EVILBANE Dev Note Previews a War System With a 46 Territory Map, Not Part of the First Playtest

Netmarble Monster has given the first look at what EVILBANE is meant to become after its early tests. In a developer note posted on Steam on October 15, producer Henry describes a War system where every Operation players finish feeds into one shared fight over a world map. The note is clear that this system was not part of the first Steam playtest and will arrive step by step during development.

What the War system is

The setting is the Middle Realm, torn apart by a long conflict over Heavenstones, stones with a strange power that many factions wanted. Demons have pushed in from their own realm, and a group called the Heretics has grown strong in the chaos. Players belong to the Resistance, which wants to take the land back.

The Resistance works from Base Camp, its last stronghold. A War Map in the command room shows the whole conflict. According to the note, the map covers:

• 2 continents, split into 10 regions and 46 territories
• Three territory states: Battlefront, Liberated Territory and Enemy Territory

The war runs in Seasons, each built around one major event, and Chapters that move that event forward. Operations completed by all players add up to push the front line. Enemies also strike back at held land, and a territory nobody defends falls back under enemy control. Push far enough into a region and its giant ruler appears as a boss.

Rewards and records

Clearing every territory in a region unlocks rewards for everyone: that region's blessing, Heavenstones found only there, and goods from Wandering Merchants who visit Base Camp. Losing ground can take some of those benefits away again. Results from each Season and Chapter go into the War Chronicles, which players can look back on in a Hall of Records. The top contributors each Season get their names written there, and personal merit turns into Medals and Titles when a Season ends.

The roadmap and what is still unknown

The note lists four stages after the playtest: better combat and progression, a working War Map with Chapters and territory battles, the full Season cycle with invasion defense, and shared Season rewards. New weapon classes, monsters, raid bosses and Operations are planned along the way.

No dates are given for any stage. The note does not give Season lengths, the number of Chapters, a release date or platforms beyond the Steam playtest. Netmarble also says names and translations may change. For context, the first Steam playtest ran until October 19 at 08:00 UTC, which was 4:00 PM in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei (GMT+8), 10:00 AM in Central Europe (CEST), 9:00 AM in London (BST), 4:00 AM in New York (EDT) and 1:00 AM in Los Angeles (PDT).

NEXTARCA's take

This note answers the biggest question the playtest left open: what keeps you coming back once you have seen the 13 Operations. A shared map where lost ground costs everyone real rewards gives co-op runs a reason to matter beyond loot. It is a familiar idea from live service shooters, and it lives or dies on pacing.

The risk is that the whole plan is still words on a page with no dates. Players who enjoyed the playtest should send feedback now, while the system is still being shaped, and judge the War Map only when it is playable.