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Multiplayer co-op update for prehistoric builder Sapiens released

July 19th, 2024 – Majic Jungle is excited to reveal that the highly-anticipated Multiplayer Update for prehistoric city builder Sapiens launches today! Team up with friends to construct sprawling cities and collectively manage resources! Explore vast lands larger than Earth itself as you navigate unique landscapes and climates with your tribe.

Sapiens invites players to forge alliances and reshape their environment for the better. Unite with friends to build anything from towering citadels with fortified bastions to humble grass huts to make you and your tribe feel at home. Discover together and learn how to mold the world around you, which has now expanded to cover the globe. Manage the roles of your tribe members and experiment with farming, crafting, and woodworking to build your dream prehistoric civilization.

Multiplayer Update Features:

  • Build Big Together: Every player gets their own tribe in multiplayer. Working together allows you to build major trading hubs, hospitals, and other large-scale builds that would be impossible to build alone. 
  • No More Borders: With the launch of the Multiplayer Update the map has expanded to cover the whole world, allowing for completely free exploration on a global scale. 
  • Complex Interactions: NPC tribes are now controlled by AI and act independently. Moving near other tribes gives access to trading and new resources. Tribes also specialize in one of four industries: Rock tools, bread, pottery, and bronze.

The Sapiens Multiplayer Update launches on Steam today! Those eager to lead their own tribe can begin their journey with Sapiens now via Steam Early Access. Join the official Discord to stay up to date on all of the prehistoric happenings.

About Majic Jungle

Majic Jungle is the work of solo developer Dave Frampton. Dave has been making games for nearly 20 years, with the success of each major release funding the development of the next. He has combined this passion with many years of experience to create his debut PC title and culmination of his career – Sapiens. Dave is excited to lead Sapiens to its full potential, through early access and beyond.

Ylands: Nintendo Switch™ Edition Set for Launch June 20th

28th May, 2024 (PRAGUE, Czech Republic): Calling all seaworthy explorers! Bohemia Interactive is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of Ylands: Nintendo Switch™ Edition, which will be released exclusively for digital download on the Nintendo Switch on June 20th worldwide. This release marks Bohemia Interactive’s second game on the Nintendo Switch platform, following the previous success of Vigor.

Ylands: Nintendo Switch™ Edition (priced at $24.99 USD/€24.99 EUR) is the ultimate creative open-world adventure game. Prepare to be immersed in an enchanting, low-poly universe, optimized to deliver a seamless gaming experience on the Switch. The game features core gameplay mechanics focused on exploration, sailing, crafting, building, and light survival elements. This combination of mechanics offers a unique and engaging experience for players of all ages.

Watch Ylands: Nintendo Switch™ Edition’s announcement trailer to see this unique exploration experience in action – youtu.be/pggka5-uR1k

On their own fully customizable ship, players will traverse six distinct regions, each filled with unique fauna, flora, and random encounters that keep the adventure fresh and exciting. Ylands empowers players to make use of thousands of items to craft and build with, progressing through a comprehensive tech tree that adds depth and variety to the gameplay. The game gently onboards players by recruiting them to the Classy Adventurers Guild, where they embark on an incredible journey, armed with their trusty handbook, and sail towards endless adventures.

What makes the Ylands: Nintendo Switch™ Edition version of the game unique, is that it will be available as a single-player offline game, which offers the popular Adventure and Creative game modes to cater to different play styles.

Perhaps better known for their genre-defining hits Arma and DayZ, Bohemia Interactive has been redeveloping Ylands to ensure players have a fantastic experience whether they are playing at home or on the go, on their TV screens or via handheld with the following changes worth highlighting:

Play Ylands Offline For The First Time
Ylands will be able to be played fully offline only on the Switch, which is a first for this series. After download and initial launch, players don’t need an active internet connection to play the game. All player game worlds, creations and progress is stored locally which ensures smooth uninterrupted sailing, wherever they choose to play.

