D.O.R.F. Update - New Lighting Engine

The long-awaited update video.
It's been quite a while, mostly due to having to throw out basically the entirety of the game's graphics and replace them with new sprite sheets that are compatible with the new lighting and shadowing system, but now that system is (mostly) set in stone. We'll try and go back to putting out semi-regular updates.
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D.O.R.F. Real-Time Strategic Conflict is an RTS game for PC, currently in development, taking inspiration from classic RTS games of the 90’s, while also expanding on the genre with new and innovative mechanics. The game will feature land, air and sea combat, and will have three unique factions to play as.
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Website: www.dorf-rts.com/
Steam page: store.steampow...
Twitter: / dorfrts
Support D.O.R.F.'s development on Patreon: / dorfrts
#rts #pcgaming #realtimestrategygames #gaming #dorfrts

[@redalchemy7322]

Grunt: Bad news commander... we are outnumbered Commander: Any good news? Grunt: We have great atmosphere ✨

[@ptolemaicfoxxo3032]

Good news is that we've never looked this good dying before. The post war photographers are going to have a field day sir

[@lotgc]

"atleast we're going down... *In style!"* 😎

[@virtualfaxy]

Wow, the new lighting engine really helps make DORF into how I imagined the old CnC games to look!

[@arrowghost]

Tiberian Sun to be precise

[@boulderingbadger6179]

I cannot enjoy CnC with how zoomed in they are in the screen. You can see like 5 buildings at once and not have any view of the battlefield. The original ones did not have such a terrible zoomed in POV.

[@dorf-rts]

@@boulderingbadger6179 That's mostly a flaw of the current camera not really being designed around these giant sprites. We still need to change the camera parameters to be able to zoom out twice as far, it's just on the to-do list.

[@user-ry6kx9py7s]

​@@dorf-rtsа когда планируете выход ?

[@nawawiawi4013]

More like how CnC should look today!

[@feasibilyheretical]

There's just something so special about the game looks, feels, and sounds. Take all the time you need this game already seems like a masterpiece.

[@peterc504]

Agreed it reminds me of the old school RTS games back from our childhoods...They dont make RTS like that any more & that is the true form of RTS. Now we get this shit stormgate kiddie crap....DORF RULES!!!

[@GutaIcast]

​@@peterc504 i think the best oart is that it reminds us of old school rts, but with modern engine stuff.

[@EvilMagnitude]

"Soul" is a very difficult thing to quantify, but you can immediately tell when a game has it.

[@daemonishere]

Couldn't have said it better and I'm looking forward to the game's release! Can't wait to play it!

[@gonzalot.605]

The new lighting system was worth all the time and effort. This is like watching a painting come to life!

[@GrethSC]

It's uncanny, like a game I would have played in a dream in 1998 and then wake up confused that it didn't actually exist.

[@XavIsOnline]

Stunning. It just went from great to the absolute best this neo-retro style can look. 100% worth the wait.

[@CommissarChaotic]

I guess that's a good way to put it, neo-retro... There was always something itching in my brain after experiencing that aspect of Ultrakill... I hope DORF helps with RTS's future in the zeitgeist, I miss when RTS was a huge sphere.

[@VictorW23]

The DORF still lives😊

[@LauftFafa]

DORF!

[@Neccboi]

I learned about this game yesterday and was worried that last update on YT was year ago. I go to sleep, wake up and there is an update. I swear, stuff like that happens to me every time :D

[@DrAnimePhD]

Man this game can't come fast enough. It scratches my Command & Conquer itch hard. I love it's art style so much

[@ptolemaicfoxxo3032]

I love the heavy tanks and how they deal with the problem of "there are so many enemies but our guns can only shoot on target" by just giving them more guns to shoot more targets

[@MB1999uk]

True DoW Baneblade hours. Surprisingly few RTS games ever use vehicles with multiple guns that track independently, but I've always thought it was awesome

[@marcm1422]

KKnD from 1997 comes to mind, good times.

[@DarthCheesuS]

Looks absolutely incredible!

[@darkknight8828]

perfection now one thing it needs to be beyond perfection are aircraft carriers and submarines

[@dorf-rts]

Those will definitely gain a lot from the new lighting and depth-sorting system... I just did not have time to redo those particular graphics (as well as all the water/beach tiles) before the video dropped.

[@momom6197]

The game looks and sounds awesome, but we have no guarantee on the quality of storytelling yet.

[@sirgs5662]

​@@momom6197I never played RTS for a super in-depth story anyway, it's all about the characters & set pieces

[@BurnerJones]

I'm disappointed that I've never heard of this before! Nothing else I've seen has captured that Tiberian Sun vibe but this brings it all back. Definitely buying as soon as it comes out.

