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LaurawantsaCow
Overworld4



Our last survey was super effective!



We got to know what our fans liked about our campaignmaps, what they didn't like, and why. It was great to hear from you and we want to hear more. Go take this survey and let us know what you think of the Eternia Shards campaign maps. Let us know what you think in the comments!



You can also contribute by posting your thoughts inCrzyRndm's thread: "Level design and Gameplay. What makes a map fun to play (or not)?"
LaurawantsaCow
Help us make DD2 better
Fountain



 



We know we've been quiet, but we're hard at work. We need your help in making Dungeon Defenders great! All you have to do is fill out this survey!*We'll peek our heads out and say more as soon as we can.



In the meantime, here's some concept art from what we have been working on and no, the little running stick figure guy is not a hero. Sorry. Let us know what you think in the comments!
admin
Its that wonderful time of the year where we are all glued to our computer screens enthusiasticallyawaiting everything E3 has to offer.



This year, we thought we should do something special for our fans who wait eagerly every week to learn more about the Cooperative part of our game through our Co-op Confidential blogs. Thats why we have partnered up with our good friends at Twitch TV to bring you some exclusive first looks at our Dungeon Defenders II Cooperative mode.



monk



After an intense battle of rock, paper, scissors, our very own Philip Asher was chosen to go to Los Angeles and share a very early, pre-alpha build of the game. Want to see new towers, a new level and a whole new take on Etheria? Tune in to Twitch TV at 12:20 p.m. Pacific Time, 3:20 p.m. Eastern time.



squirekobold



Whatre your thoughts? What would you like to see during the livestream? Have any questions you want to ask us regarding the game? Want us to continue this sneak peaks into the development of DD2? Let us know in the comments below. Our favorite comments will receive DD2 beta codes! Winners will be chosen on June 17.
niugget

blogpost2



We have an exciting new announcement. After some conversation with Valve, we are happy to let everyone know that Dungeon Defenders II will be coming to Steam. Well have a lot more delicious details (and an official announcement for fans who dont check our site everyday) in the near future so stay tuned.



As for the competitive closed beta, we are hard at work taking everyones feedback and implementing it. Some of changes already made include several bug fixes, more UI capabilities, and adjusted camera angles. There will be even more coming in the future weeks. If you didnt get to sign up when we opened registrations last Friday, dont fret. Well be sending out another batch of beta codes via email soon! Remember, once you play jump on the beta forums and let us know what you think!



So... what Steam features do you want to see most in Dungeon Defenders II? Sound off in the comments below. Our favorite comments will win a DD2 beta code! Winners will be chosen June 13.



 
niugget
Meet the Kobold King
Kobold King Wallpaper



 

Emerging from the sewers of Etheria is...



The Kobold King!



On his hero page, you can learn about his tyrannical rule of fellow kobolds and the shady business that keeps him afloat.



 



Kobold_King_FinalSHEET



 

Claim royalty among your minions with the Kobold King™s wallpaper. You can download the 1920x1080 wallpaper on the Media Page.



How do you feel about the Kobold King? Let us know in the comments section. Our favorite comments will win a DD2 beta code! Winners will be chosen on June 11.



 
admin

For this issue of Co-op Confidential, we'd like to present.... the Fiend Fire Tower!



Many of you may think, 'Hey, we've seen this before! This is the new Fireball Tower!', but you'd only be half-right. The Fiend Fire Tower does shoot fireballs, but ones which bounce from minion to minion instead of fizzling out on their first foe. But want to know the really exciting secret... this tower also sets the enemies aflame!



Apprentice_FireTowerV2



Yes that's right, Dungeon Defenders II's co-op now has elemental effects. After causing it's initial damage, this Fiend Fire Tower will light enemies ablaze causing additional damage over time. Here's an even closer look at the (in-progress) tower:



FireTower



What're your thoughts? What towers would you like to see return for the Apprentice? Have any great ideas for new ones? Want us to continue this sneak peaks into the development of DD2? Let us know in the comments below. Our favorite comments will receive DD2 beta codes! Winners will be chosen on June 10th.



 
admin

Meet the Countess

By admin,

Meet the Countess
Countess-1024x576.jpg



Yar har yar har, a pirate’s life for...



