Releases March 17, 2026
Journals
Dev Journal
This week we plan to release Elemental BETA 3-A. This build will primarily be a stability/performance run through of Beta 3. We’re going to hold off adding significant new features until we’re happier with the stability. [read more]
Dev Journal
In Beta 3 the minor factions were in but not really because the odds of them being spawned were miniscule. That’s something I’ve been working on over the holiday. But minor factions shouldn’t be just fancy goodie huts. Instead, they have many of the same abilities as a major faction except that they don’t expand. Not being able to expand, however, is a tough thing. In GalCiv, minor races were pretty much at the mercy of the player. Of course, GalCiv didn’t... [read more]
Dev Journal
Paul and I decided that we really wanted players to be able to get a dog somehow during the course of the game. Which reminds me, we need a way to name units. [read more]
Dev Journal
Before anything goes into the public beta tree it has to go into the private beta tree. And before it goes into the private beta tree it has to get played with in the prototyping tree. The protyping tree is where all the experiments happen. That’s where we will try out some interesting idea that looks good on paper but discover it’s not “fun” when put to the test. Sometimes an idea will make it all the way to the public tree and then get demoted back into the protyping tree to g... [read more]
Dev Journal
Ever noticed that most games don’t have randomized maps? There’s a reason for that. Doing them very well is really hard. Probably if I had to do it over again, I’d be tempted to not have random maps. But as a gamer, I just find random maps to be too important not to have. It’s a big issue with me that I feel like each game is a new game. Since Stardock is closed for the 4th of July holiday, a few of us are just working on stuff that we enjoy. My long time friend, Paul Boyer,... [read more]
Dev Journal
Elemental: Geek Out Series begins
You have entered the best part of the beta process. [read more]
Dev Journal
It’s been 6 days since Beta 2-A. Here’s what’s new in this week’s beta: * Gameplay * Overview : This is a major beta update to Elemental. Beta 1 was a concept test. Beta 2 was an engine/multiplayer workout. Now, beta 3, we get into THE GAME. Major new elements: The Empires are enabled The Fallen races are now enabled ALL technology trees are enabled Diplomacy is enabled Magic System overhauled Head’s up... [read more]