Buy Once, Play Forever
While Ylands on PC is a free-to-play title Bohemia Interactive has elected for a simpler pay upfront premium model for the Switch edition This, in combination with its offline nature, means there are no pay-to-progress mechanics, less of a need to grind in order to accumulate resources and no monetization pushes. All planned updates for Ylands: Nintendo Switch™ Edition will always be included for no additional cost with the option to purchase optional cosmetic DLC packages also supported.

Optimised Controls and UI with Stable Framerate
Ylands: Nintendo Switch™ Edition has been optimized to take full advantage of the hardware & boasts a stable framerate plus a user interface that has been designed with both TV and handheld play in mind.

Safe Single Player For All Ages
Due to its offline structure, Ylands: Nintendo Switch™ Edition is a 100% safe gaming environment for younger players with zero microtransaction prompts and no risk of negative interactions with other players. There is no gore or graphic violence in the game, which makes it a perfect experience for younger players.

Adventure and Creative Modes
Ylands: Nintendo Switch™ Edition is an experience that supports and encourages creative development and thinking at every stage. There are virtually unlimited building opportunities available to the player; both in the more story-centric Adventure mode and the sandbox-orientated Creative mode. If players don’t wish to create from the ground-up it will also be possible to purchase different types of buildings, ships and even pets via the Nintendo eShop.


With the full release scheduled for next month (June), excited adventurers can now add Ylands: Nintendo Switch™ Edition to their wishlist on the Nintendo eShop. This is the perfect opportunity to prepare for an engaging and creative adventure where your skills in exploration, crafting, and survival will be put to the test in a beautiful and enchanting world. Find out more via the official Nintendo eShop product page here: ylands.com/nintendo-switch-edition

To see what else Bohemia Interactive has in development, as well as further updates on Ylands, please visit the developer’s official website: https://www.bohemia.net/

Build a Business

Building a Business?

From Concept to Launch: Stand Out with a Customized App

By Chris Jones Gaming contributor Micah Norris

In today’s digital-first world, creating an app for your business isn’t just an advantage; it’s a necessity. Embarking on this journey requires a clear vision, a deep understanding of your audience, and a strategic approach to stand out. This Chris Jones Gaming guide will navigate you through the essential steps to turn your app idea into a powerful business tool.

Identifying Goals and Who You’re Building For

Firstly, understand the core objectives behind your app. Are you looking to enhance customer service, provide a new service, or improve operational efficiency? Pinning down the exact purpose will guide your development process. Equally important is knowing your audience. A detailed user persona will inform your design, features, and marketing strategies, making your app resonate with its intended users.

Leveraging a Computer Science Foundation

Acquiring a firm grasp of the fundamental principles of application development is vital, particularly when taking charge of a project. Enrolling in a program to get your computer science degree online facilitates learning alongside your professional commitments. It provides an extensive understanding of data structures, programming languages, algorithms, and more.

These components are indispensable in the app development journey. Opting for the online route to attain your computer science degree empowers you with the essential expertise required for adept project leadership and proficient development.

Work with a Mentor

Working with a mentor when launching the first app for your business can provide invaluable insights and guidance, ensuring that common pitfalls are avoided and best practices are followed. A mentor brings a wealth of experience and can help refine your app’s concept, design, and functionality, making it more appealing to your target audience. They can also offer advice on marketing and user engagement, critical components for the success of your app.

Moreover, a mentor can introduce you to a network of potential investors, partners, and other resources that can be crucial in the early stages of your app’s launch. Their feedback can be instrumental in iterating and improving your app based on real user experiences, thereby enhancing its chances for success in a competitive market. Engaging with a mentor is not just about leveraging their knowledge but also about fostering a relationship that can support the growth and scalability of your business in the long term.

Navigating the Competitive Landscape

Dive into market and competitor analysis to carve out your niche. This exploration reveals what’s already available and where your app can shine. Identifying unmet needs within your target market or offering a superior solution to existing problems can set your app apart from the competition.

Budgeting and Resource Planning

Every app’s journey from concept to launch is dictated by its budget and resources. Deciding whether to hire a dedicated team, outsource, or use a DIY app builder will significantly impact your project’s cost and timeline. A realistic budget aligns with your business goals, ensuring the project stays on track financially and operationally.

