styxgame

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[FR] Styx s'invite chez NoLife!

Il y a quelque jours, deux membres de notre équipe, Guillaume, chef de projet, et Julien, Lead Game designer, se sont rendus dans les locaux de NoLife pour parler du jeu !

La vidéo est à découvrir ici : 

http://noco.tv/emission/15010/nolife/extra-life/160-styx-master-of-shadows

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In the fifth gameplay video shown today, we take another look at the dynamism and flow of Styx’s treacherous ascent, having discovered clones, tactics, skills, and styles. Using all of these to his advantage, Styx manages to poison guards, blind them with his clone, climb vast heights, and reach his objective unseen – the way a goblin should! As discussed in the gameplay making of video, being a 200 year old goblin, Styx is unique in that his nimble frame and athleticism lets him dance around his environment, relatively quietly with deadly speed and agility. However, while he is fast, agile, and cunning, he is also small, weak, and at constant risk of being surrounded should he knock over a vase, or land noisily, attracting the attention of the guards. With release rapidly approaching, in what style will you infiltrate The Tower of Akenash?

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Commented by Julien Desourteaux (Game Director & Level Designer), Guillaume Blanchard (Project Manager) et Mathias Chataignier (Game Designer), this 5 minutes video lets us learn more about the game, its mechanics, its level design, as well as the intentions of the developers when they designed its infiltration gameplay. We learn how they created the mechanics to make of Styx: Master of Shadows a challenging game, back to the source of infiltration games. The playable character – a fragile but resourceful goblin – played a huge role in this task, as much as the level design, which is both open and highlights the vertical perspective, and prompts players to experiment to reach their objectives in very different ways. This is only one video among a series of 4. The 3 other videos, that you can watch on the links below, are focusing on the sound design, the music designed by Game Audio Factory, and on the team. They will let you know even more about the game, waiting for its release on October 7!

Making-of : The Sound Design: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsjy_... Making-of : The Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBPGs... Making-of : The Team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxr6q...

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Akenash dwellers #4 - Elves

Now let’s talk a bit about one of the other humanoid species that lives in the Tower of Akenash: the elves.

Living as close as possible to the Tree, the elves are allowed in the Tower thanks to a treaty made between their ambassador and the Akenash governor. But only because they are uniquely able to collect the amber as the sap of the Tree can push to insanity any human who touches it in its purest form.

Even if most elves will chase you on sight, their ambassador is more likely to hear you out.

But, a life spent close to the amber leaves traces… They can feel the amber near them and communicate with every amber creature. What a pity that our character is the addict type. You would definitetly not want to be detected by one of those. They may be thin but they are good hunters.

The player will need to adapt his playing style if he wants to get past them.

The elves appearance was controversial and we needed a lot of different concept before choosing one.

Dev team just wanna have fun !

Final version of the elves

-- Eléonore Associate Producer

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Question of the week #6

Today we will answer a question from "Robert John Guarente" posted on Facebook: How long is the game, how much will it be, are there unlockables, is there a play through plus, is there replay value?????

Hi Robert,

You will need about 20 hours to finish the story depending of your play style. If you want to finish the game at 100% it will be quite a challenge: Of course, you will have to finish the story (that is a challenge in itself ^^), but you will also have to succeed all sub-missions and get the 4 ensigns for each mission:

* Finish the mission without killing anyone. Yes you can also use the gentle way to accomplish Styx’s destiny and you have many ways to avoid killing people, starting with being the most discreet as possible.

* Finish the mission without being spotted a single time. The AI is attentive to a lot of details, like movement, past events, sounds, suspect bodies on the ground… but an accident can so easily happen! ;)

* Collecting all items in the mission, there is more than 300 of it to find!

* Finish the mission as quick as possible. Once you’ll be used to Styx’s capacities, you’ll be able to challenge yourself and try to find the fastest means and ways to reach your goals.

