Discover the Viking World in ASKA’s Upcoming Closed Beta
The next phase of closed beta testing for ASKA, a third-person Viking survival builder, is set to take place from April 15 to April 21. Developed by Romanian indie studio Sand Sailor Studio, ASKA invites players to experience a blend of survival, strategy, and community building in a Viking-themed sandbox environment. Interested players have until April 5 to sign up for the closed beta by wishlisting the game on Steam and joining the ASKA Discord channel for further details.
Game Features and Gameplay Experience
In ASKA, players find themselves stranded on an enigmatic island, challenged to tame the wilderness and erect a settlement deserving of Norse gods’ approval. The game can be played solo or cooperatively with up to three friends. It emphasizes survival, resource management, and community building. Players are tasked with summoning intelligent NPC villagers to aid in collecting resources, automating processes, and defending the settlement against the harsh elements and threats, preparing for the inevitable winter seasons.
Development Insights and AI Innovations
Cristian Diaconescu, Creative Director at Sand Sailor Studio, highlighted the development journey of ASKA, emphasizing the small team’s dedication over four years to create an ambitious cooperative survival and tribe builder game. The game distinguishes itself with a deep economic system and AI-driven villagers that contribute to the community, aiming to alleviate the repetitiveness of resource management tasks. ASKA encourages players to focus on strategic planning and leadership to foster a thriving Viking village.
Unique Gameplay Mechanics
Sand Sailor Studios’ third game, published by Thunderful, introduces innovative gameplay mechanics through its advanced AI systems. These systems allow players to delegate tedious tasks to NPC villagers, focusing instead on the broader aspects of tribe leadership and settlement design. This approach offers a refreshing take on the survival genre, promoting a sense of community and cooperation within the game world.
ASKA’s closed beta represents an opportunity for players to engage with the game’s distinctive features and contribute to its development through feedback. With its unique blend of survival mechanics, AI interactions, and Viking-themed storytelling, ASKA aims to carve out its niche in the indie game landscape.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
