Core Game Development is a fun way to make your own RPG games online. Follow along as I develop The Haunted Keep - an updated MMORPG conversion of the classic D&D sample dungeon.
My Core Game Dev Journey
I'm new to the Core Game Engine, but I'm really excited about it; it makes creating multiplayer metaverse games super easy. The interface is easy to use, and you can switch back and forth between construction and preview mode, making testing a breeze.
I am also intrigued by the recent addition of NFT Wallet integration, having recently minted over 60 of my own NFTs.
I was excited to see what I could do with the Core Engine, so I decided to start with a modernization remake of the classic sample adventure for the D&D Basic set, circa 1981: The Haunted Keep.
In my version, I used the basic floorplan from the D&D book, but embellished and changed out the monsters and the background story.
The Haunted Keep Is Now Part Of The Crucible
If you want to learn more, check out this article about The Crucible, a dungeon delve containing multiple dungeon levels to explore, including The Haunted Keep.
The Haunted Keep- An Online Adventure
There is a ruined castle on the hill outside of town.
Recently, villagers have heard noises and seen strange lights up at the ruined castle, but they are too terrified to investigate.
What secrets will you discover in...
The Haunted Keep
Play The Haunted Keep NOW!
FREE!
How To Play
DELVE - Try to find your way out of the dungeon - the only way is down!
COOPERATE - Increase your chances by joining friends and sharing health pickups.
COMPETE - Get the most kills and grab enough gold to upgrade your weapons.
SMASH - Destroy crates and barrels for hidden surprises.
SEARCH - Find secret doors, and learn lore that will help you through the dungeon.
System Requirements
You will need a FREE account on the Core Metaverse platform.
Minimum System Requirements
CPU: Intel Core i5-7400 or AMD equivalent
RAM: 8 GB
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD equivalent
OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended System Requirements
CPU: Intel Core i5-7400 or AMD equivalent
RAM: 16 GB
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti or AMD equivalent
OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Basic Controls
Move- W, A, S, D
Jump: Space
Look- Mouse
Attack- Left Mouse Button
Interact- F
Resurrection Checkpoints
If you get killed you will resurrect at the level's Checkpoint.
Checkpoints are normally located near the entrance to each dungeon level, but larger dungeon levels might have multiple Checkpoints.
Food
Food restores health in fixed increments. Food is picked up and consumed the moment it is touched, so be careful to leave it for injured friends if you are already healthy.
 |
Carrot + 10 Health |
 |
Apple + 20 Health |
 |
Cheese + 40 Health |
 |
Turkey Leg + 60 Health |
 |
Ale + 80 Health |
 |
Roast Turkey + 100 Health |
Locked Doors
Some doors are locked; use keys to open doors.
Careful! If you die or leave the game, you will drop your keys and other players can pick them up!
Secret Doors
Search carefully and you may find hidden switches that open secret doors that reveal new areas, treasures, and clues!
Switches will light up when you get close enough to notice them, then move closer to interact with them.
Potions
Potions restore health in percentages. Potions are picked up and consumed the moment they are touched, so be careful to leave them for injured friends if you are already healthy.
Minor Health Potion- Restores health to 50%
Major Health Potion - Restores health to 100%
Scrolls
Scrolls restore health to all players within range. Scrolls are picked up and consumed the moment they are touched.
Minor Health Scroll- Restores health to 50% for all players within range.
Major Health Scroll- Restores health to 100% for all players within range.
Levels
The Lobby (under development)- The Lobby is a place to rest, organize dungeon raids, and research dungeon lore.
Level 1 (complete)- The Haunted Keep: Mysterious lights and noises are coming from the ruins of the abandoned keep on the hill. What secrets are held in the keep?
Level 2 (under development)- The Necromancer's Lair: (enter through the sewer grate from Level 1: The Haunted Keep) Skeletons are said to roam in the catacombs of the Ancient Crypts. What has disturbed them from resting in peace?
Level 3(under development)- The Putrid Park: Molds, slimes, and mushrooms make their homes upon the rotting remains of previous adventurers who failed to defeat The Crucible.