  As you can imagine, it will be hard to be totally unseen and be as quick as possible in a single run; it's where you will play with the challenge mode that allow you to replay any mission with all the skills you have unlocked in story mode. Been unseen or been quick will force you to try to found alternative paths and alternative way to handle situations. You’ll see that it’s a complete different experience!

Last but not least, some treasures are hidden into the Tower of Akenash; Will you be able find them?

  If you have any question you would like to ask to the team about the game, please post it below this thread or on our Facebook page! We’ll be happy to answer you in the next Question of the week.

  — Guillaume Project Manager

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STYX: MASTER OF SHADOWS - ATTACK OF THE CLONE

Styx’ clone is one of the four Amber-fuelled powers that serve as Styx’ base skills (along with 7 skill trees). Creating a clone opens new potential strategic and tactical opportunities, such as distraction, the ability to blind multiple targets, and lure them to a desired location before tumbling objects onto them. As with all of Styx’ amber-fuelled skills, this uses the rare amber… and you will need to act swiftly, as clones aren’t exactly “stable” and will deteriorate quickly before imploding! Having unlocked all of the skills from the 7 available skill trees in Styx: Master of Shadows, we’ve previously seen the nimble Styx overcome some of the weaker enemies in the game susceptible to his stealth abilities and dagger… but skills come at a cost, and the Amber to use them is scarce throughout the Tower of Akenash. For example, Styx’ Invisibility skill drains quickly, and uses half your maximum reserve of Amber: you’ll be required to rely primarily on your ability to sneak, plan and time your approach. Carefully scour the area from above, or watch from the shadows for the perfect moment to deploy your clone – a controllable hunk of flesh able to distract and blind the enemy, hiding in crates to pull them to living deathtraps, or access areas closed to Styx and open new pathways. Styx’ clone is the ultimate ephemeral companion, and the right mix of distraction and skill will open hundreds of opportunities to exploit games in the guards’ patrols. Styx can always rely on his clone – but unable to defend itself, get caught in the light, and the entire Tower will descend upon him. Join us next week when we introduce another exciting element of Styx: Master of Shadows with a new gameplay video!

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Building the Game #1 - Handling NPC

« Look, if you make this guard run toward here, we can push him down this cliff. And when he'll splatter the lower floor, and the other npc runs toward his body, THEN you can unsrew this crane's load and kill every single one of them ! »

The level designers sure are a weird bunch. They quite enjoy giving new, exotic ways for a player to kill people. Or be killed, it mostly depends on their mood.

Kismet, the script system in the Unreal Engine, is pretty powerful. It allows you to create complex patrols.

Your basic guard will just stand there, sleeping...

… but by adding another pathnode, and telling him not to sleep, you could make him go look left and right...

… add yet another pathnode, throw in an animation, and he can go drink some (poisonable!) water...

… and you could add a bit of script so whenever his friend in the background leaves his spot, your first guard will notice and go investigate...

Oops. Oh well.

— Jonathan Level Designer

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The goblin Styx proves he's the master of shadows in the new "Assassin Green" gameplay trailer! 

Today’s video is the first of a series of gameplay trailers we will be releasing over the coming weeks until the release of the game. It illustrates some of the Goblin’s skills, as he uses his stealth, weaponry, bold moves and smart use of the environment to get rid of the tower’s denizens. Skill is richly rewarded in Styx: Master of Shadows, with the most skilled of players able to swing organically from level to level, path to path, unseen by foes guarding the way. Armed only with his trusted dagger and very few throwing knives for dealing with “long-range” encounters, Styx relies more on his small scale and nimble athleticism to subvert those who seek to kill him. Remain aware, and use the environment to your advantage, and you’ll soon be able to dispatch the humans and elves, whilst remaining unseen. Push people of ledges, pull them by their legs to the gallows, or leap from huge heights to slit their throats or stab them from their shoulders. Smother them silently, swing around from behind, or thrust throwing daggers into their skulls. Drop crates onto the toughest of enemies, or poison their drinking water. As violent as he is cunning, Styx’ best friend is his knife, and the shadows. Most will survive with a slow pace and a keen eye, but do you have what it takes to become the most efficient Goblin infiltrator? Styx Master of Shadows is downloadable on PS4®, Xbox One®, and PC this October.

