Progress on "Realm of Dominance"

Hello Dear Patrons,

I'd like to report some of the work we're doing on Realm of Dominance, and provide a summary of the upcoming update.

What is taking so long?
I'm aware that this update is taking too long, and we're doing our best to provide a viable version to our patrons as soon as we can.

Before I go into details, I'd like to say that this isn't just an update — this is a full rework of the game. We love Realm of Dominance. We started this game with big dreams and a big scope. We thought the combat system needed to be more fun and engaging, and we decided to change it — not rework it. But this required all of the game mechanics to be compatible with the new combat system, and they needed to make sense together.

So we had to add "Attributes" and "Resource Management" mechanics in order for it to become a real RPG game. We also wanted to reward the creativity of our players who want to play with a different Destor that can cast sorcery or other builds.

Gif quality is lower than before since Patreon reduced file limit to 2mb.

A new "Rare Event System" is now used for tutorials.
The game has changed a lot in terms of complexity. We previously received a lot of feedback about how our game did not provide clear instructions for its gameplay, so we implemented pop-up tutorials to help you navigate both the UI and the game more easily. This will keep players from losing track of what to do and how to do it. We also made a lot of UI improvements to support this.

Too Many Items

Now that the game is a complete RPG, we’ve added 232 items that are usable by both Destor and his enemies. This is the part where it gets time-consuming because we’re trying to balance the game with all those items, skills, and their attribute requirements. That doesn’t mean we’re trying to hit perfect balance in the game. That’s not possible without testing, but at the very least, we need to get it to a point where it’s viable and playable. And we’re making great progress on that part.

Summary of all posts regarding the last update of Realm of Dominance:

Core Gameplay Loop Overhaul
Added a progression system focused on self-improvement.
New game loop: Self-Improve/Buy gear → Participate in Fights → Defeat Bosses.
Integrated time cost and resource depletion into the loop for strategic pacing.

Stat Development System
Players can spend in-game time to train specific stats at designated locations.
Training or combat affects player needs such as Hunger, Energy, and Happiness.

In-Battle Stat Growth
Stats increase based on specific combat actions:
- Strength (STR): Carry heavy items or weapons.
- Vitality (VIT): Take damage during battle.
- Agility (AGI): Use lighter loadouts efficiently, minimizing stamina usage.
- Endurance (END): Deplete stamina through actions.
- Dexterity (DEX): Land successful hits or blocks.
- Intelligence (INT): Deal magic damage.
- Mind (MIND): Use mana.
- Charisma (CHA): Taunt enemies.

Out-of-Battle Training System
Players can train at specific locations with time and resource costs:
- Gym: STR, DEX, VIT, END, AGI
- Oracle Room/Library: INT, MIND
- Tavern: CHA

Resource and Life Simulation Systems
Four essential resources introduced: Hunger, Energy, Happiness, Satisfaction.
And a fifth resource: Time.
NPC Zia (at the Tavern) sells food that replenishes Hunger and Energy.

Tutorial and Onboarding Improvements
New quest (Education) introduces stat growth and resource management.
Players visit the Gym, Oracle Room, and Tavern.
Freedom to choose what to develop while learning the systems through gameplay.

Combat System Enhancements
A whole new turn-based combat system.

Visual and Technical Systems
Created shader system supporting outline, pixelation, hue/saturation, and contrast.
Shader supports per-object hover effects without needing new materials.
Stat feedback system using bubbles that are making path from your resource bar to the developed attribute, visually filling the progress bar of the developed attribute.

User Interface Improvements
Continue button in dialogue now appears dynamically before scroll finishes.
UI supports time selection, stat gain previews, and resource cost feedback.
Inventory UI shows why item is unable to be equipped by indicating the necessary attribute, that is also true for when a skill is trying to be equipped.

To sum up, we have made great progress, and we're doing our best to release a Patron only version so that we can have more of your feedbacks. Keep in touch to get latest updates from us for both of our games. Have a good day!