[@zwimmy]

The vibes are immaculate

[@forealdo25]

Looking great!

[@qasderfful]

Everybody's talking about the lighting, but nobody's talking about slopes. Slopes! There are slopes now!

[@dorf-rts]

Terrain elevation is going to factor into the game moreso than in others; it will factor into unit pathing (ie: units go faster downhill and slower uphill), and gain sight and range advantages when at higher elevation. We also want to include some terramorphing features like huge explosions physically cratering the terrain, and worker units that can build trenches and mounds or level out the terrain to expand your buildable area.

[@someonewhohopes1534]

@@dorf-rts Cool! These "Future War"-like dynamics (an old RTS released with ABSURD game mechanics for its time) drive me crazy. I expect great things from your project, I wish you good luck! P.S. There's only one thing that makes me turn up my nose: the tank gun sounds seem too generic/not very impactful. Based on the tank in question and the size of the gun I would have expected something that would affect your soul a little more!

[@dorf-rts]

@@someonewhohopes1534 A lot of the sound effects are currently either placeholders, or need additional mixing work.

[@someonewhohopes1534]

@@dorf-rts oh I see! Thank you for the fast answer :) I take this opportunity to tell you good luck again. Looking forward for new updates!

[@Thesavagesouls]

RTS need to make a comeback.

[@MrRafagigapr]

sadly anything more complex than a auto battler alienates a majority of the population due to how much apm is required

[@dojelnotmyrealname4018]

@@MrRafagigapr Then make a low APM RTS. Age of Empires 2 did it and they're doing well.

[@lyrilili]

@@MrRafagigapr Skill ceiling/micro complexity alone isn't the issue; the real problem is that most RTS devs are too high on the fumes of pro SC glory days that they fail to make games that are fun for the wider casual audience, so there's just never enough interest to pull together a real community for a game, competitive or otherwise. Which is to say, RTS devs *need* to provide actual good singleplayer content before trying to chase the hardcore esport enthusiasts.

[@CommissarChaotic]

I miss LAN, and casual play to me meant that you could just play without worrying about winning that much. Like it not having to be from you but the game influencing you to go that way. Balancing, accessibility, matchmaking are some factors I could list that affects this type of play and I see them go awry subjectively in current mainstream games.

[@akedus44]

0:55 Man, the portraits and unit voice lines are so good.

[@benjaminloyd6056]

This is one of my most anticipated games. I especially like the mini-portraits for each unit. Sound design is really good as well.

[@Soundwave142]

Nice! I am glad to hear from you guys again! Not only we got a new lighting, but we have tasty game-play footage!

[@oikoj7869]

Holy shit I thought this was abandonned, looks great !

[@fiend_gaming]

Can’t wait for this game, plan to make a whole series covering it.

[@michaelfishman6082]

KKND AND C&C vibes Loving it!

[@serioussam9043]

Keep up the good work

[@Blue_22378]

This game is my wet dream. Please please please keep developing it and make it the best it can possibly be. I dont care if i have to wait 10 years just make it perfect!

[@eleonora7490]

Your D.O.R.F font at 2:10 reminds me so hard on K.K.N.D 🙂

[@dorf-rts]

Yes, while DORF actually wasn't influenced by KKND as much as people think, the title graphic was very much based on the one from KKND.

[@krux02]

@@dorf-rts Well with that title, people will think that DORF is to KKND like C&C Red Alert 2 is to C&C Red Alert 1. KKND was great, don't let the fans down.

[@4ffff2ee]

Holy shit this loks unbelievable. those shadows, debris making water splashes, god damn. i want this.

[@AtomicRobloxProductions]

Wow that new lighting engine looks absolutely fantastic.. I think this is the first time I've seen a "classic" style RTS with truly dynamic lighting! You guys are putting out a fantastic amount of effort to make this game great and I cannot wait to see what comes of it!

[@C.D.V.Rchsg.]

Finally, an update! Glad to hear from you guys. Your art and worldbuilding are absolutely great!

[@SlayerWasp]

An entirely new sprite sheet just for lighting and the works is insanely impressive, especially for an RTS based game. Very awesome work and I very much look forward to DORF!

[@ryanorionwotanson4568]

Every so often i come back to check on this, so i dont forget about it! Looks awesome.

