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== Empires of Eradia: The Cataclysm of Chaos, by Jason Roberts==
{{game-beta| name = Empires of Eradia: The Cataclysm of Chaos
|developer = [[Jason Roberts]]
|influences = [[Too many to count]]
|theme = [[Fantasy]]
|released = Sept 12, 2018 (Alpha V13)
|updated = Sept 12, 2020 (Alpha V43H2)
|licensing = [[Currently, Freeware]]
|language = [[Python 2.7 and Libtcod]]
|platforms = [[Windows]]
|interface = [[ASCII]], [[Keyboard]], [[Partial Mouse]]
|site = n/a
|length = countless hours, designed for multiple playthroughs
}}
 
== Important Links==
 
EOE:COC Discord = https://discord.gg/Qthezuh
 
EOE:COC Subreddit = https://www.reddit.com/r/EmpiresOfEradiaCOC/
 
3 Month Update = https://www.reddit.com/r/roguelikes/comments/ip0lde/empires_of_eradia_the_cataclysm_of_chaos_3_month/


[LATEST UPDATE TO THIS INFORMATION = Mar 17, 2019]
Changes to Development Cycle = https://www.reddit.com/r/EmpiresOfEradiaCOC/comments/ip96rt/development_cycle_changes_going_forward_with_v44/


NOTE: Monthly Recap for Roguelikes subreddit, here = https://www.reddit.com/r/roguelikes/comments/an969c/monthly_update_empires_of_eradia_the_cataclysm_of/
Anonymous Feedback Questionnaire (new one) = https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1Lb6axmJA5asSog3ycqF5zF0Qu8sTGl1cy7Aur8EiBhE2sA/viewform?usp=sf_link


NOTE2: Major changes done in V28 can be read here = https://www.reddit.com/r/EmpiresOfEradiaCOC/comments/b1wfo4/v28_build/
== Major Changes in Most Recent Update (V43H2)==


NOTE3: Plans for V29 = https://www.reddit.com/r/EmpiresOfEradiaCOC/comments/b1ycnl/v29_plans/
* Implemented Map Hazards; usually optional ways of increasing challenge on maps.


-----
* Implemented Map Restrictions; optional ways of getting great rewards if maintained.


According to RogueBasin, my title would be classified here as Beta. It is quite stable, playable, and fun, but it is missing a lot of the endgame-related stuff, which is why I consider the game to still be in Late Alpha status. I try to do 1.5 to 2 week releases (weekly releases were pushing me towards burnout), and participate in Sharing Saturday on RoguelikeDev subreddit, so if I forget to upload here, then you can visit Sharing Saturday and grab the latest build there. The reason for the name change is primarily to avoid confusion with Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead!
* Switched to rectangular fonts; should greatly improve readability of everything.


I also now have a subreddit for my game! https://www.reddit.com/r/EmpiresOfEradiaCOC/ (If you can't post for some reason, send me a PM). I also try to keep everyone in the loop on my subreddit, so if you want more frequent updates on progress, visit it!
* Greatly reduced amount of unnecessary text in most menus.  


Current Latest build is Alpha V28 (as of Mar, 16 2019), and a binary file can be acquired from this link (windows 64-bit only at the moment)
== Description==
= https://www.mediafire.com/file/fdixk9ob9b97ov7/Binary_V28.zip/file


I am looking for feedback on the game; bugs, suggestions, problems run into, etc. I would really love it if people had feedback and gave it, as it really helps me to know that if a player is having an issue that I want to try and solve it. That is why I often release hotfixes; someone reports an issue and I solve it and release a hotfix.
A great rift has appeared in the Solarii monarchy, spewing forth vile creatures. You enter the rift, where the laws of the material plane do not necessarily apply. You must close the rift, and escape, but is there really a way out? You'll just have to find out!


