Many of you already saw that coming~
We worked hard and made lot of progress, yet there is still so much to do. That’s why we have to postpone the release of CrossCode.
One year ago…
About a year ago, we started our Indiegogo campaign for CrossCode. When we finally reached our goal in Mai 2015 we targeted a release in Q2 2016. And then, full-time work started.
Let’s take a minute and think back about everything we created since then!
We introduced a ton of new features: Trading Items, Item Destructibles, Quests, the Landmark System, a new Save Menu, Party Members, PvP Combat, the Encylopedia, Monster Fibula, Analyze Mode and more.
We also expanded the content, adding several new places like Rookie Harbor, Bergen Trail and Bergen Village. We also added the “Temple Mine” a new dungeon complete with boss fight – all of which turned out to be pretty expansive, really. And then of course: several dozens of new enemies for you to fight!
And finally, we continued the story, adding about 1-2 hours of narrated playtime.
Yes, a lot has happened. Yet, there is still much more to do. We could release CrossCode in Q2 2016, but then we’d have to cut content. We don’t want this. It’s important to us, that the final game will hold up to your expectations and tell the full story as we planned it. That’s why we will postpone the release and use that extra time to make CrossCode truly complete!
The new release of CrossCode is scheduled for Early 2017.
A small present for all Player Perk Backers
Today, every Indiegogo backer with a “Player” perk receives an Early Access Key as well!
Originally, we promised all those backers the final game. With the release further postponed, we thought it would be fair to give those people the option to play the Early Access version now as well.
Of course, the same key will give you access to the final game, once it’s completed!
Here is how you get your key:
1. Visit central.cross-code.com
2. If not done already click “Request Password” and submit your Indiegogo E-Mail to request a password for access
3. Login with E-Mail and Password
4. You’ll find your Steam Key + DRM Free version right on the first page
Recent progress
And just to show you that development still goes fast, here again a summary of our recent progress!
You now additionally spend Credits when trading items. Finally a way to get rid of all that money!
We started working on new Puzzles for the Heat Dungeon!
Here you see water bubbles and propellers…
… the Freezebee…
… physically accurate water blocks…
… quicksand…
… strangely glowing pipes…
… and finally: Elemental poles!
We also made a lot of progress with Maroon Valley! All maps have been roughly created (including some feisty puzzles) and we also worked on weather effects…
…like this sand storm!
And finally we’re also working on new quests in the Rookie Harbor area!
And that’s all!
Sorry to make you wait longer, but we hope that this extra time will help to make CrossCode the one ball-throwing adventure you’ll never forget!
29 Comments
Excelent news to know i will se you guys arround for more time.
I don’t remember all the details of the original fundraising campaign, but is funding still enough to last you guys anotheI just checked the original project page on Indiegogo: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/crosscode#/
You initially said you needed €80K, and ended up raising €90K, but that was close to a year ago.
Will you guys still be able to keep working on CrossCode with the remaining Indiegogo funds for another year?
Well remember they are selling the game in steam…
For people that are “Players” how do we find the steam code we need to get the game on there?
Hi! I just added the steps in the post!
It’s only slightly disappointing that the release got postponed. After all, more development time means most likely a better game in the end! on the subject of those recent developments, I’m personally avoiding anything to do with the next dungeon since I like to discover the new things on my own, but it’s nice to know that there are so many new things coming up! And I LOVE that weather effect!
Thanks a lot! It’s understandable that people don’t want to have a close look at the puzzle mechanics. The good thing though: A lot of the surprise comes from the way those puzzle elements are combined and in what context they are used. :D
I’ve been following along with the early access and restarted with nearly every major update. Your additional content has already surpassed my expectations from the first demo and fundraising pitch. Furthermore, you letting us play along with every step of your development has been more than enough of an on time release for me. If this has been but a step in your final vision then please keep up the amazing work. I am looking forward to perhaps the greatest top down action RPG I will ever play.
Wow! Thanks a lot for those nice words. :D I really hope we can surprise you even more with the final release.
Well, I dont care about waiting longer, as long as you’ll keep working on the game, I’ll be around to play it.
In my eyes, this game is already a masterpiece, if you want longer to make it even better, thats ok with me. :)
Shame I discovered this game after the campaign already ended, wouldve loved to support you guys.
Hi! Yeah, the big challenge of marketing of making a many people see your campaign~
Thanks a lot for the nice words!
Huh. I actually forgot all about that release date, I always thought it had a ‘when it’s ready’ release date. But anyway, I’m glad to hear you guys are going to work on it for a bit longer so you can make a better game.
Also, I had a question, how big is the portion of the story in the demo compared to the full release?
Hi! The story currently available is actually only a fairly small portion. I’d say about 10-15%. The reason it’s so little is because so far we focused on features and content (e.g. new areas/enemies) rather than story. Most of the story will be implemented towards the end. The reason is quite simple: there will be a lot of plot twists and you’ll get those only with the final release so you don’t suffer from cliffhangers too much. :D
The longer the game isn’t finished, the longer we can watch these cool devstreams and talk about strange looking trees!
What strange looking trees? I only know perfectly regular shaped trees in CrossCode.
Is this about that square tree by all the rockin hillcat things? I never figured out what was up with that area.