The Countess!



On her hero page, read about her newfound life on the high seas and the rivalry that drove her to the tournament.



Countess_Sheet-1024x418.jpg



Stop and smell the flowers with the Countess’s wallpaper. You can download the 1920x1080 wallpaper on the Media page.



How do you feel about the Countess? Let us know in the comments section. Our favorite comments will win a DD2 beta code! Winners will be chosen on June 17.
admin
Dungeon Defenders II PvP beta registration is now open. Go to www.playverse.com now to sign-up! Registration is limited, so get in while you can.



Once you're registered, download the bootstrapper to get started. Both Windows and Mac clients are available. If you get in, make sure to post your feedback and issues in the Beta Forums here. You must be logged into the forums via your playverse account to access the beta forums.



Keep in mind, the beta is still under NDA and some parts are very rough around the edges. We look forward to hearing your thoughts (in the beta forums).
admin
Meet the Spirit Warrior
Spirit-Warrior-Illustration-1024x580.png



Rising from the underworld, prepare yourself for...



The Spirit Warrior!



On his hero page, learn about the origin of this amoral force of vengeance.



Spirit_Warrior_Sheet1-1024x418.jpg



Vengeance will glow bright on your desktop with the Spirit Warrior’s wallpaper. You can download the 1920x1080 wallpaper on the Media page.



How do you feel about the Spirit Warrior? Let us know in the comments section. Our favorite comments will win a DD2 beta code! Winners will be chosen on June 6.
admin
prize-pack.jpg



Drumroll, please. *ahem*



The winners of the Dungeon Defenders II Prize Pack contest have been chosen! Check your email to see if youve won.



The grand-prize winner will receive 4 DD2 T-shirts, 4 DD2 in-game Hero Pets, DD2 iPhone 4 case, limited edition DD2 mousepad (of your choice!), instant access to the DD2 beta, Black Widow Razer keyboard and a Naga Hex Razer mouse. The second- and third-place winners will receive instant access to the DD2 beta and a DD2 hero T-shirt of his/her choice.



Plus, all of our forum/Facebook post winners have been revealed. Be sure to check all of those posts to see if youve won!
admin
Co-op Confidential -- Level Teaser
firstlevelteaser-1024x489.jpg



You might be asking, “Why didn’t we get a Co-op Confidential yesterday?” The answer is that we were in strict observance of Memorial Day. The real answer is that we were all drunk, sitting by the poolside and eating ribs. Delicious, fresh-from-the-smoker ribs. In all seriousness, we’d like to say thank you to our troops for protecting our country.



This week is a short blog as we’re going to let our teaser do the talking for us. (Also, we feel like Phil, Stu and Alan today.) Above, you can see concept art for the first level of the cooperative campaign. Isn't it pretty?



“So is that it? All we get is glimpse of the first level?” Who knows, you might see more of the levels in motion, perhaps even sooner than you might think. Also, if you look through the DD2 co-op reveal trailer, you might see a few more levels. Wink wink nudge nudge.







What do you think is going on in this first level? Where is it in Etheria? What would you like to see in a future reveal? Let us know in the comments below! Our favorite comments will receive DD2 beta codes! Winners will be revealed on June 4.
admin

Meet the Monk

By admin,

Meet the Monk

Monk-1024x576.jpg

Fresh from his time at the Monastery, it’s time to meet...

The Monk!

On his hero page, you can learn about his journey to the ancient temple and the powers he learned alongside his father.

FINAL_Monk_Sheet-1024x418.jpg

Increase your desktop’s radiance with the Monk’s wallpaper. You can download the 1920x1080 wallpaper on the Media page.

How do you feel about the Monk? Let us know in the comments section. Our favorite comments will win a DD2 beta code! Winners will be chosen on May 30.
admin
Dear Defenders,



Theres no easy way to say this, so here goes.



As of May 30, I will no longer be working at Trendy Entertainment. (Waits for tears.) Im moving on to another opportunity -- one that will let me enjoy the mountain air and enjoy my youth while I can. (Waits for nods of approval.)



