Holdpoint Online - sandbox MMORPG announces release date

Calor-dev · July 2014

For those of you looking for an un-hyped solid sandbox MMORPG, please check out www.holdpoint-online.com

for the announcement of our launch date as well as our gameplay features.

Calor-dev · July 2014

Open skill system - Get better as you perform any of over a hundred skills, no milestones so you can play how you want

Unlock skills and features together - Complete city projects with other players to unlock new skills and game features, true sandbox

Offline learning and activities - Your character can read or write books, terraform, or strengthen your fort while you are offline

Meaningful combat - Combat is tactical and every fight matters. Wounds you receive in one battle will affect your next one

Crafting centered economy - Every item is player-crafted and has durability and bonuses based on the crafter´s skills and materials

Dynamic spawns and reinforcements - creatures will flee areas that are constantly cleared out or if their reinforcements are cut-off

Build a personal fort - Clear areas and then build a fort to help defend and hold that area until all creatures are forced away

Followers help defend your fort - Earn squires, pay hirelings, subdue enemies or tame beasts to aid you in defending your fort

Build the world map together - Players use the cartography skill to reveal the world map that is shared by all

Nothing is safe - Creatures can burn your fort and kill your followers, raid the main city and loot your bankbox if given the chance

No endgame - There is no dramatic shift in gameplay once you reach a certain point and no forced grouping to see the good stuff

No PvP - Players in Holdpoint will be pinned with their backs to the ocean and will only have each other to count on

macwood · July 2014

Hmm i dunno, anyone can just set up a site like that and ask for money

waveslayer · July 2014

I have to agree with Mac, I see no proof of a game.

Alot of features and a game that is launching in a few days and no one at all has heard about it, your gonna tell me all this development has went on and there is not one video or any screenshots, aweful risky to sink money into development and not let one other person see anything at all before you launch

Niburu · July 2014

planned release is in 1 year. That means the game is working and running, probably beta. If you got it that far you should be able to release it or sell beta access.

Cleverjack · July 2014

If the game was real I would be pumped, but without proof u just messing with us

Calor-dev · July 2014

Originally posted by waveslayer
I have to agree with Mac, I see no proof of a game.
Alot of features and a game that is launching in a few days and no one at all has heard about it, your gonna tell me all this development has went on and there is not one video or any screenshots, aweful risky to sink money into development and not let one other person see anything at all before you launch

The game is launching next July, not in a few days. Our media release schedule is on the website. We are making sure everything we officially release is 100% ready to be in game. There are videos on the media section of the environmental artwork for the game.

Nobody is asking for money. The pre-order is just there for people who really want the feel of starting out in a new land and starting from scratch, nothing but sand. We just announced the game this week. We are not going for any huge release, in fact we are limiting it to a thousand players at launch so that we have a smooth roll-out. Mainly we are starting to talk about the game now so that we can get beta sign-ups and stuff like that going before we need them.

There isn´t a kickstarter and we are already funded and we estimate the game will be completed in December or January. We have been very quiet and deliberate with our launch because of things that have been happening ( mainly with kickstarter ) over the last few years where games are announcing 4 years in advance. We felt it was better to just wait until we knew a launch date and go from there.

UgUgUg · July 2014

Will there be questing, campaigns or raids?

Calor-dev · July 2014

Originally posted by Niburu
planned release is in 1 year. That means the game is working and running, probably beta. If you got it that far you should be able to release it or sell beta access.

It is running already. We need a bit of more work on the fort-attacks and the AI for how your followers respond, but after that is finished, it is mostly just optimizing graphics and adding fluff on top of what is already done. The character creation is a little flat right now, so that is one thing we are going to focus on once the game is completely playable from top to bottom. Adding addition hairstyles and stuff like that.

We also plan on allowing access to the character creator a month or two before launch which will give us time to get feedback on what customization is lacking. We want players to be able to have their character created, named and already be through the generic tutorial zone before the game actually launches, so that when it does launch, players already have their character ready and know the controls and crafting systems.

Mad+Dog · July 2014

Link me some vids then? I need to see the game first!!!

Calor-dev · July 2014

Originally posted by UgUgUg
Will there be questing, campaigns or raids?

Questing - No, the only thing that is close to questing are city projects which are done by the community as a whole and unlock new game features or skills for all players to use. Some of them are just construction projects, while others will be more about accomplishing tasks like killing off a spawn point. Two quick early examples. Players will build stables, which allows packhorses. In order to do that, players must donate logs and tame/donate a certain number of wild horses. Another one is to build a bridge to an inaccessible part of the map. Players must donate logs and kill off the spawn of trolls that live in the chasm below where the bridge will be built.

Raids - Absolutely not. There is no forced group content and no ´endgame´.

Also, there is no pvp at all. Just doesn´t fit with the survival type game we are going for where the creatures are literally going to be invading your only player city.

Reklaw · July 2014

Very suprised to see people working on a sandbox game with no PVP.

You definitly got my attention and hope you will succeed.

