RoadCraft – Developer Diaries #1 “Building RoadCraft with Swarm Engine”
Saber Interactive has launched a developer diary series for RoadCraft. In the first episode, they discuss RoadCraft’s choice of game engine and the technological advancements achieved through these changes. Previously, we introduced RoadCraft to you under the topic of the base concept, explaining that their earlier games, SnowRunner and Expeditions, were developed using a blend of MudRunner’s proprietary game engine and Saber technologies. With RoadCraft, their goal was to fully transfer all the technology that made SnowRunner’s unique off-road simulation possible into the Swarm Engine. Bringing all this technology into one cohesive engine enabled them to push the boundaries of the game while integrating the expertise gained from other projects developed on the Swarm Engine. Thus, RoadCraft continues to evolve entirely within the Swarm framework.
The Saber team has indicated that, with RoadCraft, players will assume a “higher-level” role compared to the working-class hero portrayed in SnowRunner. Rather than solely focusing on hauling loads through muddy terrain, players will now manage disaster relief resources, chart routes for other drivers, and handle tasks like road repairs to ensure smooth deliveries. Tasks have also become more complex, with objectives like repairing electrical networks and recovering vital equipment from disaster-stricken areas. While mud-crawling remains part of the game, Saber explains that this now takes on a secondary role, allowing players to engage with broader, more strategic challenges.
RoadCraft is being developed as a separate team with a primary focus on its core gameplay. A photo of the Saber team has also been shared, showing a mix of industry veterans and new, passionate talents. Some of the designers in the team have been working since the days of MudRunner, shaping challenging off-road experiences, while others have brought fresh ideas and enthusiasm, helping push the boundaries of what an off-road game can be.
Finally, developing RoadCraft on their own engine presented significant challenges. They mention that working on a project where both the game and the Swarm Engine itself are evolving simultaneously was no easy feat, especially with the ongoing development of the Swarm Engine to support RoadCraft’s features.
With RoadCraft, they’ve created a hybrid gaming experience that blends unique technical features and different genres in a seamless way, something no one has tried before. They emphasize that it’s a game made by gamers, for gamers. The development team has also added many personal touches and special details like Easter eggs throughout the game.
We’re eagerly awaiting the next updates. There’s particular interest in what Saber has done with the physics engine. On the other hand, while they mentioned that they are no longer focused solely on mud gameplay, which raises some concerns about seeing fewer details in this area, we’ll continue to look forward to what Saber delivers.