Laura and Angela will be on the community team to split my responsibilities for the time being. Were looking for another community manager to help out with the future of Trendy Entertainment. If youd like to submit your resume, you can look at the job posting and follow the directions on that page. I know there are many talented individuals in our community who would be capable of such a task, and I would be sad if not one of you tried for the position.



The wonderful community events, the passionate posts on the forums, the in-depth guides and Lets Plays -- time and time again you have uplifted my spirits and enriched my life with your presence. I mean that. I think of you as my family -- to some degree, even closer than my blood family. We have some crazy uncles and a few crazy cat ladies in our midst, but most of you are sane, rational people that I would invite to my Trendy family reunion. You, dear community members, are the sole reason I was hesitant to take the new position. I have been incredibly blessed to hang out with you every day. This has been the best job I have ever had. But some opportunities are too good, too timely, too alluring to pass up.



To my wonderful moderators, both past and present -- Alhanalem, Classic22, DarkPython, Dredd, Finally, Immortal D, Iyashii, Jetah, KanibalKittN, Naed, TitoDaddy, Victoryoftheppl -- thanks for going above and beyond to keep the forums clean. Your feedback concerning community ideas and changes have helped the community more than they could ever know. I hope that you will still be around to help Laura and Angela in the same way that you have helped me.



To the beta team members, whose names are too plentiful to list, you have been vital to the success of Dungeon Defenders and the future success of Dungeon Defenders II. Your dedication to the team and honest (sometimes brutal) feedback humbles us and makes us want to make better content. We can never thank you enough for taking a chainsaw to our DLCs and beta content and carving them into works of art. (Hanging phallus and all.)



To the community event hosts, there are absolutely no words for the time you put in to entertain the community week in and week out. Hands down, your creativity increased the longevity of our tiny $15 game tenfold. Your events remain the only reason why some members are still playing the game, and for that, we are eternally grateful. After seeing the community event map today, its great to see that a year and a half after the first events, you havent slowed down. Keep up the great work.



To the community map makers, your creations revolutionized the way Dungeon Defenders is played. From maps with dynamically evolving levels to interactive secret elements to entirely new game modes, your maps have stunned everyone here at Trendy. I sincerely hope that you continue to make maps long after this current Map Contest.



To everyone else not mentioned here, you are no less brilliant, no less wonderful than the amazing people above. I look forward to hearing from Laura and Angela about all of the wonderful things that youll do.



Im incredibly excited for the rest of the team to release Dungeon Defenders II. I cant wait to fight against you in the PvP and defend Etheria once again in the co-op. The team hasnt begun to reveal all the best secrets about the game. Im sad I wont be the one to share them with you.



If youre curious about where Im going, follow me on Twitter and youll find out very soon. Ill be sure to livestream games every now and then on my personal Twitch account.



Stay classy, Etheria. Ill miss you.



Sincerely,

Hitmonchan/iamisom

admin
Trendy Friday Fun -- Farewell Edition
princess-quest-1024x576.jpg



We have a jampacked Trendy Friday Fun for you today. We have tons of Dungeon Defenders content to show off, we’re giving away 30 (yes, 30!) DD2 beta codes, and we’ll be saying a fond farewell to one of our own.



First up, we have the new PC community event map, Princess Quest. This map entirely changes the way you play Dungeon Defenders. These community weekend events just keep getting better and better every week, and you would be a fool if you haven’t signed up to enjoy this one. On the stream, we’ll have PC event hosts DanielSound and KeenJammin to talk about the creation of the event.



tinkerers-lab-1024x519.png



Next on the bill, we have Tinkerer’s Lab. (Try saying that five times fast.) We’re going to be showing off the Assault Challenge Mission first, and then we’ll end the stream with the campaign mode. Special guests Senior Gameplay Designer/Producer Skott Chatten and everyone’s favorite host, Ice, will be on hand to discuss the new content.



Finally, as we mentioned before, the show will close with a fond farewell to one of our own employees.



The show starts at 5 p.m. EDT and will run until it’s done. Don’t miss it.
admin
Competitive Advantage -- Persistent Hero Leveling

hero screen

It’s time once again to reveal how our competitive mode separates itself from other games in the genre. This week, we’re going in-depth with a feature we’re really excited about -- persistent hero leveling.

