Just as the title says, their name (I guess) type sounds familiar, but I haven’t been able to wrap my finger around it and was wondering if anyone knew the origins or if one of the DEVs could shed some light on it. 

Also I’m super curious to know more about how they were created, like the process for their visuals, lore, gameplay mechanics (traits for example), and the overall inspiration behind them. 

They've been around since Early Alpha, hidden in artwork around the game, but it's only now that they've finally been fleshed out as a race.

I must say that I do enjoy their backstory... how they went from a hopeful, young, spacefairing race to a bunch of refugees squatting on a desert world, where they had to learn how to survive in the harsh climate.

Their faction quest is also kind of sad. They're desperate to find out if there is anything left of their homeworld out there. 

StoryEngine wrote:

Hey, thanks for the question. Nice avatar btw!

We have a range of processes for creating the minor factions. In this case, the inspiration (for me, as senior writer) came from the artwork, as that was created first. Definitely makes things easier! Also, when I was thinking up a name and backstory, I knew it had to fit with the minor's characteristics--scavengers and ecologists--as well.

I honestly can't say exactly where the "Kal'Tik'Ma"  name came from, but my process for coming up with faction names very much focuses on the sound and feeling that the names evoke rather than any more prescriptive, logical approach. I always like to make sure we have a range of styles of names in the universe, and in this case I was probably channelling some old SF novels that feature aliens with lots of apostrophes in their species name.

As to the backstory, I just tried to imagine how these dinosaur-riding scavengers might've come about--and there was probably a news item about Elon Musk wanting to colonize Mars that day!

Haha, thanks for responding so quickly ! 

That’s really interesting, the way names are made to evoke sound/feeling over a prescriptive aproach, and that you may have used older SF novels, which may explain why the name ‘type’ sounded so familiar. 

When looking online I couldn’t find any similar to all three words, Kal’Tik’Ma, and I kinda like that since it’s very unique and original. 

Overall one of my favorite factions I’ve ever seen in one of your guys games, jyst the desert, (truly) scavenger approach and their quite tragic backstory is amazing. Along with the visuals, even though they’re humanoid they feel just as, if not more ‘alien’ than factions like the Unfallen 

StoryEngine wrote:

Hey, thanks for the question. Nice avatar btw!

We have a range of processes for creating the minor factions. In this case, the inspiration (for me, as senior writer) came from the artwork, as that was created first. Definitely makes things easier! Also, when I was thinking up a name and backstory, I knew it had to fit with the minor's characteristics--scavengers and ecologists--as well.

I honestly can't say exactly where the "Kal'Tik'Ma"  name came from, but my process for coming up with faction names very much focuses on the sound and feeling that the names evoke rather than any more prescriptive, logical approach. I always like to make sure we have a range of styles of names in the universe, and in this case I was probably channelling some old SF novels that feature aliens with lots of apostrophes in their species name.

As to the backstory, I just tried to imagine how these dinosaur-riding scavengers might've come about--and there was probably a news item about Elon Musk wanting to colonize Mars that day!

I have to say, I love the little flavour details the new minor factions have. That kind of attention to details and the interesting new quest really help with immersion.

Tidbits about their past, homeworlds, culture, etc really sold the DLCs for me.

What would make it even better is if some of the unique planets in game would get quest chains relating to minor factions... that would be a cool idea to explore.