Greetings, Wastelanders!
August has been a massive month for Afterglow development, bringing some of long-awaited features to life. We've been hard at work implementing core MMORPG systems that transform the game from a PvE survival experience into the full-fledged sandbox MMO we've always envisioned.
Player vs Player mechanics
The wasteland just got a lot more dangerous! Red zones now feature full open-world PvP with our new Ambush system:
- High-stakes combat: Death in red zones means losing all equipped items and inventory
- Risk vs. Reward: Winners have a 50% chance to loot each item from defeated players
- Stealth specialization: Introduced the new "Stealth" skill to increase ambush success rates
You can read more about the Ambush system in our Open World PVP post.
Character inspection
Knowledge is power in the wasteland. You can now inspect active player characters to assess their equipment and threat level before deciding whether to engage or avoid confrontation. This adds a crucial layer of tactical information to PvP encounters.
Items system overhaul
We've completely rewritten our items-related code from the ground up. This massive undertaking delivers:
- Improved performance for all inventory operations
- Enhanced stability across item management systems
- Foundation for future features including advanced crafting and equipment systems
- Let us increase limits for the storage space
Ammo system is fully working now
Combat just got more tactical with our completed ammunition system:
- Weapon-specific clip sizes affecting sustained combat capability
- Reload mechanics adding tactical timing to firefights
- Proper damage and range calculations making weapon choice matter
Every shot now counts in the harsh reality of post-apocalyptic combat.
New world map
Say goodbye to our placeholder map! The new fog of war system transforms exploration:
- Unexplored wasteland starts shrouded in mystery
- Dynamic visibility based on your character's location and recent activity
- Gradual world reveal as you venture into dangerous territories
Player-driven economy
The foundation of our player-driven economy is now live with the Player Marketplace at Aniid Kin (12,4). You can sell the surplus items and buy the items you need. With the help of the new marketplace filters you can now easily find the items you search for.
Factions tasks, currencies and stores
Three major factions have their representatives at Aniid Kin:
- Faction-specific NPCs offering repeatable faction tasks
- Faction currencies earned through tasks completion
- Exclusive faction stores with unique items and blueprints
- Integrated tasks tracking alongside your regular mission log
- Faction reputation visibility on your character overview screen
Each faction offers distinct rewards, encouraging specialization and creating long-term progression goals.
Looking ahead: September Goals
With most of the core MMORPG systems implemented, we will be focusing on balance and refinement:
- Expanded weapon variety - New Tier 1 weapons covering all major combat styles
- Balance refinements - Adjusting progression curves and combat mechanics based on player feedback
- Performance optimizations - Continuing our commitment to smooth mobile gameplay
- UI/UX improvements - Streamlining interfaces based on community input
August represents a major milestone in Afterglow's evolution from survival game to full sandbox MMORPG. The addition of PvP, player economy, and faction systems creates the foundation for the gameplay that we've always planned.
We are looking forward to see you in the wasteland. Stay tuned for the next updates!