In our competitive mode, heroes are leveled up individually. Your Man and Machine can be level 15 while your Huntress can be level 7. Cooperative and competitive levels for a hero are separate.

After every match, your hero will earn XP. Some matches will award additional XP, such as the first matches of the day. Eventually, your hero will level up. Each time you level up, you will receive a random reward (loot, gems and more), and you will be able to put a point into a stat of your choice. Some of these stats include your hero’s health, mana, and armor. These stats are currently balanced around giving players a slight edge and sense of progression, but not an un-balanced advantage. There will be respec potions if you wish to change the way a hero was specialized.

level up

When you reach level 10, you will unlock that hero’s Hero Spell. Hero Spells are an additional ability to complement your original suite of four abilities. These unlockable Hero Spells can be used with any hero, so the Apprentice’s Mana Infusion Hero Spell can be used with the Squire. There are currently six Hero Spells that are unlocked from the beginning, so you will always have a Hero Spell to use throughout your competitive mode experience.

There will be boosts that can be found in the game. The idea behind the system is that people playing for free and people who are paying for boosts should both be able to reach level 10 at a reasonable pace, so the Hero Spells are not locked behind a time/pay wall.

player screen

As you level up, you will be able to equip your hero’s gear with higher-quality gems. Gems are what give your gear stats. Lower-level heroes will not be able to equip high-tier gems. This is to ensure that new players cannot trade/buy their way to a powerful hero. They will need to put in the time to level up the hero in order to use those stats. We’ll have more details on the gem system in full in a later blog.

How do you feel about the persistent hero leveling? Let us know in the comments section below. The most constructive comments will receive DD2 beta codes! Winners will be chosen on May 29.
admin




Ready for round three?



In this weeks PvP Hero Showcase, the Huntress is in the spotlight. Watch the video to see her abilities in action.



Now that were three videos into this series, how do you feel about the PvP Hero Showcase -- good, bad or otherwise? The most constructive comments will receive a DD2 beta code. Forum winners will be chosen on May 29.



Come back every Wednesday for a new PvP Hero Showcase.
admin
Meet the Orc Chieftain
orc_LayeredTweaked-1024x631.jpg



Striding in from the darkness is...



The Orc Chieftain!



On his hero page, you can learn about the history of his people and the strange crystal that corrupted them.



FINALOrcChieftain_SHEET-1024x418.jpg



Make other people’s desktops green with envy with the Orc Chieftain’s wallpaper. You can download the 1920x1080 wallpaper on the Media page.



How do you feel about the Orc Chieftain? Let us know in the comments section. Our favorite comments will win a DD2 beta code! Winners will be chosen on May 28.
admin
Each week, were revealing more information on our cooperative tower defense campaign mode. Today, were lifting the curtain off of a design change in DD2 enemies -- enemy variants.



Currently in the game, every enemy has two additional variants. These extra variants will behave differently from the original enemy type.



For example, lets look at the Kobold.

kobold1a



You remember the Kobold -- small, terrified, suicidal. Once he lights the stick of dynamite on his back, hell run toward something and explode. With that in mind, variants of the kobold could be a kobold that moves slower because the bomb on his back is enormous! Because of this larger explosive, this Kobold variant would explode in a bigger radius than a normal Kobold. Another variant could be a kobold on rollerskates who is twice as fast as a regular kobold but carries smaller sticks of dynamite and thus does less damage.



All three of the kobolds are the same enemy in essence, but the fact that they behave in different ways causes the player to have to strategize against these new challenges. The towers that you would use to defeat normal Kobolds might not be as effective against the rollerskate variants, so you and your friends will have to choose your towers wisely.



kobold2a



Have an idea for a DD1 enemy variant? Let us know in the comments. Our favorite enemy variant ideas will get a DD2 beta code! Winners will be chosen on Friday by Skott.



Next week, well take our first look at DD2 levels.
admin

Meet the Barbarian

By admin,

Meet the Barbarian
BarbarianIllustrationFinal-1024x576.jpg



Looking for a hero with immeasurable aggression? We think you'll enjoy...