I actually give a good chance compared to many other indie sandbox games that for me ruin the sandbox experiance with forced PVP.

If you can make the AI really compeling you might be on to something very nice.

Gonna check back in september when you have abit more media about the game and not the Unity Engine assets only.

Good luck and keep us informed

Calor-dev · July 2014

probably fair points. the pre-order link should probably be moved to somewhere less important on the page. We aren´t really even worried about getting pre-orders yet, but like I said, we want to make sure the guys who really want that first footsteps feel to be able to sign up.

But not sure about the ´generic monsters´

Everything ( except the dagger and axe on the homepage) are creatures you will see ingame and I think they look good. They are placed randomly around the site just to break up the wall-of-text feel. So creature art is on the site, environmental art videos are on the media section and our gameplay video release schedule is also there.

I will be moving the pre-order link shortly. Thanks, that really is one of the reasons we started out just posting on a few fansites so we could get early reaction.

Reklaw · July 2014

Originally posted by Jean-Luc_Picard
Originally posted by Calor-dev
Nobody is asking for money. The pre-order is just there for people who really want the feel of starting out in a new land and starting from scratch, nothing but sand.

Nobody is asking for money, yet the pre-order for a non existing game nobody has ever heard anything about before is $30.

There's no proof your game is existing except a few generic monster and item pictures on a website, not even a single screenshot. I can do a similar website in a few hours.

Are you really thinking we are that stupid?

Since you are from Spain... we aren't Don Quichotte. We don't hunt Windmills.

Not sure why you're so negative. Nobody is forcing you to pre-order right?

I mean I would not invest in the game just yet untill they got more to show. Seems pretty logical right?

Calor-dev · July 2014

Originally posted by Reklaw
Very suprised to see people working on a sandbox game with no PVP.
You definitly got my attention and hope you will succeed.
I actually give a good chance compared to many other indie sandbox games that for me ruin the sandbox experiance with forced PVP.
If you can make the AI really compeling you might be on to something very nice.
Gonna check back in september when you have abit more media about the game and not the Unity Engine assets only.

Good luck and keep us informed

Thanks. I think there is some honest debate that can be had about when UO sortof ´lost it´. A lot of people think it was when they introduced Trammel and the no-pvp areas. I think the game was still going strong after that and it was only when they drastically shifted from a crafting based economy to a diablo-style loot system in Age of Shadow that the game turned south.

And really, a core part of our gameplay is players using forts as a way to distract the onslaught of creatures away from the main city. We want the humanoid creatures to be offensive and not just sit back an wait and to really have the players playing defensively at times. It just never fit to allow players to kill each other because then you would be thrown out of the city and there just is no way to survive out on your own. The whole idea is to create a cooperate feel where players work together to protect the main city, each other´s forts and complete city projects which open up new features and skills.

Akulas · July 2014

No offence but I produce my middle finger even to those with proof that ask for handouts even with a real game. I mean with more than just some unity environmental packs. If it is a real game see you March 1st for OB if not then quit wasting my time. Sure hope I'm wrong and this game actually exists. I like being proved wrong.

Loktofeit · July 2014

Originally posted by Jean-Luc_Picard
So you don't even have a single video or just screenshot, yet you ask us for money?

I'd say something rude, but it's not allowed here...

I'm going to have to agree with JLP and the rest. No one has heard of it, there's no sign of any game, and you're asking people to pay $30 based on the all-too-familiar wishlist of sandbox features.

Calor-dev · July 2014

Originally posted by Jean-Luc_Picard
Man, on paper, your game sounds awesome.
Now just post ONE single gameplay video. A proof that it's not just something on paper, but an existing, running project.

Originally posted by Loktofeit
Originally posted by Jean-Luc_Picard So you don't even have a single video or just screenshot, yet you ask us for money? I'd say something rude, but it's not allowed here...
I'm going to have to agree with JLP and the rest. No one has heard of it, there's no sign of any game, and you're asking people to pay $30 based on the all-too-familiar wishlist of sandbox features.
Haha you make it sound like a pain to have to agree with me, old pal ;-)

Thanks for the feedback, I already dumped the pre-order link to the bottom of the page, I didn´t want or expect it to be the focus of everyone´s attention.

Not asking for anything, just keep an eye on our progress. We hard-scheduled our video releases far in advance to keep us accountable.

Cleverjack · July 2014

All the stuff you say about the game sounds great, but we don't even know what it looks like. you should've came with some vids if the game been in development for a while life you've said. I would totally preorder this type of game(you should throw in alpha/beta access with preorder) If I knew it was real, and what it looked like and how it ran.

fearu · July 2014

"Players in Holdpoint will be pinned with their backs to the ocean and will only have each other to count on"

WTF?

Calor-dev · July 2014

Originally posted by emperorwings
No offence but I produce my middle finger even to those with proof that ask for handouts even with a real game. I mean with more than just some unity environmental packs. If it is a real game see you March 1st for OB if not then quit wasting my time. Sure hope I'm wrong and this game actually exists. I like being proved wrong.

