A Valley Without Wind Embarks On Final Beta Phase

[cupogoodness]

Originally posted: http://arcengames.blogspot.com/2012/02/valley-without-wind-embarks-on-final.html

Arcen Games is pleased to announce the downloadable PC/Mac title A Valley Without Wind -- our fast-paced, open world sidescroller of nearly limitless proportions -- has entered its final beta phase, with an official launch now in sight. To celebrate, a brand new trailer for the game has been released (best viewed in 1080p), along with 18 new screenshots and updated demos as well.

With the game's community heavily involved in the beta so far, the game has seen an astronomical number of changes and improvements added by our relentless programmers. Thankfully after a whirlwind of patching, the game's dust has settled, and we welcome everyone to take a look around at what the world of Environ has evolved into.

The mechanics have been streamlined, a fully fleshed-out player experience is now in place, and tons of new content has been packed in -- including a variety of new missions, spells, armor enchants, guardian powers, and more. Multiplayer has also come a long way, and players are having a blast running their own beta servers. There are a few multiplayer remaining bugs to iron out prior to 1.0, plus the need for a server browser, but it's already a satisfying experience.

Beyond all that, the game has become much more accessible to new players. A planning menu complete with handy 'supplies', 'things to do', and 'where to find stuff' sections; opt out popup tooltips; and other improvements to usability and clarity result in a newfound flow to the title.  Players who are returning after a long absence are heartily encouraged to play through the game's intro mission, given how much has changed.  If you'd like to know more before you play, or just have a fetish for external manuals, check out our Learning The Game section on the A Valley Without Wind Wiki.

There's still so much to come for AVWW, both prior to 1.0 and after! Our head designer Chris Park states his vision for the game going forward on his devblog:

"Our plan is to take the AI War route, and release tons of free DLC as well to do at least a couple of paid expansions.  Hopefully in 2-3 years, we're still developing both AI War and AVWW -- that is the ideal scenario for me personally.”

About A Valley Without Wind

The full beta version of A Valley Without Wind is available now on PC and Mac for pre-order at a substantial discount from the game's official launch price. Customers gain instant access to the latest available build and all subsequent releases through 1.0 and beyond. The game can be purchased and downloaded directly through the developer as well as on GamersGate, Impulse, and MacGamesStore. A demo is also available, and grants full access to the game/multiplayer with the only some tier restrictions.

AVWW is currently in beta and as such is constantly in development. It continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with new content and improvements added nearly every weekday as it progresses toward official launch in late March. Follow the game and its updates/discussions on Facebook, Reddit, and Twitter. To get more involved with how AVWW evolves in any and/or all of its aspects, or to find populated multiplayer servers, be sure to stop by our forums.

About Arcen Games

Arcen Games entered the PC indie scene in 2009 with their cult classic AI War: Fleet Command, which was named the 40th best-reviewed PC game of the year by MetaCritic. Their second year was a busy one, seeing the release of The Zenith Remnant, the first full expansion for AI War; Tidalis, an innovative block-based puzzle with casual appeal and hardcore depth; and Children of Neinzul, a micro-expansion for AI War with all profits benefiting the Child's Play charity, of which Arcen is a platinum sponsor.

AI War's third and largest expansion Light of the Spire marked Arcen's first release of 2011, and now the company has shifted its focus and excitement to the development of A Valley Without Wind. Originally a one-man shop, Arcen Games has grown to have half a dozen part-time or fulltime contributors to its various titles. For all the latest news, media coverage, and some of our other musings, follow us on our developer and individual game pages on Facebook or on Twitter: @ArcenGames.

[x4000]

As an added note, this means that you can now get an installer for 0.900 if you go to the demos link above, too.

[zebramatt]

And to think at the end of Beta Phase 2 I actually thought I might overtake Toll's suggestion count! 

[x4000]

And to think at the end of Beta Phase 2 I actually thought I might overtake Toll's suggestion count! 

You've certainly had an enormous number of them either way!

[tigersfan]

And to think at the end of Beta Phase 2 I actually thought I might overtake Toll's suggestion count! 

There was a point about a month ago that you were starting to catch up. But he went on a tear the last couple weeks.

[Toll]

Honestly? I was very surprised at the amount of mentions, considering I haven't exactly been playing a whole lot during this phase (well, at least not intensively). Although in hindsight, I guess that might be why too; seeing things with fresh eyes, and all that.

[Dizzard]

Ooh you used one of the boss maps I made in one of the screenshots.

Looks great, everything is coming together nicely. Nice to see the support from the different sources too.

[Oralordos]

Honestly? I was very surprised at the amount of mentions, considering I haven't exactly been playing a whole lot during this phase (well, at least not intensively).

It could also be from me playing on your server so much. You got to send in the world map and the how to replicate instructions.