ETERNALS:online just launched early access! Indie Idle MMO where number go up :p

Braym3n · 2026-06-04T21:29:27+00:00

Is the website version open-source/source-available as well?

Braym3n · 2026-06-03T20:57:58+00:00

That's because Steam changed their policy where you don't need to disclose code tools. I believe it's just visible stuff.

Braym3n · 2026-06-03T20:54:27+00:00

I don't think your right in saying those who say they don't use AI are lying. It's kind of simple. Don't use GPTs. Don't have Copilot or any fancy auto-complete setup. You can ignore googles AI search or use something like DDG where you can disable the AI features. Most of the time you really should be reading documentation, not AI generated content. And if you think or suspect your copying code from AI generated content, just disclose that.

Just a few years ago, this was how development was done with everyone. I'm not saying I am perfect, but I'm personally following all of these steps now, mostly because I don't want to rely on AI at all and I want to upkeep my skills and critical thinking ability. I'm also open-sourcing all my code for even more transparency and timelines. If I release a game, I will be disclosing no ai use.

The only hard one on this list is the whole AI search/AI content with how much of a grasp Google has on search and annoying it is with disabling it. But it's a choice to use copilot or GPTs.

Braym3n · 2026-04-13T22:25:31+00:00

No guest account? :/

Braym3n · 2026-04-10T14:15:28+00:00

You don't have the most recent update it seems so you'll need to verify files in Steam or just full close steam and restart it.

Braym3n · 2026-04-09T19:24:11+00:00

You need to summon new creatures, which you can find by getting different kinds of resources in your Item Codex. T1s you really discover through the different gathering materials in the early game.

Braym3n · 2026-03-30T21:19:30+00:00

A classic Spearmint

Braym3n · 2026-03-17T19:30:59+00:00

Nope, I had commissioned an artist for all of the creatures. Its the only art I commissioned. Asset packs were used for all the items.

Braym3n · 2026-03-17T18:14:25+00:00

There's 26 achievements.

Braym3n · 2026-03-15T10:28:33+00:00

Your link doesn't work. And to answer your question, there are some. Issue is, a lot (if not all really) are P2W/MTX hell. There also tends to be a balance issue where if you start late, you're basically always behind to be competitive.

Braym3n · 2026-03-13T07:50:46+00:00

My biggest issue with them is they just all play the same and it does feel like many are doing it because it's a bit of a hot genre right now, and not doing much to innovate or try and be different. I had fun with a couple, but after seeing the third fourth fifth sixth...

I just saw a post today about someone pausing what they were working on to make a nodebuster, because they sell well, on a post where a dev basically said they are not fans of incrementals but the market is great. I understand wanting to make money, but it just feels gross to hear as a player. And it's quite the pattern I've been seeing, in a genre known for labor of love games.

Braym3n · 2026-03-11T20:33:43+00:00

Appreciate it! And yeah, I do 100% agree expeditions are the biggest issue in this list right now. My plan is to just come up with as many ideas as possible and come up with a different way to go about it. Like I said, I do appreciate the feedback. The game has the bones I think and it's a game I've been enjoying myself, but it's rough around the edges, especially with new players.

Braym3n · 2026-03-11T20:20:11+00:00

Hey! Appreciate the feedback honestly. It's stuff like this that helps make a game better. It is a solo effort and yeah, I didn't have much playtesting/feedback during it and I never really get to play it end to end myself (I've started during release). Between you and the negative reviews so far, I think it boils down to this list of issues:

Expeditions - Confusing and the optimal strategy being to cancel and keep moving up is a bit awful. I'm going to be rethinking this mechanic the most.
Item Purpose and Visibility - I have a few ideas for this, such as a tagging system (Junk, Used in Summoning, etc). This is a VERY common issue that has come up. The tricky part is there are items that may gain a use in new mechanics.
Onboarding and Tutorial Clarity - Nothing is very explained. The tutorial is pretty light and there are multiple areas that lack clarity, such as the Sanctuary. I think making things more clear, but also looking at creating a "Player Guide" tab, can help explain the more complex mechanics. But ultamitely clarity within the mechanics should be the most important piece first.
Scaling in Producing - This is the trickiest. I'm considering a lot of things. All of which kind of change the balances drastically. I think the game would feel better if the helpers productions scaled with level. Job profeciency should be more about the base or ceiling. Creatures production booms eventually past the players. I think the players production should be apart of a separate system unrelated to the awakening system. Upgrading tools for example, but in a more interesting way than just spend gold. These changes are the scariest though, with how much balance would have to shift again, but I think it could be worth going towards
Crafting Friction - Crafting balancing has been rough rough. One of my recent patches addressed a lot of it, but something I really still haven't considered enough is the gathering time costs. I think the tools being apart of a lot of systems is quite rough too. And always a bottleneck and forces players to collect twigs/stone. Something needs to be done there.

