Put together to face Karkonos, the fearsome new Behemoth debuting in Dauntless on December 5 as a part of the Dauntless: Awakening replace.
That is the biggest replace ever to our monster-slaying, free-to-play action-RPG. That includes revamped development techniques, highly effective new weapons, and a brand new Behemoth, it’s a transformative leap ahead. With contemporary challenges and a community-informed growth roadmap, Dauntless: Awakening units the stage for an thrilling future within the Shattered Isles.
And on the coronary heart of all this lies our latest Behemoth, the fearsome Karkonos. This monstrous creation is the results of months of collaboration between the Dauntless staff and its passionate neighborhood. At this time, we’re peeling again the curtain to disclose how the most recent addition to the Shattered Isles was delivered to life, from preliminary idea to ultimate in-game implementation. Alongside the way in which, you’ll see how neighborhood suggestions helped form Karkonos and why this Behemoth is a testomony to the ability of collaboration.
A Idea Born from Group
The origins of Karkonos hint again to a neighborhood design livestream, the place Dauntless gamers and builders collaborated in actual time to examine the subsequent Behemoth. The session was a artistic melting pot, with Slayers sharing their concepts for a creature that was each visually putting and deeply tied to the lore of the Shattered Isles. Some gamers pushed for a towering, alien-like monster with intricate particulars, whereas others prompt grounding the design in real-world inspirations for a way of familiarity.
From these discussions, a daring and imaginative idea emerged. Nevertheless, as builders delved deeper into the preliminary sketches, it grew to become clear that the design felt “too alien-like” and disconnected from the world of Dauntless. Brent Barrett, lead designer on Karkonos, recollects the iterative course of: “The neighborhood’s concepts gave us an exceptional start line for us to iterate on. We needed Karkonos to really feel prefer it really belonged within the Shattered Isles.”
Suggestions from the livestream continued to form the Behemoth’s evolution. Gamers emphasised the significance of a creature that appeared harmful but plausible, inspiring the staff to combine real-world influences. Crab-like parts have been launched to anchor Karkonos visually, whereas its scorpion-inspired tail preserved its menacing edge. These design selections balanced participant creativity with the Dauntless aesthetic, leading to a creature that feels each genuine and contemporary.
This collaborative refinement course of prolonged past visible design, laying the groundwork for a gameplay expertise as dynamic and difficult because the Behemoth itself.
From Sketch to Savage: The Gameplay Expertise
Whereas Karkonos’ look units the stage, its gameplay is the place this Behemoth really shines. The collaboration with the neighborhood prolonged into early playtests, the place Slayers offered invaluable suggestions on its mechanics.
Karkonos strikes with a crab-like gait, ahead and backward, however its assault patterns are something however predictable. “Karkonos is imply,” Barrett says with a smile. “Its tail swipes and ground-shaking pincers have nearly no inform, conserving gamers on edge. And it’s not simply one-on-one, it threatens whole groups, forcing coordination and technique.”
Key to the gameplay design was the steadiness of threat and reward. Moments of vulnerability, like when Karkonos kilos the bottom with its pincers, provide expert Slayers an opportunity to interrupt, however provided that they act shortly and decisively. Group suggestions fine-tuned these interactions, guaranteeing each encounter feels dynamic and rewarding.
A Problem for All Slayers
Whether or not you’re a newcomer or a seasoned veteran, Karkonos gives one thing for everybody. For knowledgeable gamers, it’s a punishing check of teamwork, adaptability, and precision. Its relentless assaults can goal a number of gamers concurrently, and its means to Aether cost provides an unpredictable layer of depth.
For newer Slayers, Karkonos offers a possibility to sharpen your abilities and expertise the joys of taking down a very formidable foe. Environmental interactions, like avoiding falling particles or discovering openings throughout Aether fees, make sure the battle stays participating and accessible for all.
However the rewards are well worth the effort. Slayers who conquer Karkonos can craft armor impressed by deep-sea diving fits, a nod to its undersea aesthetic. This set not solely appears putting however gives the defensive benefits wanted for future challenges.
The Way forward for Collaboration
The creation of Karkonos underscores the unbelievable potential of constructing Dauntless not only for gamers, however with gamers. By means of reside design streams, early playtests, and ongoing suggestions, the neighborhood has left a permanent mark on the Shattered Isles.
And that is just the start. With Dauntless: Awakening heralding a brand new period, the staff is dedicated to harnessing the fervour and creativity of its gamers in much more significant methods, guaranteeing the voice of the neighborhood continues to drive the evolution of Dauntless.
Dauntless is again, stronger than ever, with extra particulars about future collaborations on the horizon. Whether or not you’re a Slayer searching for your subsequent nice hunt or a artistic thoughts able to form the Shattered Isles, your enter will assist outline what’s subsequent.
Be part of the dialog on our Discord to take part in these future collaborations.
Dauntless
Epic Video games Inc.
As a Slayer, you’re all that stands between your world and the Behemoths that search to devour it. Tackle boss-sized monsters, forge highly effective weapons, and craft armour from the very creatures you slay — all in a large, free-to-play on-line world.
