August 2024 – Early Access Buzz!

Greetings, Pantheon Fans!

Last we met, the Ranger and Summoner stormed their way into the Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen test. Since then, we have kicked our current season to the VIP testers and they are working out the kinks in a fresh zone, with fresh characters.

We performed a full wipe, resetting all players back to level one and set them free to experience our latest addition: Halnir Cave. Here you will meet new foes, distinct challenges, and a wider level range of content. At the writing of this newsletter, only a handful of brave groups have managed to get beyond the opening caves as adventurers will need to be skilled and well-equipped to progress in this zone.

Along with a new playable dungeon, we have also reintroduced the death penalty. It was previously turned off for testing purposes, but we are ready to bring back the punishing feel of failure. Make good choices, my friends, because if you fail in your adventures, it will hurt! We have also ramped up the difficulty of gaining experience, falling more in line with our eventual goal of having a smooth and rewarding progression through content and levels.

This season also sees improvements in classes and crafting. We have added salvaging! The nuances of our crafting system make it fun and engaging to pursue all on its own, for those who take pride in creating for the residents of Terminus.

If you would like the full details of what has been added to Pantheon this season, be sure to check out the patch notes. You can also find out a lot of development details by watching VR Team streams. Team Streams drop the beans!

Joppa: https://www.twitch.tv/joppavash
Bronsun: https://www.twitch.tv/m0nkeypit

What’s up next?

The team is diligently working toward Early Access. We have lofty goals for December, and everyone is head down to get it done. We have several races that are nearing their first iteration to be added to the game. First up, will be the Halfling, Elf, and Dark Myr. We will be soon revealing these races, so check back in September for that feature.

In addition to the races, we are also working on the next incoming zone, Silent Plains, along with guild functions, additions to the perception dialogue, and that all-important starting player experience. Getting players off on the right foot in Terminus is key to player success, so you will find updated tooltips and tutorials making their way into game. If you would like to keep up with what features are on the horizon, be sure to bookmark our Production Update Page. We have a Trello board going of some of the most important works in progress.

With the introduction of Early Access, our next testing phase, we will be discontinuing the pledge packages as they are now. The opportunity to be a founding pledge member of Pantheon is soon ending, so if you are interested in taking part, pledge now. This is an important part of our push to release, as we plan on widening our audience for testing. We are using the terms “pre-release” and “early access”, but please keep in mind that Early Access is not a soft launch, but instead, the next step in Pantheon testing. In this stage of development, we will be welcoming all our pledge levels into the game full-time. This is a perk currently only available to VIP pledge packages, but soon those Champion and Supporter pledges will also be enjoying unfettered access to Terminus. This is so exciting for us and the community! We have had a fantastic year of development and are eager to take this next step with our fans.

Read this sneak peek into Halnir Cave and join us in game! We would love to have you.

The night and the drizzle falling from the sky drove a small group of adventurers to seek refuge in an only slightly obscured cave. Maybe if it hadn’t been a moonless night, these hapless souls would have noticed the trails on the ground indicating the frequent use of this same opening. As it were, the light of a torch wasn’t enough warning to the secrets that would be held within.

The opening of the cave seemed ordinary enough, but as adventurers always do, they heeded the desire to venture further in. A faint glow grew with each step. Torches on the cave walls made it clear that they were not alone here. One member of the group whispered a warning, “I’ve heard of this place, Halnir Cave, they call it. Be cautious!”

Sounds echoed around them. Snarls, movement, and ragged breathing of some unknown creatures. Surely it was simple cave dwelling animals, easy enough to dispatch if they were to prove to be aggressive. Those torches, though. Whoever posted them would also be within.

Small spiders scattered as the group entered the first yawning cavern. Their eyes adjusted to the radiant glimmer of cave crystals and phosphorus fungus. A small gasp escaped a young wizard, quickly cut off by the stern look of the group’s leader. Before them stood gross and sickened ratkin. Whatever cursed this cave, also cursed its residents.

Alerted to the group’s presence, the ratkin turned their eerie gaze toward them. There was no turning back now, they would have to fight and pray for survival. Refuge from the weather had its price and the battle worn group was prepared to pay it. Weapons readied; they charged forward in a thrilling encounter. Would this be their last battle? Would they find fame and riches in Halnir Cave? The possibility pounded in their heads and hearts as the battle began and a cursed fog rolled in around them…

Jamie “Savanja” Henry
Community Manager

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