our first build as of writing and has made excellent progress. Management changes have proved extremely beneficial and we as programmers have been able to focus on programming while the QA team has managed on their own. I’ll share a few photos of the IK issues I found enjoyable to see, as well as those with the intended look. 
RAR
- Artist
This month my focus as shifted a couple of times. Near the beginning of the month I was continuing to work on the Dracovenator high poly sculpt. The model is at the stage where I am starting to incorporate finer skin detail and scales.
Later I began to work on the Nemicolopterus. The lowpoly model was finished and I started to sculpt up the high poly in zbrush.
Most recently I've been focusing on texturing our current trio of playable species. There are several new skins that I am currently blocking in for the Ourano and Puru. Soon Eocharcharia will be getting a couple new skins as well.
Bohuslav_Salo
- Artist
Hey everyone!
This month I've finished the sculpt, and have been working on final topology.
Next I will create UVs and details for the model. 
Dre~
- Marketing/Social Media
Most of this month, the Devs have been working hard pushing the new UE update.
Therefore there has not been that many new things I was able to show.
Finally last week we got a new build which our QA team is working on which also allows me to show you some things here and there.
There has already been alot of new things added to the game that I can hopefully show you all soon.
I'm excited to see what you all think!
Kouga
- Artist
I've been helping Chika to place the new UI (skin creator, tips) and in the back I did some small texture changes (improvement on the background UI)
SadEch
- Animator
I've set up files that are posed and ready for renders to create a consistent pose for viewing skins on the website. This includes .GLB files for 3D previews of skins and creatures, even for the human tribals on the website.
Tested with Islander the functionality of the website's model and skin viewer, all from GLB files and posing to the render file setups that can display both male and female variants, as well as ensuring the skins and renders stay consistent for the selection and previews! This will help massively in understanding which skins and patterns are available for each creature.
Soundrynx
- Audio
This month I worked on giving the wee Juvie Purrusaurus a voice of its on, using baby crocodiles (of course), dogs, some sounds I made and.....even seals!
Suna
- Level Designer
This month has a lot I can't show~ teehee
Some related things to Kickstarter rewards and some to easter eggs in relation to the Lore of the world.
I can show some trees however, which I was photogrammetry scanning and cleaning up, taken from pictures of a forest not too far from me that have 400 year old conifer trees!
Big up Air for being patient with me and teaching me his ways :D
Vittoria Leto
- Artist
Hello everyone!
During this month I worked on the character concept of Jorik, an old farmer and keeper of ancient runes from our world.
For this character I developed the full concept package, including:
Character turnaround
Expression sheet
Material and clothing breakdowns
Supporting sheets for 3D adaptation and production
The main goal was to create a character that felt grounded and practical as a farmer, while also carrying a mystical and ancient presence connected to forgotten knowledge and runic traditions.
I focused on layered materials, worn silhouettes, and organic shapes inspired by nature and old tribal aesthetics to reinforce his role within the world.
Hope you like him!
