Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

Your wish is our command, and based on the poll we ran recently, you have chosen an in-depth look at the Spell Crafting System as the topic of this article. However, before we dive into the lore and gameplay mechanics surrounding this staple of New Arc Line, we would like to announce that the works on the language update we have mentioned previously are progressing at a steady pace - and we will bring Ukrainian, German, Russian and Simplified Chinese subtitles to the game in April, along with some much requested bugfixes and quality of life improvements. And not too long after that, we plan to finalize and release the first Content Update; more details about that coming soon. For now, let's talk about...


Magic and technology in our world currently exist out of balance, with technological progress gradually eroding established traditions. After the creation of the Barrier by Reus, magic became strictly limited.

However, mages refuse to give in and abandon their power completely - they can still remember what it was like to rule the world. In places where magic accumulates in great concentrations, the Barrier weakens, creating reality rifts - unstable areas offering a brief glimpse beyond the Barrier's thin veil, allowing mages to hear whispers from the other side.

Those proficient in the arcane arts can try to listen, recognize and remember magical words emanating from such rifts. These tears in reality are a fleeting occurrence however - once the Barrier senses an attempt to breach it, it instantly seals the rupture. Thus, the knowledge a mage acquires depends on their experience: the more skilled they are, the more magical words they can perceive, comprehend and recall. The size of a rift, or the thinning of reality’s fabric, also depends on the power of the rituals and spells that caused it to manifest.

This is how the art of Spellcraft emerges - the creation and modification of spells using magical knowledge gleaned from beyond the Barrier.

Beyond the magical Barrier dwell the Weavers - mysterious All-Shapers, whose words once had the power to reshape reality itself, who ruled unopposed during the era of the Magical Empire. Each of them crafted the world as they envisioned it - and their words, infused with deep meaning, form the foundation of all spells. Those who can understand their essence can weave spells, much like prayers to the All-Shapers, to imbue them with power.


Interacting with rifts, like practicing any powerful magic, carries great risks. Before the Barrier was erected, mages could reshape reality at will, often transforming even themselves in the process, to align with their goals and visions. The strongest among them could ascend and become the fabled Weavers, All-Shapers.

After the Barrier was established, mages who attempt to wield excessive power still undergo transformations - but since reality itself no longer changes with them, they are not in control of the process and gradually turn into monsters.

The more knowledge a mage gains, the more powerful they become - both in terms of creating new spells and enchanting their equipment. But as their power grows, so does the need for caution when wielding it, less they completely change into the monstrous Abhorred.


In a world where magic is but a fading remnant of past greatness and studying it has become an act of defiance, and a risky one at that, Spellcraft is not just an art form - it is a means of survival of a whole culture, a path to reclaiming lost power.

The All-Shapers beyond the Barrier also reject the current world order and seek to restore their dominion. They are eager to grant ambitious mages powerful spells, hoping they will halt technological progress. And if a few seekers of magic turn into monsters along the way, it is a small price to pay.
After all, what is the fate of a single mage when the very fabric of reality is at stake?


Peering into a reality rift, a mage hears whispers of the Weavers, their thoughts and ideas. These words manifest as cards, which the player can combine to create spells and enchant items. Spells can be crafted anywhere, as the process occurs entirely within a mage's mind and has no visible effect on the world around them. It does however require a great deal of concentration.

There are three categories of magical cards:

• Element
  
• Form
  
• Modifier

Each card also has a Shape (circle, square, or triangle) noted on it; only cards bearing the same symbol can be combined together. Some cards may even be marked with two shapes, making them more versatile.


To create a spell, the player must combine three different cards, all with matching shapes - an Element card, a Form card, and a Modifier card. New spells significantly increase a mage’s power, granting access to stronger and more diverse magical abilities.


Item enchantment works similarly to spellcrafting, with one key difference: the Form card is replaced by the item itself. This means that enchanting an item requires two cards - an Element and a Modifier. Enchanted items greatly enhance the mage’s magical potential, increasing their power and combat efficiency.


