[Devlog] Burning Heart (a narrative campaign for 0 A.D.)

[lilypoppy]

Hey everyone,

For the past month, I've been working on a project: a narrative campaign for 0 A.D., focused on Viriathus and the Lusitanian resistance against Rome.

In-depth research, focusing primarily on Appian's *The Spanish Wars*

Why : 

Because 0 A.D. clearly lacks a narrative campaign, and because the development faces significant technical and resource-related challenges. If this work can help the community, that in itself is a success for me.

My goal :

My goal is to create a story people will play, while discovering 0 A.D. But also to help the developers with my experience, through reports, and above all to create a reference for future scenario creation.

For the past month, we've been working on the scenario. I already have 8 contributors on the project. Huge thanks to them.

Release :

The goal is to release Scenario 1. No official date yet, but I'll post an update every two weeks here, and also on Reddit.

Also :

This project isn't to release it as quickly as possible, but rather to ensure quality and also learn things like programming, digital painting,music, and collaboration.

Thanks !

[lilypoppy]

devlog #1

devlog #2

 

[Nicolaus_von_Kues]

I imagine you have a narrative script. Thinking about what will happen and what you will say in each scenario.

Edited October 2 by Nicolaus_von_Kues

[Thalatta]

7 minutes ago, lilypoppy said:

I see you added the hinges as I told you, but small metal screws wouldn't be invented until over 1500 years later!! Don't underestimate these details 

[lilypoppy]

34 minutes ago, Nicolaus_von_Kues said:

I imagine you have a narrative script. Thinking about what will happen and what you will say in each scenario.

I have the scenarios, the objective plans, and the gameplay. I'm working on how cinematics work, and I'm also looking for voice-over — not easy, but I have ideas. https://wildfiregames.com/forum/topic/168855-campaign-idea-with-the-iberians-–-looking-for-feedback-and-editor-tips/

[lilypoppy]

Devlog #3

 

[Nicolaus_von_Kues]

1 hour ago, lilypoppy said:

I have the scenarios, the objective plans, and the gameplay. I'm working on how cinematics work, and I'm also looking for voice-over — not easy, but I have ideas. https://wildfiregames.com/forum/topic/168855-campaign-idea-with-the-iberians-–-looking-for-feedback-and-editor-tips/

You could look for a YouTuber who likes the game and has a good voice and way of expressing themselves.

[Dunedan]

@lilypoppy Great work. I'm sure if you keep working on it, it'll be an awesome campaign.

[lilypoppy]

5 hours ago, Dunedan said:

@lilypoppy Great work. I'm sure if you keep working on it, it'll be an awesome campaign.

@Dunedan Thank you . This project is going to be a long journey, but I can thank @Thalatta for the research and for keeping an eye on me.

[Thalatta]

1 hour ago, lilypoppy said:

I can thank @Thalatta for the research and for keeping an eye on me.

[lilypoppy]

34 minutes ago, Thalatta said:

@Thalatta wow 

 

Edited October 4 by lilypoppy

[Nicolaus_von_Kues]

We were discussing the art of the interface; I think we should think about a concept. I don't know how the interface for 0 AD campaigns will work.

 

[Dunedan]

https://gitea.wildfiregames.com/0ad/0ad/pulls/8318

[lilypoppy]

2 hours ago, Dunedan said:

https://gitea.wildfiregames.com/0ad/0ad/pulls/8318

@Nicolaus_von_Kues

[Nicolaus_von_Kues]

8 hours ago, lilypoppy said:

@Nicolaus_von_Kues

How do I test it?

[ManasManushya]

@lilypoppythats cool, but will you be adding cinematic scenes to it or is it just a scenario?

[lilypoppy]

1 minute ago, ManasManushya said:

@lilypoppyC'est cool, mais est-ce que tu vas y ajouter des scènes cinématographiques ou est-ce juste un scénario ?

I want to try out as many features as possible—so that the campaign can serve as a case study . so yes.

[rossenburg]

Viriathus is a solid pick, surprised nobody has done it properly yet

is Scenario 1 a playable mission or more of an intro? curious what youve hit so far technically too

 

[ShadowOfHassen]

On 04/10/2026 at 1:29 PM, Nicolaus_von_Kues said:

We were discussing the art of the interface; I think we should think about a concept. I don't know how the interface for 0 AD campaigns will work.

 

a lot of that has already been worked at, and it would be silly to duplicate brainstorming that (pretty much) has already been finished, written (and in some cases reviewed)

We talk a lot about this in this forum

 

 

and once these PRs here get merged everything should be added to do the campaign, thanks to @Vantha!

https://gitea.wildfiregames.com/0ad/0ad/pulls?state=open&type=all&labels=&milestone=0&project=0&assignee=&poster=&sort=&q=campaign

[Nicolaus_von_Kues]

I understand there some work already done. But... I don't know about how much more work @lilypoppy wants to add.

I'll update myself with that post.

[lilypoppy]

11 hours ago, Nicolaus_von_Kues said:

I understand there some work already done. But... I don't know about how much more work @lilypoppy wants to add.

I'll update myself with that post.

As for the voice-over and the promotional video, @NiRa Muso MIOZOTO

 

 

@Nicolaus_von_Kues I’ve got that covered—pending the arrival of version 1. In the meantime, I suggest you keep doing what you’re doing—especially talking about *Burning Heart* and bringing people together. Thanks again!

 

I’m going to gather some data to find out what people would like to see in a campaign.

[lilypoppy]

14 hours ago, rossenburg said:

Viriathus is a solid pick, surprised nobody has done it properly yet

is Scenario 1 a playable mission or more of an intro? curious what youve hit so far technically too

 

@rossenburg The S1 will be a playable mission !  It is a way to showcase the project from a technical perspective to help other projects !  

 

Edited 41 minutes ago by lilypoppy