Greetings, Chieftains!
I'm ZIMA, and today I have something special to share with you in this developer's updates. With the game's release, we realized we haven't yet had a chance to delve into the design philosophy behind Soulmask's starter character—a topic that likely piques the curiosity of anyone new to the game:
What's the purpose of my avatar, my first character?
To address your feedback and explain the core mechanics of Soulmask, we've decided to dedicate this entry to exploring the design rationale behind the starter character—essentially "you" in the game—and our plans for future enhancements.
1. Reflections on the "Self"
Soulmask's concept stems from contemplating the possibility of awareness uploading, naturally leading to our current soul-and-physical-body premise.
In line with this premise, we decided to try something unconventional: a non-fixed protagonist. While this might diminish the starter character's unique emotional status as your "avatar," it allows for more diverse collection experiences and prompts players to ponder—which version is truly "you"?
Let's revisit our original protagonist, the "I": As an ordinary member of a small tribe, "I" wasn't meant to excel in combat or labor like the elite warriors of larger tribes. Had it not been for that fateful incident, you would likely have remained just another barbarian fighting to survive in the rainforest wilds.
But after narrowly escaping sacrifice, fleeing, and then obtaining the mask, "your" Soul and awareness merged with the mysterious Mask, granting true immortality—hence the name Soulmask.
In Soulmask, "an ordinary person gaining power beyond the physical form" is our core theme. Once I can possess any body or even machinery (yes, you'll eventually be able to possess machines!), how will I rise to build my own civilization? With every tribesmen being a potential vessel, is "I" the initial ordinary individual, or the entire tribe itself?
As for the once-ordinary "I's" physical form, does it still hold importance?
Yes, and no.
As the first entity to don the mask, this physical form possesses a unique power. In times when war and death have stripped us of everything, its special bond with the mask acts as the chieftains' 'ultimate safeguard,' allowing for direct resurrection without any loss.
We've shared our initial vision for the "starter character" from a broader worldview perspective. However, we understand the special attachment many players feel towards their first created character. So, let's briefly discuss our plans for future improvements.
2. Changes to "Self"
First of all, we find that the initial design, where the starter character struggles with mental synchronization with the mask leading to its weakening, is too excessive. This makes our starter character appear even weaker than an ordinary barbarian.
Therefore, we're considering adjusting the starter character's physical attributes to match with those of an average tribesman—the typical inhabitant of this world. While the starter character won't possess exceptional strength, they will no longer be weaker than everyone else.
Some chieftains might then ask:
how can they become stronger?
Our dev team is actively discussing various ideas, including unique abilities for the starter character and an entirely new genetic modification system. However, I must cautiously weigh all pros and cons. Implementing a brand-new system would require significant changes to the game's progression mechanics. Therefore, we need more time to fully explore these possibilities.
As an Early Access title, we can still make sweeping improvements. More importantly, we want to co-create the game with you: how would you make "you" feel more present? We eagerly await your insights in the comments—any creative ideas could make Soulmask even more captivating. The mask will unlock our full potential!
I hope this brief overview has provided some insight into Soulmask's core worldview. We'll continue systematically exploring the game's most discussed aspects, so stay tuned for more! Until next time, Chieftains!
Lead Prodicer ZIMA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xklbeIS8os
