The Dwarves Post-funding Update #19: Alpha 2 and Beta Preview

Backers at the appropriate tier have been able to play the second Alpha build for The Dwarves, an isometric RPG based on the fantasy series penned by German author Markus Heitz, for roughly a week, as we learn in the latest post-funding Kickstarter update for the project. The feedback the developers are receiving should serve to help refine the Beta release, which the developers are hoping to push out in about 4 to 5 weeks. 

The Beta build build will include the first of the game’s three chapters and will be available to backers at the appropriate tiers. Meanwhile, while the developers gather feedback on the beta, they will also be internally testing chapter 2 and work on the third chapter of the game:

Apart from the stuff you can see in the Alpha 2 we’ve worked on many other things.

• All characters are modeled
• All arenas are designed (many still have to be lighted though)
• Nearly all ingame animations are laid out
• All text has been written and is currently being translated (and the voices will be recorded soon)

…

Other things on our plate for the next weeks and months are primarily:

• Improvements based on the Alpha 2 feedback
• “Assembling” and “staging” of all elements
• Cutscenes
• Testing
• Polishing, Polishing, Polishing

Our plan is publishing the first Beta in 5-6 weeks. It will presumably contain the complete first of three chapters that we’ve internally divided the game into. By that time chapter 2 will undergo internal testing and we’ll be in the process of finishing chapter 3.

I can’t say I’m excited for this title, but I’m certainly curious to see where King ART Games is going with it. Not being familiar with the source material, I’m hoping the world, lore, and writing will be solid, and if nothing else, I’m curious to see how their take on isometric combat is shaping up.