Hello Adventurers!

Welcome to another preview of Dustgrave’s Revelations Update, that we plan to release in September 2025!

Today, we’re excited to show you how we’ve completely redesigned the game’s map.

Since Dustgrave’s release, we’ve heard your feedback regarding the map size and its impact on exploration. Originally, we envisioned a vast 3D world where players could freely roam and discover locations filled with wonder. Unfortunately, the initial map proved overly large and somewhat empty, making travel feel slow and, for the lack of better words, boring.

Some footage taken in the reworked map.

To address that, we have significantly reworked the map, reducing its overall size by 60%. This change dramatically cuts travel times, making exploration smoother and more engaging. We’ve also increased the density of content by introducing new settlements and locations. Additionally, several areas now feature a redesigned geography, ensuring travel and exploration remain fresh and less predictable.

The other notable change the addition of Holdings, small economic hubs like farms, mines, ranches, fisheries, logging camps, inns, and more. Each Settlement now represents an entire region, with every region containing two Holdings, to better represent the local economy and prosperity.

A preview image of the new map as it appear in the UI, showing the increased density and reduced distances between landmarks.

These Holdings aren’t just decorative, they will be used for dynamic Quests and Events and influence the local economy, impacting each Settlement’s Prosperity level. Holdings also have strategic importance during warfare, with Factions trying to occupy and defend them, reflecting the gradual conquest or reclamation of territories. This addition is part of a broader economic overhaul that will enhance interactions between players, NPCs, and the game’s economy. We’ll explore these aspects further in an upcoming dev diary.

A farm Holding.

In the next Dev. Diary we will explain in depth how we added the concept of Prosperity Metrics to better track and simulate a Settlement’s economy, and how players will be able to actively influence them by stealing, sabotaging, or donating resources.

Stay tuned for more!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2393370/Dustgrave_A_Sandbox_RPG/