Age of Water

Behind the scenes of Age of Water: A conversation with Yuri Miroshnikov

Age of Water

02/08/2024 - In an interview with Yuri Miroshnikov, the producer of Age of Water, readers get an insight into the development of the game, which is set in a post-apocalyptic world completely covered in water. Miroshnikov explains the inspiration behind the setting, the balance between player freedom and narrative, and the importance of shipbuilding and trade in the course of the game.

"Age of Water" presents a post-apocalyptic world that is completely covered by water. What inspired the team to develop a game in such a setting and what are the challenges of creating such a world?

We were looking for a setting that was both very cool and rarely used by other game developers. While there are both good Age of Sail games and land-based post-apocalyptic games on the market, the combination of the two settings is something new - at least for video games. The initial very warm reaction to the Age of Water announcement trailer in December 2020 showed that many gamers feel the same way.

The biggest challenge is always to develop a game that is interesting to play, because the setting alone is not enough. The good thing is that "sea adventure" means "pirates" and "post-apocalyptic" means "cool improvised boats and weapons", so we had a good idea where to start.

How does Age of Water balance the freedom for players to write their own story with a structured storyline?

We give the player the freedom to sail anywhere and do anything, right from the start, right after the first tutorial-like missions. Of course, they are somewhat limited by their equipment, but they are not forced to follow the story. We've played a lot of sea adventures (starting with Sid Meier's Pirates) and know that it feels good to just explore the seas.

On the other hand, there will always be story missions, so players will always have an idea of what they need to do next to have fun and progress through the game.

Ship building seems to be a central element of the game. Can you tell us more about how players can build and customize their ships and what role this plays in the gameplay?

Every boat starts with a hull, as this influences the number of additional modules that can be installed, as well as the size of the crew and cargo hold. In our boat editor, the player can freely choose where to place weapons and equipment (e.g. a water pump, a dredger, a desalinator, a power generator), what material to use to reinforce the boat's walls, etc. When planning the boat design, you should consider the power consumption of the modules and the total mass, so you need to choose carefully what you want to install where.

There are dozens of different boat hulls in total, but the player must progress in the game and perform certain actions to obtain new ones. Upgrading a boat or building new boats from scratch leads to new gameplay experiences and motivates the player to keep playing.

It's also fun to experiment with designs and build a boat that suits your personal play style. One boat is best suited for fast-paced combat where speed and firepower are paramount, while another can be a large and well-defended merchant ship.

How are player interactions handled in Age of Water, especially in terms of PvP combat and cooperation?

You will always see other players who are in the same online instance (up to 100 people at a time), but you cannot attack them or be attacked.

The most typical way to cooperate is to go on a quest with a team of other players. This is especially important for big fights like boss battles or storming a fortress, which are difficult to win alone.

You can also go to a PvP event to fight against other players, or take on a PvP quest where you and other players are on opposite sides of a conflict.

Trading seems to play an important role in Age of Water. Can you tell us more about the trading system and economy in the game?

Initially, resources are harvested from the seabed or collected from shipwrecks. The crew sorts the waste they receive and turns it into usable raw materials such as plastic or iron. The captains can either use the raw materials to craft items, sell them in the settlements or buy them in one settlement and sell them in another to make a profit.

How are players encouraged to explore the world and what can they expect from their voyages of discovery?

The trick is to make players believe that something is waiting for them over the horizon. It's usually enough to look around to find out where to sail next to discover new settlements or other points of interest. The urge to explore is something inherent in most people by nature, so we've done our best to create enough interesting content for them to discover.

There's also a practical reason to explore the world, as new locations mean new quests, new rewards and new ships.

What technologies and graphical styles are used to bring the unique world of Age of Water to life?

As you can see, our version of a post-apocalyptic world is quite vibrant and colorful. We wanted to create a fun and inspiring adventure rather than a dark social drama about the end of humanity. That's why the graphics are bright and cartoony and many story quests are very light-hearted, even if they do involve a lot of shooting.