The Barbarian!



On his hero page, you can learn about the Great Mammoth and the soothsayer who gave the Barbarian a great mantle of his own.



TBarbarianTurnaround-1024x487.jpg



FINAL-BARBARIAN_SHEET-1024x418.jpg



Make your desktop 100 percent more barbaric with the Barbarian’s wallpaper. You can download the 1920x1080 wallpaper on the Media page.



How do you feel about the Barbarian? Let us know in the comments section. Our favorite comments will win a DD2 beta code! Winners will be chosen on May 23.
admin
townhub-1024x576.jpg



Each week, were detailing a feature of our competitive mode that separates it from the rest of the genre. This week, were focusing on the modes social center -- the Town Hub.



The Town Hub is a 24-player locale where players can strategize, customize, practice and trade before jumping into a match. The Town Hub is a natural evolution of the Dungeon Defenders tavern, much like the co-op overworld we mentioned earlier this week, but on a much smaller scale.



Its also a way to find and make new friends to play with in the competitive mode. Heres how it works: After selecting PvP from the Main Menu, players will join a random Town Hub. Any friends youre partied up with will join the same hub with you. Once youre there you can level your heroes, win prizes, visit the Archives, equip gear, manage your inventory, shop and more while youre queueing for a match.



dueling-1024x576.jpg



Want to see potential teammates in action or test a heros skills before the Arena? Start a duel! Dueling is a one-life, two-minute taste of the real action that takes place in the hub itself, with no separate loading time or matchmaking queue. You can even watch other players fight from a nearby outlook. Afterwards, players can invite those worthy candidates to their party and head off to the Arena together.



After a few rounds in the Arena, youll notice your backpack is heavy with loot. You can lighten the load by trading that gear with other players! Or customize it with unique dyes, names and stats! Well have more details on customization soon.



Were hoping by making the experience more social, more personable and more selective as well as giving players ways to help each other progress, we can improve the negative atmosphere often seen in MOBA communities.



How do you feel about the competitive Town Hub? Let us know in the comments below!
admin








In this week’s PvP Hero Showcase, the Historian goes in-depth with the Man and Machine. Watch the video to see how the ex-general fares in the tournament.

If you want to see anything again, just click on one of the icons in the video to see a previous section again.

What do you think of the competitive mode in action? Keep in mind everything’s beta, so all feedback is good feedback. The most constructive comments will receive a DD2 beta code! Winners will be chosen on Monday, May 20.

New PvP Hero Showcase videos every Wednesday. Remember to come back Monday, for your first info on coop enemies.
admin

Meet the Prisoner

By admin,

Meet the Prisoner

Prisoner_final-1024x576.jpg

If age is a sign of wisdom, then there’s no one wiser in the Arena than...

The Prisoner!

On her hero page, you can learn about the dangerous situation that landed her in the slammer and the great escape that brought her to the Arena.


FINAL-Prisoner2-1024x418.jpg

Turn your desktop into an Etherian Shawshank Redemption scene with the Prisoner’s wallpaper. You can download the 1920x1080 wallpaper on the Media page.


How do you feel about the Prisoner? Let us know in the comments section. Our favorite comments will win a DD2 beta code! Winners will be chosen on May 17.
admin
Co-op Confidential -- Overworld

Overworld4-1024x393.jpg

We saw your posts in our forums. We read your comments on YouTube. You want more information on the cooperative tower defense campaign.

We’re more than happy to oblige.

Every Monday, we’re going to slowly unveil bits and pieces of what we’re working on internally for co-op. Sometimes we’ll show returning elements from the first game; sometimes we’ll show off something new for DD2. This week, we want to show you a brand-new feature for DD2 co-op: the overworld.

Overworld1-1024x560.jpg

In Dungeon Defenders II, levels will be accessed through an explorable overworld. Think of it like this: Do you remember playing Super Mario 64? In that game, the overworld map -- Peach’s Castle -- was a level unto itself. You could explore the castle on a hunt to find portals to new worlds. There were secrets to be found and challenges to complete.

Now imagine exploring Peach’s Castle with 23 other players. That’s what we’re going for.

