Hello!
Ever wondered what would be the BEST scenario (hypothetically) for AO’s development in 2026? This post will cover that and try to wrap around what would be the most realistic, and therefore the content we could expect (if we’re lucky) for AO’s 2026 development.
Disclaimer: I am NOT a AO dev, I do not have a say, take part, or have any influence on AO’s development at all. This is just predicting what 2026 would look like for AO’s development.
Now, let’s get on with it.
AO has two main developers, rest being contributors/contracted developers. These developers being moochezz, and Vetex. There used to be a third developer, Partcline, however he recently left development for other projects/endeavors. I did not include galga, as he is too inconsistent with his developmental help on the game to be considered full-time. Of course there are other smaller contract-like developers, however the two previously mentioned are the only full-time developers that work day n’ night, as well as bring the most content to the game.
Predicted 2026 AO roadmap (take it with a grain of salt)
- Dragons being added (Q1 of 2026)
- Some dark sea specifics being Satyrs, Siren Queen quest, etc. (Q1 or Q2 of 2026, depends on how well dragons goes)
- Arcanium weapons (Q1 or Q2 of 2026)
- Chapter 10 (Q2 of 2026)
- Chapter 11 (Q3 or Q4 of 2026)
(Q1 means quarter of that year, so Q1 of 2026 would mean the first three months of 2026)
The above list is the predicted content which (at most) could make it’s way for 2026. I would not be surprised if some content on this list (like Arcanium weapons) be delayed, or just not done at all this year. The average time before full release per major update was around 3 months long, even then Vetex was by himself working on those said content updates. The list below details said updates, and provides evidence.
Early Access Update list (Before Full release)
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- Underwater (04/23/2023)
- Brewing & Jewelcrafting (06/23/2023)
- Dark Sea (10/06/2023)
- Nimbus Sea Pt.1 (03/29/2024)
- Mistral (05/31/2024)
- Empires (09/27/2024)
Additional notes: As someone who’s been apart of the ROBLOX developmental scripting community for over 2 years, and having tackled on multiple serious group project commissions (as both a scripter/project manager); I believe that the previously predicted AO developmental roadmap is feasible. However, this would be much easier said than done if Vetex would hire another full-time developer (primarily one with heavy scripting background like Headless) to work on AO. I understand that Vetex may have some issues regarding said hiring new developers, considering how difficult it is to get the quality he’s seeking, alongside the cost that they bring. I also would like to touch base on how Vetex himself stated that he suffers from Depression, that the game’s development can become a huge strain on both his mental and emotional health. It doesn’t help that AO boosts this with it’s considerable toxic (mostly PVP) community, which time and time again, ragebaits and/or makes fun of Vetex for his hard work.
- Chapter 12 wasn’t included at all in the roadmap, considering it’s one if not the finale chapter of the Nimbus sea, being apart of the main climax of the Nimbus sea story. There is other content listed in the Trello also not mentioned here, as I didn’t think they would make the cut or be randomly added whenever (Like Magius puzzle, dark sea archipelagos, etc.).
In conclusion: AO’s developmental team needs all the help that they can get, however they never wish to release a public roadmap considering the disaster of 2024’s failed and neglected roadmap. I wish Vetex and his team well, but they should also be open to more constructive critique, hiring new developers, as well as interacting with the community more.
