- What was the name of the project?
- When it was started?
- Why did the project was secret for so much time?
- What kind of license this project will have, will it be open-source?
- What level of graphics will you try to achieve in the end?
- What systems do you plan to release KP on?
- When is it going to be ready/released?
- How many languages there will be when Knights Province is finished?
- What is KP connection with KaM Remake?
What was the name of the project?
Codename we have used internally before the project announcement was NextGame, or NG for short. You might still find it in early articles and screenshots. Now when the project is announced we came up with a more descriptive title – Knights Province. It still might change later on, but for now it’s a good fit.
When it was started?
Idea was not new, but first actual steps towards it were made around 22 Sept 2013, when first prototype renders were made. Around that time code was forked for offline changes in rendering parts (experimenting with OpenGL ES2) and on 24 Oct 2013 it was moved to a separate SVN location. First actual 3D was introduced around that time as well.
Why did the project was secret for so much time?
There is too much uncertainty about every aspect, everything’s is work in progress. We did not want everyone to get overly excited about something that can bump into a dead-end next month. Whole half a year has passed since start even before we had enough confidence in the KP to think serious about it and share it with a close group of people in this devblog in 2014. Now in 2015 KP is still up and improving, so we can make it public.
What kind of license this project will have, will it be open-source?
We still have not decided about the source-code location and access model / license. For now it’s a private repository at CloudForge.
What level of graphics will you try to achieve in the end?
Can not say for sure yet. Here is a more explained answer: link
What systems do you plan to release KP on?
At the moment KP is developed on Win32 for Win32. MacOS and Linux should be viable with Wine. Modern Delphi can compile for iOS/Android as well (did a few tests, KP works fine on my Nexus 10). Biggest problem however is gameplay and GUI adaptation for tablets, which means: KP is going to be Desktop PC game with uncertain possibility of tablet versions later on.
When is it going to be ready/released?
Several years. Quality RTS game is a huge project both in code and art. Planning to release an Alpha in summer 2015. Full game release is going to happen no sooner than 2025.
How many languages there will be when Knights Province is finished?
Can not say for sure yet. Here is a more explained answer: link
What is KP connection with KaM Remake?
KP is based on the same engine we have written from scratch for KaM Remake. Now we use fork of that engine to create our own game. All the features and similarities/differences are matter of change, since the project is still in the Alpha stage.
How come the FAQ list is so short?
Ask more questions and we will be happy to expand it!
I haven’t had time to make a nice banner yet, been busy with other things xD
Suggestions (including crops from media page) are welcome!
Here’s a new cropped banner ^
Very nice lol 😀 Maybe someday we can get some buildings up there 😉
Krom, how do you personally feel about the project so far? Do you believe that it will be successful? If so, how many years do you think it will be before first beta? 🙂
I see that you previously answered my latter question. Nm, disregard that one 🙂
Nice joke about years till the first beta 😉
I don’t have a solid plan yet, just patching things all around the place, inventing architecture for new features and workflow on the run. E.g. now I’m into houses 3D models.
22 Oct sounds like a nice date – 1 year anniversary for NG, it would be awesome to have an Alpha to that date. Also with an “Alpha” badge all sorts of missing elements would be acceptable xD
P.S. It’s not carved in stone, just in case 😉
I have also a question: what level of graphics will you try to achieve in the end? Any games you could compare it to?
I started writing it here and realized it’a a bit too lengthy, so I’ll be posting an article touching this topic. Thanks for interesting question! 🙂
Will the game be OpenSource and / or free (as in beer; not necessarilly inclusive)?
What systems do you plan to release KP? Which might be doable in the future from the same code base (e.g. a port for iOS and Android tablets)?
Where do you see similarities to K&M(R), where do you plan the biggest changes (*cough* moving around troops *cough*)?
Hello Anon,
I saw that more people asking the question if the game will be opensource.
Honestly, I asked Krom the same in my post at the Contribution section.
Therefor I will copy his answer here:
Thanks for asking Anon!
I have expanded the FAQ with these questions 🙂
Thanks a lot for your answers!
So sadly, basically no Linux support. Wine apps are a third-class citizens. 🙁
Will it not be possible to compile with Lazarus or FPC? Is KP done in Free Pascal or Object Pascal?
Adapting KP source to Lazarus/FPC should be quite simple, but until the development is mostly done it is a low-low priority.