[@mattvin2503]

0:36 cant get over how fucking menacing the mega airship is, loving it

[@zeo4125]

i am so happy that atleast one of my most anticipated game is giving me news that it is coming and not leaving me in the dark looking at you silksong

[@mamt0m]

just found this project, it looks so good. brilliant to see the old isometric rts art given a new lick of paint. return to tradition

[@JuanPablo-xf4ps]

Damn in the Perafilozof vid I thought things might have looked a little bit too "3d", compared to the old school RTS sprite look, but damn, that looming airship changed my opinion really quick. I'm in. Looks awesome.

[@colebehnke7767]

I’m not sure how much I like it… the sunlight is just, makes everything look too flat. Actually I figured it out, the ground textures have no shadows when they should.

[@cletusmandeletusman2328]

Some looks like they have no shadows cast on the ground, but most of them look fine to me

[@BVasquezp]

the ground textures dont interact with the shadows it seems.

[@sirgs5662]

​@@BVasquezpWDYM? 0:49 the shadows very visibly bend when they fly over uneven terrain

[@Nardol101]

Man i cant wait to play this game. My most anticipated game in ages.

[@jostonpowell1346]

Was caught off guard when I seen this pop up in my subscriptions since you rarely post anything hahah

[@static2223]

That extra depth adds a lot, gives it more of a 3d-ish look to it.

[@SilverstringsMusings]

The lighting looks great and I loved seeing the different terrain levels, I'm curious to see how it'll be incorporated into gameplay.

[@kimjanek646]

I think I prefer the graphics without lightning engine overhaul 😄 Looks more old school

[@hotdogvan3399]

I'm a little concerned with how the infantry now sometimes blend into the scenery. For a RTS, you need to be able to tell _at a glance_ which/ how many units are on-screen at any moment. Eg when you're responding to a skirmish that began while you were doing something else, you need to know immediately who's participating before you can make any tactical decision. So I hope we'll be able to switch off the shadows, or that they'll push up the saturation on the units, or include something like the coloured outlines option in Desperados 3 to make the units stand out again.

[@dorf-rts]

@@hotdogvan3399 We might just give them more blatant remappable colors. We also might add something like an overlay you can toggle on-off that more clearly highlights friendly vs enemy units.

[@hotdogvan3399]

@@dorf-rts An overlay toggle would also neatly solve the potential problem of units getting obscured behind trees and buildings. But aside from that 1 concern, I'm super excited for this.

[@microwaveenthusiast7410]

Art style and sound effects make or break an rts. You sir, nailed both of them.

[@darkawakening01]

Looks dope. Good job with the lighting!

[@Blottingpaper]

This is my most wanted game right now.. Looks like truly, absurdly, fantastic fun.

[@jonny_codphilo7809]

thats looks a hundred times better and it already looked great only seen your older vids just recently but this looks a lot better with a little lighting magic

[@blax100dk]

Looks amazing and the light and shadows love how well the effects are done too and sound and nice mysterious music.

[@cronenbuilder277]

holy shit your art direction is f'ing immaculate. This is pristine like a 10 thousand year old blood diamond. My mind is melting over here.

[@bruhb7611]

The casting shadows of the zeppelins really reminds me of when i first played RA2. The feeling when I saw the kirovs flying over new york skyscrapers when booting up the game.

[@budobearandfriends]

The fact that they added this dynamic lighting into a 2D isometric engine is fascinating

[@CatsOverdrive]

So friggin' cool. Always makes me smile how this little game is shaping up.

[@ferriusnillan5323]

This looks insanely good for what started as a mod for OpenRA. It would be insane if later one, there will be weather effects and dynamic time of the day too. But right now... maybe add occasional fire that appears on vehicles or the ground when something explodes? I will be amazing, just imagine - destroying enemy patrol, and your army, in the middle of the night, moves through the debris field they left, lit up by the fires from the wreckages that was once shooting back at them.

[@singerman7560]

This continues to look awesome! I can't wait to try it out, but thank you for taking the necessary time to make sure that the game is excellent.

[@Only_A_Ninja]

Really looking forward to this game. These updates are making it look amazing!

[@Uargl]

This is epic! I am glad this exists and I am looking forward to play this very much. Wasn't excited this much for a game in a long time. Thank you!

[@tanguykov9802]

i really like the new lightings effects, keep the good work guys ! Can't wait to play at this game

[@TheRealNemesisX]

Hopefully this progesses further, still a lot of work to do i'd say, wouldnt be surprised if another graphical overhaul takes place in terms of the stiffness blockness of the gfx textures etc. But hey... it's legit advancement. GL.

[@MADSLAYER47]

It's good to see you again dorfrts

[@술고래-p2b]

Wow~ A new engine reminiscent of 3D and new units have been added. I can see the developers' hard work. Keep up the good work.

