In this dev blog, I'm excited to share a glimpse into the narrative that shapes Pompeii: The Legacy. You'll learn about the story's starting point, the cast of characters who guide you through the early stages, and the creative process behind the character portraits featured in the game.

The story begins on a Roman ship gliding across open waters as a father, the main character, explains a great mission given to him and his family by Emperor Trajan. The family has been entrusted with the task of rebuilding Pompeii, which was destroyed in the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

We'll delve into the early gameplay elements, which follow the father’s guidance to his sons on managing city-building essentials. Guided by Publius Attianus, the Emperor’s advisor, players learn core mechanics through in-character dialogue that makes tutorials an immersive part of the story. Key milestones and challenges lie ahead, from constructing initial housing to facing antagonists who challenge your position, and preparing for the looming threat of natural disasters.



In keeping with the Roman theme, I begin by introducing Emperor Trajan, the player’s first patron. Trajan, known historically as one of Rome's greatest emperors, expanded the empire to its largest territorial reach and brought prosperity and stability to Rome during his reign. His leadership and strategic acumen serve as an inspiration for the player’s journey.

Next to Trajan in this image is the fictional character, Senator Gaius Aquillius Regulus, who will later become the player’s political advisor. Regulus will guide the player through the complex landscape of Roman politics, helping navigate the inevitable challenges and decisions that come with rising through the social ranks of the empire.

In the early stages of Pompeii: The Legacy, one of the advisors guiding the player will be none other than Emperor Trajan’s wife, Pompeia Plotina. Known for her wisdom and deep commitment to philosophy and humanistic ideals, she will communicate with the player’s family through a series of letters. Through these exchanges, Pompeia Plotina offers her perspective on philosophical and ethical matters, subtly influencing the player’s decisions and providing a nuanced outlook on governance, culture, and personal growth within the empire.



In Pompeii: The Legacy, family is central to the journey. The player's character begins with his loyal wife, who will be by his side as they embark on the challenge of rebuilding Pompeii. While the husband leads the city’s development, his wife brings balance, encouraging the construction of cultural and hygienic buildings that improve the quality of life for citizens. Together, they lay the foundation not just for a city, but for a family legacy that will influence generations to come.

Beyond city-building, the player’s family will play a vital role in trade and exploration across the Mediterranean. Family members will not only manage the bustling markets and trading routes that connect Pompeii to other key regions, but some will also embark on perilous expeditions. These journeys, though filled with potential for great rewards, can bring danger and strain family relationships, as the risks involved often weigh heavily on loved ones back home.

Additionally, some family members will serve alongside the Emperor in military campaigns across the empire to quell uprisings. Upon their return, these experiences will enhance the family’s social standing, bestowing them with newfound privileges and influence in the Roman hierarchy. These interactions add depth to the family’s role, blending duty and ambition as they contribute to the empire’s legacy and the prosperity of Pompeii.



The Pompeii: The Legacy family tree interface offers a unique look into the legacy of each generation. As players progress, each new generation is represented as a new chapter in the family’s lineage. In keeping with Roman traditions, the family tree also includes the option to adopt, reflecting the common practice in Rome of extending one’s legacy through adopted heirs. Through this system, players will shape not just a city, but a dynasty that embodies the spirit and resilience of a Roman family across generations.

As children grow up in Pompeii: The Legacy, they will typically marry, forming alliances with other influential families. These marriages bring with them both social and material advantages. When a designated heir marries, the player’s family may receive additional benefits and privileges, depending on the social standing and resources that the new family member contributes. This system enriches the gameplay, offering strategic opportunities to strengthen the family’s influence within Pompeii and across the empire.

In Roman tradition, the father is the head of the family. Upon his passing, the heir—typically the eldest son—assumes this role. However, the game will sometimes challenge players with situations where no male heir is available, or where the family has no direct successor. In these cases, the player must navigate intricate strategies to secure an heir, often requiring cunning and diplomatic finesse to preserve the family line and its legacy. These elements add layers of complexity and intrigue, pushing players to manage not only the city but also the delicate balance of family succession.