Currently, the game features 9 Element cards (3 for each of the planned mage classes), 3 Form cards, and 6 Modifier cards. While we do not plan to change the principles of the system during New Arc Line's Early Access period, we will be expanding it by introducing new cards, magical words our arcane-inclined players will have a chance to learn in the reality rifts they encounter - so you can look forward to a greater variety of spells, abilities and enchantments!

What do you think about this aspect of the game? Let us know here in the comments, in the Steam Discussions, but the absolutely best place to do so is the New Arc Line Discord server[discord.gg], where you can chat with other fans as well as the devs!

Thank you everyone who has already embarked on the journey to New Arc in the Early Access version of the game - we are truly grateful and we keep reading all your feedback and wonderful suggestions; we are always thinking about how to implement them! If you would like to support the game's development further, the best way is to post a review of it here on Steam. And if you prefer waiting for the game's full release, that's perfectly fine as well - we just recommend that you wishlist and follow it, so you don't miss any news about the project!

Until next time!

https://sp.zhabite.com/steamstore/app/2458310/New_Arc_Line/

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

While we don’t have a game update ready for you just yet, our team is working tirelessly on new content, and we would like to give you a small glimpse of what's to come to New Arc Line, and shed a bit of light on some aspects of our development process. So first, we will take a look at new character design, then we will talk briefly about localizations and supporting different languages, and last but not least, we will have a small piece of news about our community activities. So let's dive right in, shall we?

We are creating unique characters that will become part of an exciting adventure. These include new companions, quest characters of various races and classes, and, of course, dangerous enemies that you will have to face.

Character creation is a complex and fascinating process, which can be divided into several stages. First we begin with the narrative aspect, defining the character's backstory, motivation, and place in the game's world. Then, artists create concept art, visualizing the look and personality of the future hero. Once the concept is approved, 3D modeling begins, bringing the character to life with form, textures, and details. Designers also work on combat mechanics, unique abilities, and visual effects for monsters, ensuring that battles are dynamic and memorable. Finally, animation specialists bring the character to life by creating movement sets that define their behavior. This comprehensive process allows us to create truly unique and unforgettable characters.

In the second act of the game, you will encounter one of New Arc Line’s most terrifying and mysterious monsters. This horrifying form is not just some creature spawned from darkness, but the result of a tragic fate. Before you stands a woman who once possessed an important artifact, which is tied to your hero’s destiny. When we meet her in her new form, new secrets of the world will be revealed, including the mechanics of one of its most crucial elements - Reality Shards. What led her to this transformation? What secrets do these shards hold? You will have a chance to find those answers (and more) on your journey soon.


We are also actively working on the localization of the game to make New Arc Line more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

We worked out a process with our translators, which will allow us to localize the current version of the game to most of our planned languages, and keep those translations even through the coming updates. Therefore, very soon, you will be able to play New Arc Line not only in English, but also with Ukrainian, German, Russian or Simplified Chinese subtitles. We aim to ensure that every player can fully immerse themselves in the world, enjoy the story, and experience the gameplay in their preferred language.

We would like to make this kind of "Development News" article into a recurring series, bringing you information about the state of development regularly. If you would like that, please let us know here in the comments, or even better, come join the New Arc Line Discord server. But that's not all - we also plan to keep producing "Dev Diary" articles, shedding light on some of the game's lore and mechanics, the way we did so far for:

The Legend of Mick Mortinssen
The Bright Future of Technology
The Brief History of Magic
and The Iron Plague Explained


We have a few topics in mind, but we would like you to choose what interests you the most. And so we once again invite everyone to join the aforementioned New Arc Line Discord server[discord.com], as that is where we are holding the poll to decide that RIGHT NOW - you can vote until Monday, March 3, when the survey closes.

Thank you everyone who has already embarked on the journey to New Arc in the Early Access version of the game - we are truly grateful and we keep reading all your feedback and wonderful suggestions, we are always thinking about how to implement them! If you would like to support the game's development further, the best way is to post a review of it here on Steam. And if you prefer waiting for the game's full release, that's perfectly fine as well - we just recommend that you wishlist and follow it, so you don't miss any news about the project!

Until next time!

https://sp.zhabite.com/steamstore/app/2458310/New_Arc_Line/