# The Unpredictable “Necropolis” Event in Darkhaven: An Apocalypse Awaits
In the evolving landscape of the action RPG genre, **Darkhaven** presents an intriguing feature known as the “Necropolis” event. This unpredictable calamity manifests as a Lich sarcophagus that slowly unleashes a wave of gloom across the game’s procedural map. As this ominous wave spreads, it threatens to turn the entire world undead, obstructing player waypoints and filling alcoves with skeletal foes. The result is a chaotic scenario where players must contend with the overwhelming threat of an impending apocalypse.
## The Nature of the Necropolis Event
As the **Necropolis** event unfolds, players will find themselves in increasingly dire circumstances. The spreading gloom creates an environment rife with danger, making safe spawning locations a distant memory as the landscape becomes cluttered with undead minions. To escape this devastation, players have the option to transfer their character to a freshly generated world. However, they may encounter even more formidable challenges in the form of volcanic eruptions, rising floods teeming with Lovecraftian creatures, or even a sudden ice age.
## A New Approach to Gameplay
Erich Schaefer, co-founder of **Moon Beast** and instrumental in the creation of iconic titles such as **Diablo**, likens the implementation of the Necropolis event to their version of dynamic campaigns. According to Schaefer, the game’s developers plan to introduce various events that will integrate seamlessly into player worlds, expanding on the experiences akin to new biomes in **Minecraft**.
In this meticulously crafted universe, players will interact in each other’s worlds, witnessing and battling these catastrophic events firsthand. To combat the looming threat of the Necropolis, players may need to harness the game’s terrain deformation and building systems. Unlike traditional RPGs, Darkhaven encourages players to reshape the environment, erecting earthworks or digging moats to fortify their settlements against the undead menace.
## The Development of Darkhaven
The vision for **Darkhaven** can be traced back several years to the formation of **Moon Beast**, with notable developers including Phil Shenk and Peter Hu, both of whom have significant ties to the **Diablo** franchise. The core idea driving Darkhaven emerged from their desire to blend the action RPG formula with deeper environmental interactions, drawing upon inspirations from previous games and their own ambitions.
Schaefer’s involvement with the project came after observing its early prototypes. He recognized the potential of integrating land destruction into gameplay, a concept that he had long wished to see realized. However, initial iterations of Darkhaven lacked the essential RPG elements that define the genre, prompting a reassessment and integration of systemic progression, loot mechanics, and skill trees.
## Balancing Chaos and Gameplay
A challenge for the developers is how to maintain balance in a game where players can dramatically alter the environment. The addition of terrain destruction poses inherent risks, leading to concerns about gameplay integrity and the potential for players to inadvertently undermine their own progress. However, Shenk argues against narrow definitions of ARPG experiences, emphasizing that the genre should encourage experimentation and adaptability in the face of adversity.
## The Heart of Darkhaven
At its core, **Darkhaven** seeks to evoke the spirit of classic action RPGs while pushing boundaries. Developers plan to release content that prioritizes expressive gear and encourages players to forge unique paths. This approach contrasts sharply with contemporary games that often prioritize predictable balancing and competitive viability, allowing players to explore diversely without the weight of leaderboard expectations.
As players embark on this journey, they will find that each encounter and event contributes to the larger narrative inscribed within the world of Darkhaven. They will witness the marks of their battles, the Necropolis event as a memory embedded in the landscape, and the scars of conflict over time.
## Conclusion
**Darkhaven** aims to carve a niche within the action RPG landscape, merging the thrill of dynamic environmental changes with classic mechanics to deliver an engaging experience. As players prepare to face the unpredictable **Necropolis** event and the ensuing chaos, they can anticipate an evolving world that reflects their actions, ultimately crafting a story that is uniquely theirs. Explore further on [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3571870/Darkhaven/).