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Akenash dwellers #3 – Knights

Now for the Knights...

These are real killers with weapon-proof armor SO stay away. These invicible creatures can be recognized from afar by the shining gem on their armor. Don't be dazed by the brillance of this gem or be ready to die.

One of the concept arts made for researchs on knights.

How this dangerous ennemy looks now ingame.

Is there a way to get rid of him?

Stay tuned for more info on Akenash dwellers!

— Guillaume Project Manager

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Specialize your Amber powers, with the skill-trees!

Today we're going to discover more in details the powers that Styx can acquire from the magical Amber substance.

During a mission you will gain XP that can be used to unlock numerous skills. These skills are arranged into 6 skill-trees: Stealth, Agility, Clone, Amber vision, Equipment and Assassination. 

With this skill-tree, it is all about being discreet! Styx can develop his capabilities to get heart palpitation when an enemy gets close, and avoid any surprises. He can also improve his invisibility skill and make it more efficient.

Moving with agility is very important when you don't want to be detected. In this skill-tree, Styx can choose to fall without any sound or to be able to throw his projectiles twice the distance. 

Styx's best friend also has a skill-tree dedicated to him! You can give him some diversion skills or even offensive abilities.

Amber is the source of Styx's magical powers. He manipulates its magical properties and improves the way he uses it. For example, the amber vision, which gives Styx a special perception of the environment, can last twice longer.

Apart from his powers, Styx also has some tools at his disposal, as his knives for example. You will be able to enlarge your capacity of carry theses weapons or amber phials using this skill-tree. 

This skill-tree will help you to improve your assassination techniques to be more efficient. So you'll be able to kill someone while hanging from an edge or even assassinate an enemy even when you are under cover. 

...That's not all! There's a seventh mysterious skill-tree that you'll be able to unlock only under certain conditions... But we will let you discover it while playing the game!  Use your skills wisely and at the right time, and they will be your best weapons towards victory in Styx: Master of Shadows! 

-- Camille ‘Jolly Roger’ Communication & Community Manager

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This Summer Trailer invites us to follow Styx, the two-century old Goblin whose main occupation is thievery and assassination, as he begins infiltrating the huge Tower of Akenash. It is in this immense tower that is jealously kept hidden by elves, humans and other fantasy creature, the World-Tree and its Heart, source of the precious Amber. This is the final objective of Styx, who today demonstrates a few of his skills and special powers, that will be of great help to make a silent way to his goal.

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Akenash dwellers #2 – Fighters

To continue with our Akenash dwellers, Let's go to the Fighters!

The spectrum of fighters go from basic workers, fighting with primitive tools, to the elite guards with their deadly weapons. As well as dockers, vile experimenters and sly smugglers, to mention some more.

Be wary of fighters. You stand a small chance against one and even less against more.

Try it and you'll see...

Stay tuned for more info on Akenash dwellers!

— Guillaume Project Manager

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Styx: Master of Shadows was revealed in great detail at E3 in Los Angeles. But for those who were unable to see us in Los Angeles, here's the gameplay trailer for Styx: Master of Shadows that shows a continuous 15-minute game sequence, unedited, and with commentary by the developers. This is an exciting opportunity to discover the gameplay options available in Styx: Master of Shadows. Infiltration, the special talents and skills of the goblin character you play and all the game mechanics will allow you to scale the dizzying heights of the vast Tower of Akenash that contains your ultimate objective: the heart of the World Tree, the source of the amber, immense power and fabulous riches; because let's not forget that Styx is essentially a master thief!

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The goblin scales the heights in screenshots!

