Welcome to the second developer diary of Lords & Empires.
Today, we will take a closer look at the core features of the game and get to know the world of Lords & Empires in greater detail.
For those who played our previous game, Calradia Online, some of the mechanics in our new game may feel familiar. However, this time we have introduced many new systems and layers of depth that will surprise even experienced players.
The story of our game is explained in detail on our main page. In short: the world of Lords & Empires was once united under a single empire. But, like all great empires, this unity eventually collapsed. The world is now made up of independent cities.
New players begin their journey on lands surrounding these cities, in a property we call the “Capital” (which can also be thought of as a village), where they take the first steps toward building their own empire.
In your Capital, you can construct various buildings, train troops, conduct research, gather resources, and, when the time comes, turn your eyes toward the wider world.
When looking at the world map, the first things you will encounter are cities that also include your Capital. These cities are unclaimed when you start the game; however, after the fall of the empire, many of them have fallen under the control of bandits. If you wish to claim a city, you must fight for it.
Cities collect taxes from surrounding villages, and the tax rate is determined by the city’s owner and the player’s level. In addition, you can trade in cities independently of other players.
As you explore the areas around a city, you will notice resource nodes that can be gathered. By sending scouts, you can collect these resources. In the same regions, you will also encounter troublemakers such as raiders, bandits, and outlaws. You can clear these threats with your army and earn various rewards.
When you decide to expand, you can establish colonies on suitable lands around cities. We will discuss colonies in more detail in future developer diaries; for now, you can think of them as new settlements that support your Capital. However, keep in mind that colonies are not exact copies of your Capital and follow a different gameplay structure.
What do you think truly holds an empire together? Powerful armies, wealthy cities, or the right strategic decisions? Feel free to share your thoughts and questions with us in the comments.
Next week, we will take a deep dive into our Capital, buildings, and the building system.
Note: All visuals and game mechanics are work in progress and may not reflect the final version.