The anticipated multiplayer update for Dragonkin: The Banished has been officially pushed back. Originally planned for a December launch, EKO Software is now targeting early 2026 to release the co-op feature, citing the need to address stability and rework fundamental game systems based on player feedback.
While the delay is disappointing for players eager to hunt dragons with friends, the reasoning points to significant changes under the hood. The developers aren't just squashing bugs; they're overhauling core mechanics that have been pain points for the community.
Reworking the Fundamentals
According to the announcement, two key areas are getting a complete overhaul before multiplayer goes live: the Generator Spender system and City Progression. For any ARPG player, changes to a resource system like the "Generator Spender" are a massive deal. This system governs how you use your abilities in combat, and a rework could fundamentally alter the feel and flow of every hero class.
Similarly, enhancing the City Progression loop means the time spent between hunts should become more meaningful. Instead of a simple checklist, the goal is likely to create a more engaging meta-game that better reflects your journey to take down the four Ancestral Dragons.
Why the significant delay?
The team stated that simply layering an online mode on top of the current systems wouldn't be stable or satisfying. By taking extra time, they intend to perform thorough QA testing on both the new online infrastructure and the reworked gameplay systems. It's a classic case of choosing to delay for a better final product rather than releasing a buggy feature that could damage the game's reputation.
What does this mean for solo players?
While the headline is about multiplayer, these core system reworks will impact the entire game. Changes to the Generator Spender and City Progression mechanics will be felt by everyone, whether you're playing solo or planning to team up. This delay is effectively a delay for a major gameplay patch that just happens to include multiplayer, making it relevant for the entire player base.