Ensuring a Seamless Launch with Rigorous Testing

Before unveiling your app to the world, thorough testing is imperative. This phase uncovers any technical issues, ensuring your app works flawlessly across different devices and operating systems. A bug-free, user-friendly app is more likely to garner positive reviews and retain users.

Crafting a Compelling Marketing Strategy

A well-thought-out marketing plan is essential for your app’s success. Utilizing social media, email campaigns, and influencer collaborations can elevate your app’s visibility. Tailor your marketing efforts to speak directly to your target audience, highlighting the unique benefits your app offers.

The Power of Analytics

Incorporating analytics tools from the start allows you to gather valuable data on user behavior and engagement. These metrics, such as session duration and feature usage, guide ongoing improvements by highlighting what works well and what doesn’t. By continuously refining features based on this data, you enhance user experience and drive business growth through informed decision-making.

Prioritizing the User Experience

The heart of your app’s success lies in its usability, which is paramount in retaining users and encouraging new downloads. Focusing on intuitive design ensures that users can navigate your app with ease, while fast load times prevent frustration and abandonment. Engaging content keeps users interested and returning for more, turning satisfied users into loyal customers who advocate for your app through word of mouth and social shares.

Wrapping Up

Creating an app for your business is a transformative journey that requires careful planning, dedication, and a user-centric approach. You can develop an app that meets and exceeds expectations by focusing on your goals, understanding your audience, and leveraging the right resources.

Remember, the goal is to launch an app and create a valuable tool that enhances your business and delights your users. Embrace the challenge, and let your app be the key to unlocking new opportunities for growth and engagement.

How to Create Factions: Part 1

Starting with…

The World ready!

The easiest way to determine factions would be to simply split them by location, or world history.

Then, the conflict could revolve around gaining or maintaining territory, and that could include groups being pushed out of their original territories and then trying to take them back.

You can also split it by the each of the area’s history, using previous conflicts to shape the factions, i.e. political ones.

The Characters ready!

Build your factions around your characters’ core beliefs.

What do your characters care about? What is their worldview? What about the opposite?

With a focus on the characters, the creation of the factions can become integral to your OC’s story. Will they need to grow out of the faction? Will the faction grow and change as the character does? Will they leave one for another as their story moves forward?

And conversely: what does being in that faction say about the character? What does a monster being in a Hunter’s faction, for example, say about the monster? Are they guilty? Do they doubt their identity, or are they a wolf in Sheep’s clothing waiting to strike?

by Abby Zarakovich

Castle Flipper

Castle Flipper is a Building and Decorating Simulator for medieval castles!

This game isn’t just castles, either: it also includes the surrounding land, and  sheds, barns, huts, houses, mansions, palaces and even pirate ships!

This game takes place in the 16th and 17th centuries, so in addition to the usual Medieval buildings, you will also find some Baroque and Renaissance elements that add variety to the gameplay and give you more options for interior decoration.

To be released May 27, 2021 on Steam, Castle flipper looks to be a fun simulator, including both rampant destruction and detailed creation.

It has lovingly rendered wooden details, and goes from the basics of building (frames and pillars) to the furniture and placement of decorative elements like suits of armor and fur rugs.

Images from their STEAM site

Ancient Board Games: Royal Game of Ur

A game like this, from 2600 BC, is full of intrigue. This delicately carved block of stone, with flowers and markings etched into the rock, sings to played again.

A 4×3 board is connected to a 2×6 board with 2 squares. There are 4 d4’s, with dots on 3 of the points. And there are 7 Tokens per player, with one blank side, and one side with 5 dots

We have the board, the dice the pieces, and the question remains: how do we play it?

Rules have been found for advanced versions of the Royal Game of Ur: the sweet irony of which is that the base rules are speculation. All we know for sure about the base game is some of the markings’ meanings, and that the goal is to get all your pieces across the board. Even the exact route is unknown.

Because of that, there are a few different sets of rules floating around the internet.

One of several points of argument is whether rolling a Zero on the dice counts as a zero, a four-space movement, or as a “roll again”.

