Ascentroid is a solo indie game project being developed by Jonathan Vukovich, founder of Cooperative Studios LLC.

Ascentroid began because Jon had a crazy thought: could a peer-to-peer (P2P) network model be built into Unreal Engine 4?

There is no release date. Jon is working on the game in his free time. So, "when it's done".

Initially, Windows 64-bit only.

Unfortunately, Epic Games is deprecating support for Windows 32-bit in the near future.

Mac and Linux builds may be considered later, so please stay tuned for future updates.

Additionally, I do not own a Mac, and would prefer to have actual hardware to make sure those builds work. So, Mac may depend on future funding.

I will not be releasing to any consoles because they are currently outside the scope of my solo indie game development efforts.

For the initial release, I am working out the possibility of including some kind of single player campaign.

It may be a progressive set of small missions released over short periods of time. Or, a large, epic campaign.

I'm not quite sure yet, so please stay tuned for future updates.

However, the premise of the story will be the same.

Multiplayer will be supported.

We will have deathmatch, team deathmatch and, perhaps, another game mode or two. It depends on how well testing goes.

Cooperative multiplayer will be supported.

Currently, yes, unless there are any major technical roadblocks discovered during development.

The plan is to leverage Unreal Engine in it's most basic form by using PAK files, which would be dynamically mounted at runtime (like a MOD).

If it works out, you will be able to import and use your own 3D meshes, audio assets, textures, as well as craft your own materials.

I am building an Unreal Engine plugin which will expose game customizations for enemies, environment areas, powerups, doors, triggers, and more.

Extensive tutorials will be provided.

Ascentroid will not be using Unreal Engine 4's client/server network model.

I have developed my own hybrid client/server and P2P network layer.

In my humble opinion, this hybrid model suits a free-flight, six-degree-of-freedom game the best.

This is a valid concern. I will make attempts to address it.

Additionally, Ascentroid is being made with the intent of playing with friends you trust.

If you have friends, that should help. If you don't, sorry! ☺

Yes.

I plan on providing the UE4 dedicated server, which will include hosting support for the custom network model.

I may also build a dedicated-server-on-demand system.

Please stay tuned for future updates.

Yes, I am hoping to release on Steam.

I am not sure about other distribution channels, yet, so please stay tuned for future updates.

No. Please use something like Discord.

Yes. I will build support for DirectInput and XInput to handle as many controllers as possible.

No, because I strongly feel six-degree-of-freedom shooters are too prone to enducing VR sickness. Additionally, I do not own any VR hardware, and would not be able to do so without funding.

While I am attempting to make the game run on a potato, recommended system requirements will be fairly high due to the nature of Unreal Engine.

Also: community map makers will have to learn UE optimizations to ensure their maps are performant.

No.

I am not sure yet. It depends on how well initial testing goes.

There have been a couple of successfully crowd funded games similar to this already. Check out Descent: Underground and Overload. The funding efforts went well, so it may be possible to do the same for Ascentroid.

Please stay tuned for a future updates.

Watch the Twitch channel. I stream development on a regular basis: https://www.twitch.tv/ascentroid

Also, join the Ascentroid Discord.

Lastly, additional social media links are at the bottom of the page.