Frequently asked questions
Common questions about the game. If yours is not here, ask on the Contact page.
The game
What is Timefather?
A dark fantasy MMORPG for people who like building their character's combat. You combine classes, forge your spells from the four elements, and run dungeons with friends. The story starts with one missing person.
What do I actually do, moment to moment?
Aim and cast. Before a fight you pick which elements each spell carries. In the fight you choose when to use your cooldowns and when to save up for an ultimate. You stay alive by moving well and by how you built your character.
When does it release?
No date yet. The game is in its prototype stage, with online playtests. The Roadmap page shows which stage it is in. Newsletter subscribers hear about each step first.
What platforms is it on?
PC (Windows). Today you play through the Timefather launcher, downloaded from this site. A Steam release comes later. There are no console or mobile plans.
Playing it
Do I need a group?
Parties are five players at launch. One tank, one healer and three damage is a guideline, not a requirement: content is built to work with any five. How much of the game can be played solo is still being designed.
Is there PvP?
Open PvP is planned for launch alongside PvE. Its rules are not designed yet, and PvE comes first in development.
Does better gear just mean bigger numbers?
Better gear makes you tougher and adds to your main stat at the same time. It never makes you choose between staying alive and hitting harder. Your spells grow through skill books, which rank them up for good.
Classes and spells
How many classes are there?
Nine. Warrior, Mage, Ranger, Paladin and Priest are in the playtest now. Warlock, Druid, Tracker and Summoner join at Beta. Put points into any two classes and you get a combination with its own passive. Split your points evenly and you are equally both; put more into one and it leads.
How do spells work?
Pick a spell and bind one, two or three of the four elements to it: Fire, Water, Earth and Air. Each mix is a different spell. Energy Ball with Fire and Water becomes Pressure Bolt and hits harder the farther away the target is; with Earth and Air it becomes Sandblast and interrupts the target. One element is your everyday cast, two is a cooldown with an effect, three is an ultimate.
Can I respec if I make a mistake?
Yes. In playtests you can change your build anywhere outside combat. From Beta, only in safe zones.
Is there a nature element?
Not in the magic system, which has four: Fire, Water, Earth and Air. The city of Xylos claims a fifth, Nature, in its politics.
Community and business
What will it cost?
Not decided yet. It will be announced here and in the devlog before anyone is asked to pay.
Will my progress be wiped during testing?
Assume yes. Characters made in testing can be wiped. A test where progress carries forward will say so before you make a character. Every playtest you join earns a cosmetic tied to your account, and it stays with you through the wipe into launch.
How do I get into a playtest?
Subscribe to the newsletter. Playtest invitations go out there, earliest sign-ups first.
Are you hiring?
Not formally. Timefather is made by one developer, with a small group of friends playtesting. If you want to help with something specific, say so on the Contact page.
Do you use AI?
Yes. Timefather is made by one developer, and AI helps with code, art and text. I design the game, direct the work and put every piece together.
Can I cover the game on stream or video?
Yes. The Press page has logos. For playtest access or an interview, use the Contact page with "Press" in the subject.