Overview
Today I have sent the first demo build to Valve for review. Everything goes quite smoothly, if we exclude the usual “life throws unexpected things at you to slow you down”, but it always happens so I learned to include it into my schedules. I think I should be ready for release in December (but that’s not 100% decided yet). The demo probably will be out a week or so before Steam Next Fest, so very soon.

What was done
Content wise, the first zone (everything that will be in the demo) is finished. There are rough edges and there was no quality pass, but technically the demo is ready content wise. Some new feature were added like: clues system, elemental damage from weapons (Flaming Sword, now most magical staves deal extra elemental damage, etc), elemental vulnerabilities for monsters (Fire/Cold/Lightning), recruitable heroes in inns, classes rebalance and adjustments (Bard got back “Heroic Ballad” from first LoA, boosted Champion, Troll Slayer, etc), adjusted some spells (I hope to make some bigger changes in the spells system later) and item traits, new environmental effect (Toxic fumes), rebalance (fewer sources of Arcane +X%). Also, I was lucky to get a very competent composer who was able to match the style of the existing music, so LoA3 will have tunes mixed from LoA2 and new ones (to maximize variety).

What’s left
A lot of content is still missing (like 3/4). Some “must have” features like new time system (I want to get rid of “party bonuses & fountain effects expire at midnight”), possibly some new classes, maybe “dark dungeons” and sources of light and other things. Plus mundane things, manual, QA, localization, etc. Overall, extra stuff might be implemented if the time allows it.

Summary
Everything is going well. I think, I got somewhat better at making locations (plus, I collected a lot of feedback from LoA and LoA2 so I know what to avoid), so I hope there would be an increase in quality of those (not guaranteed, just my guess). Once I finish the “must have” stuff, I’m going for extra features. There is a very decent chance the game to be released this year.

BTW, wishlist the game if you have not done it yet!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3823520/Legends_of_Amberland_III_The_Crimson_Tower/
https://www.gog.com/en/game/legends_of_amberland_iii_the_crimson_tower

(yes, there is a spelling mistake in the dialogue above, I know)