In our game, there won’t be a random desert world located in the basement. Our overworld acts as the foundation for the levels and for the story. Everything should feel natural and logical.

You’ll discover challenge missions sprinkled throughout the overworld. For example, you might run into an NPC who starts ranting about enemies falling from the sky, which will take you to a certain... familiar challenge.

In Dungeon Defenders, the structure of the game was three levels and then a level with a boss fight. In Dungeon Defenders II, the first area the team completed currently has four levels and then a level with a boss fight.

Overworld2a-1024x637.jpg

Why are we making an overworld map? We noticed that, in Dungeon Defenders, players spent a ton of time in the tavern. The tavern was a multi-faceted area. It was a war room for strategy discussion and rule creation. It was a social hub for events. It was a community marketplace for item selling and trading. But it was cramped, and the space itself wasn’t that interesting outside of collectible trophies. We wanted to take the social experience of the tavern and set it in an area that encouraged and rewarded exploration.

We’ll have far more information on this as we get closer to the end of the year. For now, we’ll just leave you with the images in this post for you to pour over.

What do you think? We’d love to hear your feedback in the Comments section!

Tune in next Monday for the first information on DD2 enemies.
admin

Meet the Squire

By admin,

Meet the Squire!

Squire_Final-1024x576.jpg



Being a hero is easy, especially if you™re...



The Squire!



After six years, the Squire finally put on some damn pants. But that™s not all that changed. Learn about his newfound abilities and fame in his hero page.



squire.png



Make your desktop feel 100% more majestic with The Squire™s wallpaper. You can download the 1920x1080 wallpaper on the Media page.



How do you feel about the new-and-improved Squire? Let us know in the comments section. Our favorite comments will win a DD2 beta code! Winners will be chosen on May 15.
iamisom
consumables.png

Before we begin, wed like to mention that there are two separate modes in Dungeon Defenders II a cooperative tower defense RPG campaign and a competitive multiplayer MOBA mode. Two separate modes. Let those words sink in. Dungeon Defenders II will still have the same amazing tower defense gameplay you loved in Dungeon Defenders. In fact, you might get some more info on that on Monday.

We faced a lot of issues with TrendyNet and DD1 at launch, and we wanted to get those issues out of the way with the competitive mode, not cooperative. Not to mention, we wanted the additional time to balance the heroes for the competitive mode and flesh-out/experiment with the gameplay of the cooperative mode.

Breathe easy, friends.

Moving on. Each week, were highlighting what separates our competitive mode from other games in the genre. This week, were focusing on our simplified consumable system.

Shop Main Screen


Our competitive mode does not have permanent items or item builds. Instead, we only use consumables. Some of these items will give you temporary boosts (like Potions) and some will give you buffs that will last until you die (like Elixirs). These items are purchased using the gold earned during the course of a match.

Why are we simplifying the item system? To decrease the length of matches and make the mode more accessible to the average RPG or tower defense fan. Other games in this genre average around 40 minutes per match. Our multiplayer mode averages around 25, which is much easier to fit in-between defending Eternia Crystals.

Below is a list of the items you can find in the shop, and what each of them do.

Potions


Potions are the simplest and least expensive consumables. They last for a set period of time and can replenish your health & mana as well as increase your attack damage, decrease incoming damage, or reduce cooldown times.


Oils


Oils are powerful consumables that can be applied to a weapon and last until death. They let you deal more damage to towers, inflict damage over time, slow enemies, leech health, and more. But watch out, once you die the funs over. Only one oil can be used at a time.


Elixirs


Elixers are the most expensive and most powerful consumable. Each one has multiple effects and can turn the entire tournament to your teams advantage. Like oils, elixers can only be used one at a time and last until death.


Tomes


Tomes allow you to perform feats that can save you from the jaws of defeat, but last a very short amount of time. These can be used to dodge abilities, run away, or even teleport to an allied tower.


Wards


Wards are for the tacticians among you (hey defenders!). They push back the fog of war allowing you to expose enemy movement and plan your attack.


Our alchemists are always working on new concoctions, so it's possible that more of these splendid creations may be available in the future. We will just have to wait and see!

How do you feel about the consumable system? Let us know in the Comments section!
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