Each character in Pompeii: The Legacy is crafted with a detailed process that begins with reference photos, often sourced from 3dsk, to achieve realistic facial expressions and authentic period features. Starting from an initial sketch and working through Photoshop, I develop each portrait with great care. For historical figures like Trajan and Hadrian, I base the designs on their preserved sculptures, ensuring a close resemblance to their iconic appearances. This approach adds depth and authenticity to the game, as every character is rooted in historical accuracy or inspired by the actors who bring them to life.



As I wrap up this chapter of Pompeii: The Legacy, I’m excited to share that the next big milestone will be the reveal of the gameplay trailer. This upcoming showcase will offer a firsthand look at how the story, characters, and mechanics come together, bringing the ancient city to life. If all goes according to plan, you can expect to see the trailer before the end of the year. Thank you for following the development journey, and stay tuned—there’s much more to come!


https://store.steampowered.com/app/2632240/Pompeii_The_Legacy/

In today's game development world, it's not common to see a developer creating their own game engine, especially with so many commercial engines readily available. However, WhaleX Engine has been a passion project of mine for quite some time, designed to fit my specific needs as a solo developer. Built on DirectX 11 technology, WhaleX Engine allows me to have full control over the development process of my upcoming city-building game, Pompeii: The Legacy.

In the following sections, I will explain several key features that are crucial to the development of the game. But first, I would like to list some of the notable features my engine possesses:

• Terrain size is 4 square kilometers (about 1.54 square miles)
  
• Up to 12 different materials on the terrain
  
• 6 materials support terrain displacement, with 3 of them providing detailed textures like small stones
  
• Sea and rivers are animated with Gerstner wave systems
  
• An optimized foliage system for adding grass, leaves, and small plants
  
• A weather system that enhances the atmosphere with rain, storms, and volcanic ash

One of the engine’s key strengths is its optimization for games with a top-down view, like city builders. I’ve developed several custom tools for terrain editing, texture painting, shoreline creation, and more. Currently, the engine supports up to 12 different textures for terrain, three of which allow displacement mapping. An additional three textures can have both displacement and detail mapping, allowing for small elements like pebbles to be painted onto the landscape, creating more intricate ground detail.

The above image demonstrates how the detailed texture system adds small stones to the terrain. Along with this, WhaleX Engine features an optimized system for adding grass and foliage without causing performance issues. The engine's editor allows for quick placement of larger plants like shrubs, trees, and environmental details such as fallen logs, mushrooms, and even Mediterranean plants like cacti and yucca.



Another powerful feature of WhaleX Engine is the ability to add various splines and definition regions, essential for designing interactive areas within the game world. These regions dictate where animals roam, where fish swim, and where players can mine resources. Additionally, the engine handles complex elements like water pumps for aqueducts and fertile zones for agriculture, offering a highly customizable game world.



The next big feature in WhaleX Engine is its water system. I’ve built an advanced system that simulates the dynamics of seas and rivers within the game. At its core is a Gerstner wave system, which realistically governs the ocean’s surface. The engine allows for the tweaking of various parameters: amplitude, frequency of waves, and color of rivers, shallow, and deep waters. You can also test how the sea behaves under different weather conditions, such as when rain hits the ocean’s surface.



In Pompeii: The Legacy, players will experience a dynamic weather system that enhances immersion and gameplay challenges. Beyond sunny skies, the game features cloudy conditions, rainstorms, and even full-blown thunderstorms. The weather system also plays a critical role in volcanic activities, with ash filling the air during eruptions, small stones falling from the sky, and, in extreme cases, larger rocks descending as part of the catastrophic events. These atmospheric elements not only impact the visual ambiance but also bring new gameplay layers as players must adapt to the changing environment.


This level of flexibility within WhaleX Engine allows me to create a game environment that feels authentic and immersive, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in a city-building game like Pompeii: The Legacy. As development continues, I’m excited to keep refining these systems and expand the possibilities even further.

Stay tuned for more updates as I continue to push the limits of what WhaleX Engine can do!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2632240/Pompeii_The_Legacy/