Defend the Night Design Tenets

"Defend the Night" Design Tenets are now live.


www.defendthenightgame.com/core-values/

Our Pledge to Our Community!

• Embrace a dark fantasy theme where the world is in turmoil and you are not the hero destined to save it.
  
• The core experience revolves around creating opportunities for meaningful player interactions to happen.
• Risk versus Reward is at the forefront of every aspect of game design that allows for it.
• Combat will be strategic, tactical, and challenging. Player skill will be tangible and strongly emphasized.
• Character progression is viewed as a long-term investment that will not be undermined by expansion resets.
• Players are encouraged to forge their own path while developing their characters but must always remember to enjoy responsibly.
• Enjoy a spirit of the game where competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of respect between players, adherence to the rules, and the basic joy of play.
• Expect meaningful quests that encourage exploration and discovery but are rife with risk and danger.
• Prepare for a world that is constructed around group-centric play. Opportunities to solo will be an exception rather than a rule, but one that is thoughtfully considered and conducive to opportunistic gameplay.
• Players will be unleashed into a predominantly open-world experience where travel is meaningful, dungeons are vast, content is difficult, and all associated rewards are exclusive to open-world play.
• Instanced content will be used sparingly (when and where it makes sense) for traditional PVE content consumption, and a bit more liberally when it comes to on-demand gameplay that players can queue up for. In order to better facilitate a fun and meaningful experience for those who have limited windows of play, we will feature queued PVE/PVP short-duration events.
• Explore an optional PVP scene that is meant to enhance the overall experience for those who wish to participate; one that offers a variety of scenarios and electives that are structured around consensual play.
• Player characters are the most valuable asset when it comes to making the world feel alive. The stage will be set to enhance roleplaying capabilities and provide a real sense of player agency and reputation.
• Find solace in our conviction to avoid pay-to-win schemes.
• Take part in a development process that encourages players to find their voice and engage in purposeful, community-driven dialogue that can help shape the game.
• The four major spheres will all be complimentary of one another for those who want to enjoy diverse gameplay bound together by the overarching tenets. (Adventuring, Crafting, Harvesting, and Diplomacy.)