Originally posted on Steam on February 26, 2024. We are catching up on the backlog and will eventually post the devblogs here as they are published.
Disclaimer: Features discussed in this post reflect what is currently under development and not necessarily what will be shipping with the next test. Anything mentioned below may change at any time due to the experimental nature of Pre-Alpha development. Nothing mentioned here should be taken as a promised feature or addition to the eventual game.
BRONZE WEAPONS
Up until now, the progression for tools & weapons in the Pre-Alpha has been relatively short and flat meaning that Settlements would go from using basic early Age weapons like Flint Knives directly to Iron Swords without much intermediate content along the way. As part of the next phase of development, these gaps in the progression will begin to be filled in.
This will start with the introduction Bronze equipment, which includes a Bronze Sword, Pickaxe, Spear, Axe, and Knife. Their effectiveness will sit between Flint and Iron items. Concepts for these tools and weapons are below. These were designed based on Mirrish theming, with the intention that other factions will get their own versions later on in development.
STONE ANVIL
As part of this intermediate stage of progression in tool production, there will be a crafting process for Bronze equipment that serves as a stepping stone to the full Smithing game. This process includes some introductory elements like smelting and the use of a Hammer and Anvil, but excludes the extra steps of forging and quenching.
Bronze smithing requires the use of a Stone Anvil. Stone Anvils don't require a Workshop Area and can be built in an early Settlement. Bronze Ingots can be produced by smelting Copper and Tin, which in turn are mined from new Malachite and Cassiterite deposits that have been added to the world.
The introduction of Bronze equipment and an early Smithing game aren't necessarily the most new and exciting features to be seen in a game that includes crafting elements but are rather an important step as we work towards a more complete economy progression for the Anvil Empires.
Be sure to add Anvil Empires to your wish list on Steam. If you want to join the community, head over the to official Discord server or Subreddit.