Major Updates Coming to The Blood of Dawnwalker This October
- New “easier” difficulty mode and combat targeting changes are confirmed for an October patch.
- Game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz teases exploration of New Game Plus mode and potential new enemies.
- Gameplay performance fixes and quality of life improvements are in progress, addressing player feedback.
In an interview with Eurogamer, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, the game director of The Blood of Dawnwalker, announced several enhancements and fixes scheduled for a significant patch in early October. Among the updates are a new difficulty option that makes the game easier, combat targeting improvements, and an adjustment to allow players to escape from battles more effectively.
Tomaszkiewicz also mentioned that the studio is considering a New Game Plus mode, stating, “Yes, we are,” and hinted at the possibility of introducing new enemies to enhance gameplay variety. However, he refrained from providing further details at this time, indicating that discussions with the publishing team are ongoing.
The upcoming new difficulty level will not be a harder option; rather, it will replace the existing easiest difficulty, known as Story mode. This unnamed new difficulty will accommodate players seeking a more relaxed experience, while the current Story mode will be renamed to “Demanding.” Consequently, players will see five difficulty levels: Story, Story-renamed, Fair, Challenging, and Duelist.
“We will introduce an additional difficulty level, but an easier one” – Konrad Tomaszkiewicz
“Many people are asking for an easier difficulty,” Tomaszkiewicz elaborated, explaining that the new Story mode will cater to those who wish to focus on the narrative without the pressures of combat.
In terms of combat mechanics, the team is working to refine targeting and camera functions. Tomaszkiewicz acknowledged that an issue, where the game switches targets during stun abilities, was not a bug but an unintended design choice that will be addressed in the upcoming patch. He added, “That’s my fault,” while outlining plans for adjustments to allow for smoother targeting transitions.
Performance improvements have also been prioritized, as players have expressed concerns about gameplay responsiveness and controller support since launch. Tomaszkiewicz noted the challenge of optimizing for diverse PC hardware and confirmed the developers’ commitment to addressing these issues: “We’re observing this, we’re trying to ask people about the hardware, and we are trying to do the fixes.”
“It’s like, I understand [FPS concerns] but the game is about something else.” – Konrad Tomaszkiewicz
He acknowledged that while many players expect high frame rates, the game’s design emphasizes other elements beyond shooting mechanics. The developers aim to enhance performance while also considering how players interact with the game.
Improvements to running mechanics, to make escaping from fights easier, are also in development. Tomaszkiewicz explained that observing player feedback has guided the team in refining combat interactions. “Right now we’re doing the fix where when you run or escape, you will ignore the nav mesh and it will be fluid,” he said. This will facilitate smoother escape movements during gameplay.
Furthermore, changes in animal behavior during encounters will ensure that creatures do not become overly aggressive if players attempt to flee, thereby allowing for exploration without excessive penalties.
However, the issue of enemy “sponginess,” or the prolonged time it takes to defeat foes, will remain largely unchanged due to the reliance on character builds. Tomaszkiewicz noted, “It depends a lot on how you develop your character and what gear you have,” emphasizing that player choices significantly affect combat speed and efficiency.
“If we decrease the health too much and you create a really strong build, you will one-shot everyone.” – Konrad Tomaszkiewicz
Tomaszkiewicz concluded by hinting at further developments within the game, stating that many improvements are in progress and will be included in the patch expected in early October. The Blood of Dawnwalker, launched in early September, has received positive reviews and aims to enhance its experience based on community feedback.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