Another point of argument is when/how pieces may be moved onto the board. On Some of the boards, the pieces are numbered, and one guess is that you must roll that exact number to play them. Other rules have suggested that you have to roll a certain number (either 4 or 0) to bring out any piece, and some discard that notion entirely; you can bring a piece onto the board at anytime.

I suppose that if you wish to play it, it’s like any game of UNO: the rules are decided by players agreeing (or acquiescing) to them.

Basic Map making – the absolute minimum

As a DM, you lead your fellow players in the adventure of a lifetime! And you can’t do that without a setting for your adventurers to traverse!

There a Few ways to do this, like always!

Base it off of a real-life location

You can simply pick a point on the globe and lift the terrain and cities wholesale. This way, you can point your focus towards the plot and characters of your campaign.

    • Pros:
  • Makes your life easier
  • Can use history for flavor
    • Cons:
  • Expectations of Culture and mannerisms that come with a person’s knowledge
  • There will be history here, and the players might expect use of it

Create your own from scratch

Use map generators or craft a map from your own imagination to craft the most individualized map

    • Pros:
  • You can have whatever you want wherever you’d like
  • Create your own world history
    • Cons:
  • You have to make it yourself
  • Create your own world history

Custom maps can be made multiple ways.

  1. Decide on a central or key location, and build what you need around it
  2. Make a legend, and drop dice (signifying different physical objects) over a piece of paper
  3. Random generator

Use a Mix of both!

You can use a real-life map as a base (for terrain or city placement), and then edit it to fit your lore/characters/villain’s actions

Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator

With an art style taken straight out of middle-aged engravings, this game is a fun twist on the recipe-style order games that litter both the mobile market and early 2000’s PC games.

In it you can create your own recipes, help the town, and interact with the customers going through your shop.

The game offers customization of your shop and an art style that immerses you entirely in your role as town alchemist.

The demo is free to play on Steam

How to Build a Big Bad Villain

There are a few ways to create the ultimate evil for your DnD (or other media) game!

The Standard

Choose from the prototypes of any popular mass media for the skeleton to build your villain off of!

The common tropes in media range from Evil boss to Mass-murdering maniac. The general tropes for a simple villain include a sad backstory, a tendency for murder, and a longing to take over the world by violent means.

The way to impart your generic villain’s actions is to really expand on the scope of their evil deeds. Don’t just mention the widespread destruction, but show it and its aftereffects. Have the village that your players were going to head to be torn apart, have the most trusted villagers mention their hatred of the Big Bad, and how the villain affected them and their livelihoods.

The Foil

Examine your player characters and their motivations. Pick what drives them, and craft a villain that wants something similar, but does it in a completely different way than your player characters.

You can craft a foil from characters the player(s) already know, and they don’t even have to start as antagonists. With the foil, you can also grow their powers/abilities/fear-factor along with the players, to help with scaling their end-game “badness” level.

Worldly type

This is a villain built out of the world you have created. What would mess up the world you have created? What ideology would cause the collapse of the society you have? What is the worst case magical/supernatural/scientific scenario?

Say your world has a heavy dependency on a particular resource: the villain can hoard it, or they could seek to destroy all of it.

 

Setting the Stage: How to prep for your first DnD session

Your Stuff

Ready by session One:

Basic World building: Major locations and the breadcrumbs that will lead your players there.

Some starter quest for your players to introduce them to the world or situations you want them to face. This will also serve as a way to help your players figure out the beginnings of where they want to take their characters.

Your Players

Ready by session One:

Character sheets– These can be done as a group (as a “session 0”), or individually with the DM

Backstory– Informed by the world, they can intersect with those of other characters. It might be good to remind your players that the backstory is essentially a “Prologue” to the campaign.

Your Vibes

Ready by session One:

Prospective playlist for encounters: the specifics of which will be up to you. Some DMs like background music, others prefer the actual sounds that could feasibly be on the journey. For music, Video game OSTs can provide what you need. For Sounds, there are YouTube videos with things like 10 hours of ship noises, or failing that, you can look at customizable ambience sites.

Playlists helps your crew get in the mood, and can help with immersion in the story, depending on how you play it.

Gaming News and the Ultimate Universe