Hello, Explorers!
Today, let's talk about the Speeder - your trusty desert ride in Lysward! This compact but speedy vehicle isn't just for crossing the dunes; it's also a mobile base for you and your companion.
Our first Speeder design (from the teaser) didn't quite fit - it felt disconnected from EARTHLOCK's world and Lysward's unique desert style. We knew we needed to take a step back, so our art team came up with some cool ideas we want to share with you.
Old Speeder concept art.
To achieve visuals that match our world and lore, the art team explored options that combined the Speeder's functionality with desert elements from the game. They created four variations: one resembling a beetle, another looking like a boat, a third inspired by a plane, and some mashups of those three.
Speeder Variations
Our team fell in love with the beetle-inspired look, drawing inspiration from scarabs that thrive in harsh desert environments. Plus, it now fits the world visually.
The original beetle variation had weight balance issues and limited mobility on sand dunes, so we added a new suspension. This lets the skids pivot and absorb shocks, which is crucial for uneven terrain.
New suspension
What's Next?
Right now, we're working on additional concept art for the cockpit design. Once that's locked in, we'll begin the long process of 3D modeling, rigging, animating, and implementing the Speeder to ensure it works perfectly in-game. You can follow updates here on our page, so don't forget to wishlist!
Add Lysward to your wishlist! It shows us how much interest there is in the game and helps with visibility.
We will be having a closed playtest soon, so don’t forget to join our Discord community if you want to be part of it!
Stay in the shadows, Explorers!
Snowcastle Games