Roguelike Radio Episode 20: Cataclysm
Jan 24, 2012
In this episode, the developer of the game Cataclysm talks about the post-apocalyptic roguelike set in New England. They discuss the game's inspirations, gameplay balance, NPC factions, decay in the game world, user interface, challenges of porting to Windows, gameplay vs simulationism, and the development and atmosphere of Cataclysm.
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Episode notes
Open-Ended Survival Roguelike
- Cataclysm is an open-ended post-apocalyptic roguelike centered on survival and exploration rather than short-term objectives.
- Zachary Jenkins designed it to blend sandbox roaming with roguelike mechanics inspired by NetHack and action games like Left 4 Dead.
Exploration Drives Player Goals
- Exploration and crafting give players personal short-term and long-term goals inside a limitless world.
- The game encourages creating tools and weapons from found items to sustain survival and progression.
Morale Replaces Kill-Based XP
- Morale replaces traditional kill-based XP: higher morale speeds experience gain over time.
- Players raise morale via enjoyable activities like eating good food, reading, and recreational drugs, shifting focus away from killing for XP.