20th AUGUST 2020
Fury of Dracula - Online Play Announcement
Hi there Hunters!
Something that our community have repeatedly brought up since we’ve started showing off Fury of Dracula: Digital Edition is one question: “Will I be able to play this game online?”
Originally we’d planned to release Fury of Dracula: Digital Edition without online functionality at launch, and would have added it at a later date. However, two things have happened that made us reconsider that decision:
We got a lot of great community feedback
A big increase in people playing Talisman: Digital Edition online
This led to a lot of internal debate here at Nomad, as we reconsidered our decision to add online multiplayer post-release. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but after readjusting our deadlines and priorities, we’re now happy to confirm that Fury of Dracula: Digital Edition will be launching with online multiplayer available from day one!
If it wasn’t for the feedback and comments from our lovely community, we wouldn’t have been able to realise how much of a priority this was for our players. So thank you all for sharing your thoughts!
So, how will online play work at launch?
When we launch Fury of Dracula: Digital Edition, you’ll be able to choose from playing online or offline.
When you play online, you’ll be pitted in a 1v1 match where one player takes on the role of the hunters, and the other takes on the role of Dracula. When playing offline, you’ll be able to choose which roles are handled by local players, and which ones are controlled by AI.
What about local multiplayer? How will that work?
We will support local (offline) cooperative multiplayer (aka pass-to-play, hotseat and couch coop) from launch with up to 5 players. Obviously Fury of Dracula is a game about hidden information, so Dracula will need to be trusting when taking their turns!
Are we planning on adding more online modes after launch?
Yes! We’re planning to add a 1v4 mode at some point after launch - this will allow for realtime online play with up to 5 players, just like you would have around a table. We’re not sure how long this feature will take, but we’ll be sure to announce once we have a better idea.
How will players communicate with each other?
There will be an in-game text chat that you’ll be able to use to communicate with each other.
In addition to the in-game chat we are hoping to get a ‘marker system’ into the game to allow Hunter players to mark locations where they think Dracula is. This will speed up communication between players a lot, as one of the most commonly discussed things is “where do you think Dracula is?”
Will there be matchmaking?
You’ll have two options for playing Fury of Dracula: Digital Edition online - you will be able to join a listed public game or an unlisted private game that you can only join if you know the room code.
We’re hopeful that we will be able to support adding friends to your game directly via Steam at launch, however that might come slightly after depending on how development progresses.
If someone leaves during an online match, will they be replaced by AI?
They will indeed be replaced by AI, so you can continue the hunt if you so desire.
Will there be support for asynchronous play?
We won't be supporting asynchronous multiplayer at launch. Don’t be too disheartened though, we’re open to adding it later down the line if the game is successful and there is demand for it.
Will I be able to use Steam’s ‘Remote Play Together’ feature?
You will! From launch day we’ll be supporting this feature, which effectively allows remote users to play as if they were in a local coop game. Note that you’ll still need to be trusting of whoever you play with as hidden information will be shown during each player's turn!
This all sounds great, how do I find out more about the game?
The best way to keep up with Fury of Dracula: Digital Edition is by wishlisting it on Steam - not only will Steam notify you when the game is available, you’ll also see our updates directly and you’ll be helping us out too by bumping us up in the Steam algorithms, which is massively important to a tiny indie studio like ours!
Or you can always follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see what we’re up to in general here at Nomad Games. If you want to chat with fellow vampires and vampire hunters on our Discord, you can join it here - it’s full of lovely people so we definitely recommend it!