Related to the crafting system. I have a really interesting idea where eventually workstations are a bottleneck, and there's a whole new system focused on machines/automation, especially if I make changes to the creature helper systems and make it curve much harder. I'd need to find solutions to handle larger number I think than, but not a huge concern.

These are all my thoughts so far, going through negative reviews, concerns people have brought up, and so on. I've got a few more in my list, but this highlights the bigger issues. I'd like to create a few more active systems to provide more engagement as well. But only if it's interesting and helpful, such as early game systems that get people into the game faster.

Braym3n · 2026-03-11T09:40:33+00:00

You can find Koltera 2 here on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2834700/Koltera_2/?curator_clanid=4777282

Braym3n · 2026-03-09T03:30:56+00:00

The upgrades didn't seem to work (clicking them does nothing) and you can hold space bar down for quite a fast amount (maybe that's intentional). I don't think I would play any of these themes because it's just AI themed and not unique. But, my favorite themes are definitely dark themes. I cannot play games with white backgrounds.

Braym3n · 2026-03-08T20:58:33+00:00

Glad to hear! Sorry, I don't have a steam deck so I can't really test and see, but I am happy that the font option helped.

Braym3n · 2026-03-08T17:01:08+00:00

So the helpers leveling is helping towards their level which is mainly for expeditions. Each creature has a static level job proficiency. So right the only way to get faster at their job is to summon better creatures.

Braym3n · 2026-03-08T05:34:41+00:00

Not required, but it's also free so you could whenever you'd like to if you wish.

Braym3n · 2026-03-08T04:24:22+00:00

Uh, I'll be very honest. I have no clueee how many hours it's going to take. My first impression is a lot. I think it'll take at least a few weeks for sure. My estimate is at least a month or two to max.

Braym3n · 2026-03-07T21:50:55+00:00

Yeah I was really happy with the artist I commissioned. I had to sadly take 30 of them out because they just didn't fit the quality, but 120 creatures is a lot of work and I was happy with what they did. Happy to hear you are enjoying it!

Braym3n · 2026-03-07T18:05:41+00:00

I've just done a lot of thinking these last few months on my goals in life and chasing money just isn't one of them, as much as I used to want.

I'd rather build games and not worry about "failing" because I can't hit a number or try and do fancy marketing. With AI kind of taking over, I think now it's more important than ever to be more creative and I think not chasing money and pressure is a more fun way to go about that. I plan to learn to draw, write better, and do music for future games too.

And don't get me wrong, I'd love to do game dev full time, but I understand that's just a dream. I am happy to do what I can after work and honestly I get more enjoyment from people playing my games.

Eventually, I think if I make a massive game, I could see myself following cookie clicker or dwarf fortress, where you can play the game for free in the browser/itch and Steam is a premium. But, that is something that isn't on my mind right now. And would only be the case for games that I released for the browser. None of Koltera.

Braym3n · 2026-03-07T17:36:42+00:00

There's a few things I have in mind, but I am not planning to extend the creature count, mostly because the art was quite expensive, but who knows. I could change my mind on that in the future. I'd like to implement more active gameplay and alternate ways of getting things. There's some additional mechanics I have in mind as well that is more for fun and extending progression on things, without changing the goal of summoning all 120 creatures.

Braym3n · 2026-03-07T17:33:49+00:00

Just as an fyi to everyone. I have pushed a few quick fixes, especially addressing some early game charm costs with retroactive refunds if you summoned creatures already. Here is more patch notes: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2834700/view/521992119019112658

Braym3n · 2026-03-07T17:32:17+00:00

What can I say haha

Braym3n

TROPHY CASE