Indie Survival Game "By My Side" Launches on Steam

The Chinese independent open-world survival and building game "By My Side" has now launched on Steam in Early Access. Developed and published by OverLKD Studio, the game is priced at 59 RMB in China and supports Simplified Chinese interface and subtitles.

"By My Side" centers on the core experience of surviving in the wilderness with a canine companion. Players awaken alone in the wild and must gather resources, construct shelter, and strive to survive harsh conditions. A key game mechanic involves raising and training a loyal dog. Players can find a stray dog as a puppy, raise it to adulthood, and train it for various tasks such as guarding, hunting, and pulling a sled. The dog warns of dangers and assists the player in survival.

The game features an extensive building system, allowing players to construct everything from simple shelters to multi-story manors. Players can establish complex production chains with over 90 crafting recipes, requiring the refinement of raw materials into items like steel and wires. Additionally, the game incorporates seasonal challenges, including winter cold, droughts, wolf pack attacks, and long nights. Through farming and livestock breeding, players can ensure their food supply even during winter.

Developers have stated that they utilized AI technology to assist in content creation during the game's development. This includes the generation of 3D models, production of music and sound effects, and translation work. All AI-generated content has undergone human review and refinement prior to release. The game does not employ real-time generative AI; all content is pre-produced.

"By My Side" offers diverse starting scenarios and gameplay modes. Players can select from over ten distinct character origins, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The game includes two primary modes: Survival Mode, featuring permanent death, and Story Mode.