Pff, what nonsense. There is no square tree in there. Only a happy little tree surrounded by hillcats.
Woha,thanks for the hard working
Ich bin total begeistert seit der ersten Demo von diesem Projekt. Man merkt das viel Liebe zum Detail darin steckt und somit ist Q1 2017 kein Problem da ich weiß das ihr das Richtige tut da ihr RPG’s nach guter SNES Manier genauso liebt wie ich :).
Einen kleinen Verbesserungsvorschlag habe ich aber. Bei den Items die ich erhandeln kann. Also diese die ich ausrüste. Wäre es nicht besser einen Wert anzugeben der es mit meinem Getragenen Gegenstand sofort vergleicht beim Handel? Es ist nur teilweise sehr umständlich immer erst zum Händler X zu rennen, Gegenstand aussuchen, ins Menu gehen und Werte meines Gewünschten Ausrüstungsplatzes angucken (Das was ich z.Z. Trage), wieder Händler ansprechen, DANN erst Vergleich möglich.
Da wäre doch ein Vergleichsystem wie im Ausrüstungsmenu direkt beim Handeln besser :).
Grüße an das ganze Team. Weiter so!!!
Hi! Das Problem mit der Rüstungswertanzeige beim Handeln und beim Verkaufen ist uns bewusst und wir sind schon dabei das zu verbessern. :D
Ansonsten vielen Dank und Gruß zurück!
nice to see you aren’t cutting anything
so will the early access version eventually become the full game or will i have to buy it again? the answer is prolly no but im just making sure
I think if I said “no” you wouldn’t be any wiser since you asked an “X or Y” question. :P
Your Early Access Version will turn into the final game once it’s finished. No need to buy the game again. We obviously are very thankful when people support us and pay for what is essentially a yet-unfinished product. We obviously won’t charge you again!
thats what i though i was just making sure
thanks for the reply
Why don’t you release a map editor and call for help? Pretty sure the community will create as many dungeons as you need + the creativity of many is usually better of the creativity of a few. You’ll then just have to connect the maps. This would add tons of cool gameplay (=story playtime).
F.e. you could tell the community 6 locations you want to include (Cemetery, desert, forest, a water temple, lava/fire level, a futuristic city, …) and let them post these on the steam workshop. Community als votes up for good maps so you could just pick the best 6-12 maps.
Dunno what more contents you want to add, but basically play mechanics should be pretty far already.
Items have a sword and making it red(fire), blue(ice), white(wind), brown(earth) … making it small (fast attacks), making it a bit bigger (more damage) etc. + adding a bit of randomness creates really fast really many items.
Getting rid of all the money
-> reskilling -> costs money
-> new skins colors/costums -> costs money
-> adding/increasing itemvalues (f.e. slightly more damage) -> costs money
-> teleporting -> cost money
-> buffs/temporary buffs -> costs money
… just some ideas…
yea this is a great idea
the level editor would make dungeon creation go by faster
but how you would do this with out slowing down on development is the real question
Taking more time fine. this has got to be one of my favorite games i’ve tried just from the demo and definitely dont want to have content cut from this amazing game.
First time commenting on this website, but been following intensely since I played the demo.
It’s kind of a shame since this has got to be my #1 THE most anticipated game. Ever! Honestly, I’ve never been so excited about an upcoming game before. That said, it’s also a good thing: I’d never EVER forgive Yo’all devs if you rushed the game.
Take your time. I’d wait for the game even two more years if need be, the most important part is making the ambitious, genius game You are all making. No pressure, keep doing what You love, and do it with passion!
I haven’t commented in close to a year on this game but I’ve been watching it closely.
I understand the need to postpone the release to polish and further improve the game. In this age of ‘early access’ barely-playable alpha garbage, it is awesome to see devs so passionate about their work AND respectful of their users!
That said, I’ll eagerly await the v1.0 version when it is done/ready.
My honest recommendation at this point is to apply for and gain access to the GoG ‘Games in Development’ curated section. CrossCode is high-quality enough to make it in and being able to stand out among all of Steam’s games would be a much better value proposition for your team and customers.
In addition, decoupling CrossCode from Steam’s ‘Early Access Trash’ stigma and Steam DRM would go a long way to legitimizing and popularizing CrossCode as both a game and a (hopeful) modding platform.
I know that Steam takes a hefty portion of revenues just for the ‘privilege’ of being listed there, but Steam has become a hot tangled mess of trash and it is difficult if not near-impossible to find something like CrossCode as the diamond in the rough without very strong word of mouth or other methods.
Please also realize that when I do purchase the ‘final’ version of the game when it is released, I do expect to be able to play the game in a Steam-free and DRM-free version as was promised in the initial IndieGoGo campaign.
I’m willing to wait until after the ‘final’ Steam release for a Steam-free version to be made available. Patience and all that. :)
Thank you for the update! I really enjoyed the story so far in the “Limited” version of crosscode, that’s excluding boss fights and new areas, (I wanna save that for the full release! ;-))!
It’s really hard to find a game that’s enjoyable with RPG elements today, so with this update telling us there’s going to be more thinks to look forward to? Hell Yeah, I’m very interested in seeing what you come up with, and how the final product will be!
Take all the time you need!
Best wishes to you and your loved ones
Milky.