New Experimental Map: Gates of Time

I'm excited to unveil our latest map, Gates of Time. This experimental map is designed to push boundaries and explore new mechanics, though it might feel a bit complex initially—especially when it comes to rotations. To help clarify things, we've prepared a GIF to illustrate how it works.

As with any experimental maps, we make no guarantees about perfect balance or practicality. The goal here is to test ideas, learn what works, and identify what doesn't. While our last map was intriguing, its balance may have been too refined, potentially reducing opportunities for creative strategies. With Gates of Time, we aim to introduce elements of imbalance, rewarding gangs that employ thoughtful tactics and strategies while keeping game-play fresh and engaging.

How Gates of Time Works

To provide some context before diving into the map image, here’s a quick overview:

Northwest & Southeast Quadrants: City Expansion and Offensive HQs


o These quadrants are designed for City Expansion and Offensive HQ setups.

o You can build larger cities here to accumulate more points but at the cost of increased vulnerability.

o Rotations in these areas act like "gates," opening and closing access to the center of the map. This provides opportunities to secure objectives while keeping your base protected at specific intervals.

Southwest & Northeast Quadrants: Isolated Defensive HQs


o These quadrants focus on Defensive HQ setups.

o They offer easier control of objectives if positioned correctly, but you won’t be able to expand your city.

o Accessing the center objective is more challenging from these positions, as rotations follow a snake-like, counter-clockwise movement.

Super Beacons

o Squares marked with a B represent Super Beacons, which rotate clockwise.

o This mechanic remains similar to what you've seen in the current map, allowing all gangs equal opportunities to access different parts of the map.

Strategic Decisions

Gangs can choose to start with either a Defensive or Offensive position and must communicate their preference to me directly. Only messages from the R18 of each gang will be considered. This choice will determine your initial starting point and aim to place you closer to your preferred quadrant. However, HQs are mobile, and gangs will be responsible for positioning their HQs at their desired locations. Please note that the objectives may change when the map goes live and may not fully match the example shown in the image below.

We’re eager to see how this map evolves gameplay and look forward to your feedback!

Map Link: Gates of Time

Disclaimer

As this map is experimental, any player or gang found exploiting unintended mechanics or oversights will face penalties. If you have any questions, concerns, or doubts about specific mechanics, please reach out for clarification before proceeding.

Advent Calendar

Unfortunately, VH had to take down the Advent Calendar earlier than planned due to abuse by some players involving multiple accounts and illegal transfers. While I had hoped to keep it active for longer, the extent of the abuse and the resulting damage—now requiring VH intervention to reverse—made this outcome unavoidable. Further questions regarding this matter can be directed towards VH: sumwish or Food.

Just a quick update that's long over due.



1. New HQ Color

You may have noticed that TC’s new HQ is gold—that’s because they’re the reigning champions of Wasteland. The gold stands out intentionally to keep “eyes on the prize.” Every gang’s gold HQ is already designed, so upon crowning a new champion, they’ll be awarded this unique HQ. While this is a cosmetic reward, it has no impact on gameplay.

2. Map Reception and Activity Boost

The response to the new map has been overwhelmingly positive. Last week, we hit mini-records in game and Wasteland activity. While I don’t have precise numbers, average points per player have increased significantly, showing an uptick in Wasteland engagement beyond the usual new map activity. If you have any specific feedback for the Content team, feel free to submit a ticket or message me directly. We’re eager to build on this momentum for future maps.



3. Indestructible Gang Beacons Misuse

A recent incident involved a gang planting the Radiation Cannon Trigger on their own Indestructible Gang Beacon, effectively preventing other gangs from destroying it and putting the Objective on cooldown. They then repaired it while earning WF points, exploiting the beacon’s NoMove protection. This behavior violates map mechanics and is considered WL farming. VH is investigating, and further abuse of this nature will have consequences. It’s disappointing to see this repeated, especially by those claiming leadership roles. Staff will provide additional updates when appropriate, but consider this an official warning to everyone else.



