Last update I talked about animation troubles we had to overcome recently and how that had slowed things down a lot. We were able to hire a full-time animator in February who you’ve since met: Tumbledown, and he’s hard at work. Unfortunately, there is no way to make the animations come out faster; well, except perhaps making them crappier but I don’t think anyone wants that. Tumbledown has been working long hours skinning armor, fixing mini-bosses and animating the big boss but he was only hired 3 short weeks ago, so there is only so much that can be accomplished in that time. The boss also takes almost twice as long as a normal boss because… well, you’ll find out in time.
Alpha is on the horizon though and we’re churning through the last things that need to be done before the long awaited release. Once the boss is animated, we’ll get him combat ready, test to make sure there are no major game-destroying bugs and package a build up for distribution.
I’ve personally been working to finish off the last touches on the 3 class masteries that will be available in alpha: Soldier, Demolitionist and Occultist, along with a slew of other random things. I’ve also been exploring some other payment and distribution options that you all have been requesting and should have some news on that later this month.
Will alpha be out in March? I think there is still a good chance if we don’t hit any snags or have to redo any animation work but, ultimately, it will be out when it is ready. It’s getting down to a matter of weeks but whether that’s 3 weeks or 6 weeks, or more, I can’t be certain. The only way I could try to give you a reliable date would be if we were to set a release date that was well after the point at which we estimated alpha would be ready, which is how big commercial releases work, but we want to get the alpha to you as soon as it is ready. So, please be patient. It has been a long time in the making and alpha is getting ever closer. We’re working as hard as we can to deliver it and would appreciate it tremendously if you can just hold in there a little longer.
To help pass the time, Zantai will be posting his usual update later this evening with some tantalizing affixes, equipment shots and a first look at the boss in development!1!!
Thanks for the update! As far as I’m concerned, I have enough patience to wait longer. I just want the game to be as awesome as it can be. Looking forward to Zantai’s update as well.
It always takes some time to get into the work so no hate for Tumbledown, I am sure he is doing an amazing job. Just take your time and make sure everything works, even if some things are not perfect it is still the “Alpha” so you won’t too much hate for some smallish stuff.
thanks for the update, can’t wait for the alpha, but if it needs extra time so be it, I’m sure Tumbledown is doing his best to make GD good too, so really while I hope alpha will be really soon, but I don’t want it rushed if the game isn’t fully ready yet
Thanks for the update medierra - strange as it may seem, I am now rooting as much for Crate as I am for Grim Dawn. Following the development since the Kickstarter has been one of the most interesting and enjoyable experiences I have had in over 30 years of gaming. I am really looking forward tot he alpha but can wait until it is ready and actually expect there to be lots of issues with the code that we will be able to report to Crate, thereby helping you guys to produce further awesomeness. Playing the alpha build, for me, will therefore be both a privilege and an opportunity to contribute. Take all the time you need and but please leave the testers something to do!
Good update, getting really close now Tumbledown shouldn’t recieve any hate ofc he’s doing great work I’m sure. Looking forward to Zantai’s update, can’t wait to see the new boss!
Nice !!! But don’t rush it. I know I’ll be whining on the forums from time to time, but don’t give in to me
Release it when YOU think it’s ready for an alpha release. I’ll be eagerly waiting.
Thanks for the update medierra! As others have mentioned, some of us are fine with you guys taking your time and personally I wouldn’t want you to rush or stress out over anything, but it’s obviously understandable that there are other factors playing into your development schedule.
I’d like to echo a few other posts here. I love your effort on this game but please don’t feel stressed to rush out a build. Take all the time you need the ARPG genre needs all the true love it can get! I’m excited but can wait for an amazing game!
Medierra, i’ve watched Crate for about as long as i’ve watched Runic. Despite the fact that i’ve given most of my time and effort helping spread the word about Runic, i’ve also done as much as I could to tell people about Crate and about this game. Most of the folks over on the Runic forums are really looking forward to Grim Dawn.
I truly believe that you folks are going to make a great game. I’m not expecting it to be the most amazing game ever, I think you deserve better than to be placed on a pedestal like that but I ‘do’ honestly think this will be a really, really great game. I think that while you might not have the resources and budget you had while over at THQ, I think this game is going to have a lot more personality and heart because it’s ‘yours’.
You’re getting to do a lot more of what you and your team want to do and I think that more than makes up for not being able to make it as big as some of the other arpg’s out there. I’ve waited and supported and spread the word for years now, letting you do what you need to do and not rushing it and waiting until you absolutely feel it’s in the best possible shape it can be before releasing the alpha isn’t going to hurt me any.
In fact, it’s the best thing to do. You folks do what you gotta do. I’ll be there to give the very best feedback I can when you’re good and ready for it.
I also needed to add THAT^^^^^ so very much that. Crate, Runic and the folks at Grinding Gear Games have some of THE most AWESOME, honest developers ever. Tons of integrity. I don’t think it can be stressed enough. This is why I fervently support all three. Yes, they should be doing the right thing, anyways-that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be appreciated, especially considering how many publishers and developers there are out there who place a fast buck over integrity and doing what’s in the best interest for both themselves AND the consumer.
Nice, finally! I was specting a game like Titan Quest for many years, but nobody did somethig like it, i hope that GD will be funny like TQ. Time buy my loyalist account!
Good time to release the alpha too… A lot of people is quitting Diablo 3 and playing PoE, but PoE is too boring.
Thanks for the update! Lately I find myself checking this website nearly once every 60 mins to see if there’s any news concerning alpha. But that being said, I don’t have any problems waiting for as long as it takes to make this game the best possible. Please take as much time as you need, and even a little more, just to make sure. If Grim Dawn turns out anything else than the best ARPG of the last 10 years, it’s a disappointment, so waiting and delays is very much expectable! Keep rocking.
Oh, as alpha draws near I hope you guys (Crate) have already setup your bug/issue tracking system because I suspect you will be overwhelmed and the forums isn’t the best place for that type of system.
Thanks for another awesome update! You guys are doing amazing work as can be seen in in the newest Grim Misadventures! Thank you for keeping us so up to date on everything that’s happening it really makes the wait a lot better. I am so excited to see the alpha released and being tested!
Tumbledown shouldn’t recieve any hate ofc he’s doing great work I’m sure. Looking forward to Zantai’s update, can’t wait to see the new boss!