These optional betas are vital to catching issues that need a much bigger sample size than we can manage with internal quality control and the small focus group - we’re so glad you’re choosing to be a part of it!Ī large update is imminent - large enough that we’re running an optional beta to test it out before we make it permanent. The most urgent fix here is a translation problem that was causing large issues with freeplay setup in non-English languages.Īgain, the reports are very much appreciated. We’ve addressed some of the more pressing issues that have cropped up in this patch (V0.310044) - this is the first of what we anticipate to be several patches during the testing period. They’re friendly devs, too, as long as John has had his 7 hours of sleep! Thanks for the feedback on the optional beta! Our Discord server has been a particularly active hive of activity over the last several hours since it was released, and we thoroughly encourage you to join - the devs are currently very active there, responding to bug reports and collating feedback. You can upgrade them by playing one-off missions, sometimes with your home colony and sometimes with other ant species.If you're not participating in the optional beta yet and would like to, see the original post for details on how to participate. The primary game mode in early access is Formicarium, where you take ownership of a home colony of unique DNA-harvesting ants as they work to assimilate the desirable traits of their foes. Missions are narrated from the perspective of a documentary film maker studying the ants, who offers intelligent insight into the goings-on of the colony and the undergrowth beyond. Nest design, army size, composition and attack timing are key to securing victory. On the surface, the ants claim territory, gather resources, overwhelm fearsome arachnids and clash with other colonies. The player excavates their nest underground, constructing tunnels and chambers to store food and raise brood. The workers will need to be vigilant.'Įmpires of the Undergrowth is an ant colony management game, in a fast-paced real-time strategy style. Their priority now is to find food, and there is plenty around but there are other hungry creatures in the undergrowth. Her first brood will need to move quickly if the colony is to survive.

'Your queen has set up home beneath a rotting log.

Games like empires of the undergrowth