Dev Log #5: Start of the Demo, and What Comes Next

Steam Next Fest is starting soon. The day we get to share the world we've built — letting you step into it firsthand — has felt a long time coming for everyone on the development team.

In this Dev Log — alongside the characters and Domain system we introduced earlier — we'd like to share details about the key content and progression elements you'll experience during Steam Next Fest, as well as our development plans for after it.

Main Content Available During Steam Next Fest

When you log in to Embers of the Uncrowned, you'll begin the core journey — choosing your class, liberating contaminated areas with your Companion Eslyn, and developing your Settlement.

But that's only the start. We've also prepared a wide variety of multiplayer content, progression elements, and exploration to deepen your adventure.

Multiplayer Content

Defense of the Spring

• A defense mode that runs on a set schedule. Earn rewards based on your contribution to the battle.

Dungeon

• Cooperative content for 2–3 players in instanced areas, where you team up to overcome various mechanics.

Domain Boss

• Open-world content where multiple players join forces to defeat the powerful final boss of each Domain.

Arena

• 2v2 PvP content that puts your build and skills to the test.

You can also form parties in regular fields to take on challenging regions together.

Progression and Farming

Skill Gem System — Equip a variety of Skill Gems: enhancement-type Gems that boost skill power or Critical Rate, weakening-type Gems that lower enemy Defense or damage, and buff-type Gems that improve resource efficiency.

Higher-grade Skill Gems come with special effects, opening the door to even more powerful builds. You can craft Skill Gems yourself at the Workshop in your Settlement, and have a higher chance of obtaining them from more difficult content such as Dungeons.

Side Quests — Help ease the hardships of people struggling to survive in the contaminated Domain, and recruit new Followers who will help your Settlement flourish.

We also encourage you to experiment with your own builds using Rite Talents, develop your Settlement to upgrade your Gear and potions, and craft your own elixirs and Skill Gems to experience overwhelming power firsthand.

Exploration Content

Golden Bogart — A monster that carries stolen treasure on its back. It will flee unless defeated within a certain time limit. Defeat it to earn Gear enhancement materials and Skill Gems.

Steam post image Elven Assassins — Assassins sent to kill you. They will hunt you down relentlessly.

Steam post image Abyss Cocoon — A vicious cocoon that hatches monsters in contaminated areas. Defeat the monsters that pour out to earn Costume Coins, elixir crafting materials, and Skill Gems.

There are also treasures hidden throughout the region — be sure to explore and find them.

Steam Next Fest Events

We've also prepared various events to celebrate the festival.

A series of challenges await — earn Epic Gear, Costumes, and Mounts simply by completing objectives and logging in regularly.

We'll also be hosting events you can join just by adding the game to your Steam wishlist and joining our Discord server. We hope you'll take part.

Future Development Plans

This demo is just the beginning of the vast world Embers of the Uncrowned has to offer.

After Steam Next Fest, our team will focus on enhancing the game's quality and expanding its content — so we can deliver a more polished full release of this dark fantasy MMORPG.

Here's a sneak peek at the major development roadmap we're currently planning.

• Please note that the information below is still under review and may be refined during development.

1. Vast Content Expansion

We plan to add more Domains and a deeper narrative to fully bring the lore of this world to life.

We also plan to expand Settlement content — your base of operations — letting you fully step into the experience of governing and developing your Domain as a true lord.

We'll continue to expand the world with a deep and varied range of things to do.

2. Core MMORPG Multiplayer Content

We plan to deliver the core appeal of MMORPGs through cooperation and competition between many players.

◈ Teamwork and Interaction

We're currently developing cooperative content where teams or factions can face massive threats together, along with a guild system that lets you forge deep bonds with like-minded players.

On top of that, we'll build a world with even greater freedom — where you can shape the market economy through trade and interaction with other players.

◈ Competition and Conflict

We're currently developing a variety of competitive content centered on"faction wars"— large-scale battles where you choose your faction and fight to defend its honor.

Through field PvP, guild conflicts, and inter-guild battle systems, we aim to deliver gameplay charged with the constant tension of player and group rivalry.

That said, to ensure no one is forced into unwanted fights, all PvP content will be opt-in — kept to designated, separate areas where only willing participants can engage.

3. Updates to Classes and Companions

As many of you have requested, we'll be adding a gender selection feature. At official launch, you'll be able to freely choose the gender of the Executioner, Spectral Blade, and Stormbringer.

Steam post image (Sketch - Male Stormbringer)

Steam post image (Sketch - Male Spectral Blade)

We'll also prioritize the development of two new classes with entirely new combat styles,

along with two new Companions to stand by your side.

In particular, we plan to enhance the Companion system with a much wider range of interactions than in this demo — in the hope that you'll feel a deeper connection with the allies who share your struggles.

Our Promise(again): Non Pay-to-win

Lastly, there's a topic that many of you have been curious and concerned about, so we'd like to take this opportunity to address it once more.

As we've already mentioned in the community,

Embers of the Uncrowned will never adopt a pay-to-win (P2W) model.

We will not introduce any monetization that directly affects character stats. Your strength in the game will be proven solely through your passion, hard work, and skill.

To all of you Embers who will rebuild a shattered world, lead a powerful House, and become true lords —

we sincerely hope that the world we've built strikes a chord with you.

We hope to see you at Steam Next Fest soon.

Thank you.

Embers of the Uncrowned Development Team