On the technical side, we used the Unity engine because it was the best fit for what we wanted to do. We also did our best to make the water in the game look realistic and the battles on the water's surface both fun and believable.

How has the game evolved since its announcement, and what insights can you give into the development process?

The core concept of the game remained the same throughout the process, but we wanted to make sure that any content we added was good enough and that players didn't abandon the game mid-run. This means that the game should keep surprising them, in a good way.

Are there any plans to release Age of Water on consoles, and what is the long-term vision for the game?

We will announce our longer-term plans a little later.

How does Age of Water incorporate player feedback into development, and what role does the community play in shaping the game?

We have had a very loyal and dedicated alpha tester community that has been with us for many years. They have given us a lot of valuable feedback on quests, combat, boat building - basically all aspects of the game. We chat with them a lot on our Discord servers and via personal emails, so we feel like they were part of our development team. I hope they will like the shape Age of Water has finally taken.

Thank you for the interview and we wish you every success!

  • Source: Editorial office

Hearthstone

Patch 31.4.2: New adjustments and bug fixes in detail

Yesterday - The new Hearthstone patch 31.4.2 brings numerous balance changes, card adjustments and bug fixes. In addition to adjustments in standard mode, adjustments have also been made in battlefield mode to further improve the game balance. Read more

World War 3

Update 1 for World War 3 brings new weapons, strikes and optimizations

Yesterday - With Update 1, World War 3 is getting an extensive overhaul. The new Battle Pass EVERGREEN is free for all players and offers 50 levels of new weapons, strikes and customization options. In addition, the update brings optimizations, including reduced file size, balancing adjustments and improved anti-cheat technology. Read more

upjers

Love in pixels: Valentine's promotions in My Free Zoo, Farmies & more

The day before yesterday - upjers is bringing a breath of fresh air to its online and mobile games with a series of romantic Valentine's events. From medieval villages to prehistoric parks, there are exclusive decorations, special rewards and themed events. New animals, collectibles and festive atmospheres await players in various games. Read more

Albion Online

Rogue Frontier brings new features to smuggler network &

02/03/2025 - Rogue Frontier, the latest update for Albion Online, will be released on February 3. It expands the Outlands with a smuggler network, new gameplay elements for solo players and smaller groups as well as additional challenges. The update also brings new weapons, an expanded banking system and kill trophies for PvP achievements. Read more

Gameforge

AION Classic Roadmap, Metin2 Anniversary & Events: Gameforge in January

01/30/2025 - The year 2025 begins with a variety of updates and events for Gameforge games. Players can look forward to new content for AION Classic, festive activities in NosTale and an anniversary celebration in Metin2. Elsword and Runes of Magic are also bringing fresh customizations and events to the game. Read more

My Free Zoo

Exclusive rewards for the 13th anniversary

01/29/2025 - My Free Zoo is celebrating its 13th anniversary with numerous promotions and rewards for all players. In addition to a special NPC, there will be a new animal species and a loyalty booster week. The celebrations will run until February 5, 2025 and offer fans the opportunity to receive exclusive content. Read more

Throne and Liberty

Wilderness of Talandre will be released on March 6

01/29/2025 - The next expansion for THRONE AND LIBERTY, Wilderness of Talandre, will be released on March 6. Players can explore a new zone, master powerful dungeon challenges and experiment with revised weapon mechanics. New lifestyle content and a cross-server PvP area also await adventurers. Read more

Destiny 2

Heresy - Bungie reveals new content and Star Wars crossover

01/29/2025 - Bungie has announced new details about the upcoming episode Heresy in Destiny 2, which launches on February 4, 2025. In addition to the return of the Tomb Ship and new activities, a Star Wars crossover with themed armor will be introduced. The annual Game2Give event will also be launched, supporting the Bungie Foundation with fundraising activities. Read more

