Esker Ring Report #4: Launching Esker for the First Time

In the last report, macOS support was still something we were beginning to explore. Since then, the first macOS build has been released. Echoes of Esker now has downloadable desktop builds for Windows, Linux, and macOS.

That also means there is one piece of early-build friction worth explaining directly: the game is not yet fully code-signed and notarized across every platform. Until we have official signing in place, Windows and macOS may show security prompts the first time you run the game.

Those prompts are expected for now. They do not mean you need to disable your operating system's security features. They do mean you need to approve this specific app once after downloading it from the official portal.

These instructions only apply to builds downloaded from the Echoes of Esker portal. Do not use them as a general reason to bypass warnings for random files from the internet.

Windows

On Windows, the build currently goes through Microsoft Defender SmartScreen because the executable does not yet have an established signed publisher reputation.

1. Download the Windows build from the portal.
2. Extract the zip file.
3. Run EchoesOfEsker.exefrom the extracted folder.
4. If Windows shows the Windows protected your PC screen, click More info.

After expanding the prompt, Windows should show the app name and publisher information. For the current unsigned build, the app is EchoesOfEsker.exe and the publisher may appear as Unknown publisher.

5. Click Run anyway to launch the game.

After that, Windows should allow the game to start normally.

macOS

macOS support is new, and the first-launch flow is a little more involved while the build is not yet notarized.

1. Download the macOS build from the portal.
2. Extract the zip file.
3. Move Echoes of Esker.app into your Applications folder.
4. Try to launch Echoes of Esker.app.

macOS may show a warning that Apple could not verify the app. Close that warning, but do not move the app to Trash.

Next, approve the app in System Settings:

1. Open the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
2. Choose System Settings.
3. Go to Privacy & Security.
4. In the Security section, make sure Allow applications from is set to App Store & Known Developers.
5. Find the message that says Echoes of Esker was blocked.
6. Click Open Anyway.

macOS should ask for one final confirmation. Approve it, and the game should launch.

Occasionally, the app may still hang during launch after approval. If that happens, restart your Mac and launch Echoes of Esker.appagain. After a reboot, it should start normally.

Linux

Linux is the simplest path right now.

1. Download the Linux build from the portal.
2. Extract the zip file.
3. Run echoes-of-esker.

Depending on your desktop environment and how the zip was extracted, you may need to mark the file as executable before launching it. If your file manager refuses to start it, open a terminal in the extracted folder and run:

chmod +x echoes-of-esker
./echoes-of-esker

A month of progress: v0.12.0 to v0.13.0

The newest tagged build is v0.13.0. This month included the first macOS release, more structure in the ring world, clearer early progression, and another pass on moment-to-moment usability.

From v0.12.0 to v0.13.0:

A quick visual overview of progress. For detailed changes, see the changelog.

Platform support

The biggest platform change is the first macOS build. The build tooling now includes macOS export support, ad-hoc signing for the app bundle, and macOS-specific setup for the bundled local AI runtime.

That does not mean macOS support is finished. It means Mac players can now try the game directly, report issues, and help us harden that version alongside Windows and Linux.

World and encounter structure

Ring exploration should feel less empty. v0.13.0 adds procedural environment dressing around the world, including more natural blockers and non-colliding scenery. Ring gates also now stay closed until their waypoint is unlocked, with a clearer home-ring direction cue and a basic opening animation.

Authored encounters also moved forward. Guardian encounters can now have more customized drops, and placeholder ring bosses have been added for later rings so progression structure can keep filling in over time.

Combat, items, and usability

Weapons and early item flow continued to improve. There is now a starter wand in the opening area, wand spell presentation has been updated, containers have clearer interaction behavior, and the Satchel has been reworked to give a cleaner overview of items and player attributes.

The release also adds a Help tab, clearer level-up and unspent trait point feedback, a screenshot hotkey, improved enemy spellcasting, better item descriptions, and several input fixes around dialog, pause, and controller behavior.

Download

Early pre-alpha builds are available for Windows, Linux, and macOS for players who are curious and comfortable with rough edges.

Download from the portal page