Chapter 405

“Siege events are special events that can occur in safe zones, once safe zone research hits level 5, along with level 5 in Event research.” Steve stated, pausing after he spoke to take a drink. James used that time to pull up his own research window, double checking the status on his Safe Zone Research. Currently, he had a little under 80 hours remaining on his research. He’d started it during the first skirmish, and at the rate it was going, the research would finish on Day 6 of his immersion cycle, equivalent to roughly 0400 in the real world.

After level 4 finished, it would take another 178 hours 33 minutes and 36 seconds to complete level 5. Converted to real world time, that would be 7 and a half hours, give or take some minutes. Meaning, close to noon on Monday, he would have the appropriate research levels to unlock, and begin implementing, his Siege Events. Assuming, of course, he didn’t feel like spending Dungeon Tokens to speed things up. If he was feeling…wasteful, he could blow around 22 Dungeon Tokens to gain access to his Siege Events right this second. But he’d already passed the point, in his mind, where spending Dungeon Tokens to accelerate research to that degree felt overly wasteful. Especially when the return per dungeon token when it came to resources continued to increase in value.

He finished running the calculations in his head just as Steve continued with his explanation of the latest feature James would be toying around with in DCO.

“Once you’ve gained the appropriate research levels, the option to plan and execute a Siege Event will become available to you. Until then, of course, you can look over features and options, but you cannot execute them. Mainly because, unlike some of the secret unlocks, Siege Events are meant to be something Dungeon Cores pursue, and as developers we wanted to ensure it was clear how such a thing could be achieved.”

Case in point, James had noticed a Siege Event tab related to his Safe Zone on the 5th floor, and now clicking on it, the option showed a list of requirements. The Event Research tab was marked as completed, while the Safe Zone Research showed 3/5. Interestingly, it also had a requirement related to the number of players who’d reached his safe zone to execute, though that was marked as complete as well. While James’s dungeon didn’t have a large number of adventurers capable of tackling his fifth, or fourth floor for that matter, on their own, they’d been doing quite well regarding hiring guards and teams to take them to the fifth floor Safe Zone. Something, James figured would become detrimental to those lower-level players who’d paid their way to the fifth floor. He had a feeling they would not do well when a Siege Event started.

“When you have unlocked Siege Events, you will notice there are couple different options with regards to the type of siege. There are timed events, meaning the siege will last for a certain duration of time, and the players just have to outlast the oncoming hordes. Additionally, there are waves, where you can set a certain amount of waves, from one to five for your fifth floor, which players must defend against. The different types of Siege Events, offer differing prizes to participants, as well as give you access to different types of mobs and abilities to use during the event.”

“Such as?” James inquired, his mind already racing with the possibilities.

Steve shot him a grin and took a drink. “I was getting to that.” He took another drink and chuckled. “All this talking just makes me thirsty.”

“With how much you like talking, I doubt that’s the cause.” Rue interjected with a laugh. “You’re just an alcoholic.”

Steve glanced at her with a raised eyebrow even as the pixie took a long drink from her own beverage. That comment was rich, coming from her.

“As I was saying,” Steve continued, “Timed events have different progress marks. At the quarter, halfway, and three-quarter mark for the timer, you are able to toggle the types of mobs attacking the town. Additionally, you can give the mobs access to siege engines and special unlocks, at those different marks. For instance, you can give them siege engines like catapults, which take a quarter of time to build, but can be used by the mobs to greatly damage the Safe Zone town’s protective walls. Or, you can have them build tunnels, which take three-quarters of the whole time to build but will give the mobs access to the inside of the town for the last quarter of time of the battle. All these options, have pros and cons, and really, come down to how difficult you want the situation to be.”

“Alright, what about the waves?” James pressed.

“For the wave option, you have access to different varieties of mobs depending on the maximum number of waves you selected, and the current wave you are on. If it’s a single wave, you can use pretty much all of your mobs, up to a certain aggregated cost, which is determined by the number of players inhabiting the siege town. If you choose five waves, you gain more a certain number of points per wave, as well as bonus points for players slain and such. The first wave will only give you access to a single mob type, while the fifth wave you would have access to all your fifth-floor mobs. As well as the option for a mini siege boss at the third wave, and Sergeant Jenkins at the fifth wave.”

The mechanics weren’t all that difficult, and James had come across similar such mechanics in other games he’d played. He knew, the differences and uniqueness of this system would come to light once he’d actually unlocked it, and begun toying around with it. He also figured players would gain access to different, Siege related options as the battles commenced. After all, almost every game that had a mechanic akin to what Steve was describing gave the players upgradable or unlockable defensive structures, turrets, and the likes to help against the waves.

Which meant, when James did unlock this feature, it would add in a whole new factor of play for not only himself, but his players. Continuing the ever evolving, growing nature that was DCO. As James continued to play the game, he marveled at just how much the developers had put into it, and the fact that it continued to evolve. At the same time, given the look behind the curtain, so to speak, that James had experienced, he knew the developers were also working around the clock, 24/7, to keep implementing more mechanics and improving the game. While the players couldn’t see it, DCO was very much a living, breathing, and ever-growing system of infinite possibilities. And that, filled James with no small amount of excitement.

At the same time, he couldn’t help but feel the itch growing in his mind, telling him to unlock the research as quickly as he could. Because, when it was all said and done…the carrot on the stick that was new content, was extremely tempting.

However, there was one thing keeping James from executing that reckless plan. James was getting ever closer towards Tier 6. And he wanted to keep his tokens free for not only the new research that would become available, but also the resources he would need to take whatever dumpster fire of a mob choice he was given, and create an awesome new floor for his players. Sure, it was a floor he doubted any would see for a while, but it also meant he would have extra time to perfect it.

Safe Zone Siege Events would be the next great thing for his players to experience, but James had his eyes set on a bigger prize. And he figured waiting would ensure he had plenty to do with both, when the time came. That, and now that he thought of it…he was tired. He’d been running on adrenaline and excitement, but now, as he sat there with Steve and Rue, relaxing in the hot springs, he could feel the exhaustion seeping into him. He’d not slept yet in game. He’d logged right in, and been thrown into a Skirmish. From there, he’d been working on his dungeon until the battle with The Knights and Sergeant Jenkins. Meaning, it was high time, in his opinion, that he get some rest.

Furthermore…he knew force sleeping himself would accelerate time, so to speak. And that, would just put him closer to not only his Safe Zone research being done, but also, ever closer towards Tier 6. Force sleep also, gratefully, could make him sleep, even if his mind and nerves were twitching and excited. And, even better, it would keep him from doing what he knew he was moments away from doing. Wasting a crap ton of Dungeon Tokens for no reason.

“Thanks for the info,” James said, offering Steve a smile, his mind made up. “I think I’m going to grab some rest, before anything else crazy happens, and then will look into everything else further.”

Steve nodded, glancing between James and Rue. The developer looked like he wanted to say something, but instead simply offered them a smile, and disappeared.

“See you in 8 hours?” James asked Rue. “Unless you need me for something else?”

The pixie flashed a mischievous smile towards him. “I always need you for something else, silly.” She sighed. “But, rest is probably good. You’ve been through a lot, and I don’t want a cranky James just because you didn’t get your afternoon nap.” She wrapped her arms gently around him, looking into his eyes lovingly before she kissed his lips, the sweet taste of her drink lingering on his tongue as she pulled away. “I’ll be here waiting for you.”

“I know.” James said softly, his mind already activating the force sleep window. “I’ll see you soon.”