September 2025
Another month goes by we dedicated most of the time to finalizing the first iteration of the Campaign mechanics. At the same time we are updating our marketing material to boost visibility the following months. That said, let's talk about some specifics of the development process.
Asset Pack
So far, we’ve modeled and textured over 400 assets that populate the different environments of the game world: from mountains, dense forests, bustling markets, villages, ancient temples, and all kinds of constructions, to the smallest props and ornaments. Combined, they give each location a unique and easily recognizable identity.
From the start, our policy has been to prioritize performance above everything else. That means keeping assets low-poly and consolidating textures into just a handful of atlases. This approach not only ensures the game runs smoothly on lower hardware, but also allows us to focus development time on gameplay dynamics without creating optimization headaches down the road.
Audience
Keeping with our mandate of supporting low hardware specs, we set out to build an audience system that was both performant and visually engaging. Many games settle for cardboard cutouts, billboard sprites, or generic looping animations — but that didn’t fit our vision. We wanted the crowd to feel alive: reactive, dynamic, and unmistakably part of the game rather than just background dressing.
From a technical standpoint, we combined VAT (Vertex Animation Textures) with multiple atlases and color-replacement techniques to efficiently generate variety across the crowd. This let us render the entire audience in just a handful of draw calls. The process was surprisingly smooth thanks to the wealth of existing material on VATs.
On the logic side, every audience member can be controlled individually. Their behavior adapts to match context: they cheer, boo, grow restless, and — at higher levels of discontent — even throw objects onto the field.
We’re very happy with how it’s shaping up. Before release, we’ll continue refining the system to push the polish further, but the foundation is already strong: a lightweight audience that feels alive without tanking performance.
Umpire Spotlight: Centurio
Feared and respected by locals and foreigners alike, the Centurio marches with pomp, flanked by his escort, toward the grandstand of the stadiums where dozens of eager fans await the opening whistle. Like his fellow arbiters, he has been appointed by the High Council to preside over the early phases of the Imperial Games — enforcing order with an iron will, dispensing justice on the field, and ultimately sealing the fate of the scoreboard.
Yet the balance of judgment is rarely pure. With a watchful eye on the hidden wagers of the powerful and the volatile mood of the masses in the stands, the Centurio often turns a blind eye to “unfortunate accidents” or “mysterious episodes” that disrupt the natural flow of play. When the clashes end — in triumph for some, in bitterness for others — he salutes the crowd with indifference and declares: “Such is the will of the gods!”