EVE Online

Roadmap for 2025 reveals new expansions and events

01/28/2025 - CCP Games has presented the roadmap for EVE Online 2025. Two major expansions, the return of popular events and the EVE Fanfest 2025 in Reykjavík are planned. Players can look forward to far-reaching innovations and dynamic gameplay. Read more

PUBG: Mobile

Successful environmental campaign in PUBG MOBILE: 750,000 square feet protected

01/27/2025 - PUBG MOBILE impresses with impressive figures for its "Play For Green" initiative. Over 20 million players contributed to saving over 750,000 square feet of endangered nature, while innovative game modes promoted sustainable action. Read more

Overwatch 2

Season 14 in Overwatch 2: Mothmeta, Lunar New Year and Lead Rose

01/23/2025 - Overwatch 2 mid-season: Season 14 offers a variety of content, including nostalgic game modes, exclusive rewards and exciting events such as the Lunar New Year. Players can look forward to retro fun and new challenges. Read more

Lost Ark

Kazeros raid and anniversary event: Lost Ark's new update is here

01/22/2025 - The "Frosty Fate" update for Lost Ark will be released today, January 22, and brings extensive new features to the game. In addition to the second act of the Kazeros raid, players can look forward to the karma progression system, class 4 bracelets and the anniversary event "Festa of Arkesia". Read more

Runescape

Bugfix week and new updates in RuneScape: Changes in January

01/20/2025 - The bugfix week brings numerous changes and improvements to RuneScape. In addition to technical adjustments, there are new features for Ironman players and exciting community events that will shape January. Read more

Once Human

Visional Wheel and new scenarios unveiled

01/15/2025 - The latest update 1.4 of Once Human brings numerous new features, including the Visional Wheel, new scenarios and equipment as well as exciting events. Server maintenance and update are scheduled for January 15. Read more

Runescape

New adventure Under the Sands of Scabara published

01/13/2025 - RuneScape is expanding its adventures with the release of 'Among the Sands of Scabara'. Players can look forward to a new challenge in the Kharidian desert to unravel an ancient mystery and combat Amascut's threat. Read more

Call of Duty: Mobile

Season 1 Wings of Vengeance starts on January 15

01/10/2025 - The new Season 1 "Wings of Vengeance" in Call of Duty: Mobile starts on January 15 and brings with it numerous new features. Players can look forward to new modes, exciting events and attractive rewards in the Battle Pass and Challenge Pass. Read more

World of Tanks

Battle Pass Special in World of Tanks: The Rambo season starts soon

01/09/2025 - World of Tanks presents a special event: The new season, inspired by the Rambo movie trilogy, starts on January 16. Players can recruit well-known characters and unlock exclusive rewards. Read more

PUBG: Mobile

Version 3.6 brings new features and themed events

01/08/2025 - With the 3.6 update, PUBG MOBILE is expanding its gaming experience with a host of new content. Until March 5, players can explore the new themed Sacred Quartet, master elemental powers and take part in various events and rewards. Read more

World of Warships

New operations and Dutch cruisers in the January update

01/08/2025 - The first update of 2025 for World of Warships brings six new operations, Dutch cruisers in Early Access and the epic adventure "Björn's Ballad". Read more

Destiny 2

Third act of Wiedergänger brings new exotic mission

01/07/2025 - Bungie has released the third act of "Destiny 2: Revenant". With the new exotic mission "Fall of Kell", Guardians can get their hands on the vampire-like shotgun "Butcher's Fang". Two new legendary weapons and additional artifact mods expand the game content. The third act is now playable. Read more

Star Wars: The old Republic

New January events in SWTOR: Pirate Attack and Bounty Week

01/06/2025 - In January 2025, players of Star Wars: The Old Republic can look forward to exciting events. The highlights are the "Pirate Incursion" on Dantooine and the "Bounty Contract Week". Both offer special rewards such as exclusive armor, pets and mounts. These time-limited events start on fixed dates and require a certain minimum level. Read more