Level 4- ???
Bestiary
There are a variety of nasty creatures that make their homes in the dungeon. This is a small sample of beasts that you might find on your adventures.
Bandit (Human, Level 1-3): Bandits are evil humans who prey on the weak and take what belongs to others. They are armed with a variety of stolen weapons.
Cultist (Human, Level 1-5): Cultists are religious zealots who follow their leader unquestioningly.
Enchanted Items (Construct, Level 1-5): Enchanted items are inanimate objects, brought to life by a powerful wizard. Their sole purpose is to defend the wizard and his property.
Skeletons (Undead, Level 1-5): The re-animated bones of fallen warriors, commanded by evil wizards or clerics.
Slime (Myconid, Level 1-5): Slimes are a form of aggressive, mold-based lifeform.
Game Profile
GAME NAME: The Haunted Keep
PLAYER COUNT: 1-4 Players, 4 is best
CORE VERSION: 1.0.276-prod-s
GAME VERSION: 1.0.34
GAME LINK: https://www.coregames.com/games/3d72c0/haunted-keep-v2
GAME DESCRIPTION:
The Haunted Keep is a dungeon crawl/raid for up to 4 players in the tradition of old-school games like Gauntlet, Dungeon Master, and Legend of Grimrock.
GAME ROADMAP:
- In-game store between levels to outfit for the upcoming adventure.
GAME VERSION NOTES:
12/21/22
v1.0.90
- Scenery upgrade
- UI Upgrade
- AI Upgrade
12/10/22
v1.0.75
- Added a Boss to the Necromancer's Lair: Necromancer's Champion
12/10/22
v1.0.68
- Added a ladder back up to the Haunted Keep from the Necromancer's Lair
- Added a store on the 3rd level
- Overhauled all the mobs for more accurate combat modeling
- Weapons now carry over from previous game session
12/4/22
v1.0.34
- Added all health pickups to Level 2 - The Necromancer's Lair
11/1/22
V1.0.11
- Color-coded object outline:
- Yellow: Treasure
- Green: Health
- Blue: Interactive Item
- Red: Poison Food
- Fixed a bug where health packs would heal you above MaxHealth
10/31/22
V1.0.10
- Added secret door to Level 1
- Increased Ambient Light
- Changed how interactable objects behave
- Fixed a bug where the health pickup would not get used up if you picked it up with no damage to your HP
10/27/22
V1.0.09
- Added a feature that outlines objects of interest when the player gets close
- Re-built the loot and health pickups with the new object highlighter
- Re-built the Moon Altar on Level 1 with the new Interactable Object Template
- Updated lore on the Moon Altar
9/27/22
V1.0.08
- Reduced the hit points on the level 1 monsters to make them easier to kill
9/25/22
v1.0.07
Level 1 Updates:
- Added interactive bookcase
- Added health pickup (cheese), restores 30 health
9/25/22
v1.0.06 - Added new area: Level 2 (unpopulated), access the new area by climbing down the sewer grate.
9/24/22
v1.0.05
- Upgrade interactable system
- Changed text on examining the Altar
- Changed text on examining the sewer grate
9/23/22
v1.0.04
- Added the ability to Inspect items of interest
9/22/22
v1.0.03
- Added gettable chests
9/22/22
v1.0.02
- Added more mobs
- Added the Altar of the Moon
- Added a subtle spotlight to highlight the grate in room 4
- Various small improvements
9/21/22
v1.0.01
- added a shrine and beds for the bunkroom
- set the sewer grate check to see if the Bronze Key NFT is in my collection
Join My Game Dev Journey!
It's nice to have company on a long trip.
If you want to follow my production progress, check my blog at MakeYourOwnRPG.com.
You can also join the CyborgPrime Discord server, where I post my progress and interact with the community.
Click here for more articles in this series about my Core Game Engine game dev journey.
Your Turn. What Do You Do?
What kinds of things would YOU like to see in an MMORPG? What are must-haves?
Please share with us in the Comments section below. Let me know what things you expect to find in a good MMORPG.
If you found this article helpful, please give it a good rating at the top, thanks!
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