There’s a lot more to this than you might expect from a mobile game – and it’s been designed to evolve over time, always offering something new for you to rule over. With each in-game year taking a real-life day to pass, Castles is designed to offer something new for you constantly. “This is where the growing a dynasty and building a lasting legacy really comes into play,” says Lafferty. “The passage of time means the player needs to always have a proper succession plan in place for the heir to the throne.
“We did a lot of work in the game design to ensure that subject relationships and how long a ruler reigns are elements that players can work towards improving. Players also need to continue to improve their gear type and level to progress through the quests. It’s an important mechanic within the game. We have a Dynasty Level system, with rewards that continues on endlessly. Our goal is to update the game regularly with new dynasty levels, quests, events, and challenges.”
On top of this, Castles is designed to be a treasure trove for Elder Scrolls fans, and the more you play, the more you’ll see how the game ties into the wider world. “We’ve worked particularly hard to make sure that Castles feels as authentic as possible to the Elder Scrolls Universe,” explains Lafferty. “And die-hard fans will be able to pick up on this when playing the game.”
From the game’s score, to the sheer number of classic Elder Scrolls races included as subjects (who form their own distinct factions within your castle) to even the smallest pieces of dialogue (“dialogue bubbles often have direct and indirect references to The Elder Scrolls universe, lore and locations – including some references only the hardcore fan will recognize”), there’s a lot to discover here.