I can be reached by PM on reddit (I'm Palandus) or by email: jason.roberts10000@gmail.com. I'll try to remember to update the RogueBasin as I release new builds. I use Pyinstaller to build the game, and as I only have access to Windows, I can only build for Windows.
== Primary Development Focus==


=====
As it has been heavily requested, I am working towards implementing a new Interactive Tutorial System into the game. There is a pair of Interactive Tutorials in the game and a bunch of external help text files, but the game seriously needs a better tutorial, so that is why it is my current Focus.


Current Known Issues = Most of these will get addressed once I reach Beta status (well my impression of Beta, not roguebasin's; I consider the game to be Late Alpha). Once I reach Beta, I'll be more focusing on balancing, story implementation, and implementing feedback from players, so I'll have more time/energy to focus on other game issues, such as these issues below:
It requires 5 key components before I can begin to assemble it:
* Data Unload/Reload [Done]
* Map Rulesets [Done]
* Map Storage Changes [Done]
* Map Specific Task Lists
* Event Handling System


-----
The game has a pair of existing Interactive Tutorials, but they don't cover enough of the mechanics to be super useful.
 
BUGGED SCREEN = If you launch the game and the window doesn't look right, try using fullscreen mode (ALT+ENTER) and then exiting fullscreen mode with the same keybind, should fix the issue. The issue has been reported by some users, while others haven't encountered it. I am looking into providing resolution scaling, which should in theory solve this issue, but haven't currently had the time to research how to implement resolution scaling, except that I know that libtcodpy does offer resolution scaling.  
Once the Interactive Tutorial System has been built fully, then I'll choose a new Development Focus.  
 
== Top Ten Features==


CROSS COMPILING = I am looking into determining how to cross-compile binary builds for Linux / MacOS, and am hoping to have it ready for next build in a week. If I figure it out in a day or two, then I'll upload the builds immediately. Thus far I've not figured out how to do so yet.  
* You have a ton of character build freedom and can play as you like, even being a complete pacifist, and can win the game. Specializing however is still the most optimal way to survive and excel.
* The gameplay is a sandbox experience; pursue your own goals, work towards a victory condition you like, and explore as much or as little as you want.
* Unique permadeath, resulting from achieving too much stress. This allows players to learn from their mistakes, correct them, and eventually succeed. As you get more stressed, it activates stress mechanics.
* Profile system, that allows you to achieve progression between playthroughs. This ensures that even if you go insane in a playthrough, you'll still have acquired some progression that will help the next run.
* Utilizes a more unique map generation, opting more for large battlefields, rather than tight corridors of most dungeon crawlers. Walls block vision, but not movement, allowing for tactical opportunities.
* You must serve as entertainment for the Chaos God; if you don't they will make things harder for you. This effectively works like a food clock, but without the annoyances of instant death if it runs out.
* Chaos is accrued by various actions. It cannot be reduced, and only gets worse as you progress farther, building tension, and unlocking challenging mechanics. It will clear on death however.
* The game offers many valuable and useful interactable objects. The most valuable are Secret Areas, which can be found by getting close enough to the Secret or by following directions in the Collectibles Report.
* The game has Map Hazards, which are usually optional. These make the specific map you are more challenging, and some work in synergy with other mechanics or other hazards, making them even more challenging.
* The game has Self-Imposed Restrictions, which are optional. Completing one grants great rewards, but breaking your Restriction, punishes you severely.  