We're happy to unveil a series of exclusive images in the run-up to E3 in Los Angeles, where Styx: Master of Shadows will be presented at Focus Home Interactive’s booth (West Hall Booth 5512)!

Styx, the goblin assassin, is climbing his way up the Tower of Akenash.

From the murky, oppressive depths of the tower to the opulent and magnificent summits where the elite guards and the citizens of the tower reside, Styx will have to work hard to reach his objective: The Tree, the source of the Amber, the promise of infinite riches he would like to possess. Master assassin and part-time thief, Styx will be able to remove any objects hampering his progress: but don’t leave any clues behind that could betray your presence to the guards… like a lifeless body in a walkway!

But not only humans and elves inhabit the Tower of Akenash; other fantastic creatures also roam the gloomy halls and passages of this immense tower, and it’s generally wise to avoid them. if you don’t want to end up as dinner for a hungry Orc!

Stay tuned on the devblog, more details about the game are coming!

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Question of the week #5

Today we will answer a question from "Jamari Laphouine" posted on Facebook: A modern stealth game... HARD?

Hi Jamari,

If you mean that "modern" stealth games don't offer sufficient challenge to the player, then we agree with you! Challenge and tension are some of the ingredients we want to bring back to the stealth genre. The choice of a goblin as the main character is a clear signal to the player that he cannot rush headlong into the fray; such tactics will not see him survive for long in the Tower of Akenash! "Styx: Master of Shadows" may well be considered a very difficult game: guards will hunt you down and kill you in a few attacks (when they don't kill you instantly). Even more dangerous are the monsters that lurk in the tower or the traps can crush you or cut you to pieces in the bat of an eyelid. That said, we don't want the player to feel that he is unfairly matched so we have worked hard to make sure that there is enough information available for reasoned choices to be made when it comes to selecting a path or an action. You will also have powerful tools at your disposal and using them wisely can make your journey a lot easier.

If you have a question about the game that you would like to put to the team, please post it below this thread or on our Facebook page! We’ll be happy to answer you in the next Question of the week.

  — Guillaume Project Manager

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Character introduction #1 – Styx

Today, we’re going to talk about the central figure of our adventure… Yes you may have guessed, it's Styx. :)

First graphic research on Styx after OoaM…

250 years old, our hero Styx is the first known goblin. Physically, he is what you expect of this people: green and small, 1m28 (4' 2"). He is very agile, solitary and devious. Yet, he has not always been so bitter...

Before being changed into a small creature, Styx was an orc shaman, respected by all, a powerful mage, erudite and passionate about life's forces. This passion will push him to study Amber, a magic and highly addictive substance, which will unfortunately seal his fate.

Both a blessing and curse, Amber possesses significant powers that Styx will put to full use during his adventures. Alas, these powers come at a significant cost... In addition to his change of appearance, Styx's addiction to Amber brings with it unending mental torment, causing him to sink slowly into madness.

Despite his metamorphosis, he retains some orc characteristics, such as pride, his taciturn nature as well as the body language and attitudes of this people.

Styx facial 3D shoots

To put an end to his suffering, our goblin tries to steal the heart of the World Tree, the inexhaustible source of the accursed substance which caused his mutation. His risky plan is to enter that place of damnation, the Atrium of Akenash.

The magnitude of the task will turn out to be more difficult than he had imagined and he will have to brave much hardship in order to finally free himself from torment.

-- Camille ‘Jolly Roger’ Communication & Community Manager

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Question of the week #4

Today we will answer a question from "Jesper Vas Broer" posted on Facebook: Will you use the same voice actor? I loved his voice.

Hi Jesper,

Yes! Saul Jephcott is back to lend his voice to Styx.

We just recorded the voices with him last week, so you can listen, without waiting any further, some samples:

If you have any question you would like to ask to the team about the game, please post it below this thread or on our Facebook page! We’ll be happy to answer you in the next Question of the week. 

  — Guillaume Project Manager