Have you considered developing for a gaming console?
For example, the PS4 is supposed to be excellent material for independant developers who want to release a project in their “PS Store”.
With a decent plan like this you might be able to attract support which could help you realize all your dreams of this project.
I’m asking because I’ve been dreaming about a PSN (playstation network) remake of KaM since 2007. Especially after playing a mediocre game called Fat Princess. A KaM remake in that style might be attractive for PSN.
Kind regards
Hi,
#1 – As far as I know Delphi code can not be compiled to run on PS/XBOX/etc.
#2 – Consoles aren’t meant for RTS games.
#3 – I’m hoping to get playable version on Win first, then think about next steps (OSX, Unix, iOS, Android, x64).
Thanks for the reply!
As far as #1 and 3# goes, fair enough. It’s amazing what you guys are doing and couldn’t ask for more than this already.
For #2, Maybe the type of game I’m dreaming of shouldn’t be an RTS… Well anyway, I look forward to seeing your game become reality!
Did you think about starting a kickstarter for this game?
Of course. At the moment the game is much too raw to kickstart.
Hi Krom and team!
A big fan of KaM here, was the first RTS I have ever played and I fell in love with the title and the genere since. I’d like to ask you what have you thought about the game’s storyline / campaign / missions ? Wich ideas do you have for the background / lore? I know the strenght of this game will be on its gameplay (inherited directly from KaM), but one of KaM weakest points (imo) was its poor background / story. Nameless kingdoms, nameless enemies, no heroes. Alsto its campaign wasn’t too good either, since the missions weren’t too different from each other and you could almost never felt any conection between them. I think that a game without a good background / storyline / lore is almost meaningless and it’s not appealing to public. People must feel immersed in the story trough the campaign and love/hate the characters. This expands the fanbase too. So what do you think about all of this? (Sorry for the long post)
Hey, thanks for writing!
Haven’t planned any of this yet to be honest. Although gameplay changes might add sufficient diversity to missions (scripts, new game elements).
Thanks for the reply!
I know you are developing a game you would enjoy yourself, and thats the “target audience” for the moment.
I’d like to know if you want a MP game with a relatively decent SP campaign like Remake is right now, or do you want a strong SP game with and awesome storyline with a complementary MP option, like, let’s say Medieval 2 Total War? Maybe a mix of both like Warcraft III?
MP is what lasts for decades after the SP is long forgotten.
Hello guys
First of all, you did a really great job with this game, and with the KaM Remake too.
Did you stop developing that game, and are you focusing on this on 100% ? 🙂
Hi,
Thanks, glad you like it 🙂
I’m more focused on Knights Province now.
KaM Remake gets occasional attention (as can be seen from github commit logs).
only 1 question… will it have a leaderboard / ladder and matchmaking? aka will there be any sort of competitive play?
I hope so. Before that the game needs multiplayer and player accounts, which are both big features.
sorry, but I can’t install v7.1 installer or unzip the 7z file
my system is windows 10
Do you have any additional details, like error message or description of what’s actually happening?
Why did you choose to create this game from scratch instead of using some game engine like Unity or Unreal? It would ease up things on rendering and performance side, while you could focus more on what is important etc gameplay.
Because it’s fun to create an engine and learn how things work!
The goal of the journey is not only its endpoint, but the journey itself.
I will love to see KP combined with game named Banished. If you think about it – Banished is peacefull style of KaM but much more complex and realistic in way of getting resources and population function. Only enemy were disieases and enviroment. Banished´s complexity and KP together should be the way to go. I dont even see the problem with cartoonish graphics but i suggest go for realistic colors. Its a game from age when you just smash someone in the head with an axe! Banished was crazy succesfull and why? because it was solo uniqe with great idea with simple gameplay + targets all people. KP has same potencional. Guys keep up at the good work !!!
Great ! thank you from brazil, lomg time kam fan!
Did this project get abandoned? No news in almost a year.
Hi, the project is actively worked on, I’m just missing inspiration for news-writing. You can track the progress and latest builds on Discord (link on the right)
Is that project dead already?
Hi, the project is actively worked on, I’m just missing inspiration for news-writing. You can track the progress and latest builds on Discord (link on the right)
How do you rotate the Map? (not buildings)
Q and E. You can look up these and other shortcuts in Options > Hotkeys 🙂