32 BIT BINARIES = I have tried to compile the game as 32bit (had to download a 32 bit version of python 2.7 and a 32 bit version of the libtcod.dlls), but it appears portions of my menu code requires 64-bit, and thus I haven't been able to successfully create a 32-bit version of the game without a significant amount of problems being in the build.
== All Other Features==


=====
* You can perform four forms of crafting; Alchemy (includes Light equipment), Smithing (Medium and Heavy Equipment), Enchanting (of Equipment and Profile), and Fabrication (of Epics and Artifacts).
* I've gone for a "more is less" approach to techniques (my "spells"). So there is 4 melee, 4 ranged, and 4 spell techniques, that are each powerful and situationally useful.
* You encounter four types of foes; Horde, Primal Chaos, Treasure Fiends and Bosses. Each with their strengths and weaknesses and role in overall gameplay.
* You can change the Element of your Techniques and each Element applies a different debuff to enemies.
* Root Menu; used to access most of the other menus, from one handy location. Hit Enter key to access it.
* Game has auto-pickup; you immediately grab anything within range.
* Game has salvaging; you can convert any item you do not need anymore into useful crafting resources.
* Can craft a single item for extra bonuses, or batch craft multiple of the same item, in a single turn.
* Has periods of heavy intensity and other periods of extreme calm.
* Large battles against potentially hundreds of foes.


List of Currently Missing Features:
== Features That Need Reworking==


* Legendary Runes and Empowered Runes
These are functional, but haven't been touched in at least a year, and could use a serious overhaul.
* Primal Chaos Abilities
* Rare Portals
* Boss Abilities
* Ability to Enter Portals and Deactivate Them
* Milestones (important for multiple playthroughs)
* Main story and Side stories
* Better Menus (specifically working mouse support)
* Interface Overhaul
* Pacifist Playstyle Overhaul
* Create your own Custom Techniques
* And more (will update list later)


List of Partially Implemented Features:
* Journal menu; that contains all of the game's current lore and story.
* Antiquated Tutorials that teach basic mechanics, but not much else.
* Objectives menu; gives you optional tasks to do for XP, Runics, and Greater Completionists.
* Trial Victories; gives you 6 ways to complete the game.
* Traps; only concentrated damage ones at the moment.
* XP Overhaul; currently the game gives too much character XP.
* Itemization; items are fairly lackluster, but will improve them at some point.
* Improved Stress Systems; as stress is the determinant in many effects and eventual permadeath, this system needs to be better.
* More Map Hazards and More Self Imposed Restrictions.


* Traps and Environmental Dangers (Close to completion)
== Features That I Intend to Add==
* Endings, and End Goals Menu
* Artifacts (Need to implement Artifact recipes and Artifact Runes)
* Help Directory and Interactive Tutorial Series (This will get a facelift in V29)
* Crafting System (Close to completion)
* Uniquely useful Techniques
* Unique Biomes with their own specific challenges
* Magical Item Tiers and Enchantment Affixes (Close to completion)
* Elements and Elemental Protection (Close to completion)
* Secret Areas
* Auditory and Visual Hallucinations (Need sound effects for Audiotory, and need archer/mages for Visual)
* And more (will update list later)


=====
* Monster Abilities
* Elite Modifiers
* Vulnerable Bosses
* Greater Combat Depth
* Elemental Allies
* Barriers
* The Warped; Mini-Bosses
* Challenge Portals
* More Legendary Runes
* More Standard Portal Types
* More Rare Portal Types
* Milestones (rewards for Trial Victories)
* Much More Story and Lore
* Deeper Pacifist Experience


{{game-beta| name = Empires of Eradia: The Cataclysm of Chaos
== Current Known Issues==
|developer = [[Jason Roberts]]
|influences = [[Too many to count]]
|theme = [[Fantasy]]
|released = Sept 12, 2018 (Alpha V13)
|updated = Mar 16, 2019 (Alpha V28)
|licensing = [[Currently, Freeware]]
|language = [[Python 2.7 and Libtcod]]
|platforms = [[Windows]]
|interface = [[ASCII]], [[Keyboard]], [[Partial Mouse]]
|site = n/a
|length = countless hours, designed for multiple playthroughs
}}