[@GTK3392]

New lighting looks amazing! Completely changed the mood!

[@AndreasElf]

Nice touch with the warped shadows.

[@Phulu_OMGRT]

This looks great! Keep up the good work. I cannot wait to play this.

[@edpaintsminis]

I absolutely can't wait for this. Outstanding effort.

[@metamind095]

idk man...the graphics looked somehow better on the older trailers. I liked how each sprite kind of stand out, making the scenery highly detailed and crisp. This one has to much blending in and shadowdetail.

[@benjaminloyd6056]

Perhaps there will be a toggle option.

[@hotdogvan3399]

I hope they at least let us toggle the shadows, or some overlay. In a RTS game, you need to be able to tell at a glance what's participating in a fight. Now the infantry blend in way too much on some of these shots.

[@Dwalik_the_Dwarf]

People keep comparing it with C&C but for me it looks more like the K.K.N.D 3 we never got and yes technially that was a C&C clone but it was unique enough to stand on its own. I am so hype for this game and i can't wait to get my hands on it.

[@Lysimachus]

those long shadows look so good, great work.

[@Zaranell]

God, this game already looked good but it's *gorgeous* now. I'm not even an RTS player normally but I am itching to get my hands on this.

[@PleaseHold-il5eq]

Genuinely can't believe how good this looks.

[@qasderfful]

Looks really good, hope it's coming out one day.

[@ragedapeevo7560]

KKND day 1 player here and rank 1 RTS player on many RTS games like command and conquer, I tip my hat to you guys, this looks like the old-school game people have been trying to replicate for years. Discord anyone?

[@DwellersInCellars]

Looks great! Hope we can get our hands on yhe game soon!

[@tow3lie773]

Looks like my child hood memories are all coming back soon. Can't wait! Looks good!

[@nottactical6988]

incredible work, the time shows so take all the time you need

[@alsrudwl92]

You still alive! Good

[@XmortoxX1990]

New Update! Love the new lighting effects. Keep on the good work!

[@OrbitStrike]

Great to hear from you guys! looks awesome

[@Jhiaxus105]

i imagine the little portraits are starcraft inspired heli pilot @ 00.55 looks like a wraith from sc:bw, i really like the art style feels nostalgic yet fresh, cant wait to play !

[@immajellal5325]

Seeing the Double Zepps shadow creeping over the buildings gave me goosebumps

[@coreyjameshaims449]

Man I can't wait for this, something sorely been waiting for ages for

[@EvilAce360]

DORF IS STILL ALIVE!!!! Oh thank God! I was worried after silenced

[@vilvismargots5937]

This is my dream RTS! Love the art!

[@andyboi8399]

LONG LIVE THE DORF!!! Keep up the great work guys, can't wait to see more of your game! It looks fabulous! Keep up this attention to detail and passion, it's what truly makes this game for me.

[@rachaelmarie754]

Every clip of this masterpiece-looking game is a blessing. Thanks for updating us.

[@Zyzyx442]

Awesome can't wait for this so badly 10/10 sound and graphics

[@alphaecho3094]

Every time you guys push out an update video it's nothing short of impressive.

[@Hinokassaudifan1]

we're gonna have a field day when this is released.

[@Darkfire7881]

I want you to take as long as you need to make this game perfect. I always want it released this exact second because it looks so good!

[@pyrothem]

Man those multi turreted big tanks are monsters! Hope there might be a way to lay some mines to slow them down and buy some time.

[@ServantOfBoron]

The game looks amazing with the new lighting! I wish we had some sort of demo to play around. The wait is killing me :)

[@Greedshot]

Looks great! Wish you good luck!

[@Greifenmaer]

This looks awesome! It feels really nostalgic!

[@josemengelez6947]

Yo this Stephen Dorff RTS is looking pretty sick.

[@deltastudios3618]

Lookin Good! Can’t wait for the game to come out so I can DORF

[@Metal_Beard]

This looks so cool! I need a solid RTS in my life.

[@ArminiusFH]

I love this game. Looking forward when released ❤

[@friendlyneighborhoodinquis1682]

wow what a glowup, this looks amazing. the game already looked cool before but damn that lighting

[@crazybuddha6602]

yay DORF lives 🤩🥳

[@CommissarTommy22]

As if I didn't need anymore confirmation that this game is going to become my new obsession when it comes out.

[@patrik9328]

This game isnt released yet and it already looks like art

[@jonbongroovy]

I'm SOOO looking forward to this game's release