4. Nanite Clusters Clarification

There’s been some confusion about Nanite Clusters. Many assume it’s a simple full heal with a +100 overheal, but it’s more than that. Since it doesn’t function as a revive, it doesn’t trigger a WL reentry timer, allowing immediate reentry into Wasteland. This is confirmed as intended behavior, and I’ll ensure the Wiki and item description are updated as of now. If there are concerns, please start a discussion in Suggestions. On a side note I've paused X-Crates rewards for gangs for now. Will look into an alternative form of compensatory to help weaker gangs.

5. Contributor Shout-out and Team Expansion

A big shout-out to rollin340, Bob, and GAGANB for their contributions to the latest content updates. Their dedication and creativity were essential to its success, and we’re grateful for their impact on the game.

Building on this momentum, we’re also expanding the Content team and looking to bring on additional Content Creators. If you’re passionate about game development and have fresh ideas for Wasteland, consider joining us! For more details on the roles and application process, feel free to reach out directly.


TL;DR

Gold HQ: TC’s HQ is gold to mark them as champions; purely cosmetic.

Map Success: New map boosted Wasteland activity and engagement.

Beacon Exploit Warning: Abuse of Indestructible Gang Beacons is under investigation.

Nanite Clusters: Allows immediate Wasteland reentry; Wiki to be updated.

Shout-out & Hiring: Thanks to rollin340, Bob, and GAGANB! We’re hiring Content Creators.

Hope everyone's enjoying the Halloween festivities.

Anyway, I'll just jump right into it. I'd like to introduce the next map: Forsaken Citadel.




Now to go over how this map works, I'll explain some new mechanics this map will bring.

First, the brown squares are simply to represent the Ice Blocks. Which we already know melt and freeze based on the temperature gauge. As the ice freezes the buildable corners of the map are exposed in addition to walkable access towards the center of the map. When the ice melts your buildings are safe in the corners but you'll have to defend against any encroaching neighbors looking to capture an objective.

Second, every gang will start off with turrets securing their borders. Additionally every gang will have a beacon placed near the center of the Map. These beacons will rotate clockwise and swap positions with another gangs beacons at a set interval. They can not be attacked by anyone as they are stationed on an immovable square. However, all gang members can enter this beacon from the WL hive or /shift to it while in the wasteland and naturally they can move away from this square by either walking or phasing. But no one can walk into the beacon square. This beacon essentially is to act as a secondary sphere of influence for a gang to complement the HQ as well as to conserve their focus costs within the wasteland.

Third, as a balancing act the 3rd place gang shall be given one free building of their choice (expect Barracks) to be placed anywhere they wish within their territory. And the 4th place gang shall be given two free buildings of their choice (except Barracks) to be placed anywhere they wish within their territory. These buildings will have a slightly boosted HP, but nothing a well coordinated strike can't handle. The R18's of the 3rd and 4th placed gangs should reach out to VH (sumwish) with their decision of buildings and locations before the start of the next map. Failure to inform VH in a timely manner will result in VH/Devs making the decision for you during the time of map deployment.

Lastly, the 3rd place gang will have the privilege to choose the placements of the objectives. They must choose from among the squares the current objectives are on. And the 4th place gang will have the privilege to choose the starting HQ placements of all 4 gangs. The 4th placed gang can make their choice after the 3rd placed gang has finalized their decision. Same as before, failure to inform VH of their decision in a timely manner will result in VH/Devs deciding for them.

Additional Note: Wasteland Map Rewards will also be in effect at the start of this map. So the bonus items will be deposited in the respective gang's armory sometime during the start of the map. Rewards may get staggered throughout the map cycle.

Just letting everyone know that the next WL map will be going live at 8pm server time on Monday, November 1st. The WL will be down for one hour before that.

The chosen map will be whichever map in the current poll has the most votes at the time of the WL going down.