== Description==
Most of these will get addressed once I reach Beta status (well my impression of Beta, not roguebasin's; I consider the game to be Late Alpha). Once I reach Beta, I'll be more focusing on balancing, story implementation, and implementing feedback from players, so I'll have more time/energy to focus on other game issues, such as these issues below:
A great rift has appeared in the Human monarchy, spewing forth vile creatures. You enter the rift, where the laws of the material plane do not necessarily apply. You must close the rift, and escape, but is there really a way out? You'll just have to find out!
BUGGED SCREEN = If you launch the game and the window doesn't look right, try using fullscreen mode (ALT+ENTER) and then exiting fullscreen mode with the same keybind, should fix the issue. The issue has been reported by some users, while others haven't encountered it. I am looking into providing resolution scaling, which should in theory solve this issue, but haven't currently had the time to research how to implement resolution scaling, except that I know that libtcodpy does offer resolution scaling.


== Features==
CROSS COMPILING = I am looking into determining how to cross-compile binary builds for Linux / MacOS, and am hoping to have it ready before I reach Beta status. If I figure it out in a day or two, then I'll upload the builds immediately. Thus far I've not figured out how to do so yet.  
* Can play however you like, as either a lethal mage, a stealthy martial expert, or perhaps as a complete pacifist; can even mix-match abilities to create your own playstyle.
* Anyone can cast spells, use any item, or perform any action, however, only those who specialize into something will be good at it.
* Unique permadeath, resulting from achieving too much stress. This allows players to learn from their mistakes, correct them, and eventually succeed.
* Profile system, that allows you to achieve progression between playthroughs. This ensures that even if you go insane in a playthrough, you'll still have acquired some progression that will help the next run.
* Played as a sandbox infinite dungeon crawler, where the player pursues their own goals and creates their own story, trying to achieve one of many victory conditions.
* Has large battlefields, rather than rooms, with various tactical opportunities to handle the myriad of foes trying to kill you.
* Primal Chaos foes increase in difficulty as you kill them and monsters increase in difficulty if you stay on a level for too long.
* Comes with a series of Interactive Tutorials and a Help Directory (neither complete though), to help new players and returning players understand game mechanics and be successful.
* Has a Journal menu, that stores all of the game's lore that is optional to read; this allows those who want to just hack and slash to do so, but also allows those who want to be immersed in lore, to be immersed!
* You must serve as entertainment for the Chaos God; if you don't they will make things harder for you. This effectively works like a food clock, but without the annoyances of instant death if it runs out.
* Can find optional lootables that offer a risk v reward; biome specific interactables and Chaos Strongboxes. The reward is great (+5 to one attribute or a rare consumable, respectively), but the risk hurts!
* The game gets progressively more difficult based on accumulated Chaos. Every 100 points increases difficulty level (which affects portal spawn rates and enemy stats) and persists between levels.
* Chaos is accrued by killing or knocking out foes and whenever the Chaos God grows bored of you. It cannot be reduced, and only gets worse as you progress farther, building tension. It will clear on death however.
* Has an Objectives menu, with a series of objectives that grant a reward for completion. Complete all objectives in a set, and earn the Completionist, which gives even better rewards.
* You earn new Objectives every 3rd floor (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th, etc), giving the player an unlimited number of objectives to complete and encourages the player to go deeper and deeper into the game.
* Bosses and Artifacts are now in, providing more of the endgame content!
* You can now win the game, and you can track your progress towards Victory conditions in the Trials Menu (Shift + 4). Can work towards many different Victories, and this progress is retained between playthroughs!
* You can now encounter Traps ($). Can be triggered by both player or monsters and will reset after 30 turns.
* You can now encounter Secret Areas (!). When you get within 15 squares of one (can track multiple at a time), a message appears stating approximate direction and distance from you. Each gives a great reward!
* Completely rebuilt the map generation code. Maps generate nearly instantly now, are easier to modify and add/remove elements, and are persistent until you die, allowing you to revisit old areas!
* Added a Credits, Changelog, and Known Issues sub-menu to the Main Menu. Also the version of the game is now listed at the Main Menu!
* Added a consistent color theme to the message log. Now you can at a glance tell if the message is worthwhile to read. May tweak later, as needed.  


