What sets this game apart from other tactical/strategy/pvp games?

I made this game as a passion project. I am an avid chess player and have always loved tactics games. While searching for one, I realized none of the existing tactics games scratched the itch I had. I wanted a PvP tactics game where each match was fair. A simple board game where player skill is paramount. No pay to win, no meta game, just pure skill.

How is the full version planned to differ from the beta version?

Besides the bug fixing, champion/board skins and quality of life features I plan to add based on community feedback, one of the main features that will appear in the full game is a level maker for the community to create puzzles, challenges and everything in between. Once submitted, these levels will be playable by anyone. I plan to constantly improve this feature to allow for complex and creative levels to be made. I also wanted to host tournaments or at least allow players to host them directly in game.

How are you planning on involving the community in the development process?

Through the discord and patreon. I think this is one of the most important steps in making a game that people enjoy. This free demo is an opportunity for me to put the game in the hands of passionate players who want to participate and help me bring it to where it needs to be. There’s only so much a person can do, but together I think we can make something pretty awesome.

Is this demo paid?

No, the demo is free!

How long will the demo be available?

I need several months to have enough content made to sustain operating costs with the full release. Barring the creation of that content, the release date of the full game will depend entirely on player feedback during the demo. If there are features that need to be made, artwork changed, gameplay balancing done, I will make sure these are done before the full release.

Will my progress be saved from the demo to the full game?

No.

How often will you update the community and the game?

If I’ve built a community that sustains the operating costs of the game… then I guess this is going to be my life for the foreseeable future. I don’t plan to stop unless I can’t afford it. I’ll be updating things as often as necessary.

What is the current state of the demo version?

Unlike most demos, the game is technically in a fully playable state. I just wanted to make sure the game had some time to evolve with the help of players before an official release.

Have you used any AI in the making of this game?

Yes, to some extent. While I have production experience in the gaming industry, I’m not an artist. I tried enlisting artists I could afford, but the results were honestly so horrible it was depressing. So I used chatGPT to help me develop visual concepts for my champions. I was then able to find an artist capable of using these concepts and redraw them with dynamic poses and lore based backgrounds & details. While I’m very happy with the results so far, finding an artist capable of creating concept art and final renders that look amazing would be a game changer for me!

Will the game be available on mobile devices?

Yes, I plan to release the game on Android eventually. If I release it on iOS, then you should know that I’m compromised and someone should call the police.

How much will the full release version cost?

Nothing. I plan to keep the game free to play. Of course, you’ll be able to purchase cosmetic things like champion skins, board tiles, arenas and more. However you can be sure that there will NEVER be pay-to-win.

What sort of player is Battlegrounds made for?

I’m hoping that in the end Athelan Battlegrounds becomes a game that is easy to learn and incredibly difficult to master. This is a game for try-hards who constantly want to get better. If you’re interested in a fair and competitive tactics game, then I’m making this game specifically for you!