Q: Well, what is it?
A: i don't even know anymore :v I'd technically classify it as a MUD? (Multi-user Dungeon)
but that aint accurate either...as a mud is just a... text based MMORPG....which I /guess/ DP fits into. But it will also have images, and be not just a dungeon you play through. IDFK. it's weird.
I don't think there is a "genre label" for what DP is.
Q: You said "DP is free to play", but I have to own AU to play it?
A: Yeah, nah actually. UH.
Through my headbashing attempts at building websites. I've...been working on making the DP "Log in" thing.... a website on github. So... No. you won't need AU to play it. It will be completely "free".
Free as in...you can do everything, but as always, you can donate to ko-fi to get some extra perks 🤷
Now that being said. I am a very strong advocate against "Pay 2 win" type deals. The perks will be completely unnecessary, They will just make some things... less of a headache.
Like do you NEED 100 inventory slots? No, you probably wont be able to fill them all before you need to go back to town anyways, but its one of those things where not having to worry about something can let you enjoy the game more.
Q: Why are you pausing on AoA to work on DP instead?
A: Wellllll. I'm not. Through making DP these last 3 weeks.... I've also been working on AoA inner mechanics too. Now that doesn't really bring the game closer to completion, but it will make the game...stronger.
However... to answer the main point? Reach, Community.
Lemmeexplain.
Do you realize what AoA is?
It's a MF VTTRPG.
That means you need:
a story to play through
A GM
at minimum 1 player
a schedule.
Now what sounds easier.
Setting up all that for a NEW indie TTRPG no one wants to run cause its not D&D.
OR
Logging into Discord. Chatting, and the game happens around you...just enjoying the community?
The answer is easy.
Plus it being completely free, is also a door way into the larger AU.
Like DP? Might be interested in the other games in the universe because they'll have the same depth, and care.
LIke. Don't get me wrong. AoA is my baby. I'll never stop with it.
...but the choice is obvious.
AoA also happens at the end of the lore and story so. I guess it has even less of a reason to work on it first yaknow?
Q: Ok, Explain normal gameplay for DP then.
A: 🤷 You join the discord. allow server pm's. the bot pms you. You setup a character... come back. input the code. aaaand then you're technically "playing".
You start in a town called Halcyon. and unless you use the !travel command to....start playing. It's just a normal discord server...well
one where you can get kicked out for inactivity as the system assimilates you.
BUT otherwise. travel to locations, and then the game happens around the activity of the server.
Random spawn changes, and random item drops are based on...you engaging. talking to othe rpeople, sharing memes, sharing music. sometimes a creature will spawn, and you have to fight it(This doesn't happen in towns)
sometimes you just wanna chill, and buff the town so everyone ELSE playing atm gets more powerful.
Sometimes you wanna set up a market and sell your junk (🤷 while you're sleeping or at work or w/e)
but the game happens around the server....as it would naturally in icolass.
You get loot, level up, install DLL's to make your deamon do some crazy shit.
eventually you reach the end.
Yes there is an "end" to this MMO.
You ascend..... and either stay ascended and help others how you can, or... make another character. try new builds. enjoy yourself.
it's not a "idle and lurk" type of discord game like most. participating in the community will be required.
but hey. it's free.
Q: Assimilated?
A: Yup, you are a program(daemon) who has gone rogue against your programming...to the system? you are a virus.
You fight back against this assimilation via your willpower. (e.g. being active)
If you stop being active? ...well. you're easy to merge back into the system.
After a while you are reclaimed(kicked from the server)
But don't worry, Your daemons progress isn't ever deleted. I won't even delete people who gets banned.
Q: So Do I Have to be online all day?
A: Hardly. The activity requirements are set up to be...................very lax.
You basically have to... "exist". Show that you have a working braincell.
This isn't a server you can mute and throw in the background.
You will die.
You will be assimilated.
Q: Do I Miss out on anything not being in the server/playing DP?
A: Nope. All of our important discussions (Bugs, Help, Suggestions, whatever) Will be uploaded to a Github nightly with all names obsfucated except for Game Masters.
You will not lose out on any information not being in the server.
You cannot play the game out of the server however.
As for Lore wise and w/e...you can find all that in the LogIn/char creator for daemon. once its completed.
I've thought of doing special events, but I don't want to create FOMO. So. Probably wont do that either.