* Much more! (will update this list in the future; last updated Feb 4th, 2019)
I have a more comprehensive listing of all Known Issues, viewable ingame, from the Main Menu. I also keep comprehensive lists of Changelogs and Credits, viewable from the Main Menu.

Revision as of 18:05, 15 September 2020

Empires of Eradia: The Cataclysm of Chaos
Beta Project
Developer Jason Roberts
Theme Fantasy
Influences Too many to count
Released Sept 12, 2018 (Alpha V13)
Updated Sept 12, 2020 (Alpha V43H2)
Licensing Currently, Freeware
P. Language Python 2.7 and Libtcod
Platforms Windows
Interface ASCII, Keyboard, Partial Mouse
Game Length countless hours, designed for multiple playthroughs
[n/a Official site of Empires of Eradia: The Cataclysm of Chaos]


Important Links

EOE:COC Discord = https://discord.gg/Qthezuh

EOE:COC Subreddit = https://www.reddit.com/r/EmpiresOfEradiaCOC/

3 Month Update = https://www.reddit.com/r/roguelikes/comments/ip0lde/empires_of_eradia_the_cataclysm_of_chaos_3_month/

Changes to Development Cycle = https://www.reddit.com/r/EmpiresOfEradiaCOC/comments/ip96rt/development_cycle_changes_going_forward_with_v44/

Anonymous Feedback Questionnaire (new one) = https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1Lb6axmJA5asSog3ycqF5zF0Qu8sTGl1cy7Aur8EiBhE2sA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Major Changes in Most Recent Update (V43H2)

  • Implemented Map Hazards; usually optional ways of increasing challenge on maps.
  • Implemented Map Restrictions; optional ways of getting great rewards if maintained.
  • Switched to rectangular fonts; should greatly improve readability of everything.
  • Greatly reduced amount of unnecessary text in most menus.

Description

A great rift has appeared in the Solarii monarchy, spewing forth vile creatures. You enter the rift, where the laws of the material plane do not necessarily apply. You must close the rift, and escape, but is there really a way out? You'll just have to find out!

Primary Development Focus

As it has been heavily requested, I am working towards implementing a new Interactive Tutorial System into the game. There is a pair of Interactive Tutorials in the game and a bunch of external help text files, but the game seriously needs a better tutorial, so that is why it is my current Focus.

It requires 5 key components before I can begin to assemble it:

  • Data Unload/Reload [Done]
  • Map Rulesets [Done]
  • Map Storage Changes [Done]
  • Map Specific Task Lists
  • Event Handling System

The game has a pair of existing Interactive Tutorials, but they don't cover enough of the mechanics to be super useful.

Once the Interactive Tutorial System has been built fully, then I'll choose a new Development Focus.

Top Ten Features

  • You have a ton of character build freedom and can play as you like, even being a complete pacifist, and can win the game. Specializing however is still the most optimal way to survive and excel.
  • The gameplay is a sandbox experience; pursue your own goals, work towards a victory condition you like, and explore as much or as little as you want.
  • Unique permadeath, resulting from achieving too much stress. This allows players to learn from their mistakes, correct them, and eventually succeed. As you get more stressed, it activates stress mechanics.
  • Profile system, that allows you to achieve progression between playthroughs. This ensures that even if you go insane in a playthrough, you'll still have acquired some progression that will help the next run.
  • Utilizes a more unique map generation, opting more for large battlefields, rather than tight corridors of most dungeon crawlers. Walls block vision, but not movement, allowing for tactical opportunities.
  • You must serve as entertainment for the Chaos God; if you don't they will make things harder for you. This effectively works like a food clock, but without the annoyances of instant death if it runs out.
  • Chaos is accrued by various actions. It cannot be reduced, and only gets worse as you progress farther, building tension, and unlocking challenging mechanics. It will clear on death however.
  • The game offers many valuable and useful interactable objects. The most valuable are Secret Areas, which can be found by getting close enough to the Secret or by following directions in the Collectibles Report.
  • The game has Map Hazards, which are usually optional. These make the specific map you are more challenging, and some work in synergy with other mechanics or other hazards, making them even more challenging.
  • The game has Self-Imposed Restrictions, which are optional. Completing one grants great rewards, but breaking your Restriction, punishes you severely.