Just like to comment on the Unity Assets issue. It is actually going to be the topic of my next dev blog.

First off, almost every Indy Dev MMORPG that is in the pipeline is using Unity environmental assets. Repopulation, Pathfinder etc. It drastically cuts down on development time for indy projects, and in the end, a fern is a fern. If you play Holdpoint and you see a fern, and your first comment is ´I saw that fern in Repopulation´.. well then as game designers, we have bigger problems with keeping you entertained than making a fern. The actual assets are not as important as the lighting, mood and shaders used to give your game a unique feel. When we made the website, we just wanted to give the guys who actually make those amazing assets some credit, and maybe get them some additional business by providing links to their websites. We have no shame about buying the artwork of amazingly talented artists and using it appropriately in our game and giving them credit.

As far as creatures. it takes about 2 weeks to create a creature from scratch and fully animate it to be used as an enemy. What we are doing is selling our self-made stuff, and then using that money to buy other people´s creatures that are of high quality. For instance, if we made a minotaur that is fully animated, it would take 2 weeks and you, as a player would get 1 new creature added to the game. But if we sell that asset on various website, maybe we sell it to 10 different people. So then we can turn around and use that money to but 10 unique creatures to our game. So instead of 1 creature in 2 weeks, players get 11 new creatures. And again, you are going to see this happening frequently with indy MMORPGs being released (especially for stuff like wolves and bears). Fortunately most of the people buying assets are making single-player games so even if you switch MMORPGs frequently, you will never know we did it. The only thing you will know is that our game has unique creature models everywhere.

Loktofeit · July 2014

Originally posted by Jean-Luc_Picard
Man, on paper, your game sounds awesome.

Now just post ONE single gameplay video. A proof that it's not just something on paper, but an existing, running project.

Originally posted by Loktofeit
Originally posted by Jean-Luc_Picard
So you don't even have a single video or just screenshot, yet you ask us for money?

I'd say something rude, but it's not allowed here...

I'm going to have to agree with JLP and the rest. No one has heard of it, there's no sign of any game, and you're asking people to pay $30 based on the all-too-familiar wishlist of sandbox features.

Haha you make it sound like a pain to have to agree with me, old pal ;-)

Oh nononononono. I apologize if it came across that way.

Calor-dev · July 2014

Originally posted by Cleverjack
All the stuff you say about the game sounds great, but we don't even know what it looks like. you should've came with some vids if the game been in development for a while life you've said. I would totally preorder this type of game(you should throw in alpha/beta access with preorder) If I knew it was real, and what it looked like and how it ran.

thank you. Again, our goal is not to get pre-orders. Our goal is just get a little awareness out there about our release date. Just watch the media section and tune-in when we release new videos.

In December or January when we have the full-gameplay videos going, I just want people to recognize our name. If you really like what we talk about, then just bookmark our site and check in every once in awhile.

There is no need to pre-order, we are only launching with 1000 people anyway... and well, I am a realist and have played too many games at launch to think that even with only a 1000 players we aren´t still going to have some issues. Besides the fact that the first 1000 players start with nothing but a handful of weapons. One of the very first city projects is going to be to build a forge and anvil.. so I think that really raw type of gameplay isn´t going to be for most people anyway.

Calor-dev · July 2014

Originally posted by Loktofeit
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Oh nononononono. I apologize if it came across that way.

[/quote]

The funny part is that I just deleted my real account here last week so I could make this one... and as soon as I saw JLP had posted in this thread.. I had the same reaction

General-Zod · July 2014

I don't agree with taking the link down for the site because it's not your job to protect people from possible bad decisions. I am in no way saying your game is a scam or support people that do scam however, I believe as a consumer it's my responsibility to make the best possible choices when investing or making a purchase.

With that being said, I will be watching this game and if removing the link was the first step in a attempt to appease the people of this site you have several miles worth of steps to go if you catch my drift... good luck.

Calor-dev · July 2014

yup, understand completely. I de-emphized the link just to hopefully get some discussion going about what we are trying to do with the game, the actual gameplay. We all live inside our own heads, so it is hard to see big questions about gameplay that we need to explain more about on the website. A big part of why I started posting here is just to kinda fill in some FAQs and stuff like that.

But so far everything has been about the pre-order link and the lack of screenshots (which will be fixed soon). I think my disconnect is that in my own head I wanted this to be more a discussion of our game design, I wasn´t thinking in terms of hype or money.

And that is pretty ironic since every decision we have made in the past year has been to lower hype. We didn´t want to talk about the game until we knew we had a release date we could easily hit. We didn´t want to hype for a kickstarter. Mostly we just want to build an interesting and unique game, and I was hoping to get some feedback on that stuff.

I was really expecting just a lot of comments about us trying to do a ´sandbox´ game without pvp.

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Holdpoint Online - sandbox MMORPG announces release date

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Holdpoint Online - sandbox MMORPG announces release date

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