Q: Can I Play Solo?
A: As a forever GM... You can certainly try.
The game is balanced around a party of two minimum.
so. Technically...Yes you can solo.
Should you?... no.
You'll spend most of your time just idling in town...healing....as you take a relentless beat down lmao.
Q: Will there be PvP?
A: Nope. Aint even going to try to balance around that bullshit.
Most of the games in AU are PvE for a reason.
Q: Can I run DP on my Discord Server?
A: sigh
Technically? Yes.
Practically? No.
The game uses THREE different bots all with hard coded id's and services that... If i even tried to give you the tools to do it, you'd have to re-code the whole fucking thing yourself except the game data.
And while i COULD let people do that? I don't feel like dealing with the headache.
I got 7 more games to build, and other shit. I can't be your tech support.
Q: How long does it take to Beat?
A: I really don't know. I can speculate. but with all the RNG elements? ooooooh... maybe 6 months to a year? It truly depends on your activity and build too.
Q: Can I Respec?
A: I hate games that make you wait till you're fckin 75% done and THEN let you respec. (lookin at you Lies of P)
You can respec at any point for in game currency called bits. This is not MTX..its just...the currency to buy things like potions and what not.
You can respec your stats and what not... but you are stuck with your DLL's
Q: Why is it called "Daemon Protocol"
A: That's explained in the log in/char creator thing :)
Long story short, You're a daemon (background process in a system), and your protocol. is to exit Icolass, and emerge into Ardron...............you'll find out what that means in the game.
Q: Will this game get constant Updates or are you going to quit working on it once its done, and focus on your other games?
A: Do I look like the type of person who choses what the fck i work on?
Ardron guides me.
If it suddenly feeds me a DLL idea while im working on Arcane Titans, well looks like im opening DLLs.py and adding a new DLL.
There was more, butyaknow. this is long enough. and i have games to make.
Feel free to ask more in the comments, or don't ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
Butts 👋
Edit time!
buddy asked me more questions after reading, so.
i'll add as i get a chance.
Q: What are DLL's?
A: Think of like... Well what are DLL's in a computer?
In short, its code, and data, that lets a program run differently
for You it lets you.... run differently.
uh.
i'll be really funny here and make a pun. but first...
When you make your character, you will get to choose two DLL's
And then you get one every 5 levels. There is 4 "tiers"
Tier 1. requires nothing. you can just pick it.
Tier 2. is a branch, it requires the previous tier 1 DLL
Tier 3 is another branch. it might require both the Tier 1 DLL and the TIer 2 dll.
Tier 4 is an endcap. You can only have 1 Tier 4 dll of a skill tree.
Per "realm" there is three tier 1 DLL's.
Then for each of those tier 1 dll's. there is three tier 2 dll's....and so on and so forth.
now for the pun.
One of our skill tree's is called the "Renegade".
When you have it. you can always succeed fleeing from battle, and no conditions or effects can prevent you from performing actions (e.g paralysis)
and tier 2 exacerbates that idea...depending on what extension you choose.
basically there is three Renegade-II DLL's. all increasing your abilities.
they don't Replace the tier 1 dll. they make it stronger. aaaaand you can (if you want). just end up picking all three tier 2 dll's. ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
Q: About Assimilation. What if I'm away, or I get busy, or something?
A: Well. You can build up resistance with enough activity. up to 14 days.
There is an activity threshold to not lose your resistance..and then once you meet the second threshold, you gain another point of resistance.
So you get a month and a half to.... literally prove to the machine you're alive.
worse case scenario you just.... rejoin the server?
Q: What If I don't have a Discord account/Discord isn't available in my Country?
A: Yeahhhh, Make one? or if you're banned. Idk what to tell you... Wait until DP changes locations? Which could be never...
If you're in a country where Discord isn't available...yeah genuinely sorry about that. Might need a VPN
Q: What about Alternate accounts? Can I make multiple characters?
A: What about'em? I don't care.
Oh no, got banned? using an alternate account?
COOL, you liked it enough to come back. Just remember the rules, and don't be a little ***** this time ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
As for multiple characters? Yeah go for it.
Just remember to actually play on them constantly or they'll get assimilated :)
Yeah I know i got to those a day or so later, i got busy 🤷
butts 👋