All Other Features

  • You can perform four forms of crafting; Alchemy (includes Light equipment), Smithing (Medium and Heavy Equipment), Enchanting (of Equipment and Profile), and Fabrication (of Epics and Artifacts).
  • I've gone for a "more is less" approach to techniques (my "spells"). So there is 4 melee, 4 ranged, and 4 spell techniques, that are each powerful and situationally useful.
  • You encounter four types of foes; Horde, Primal Chaos, Treasure Fiends and Bosses. Each with their strengths and weaknesses and role in overall gameplay.
  • You can change the Element of your Techniques and each Element applies a different debuff to enemies.
  • Root Menu; used to access most of the other menus, from one handy location. Hit Enter key to access it.
  • Game has auto-pickup; you immediately grab anything within range.
  • Game has salvaging; you can convert any item you do not need anymore into useful crafting resources.
  • Can craft a single item for extra bonuses, or batch craft multiple of the same item, in a single turn.
  • Has periods of heavy intensity and other periods of extreme calm.
  • Large battles against potentially hundreds of foes.

Features That Need Reworking

These are functional, but haven't been touched in at least a year, and could use a serious overhaul.

  • Journal menu; that contains all of the game's current lore and story.
  • Antiquated Tutorials that teach basic mechanics, but not much else.
  • Objectives menu; gives you optional tasks to do for XP, Runics, and Greater Completionists.
  • Trial Victories; gives you 6 ways to complete the game.
  • Traps; only concentrated damage ones at the moment.
  • XP Overhaul; currently the game gives too much character XP.
  • Itemization; items are fairly lackluster, but will improve them at some point.
  • Improved Stress Systems; as stress is the determinant in many effects and eventual permadeath, this system needs to be better.
  • More Map Hazards and More Self Imposed Restrictions.

Features That I Intend to Add

  • Monster Abilities
  • Elite Modifiers
  • Vulnerable Bosses
  • Greater Combat Depth
  • Elemental Allies
  • Barriers
  • The Warped; Mini-Bosses
  • Challenge Portals
  • More Legendary Runes
  • More Standard Portal Types
  • More Rare Portal Types
  • Milestones (rewards for Trial Victories)
  • Much More Story and Lore
  • Deeper Pacifist Experience

Current Known Issues

Most of these will get addressed once I reach Beta status (well my impression of Beta, not roguebasin's; I consider the game to be Late Alpha). Once I reach Beta, I'll be more focusing on balancing, story implementation, and implementing feedback from players, so I'll have more time/energy to focus on other game issues, such as these issues below:

BUGGED SCREEN = If you launch the game and the window doesn't look right, try using fullscreen mode (ALT+ENTER) and then exiting fullscreen mode with the same keybind, should fix the issue. The issue has been reported by some users, while others haven't encountered it. I am looking into providing resolution scaling, which should in theory solve this issue, but haven't currently had the time to research how to implement resolution scaling, except that I know that libtcodpy does offer resolution scaling.

CROSS COMPILING = I am looking into determining how to cross-compile binary builds for Linux / MacOS, and am hoping to have it ready before I reach Beta status. If I figure it out in a day or two, then I'll upload the builds immediately. Thus far I've not figured out how to do so yet.

I have a more comprehensive listing of all Known Issues, viewable ingame, from the Main Menu. I also keep comprehensive lists of Changelogs and Credits, viewable from the Main Menu.