Greetings Mercenaries,

We are delighted to reveal that our second major expansion for Wartales, The Skelmar Invasion, is set to release on December 10th.

Ormance, an Edoran county, is a war-torn land designed to immerse you in a struggle for liberation, as you navigate a landscape occupied by the fearsome Skelmars. With its fortified villages, imposing strongholds, and treacherous countryside, Ormance offers a grand stage for you to shape the fate of Edoran itself!

We will showcase some of the new content and features, like the Skelmar faction, the Liberation mechanics and its siege battles! The new crossbowman class is also coming for free and for all Wartales players.

Stay tuned for our upcoming Steam blog posts for more details during the run up to the release day.

Don’t forget to join our Wartales community on Discord, Reddit, as well as follow us on BlueSky, Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with the latest news.

- Shiro Games​

​

Kindred, welcome to another Dev Diary where we hear from the team at The Chinese Room (TCR) and learn about the development of Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2. Tonight, we’re joined by Audio Director Daan Hendriks, who lifts the veil on TCR’s approach to music for this game and introduces the composers behind the key scores for the game.

We are excited to announce that the exceptionally talented Craig Stuart Garfinkle and the internationally renowned Eímear Noone are joining the team for Bloodlines 2 as lead composers. In addition, fans can look forward to the inclusion of music created by the legendary Rik Schaffer, known for his contributions to the first Bloodlines game!

Music Direction
The core of any TCR game always revolves around narrative: the story and its characters. Across all disciplines, our focus is to serve the narrative as well as we can. Music is of course a very powerful tool for this, as it can provide subtext and unspoken meaning in a way that no other artform can.

A key aspect of the music direction has therefore always been to develop strong, memorable themes for the main characters in Bloodlines 2. These themes are interwoven throughout the game, sometimes directly in a scene involving their character and other times indirectly, perhaps when we want to subtly hint about deeper, unrevealed narrative entanglements.

Another important aspect of the musical direction has been to develop a style that fits our game. There are numerous considerations that informed this: the diverse cast of characters you meet, the noir-inspired art style, the motivations of the player character, Phyre, the pace and violence of the combat encounters and of course, the rich musical heritage from the original Bloodlines game, released in 2004.

We looked for the score to invoke a sense of timelessness, a sensation of age and melancholy. We also wanted the music to express a strong sense of contrast, of opposing extremes, and to be a vital part of the game’s narrative, adding depth to the moody, nocturnal atmosphere.

The original Bloodlines had a captivating and immersive feel, as well as a strong musical identity, which of course, served us well as a point of reference and inspiration. So did the music written for Hardsuit Labs’s version of Bloodlines 2 – more on that later. References also came from many other places, such as OST’s from films like Only Lovers Left Alive, Under the Skin, or the Coen brothers’ oeuvre, as well as jazz and choral music such as Gregorian chanting.

Through their extreme versatility and sheer tour-the-force of musical capability, our lead composers Craig Stuart Garfinkle and Eímear Noone have molded all these influences into a stunning and expressive soundtrack that perfectly encapsulates the mood and themes of the story being told in Bloodlines 2. The styles range from distorted guitar feedback, haunting, ambient soundscapes, driving, heaving combat music to strikingly beautiful melodic, wistful and gloomy themes. They have made extensive use of creative processing and unconventional techniques, and the results are outstanding. I can’t wait for you to hear it all in-game, but for now, over to them to tell you more about their process.

...and One More Thing
As many of you may already know, the development journey of Bloodlines 2 has been through significant changes, initially in the hands of Hardsuit Labs (HSL) before transitioning to The Chinese Room (TCR). This shift presented a unique opportunity, as it left us with an extraordinary collection of music crafted by Rik Schaffer, the original composer behind Bloodlines 1. Rik had been contracted by Paradox & HSL to compose for Bloodlines 2, and the result was a rich library of musical pieces that had yet to find their place in the new direction of the project.

Throughout the development process, it became clear that this music was not just a source of inspiration; it had the potential to enhance the game’s atmosphere in a profound way. As Craig and Eímear began to shape the soundscape for TCR's rendition of Bloodlines 2, we actively sought opportunities to weave Rik Schaffer’s compositions into the fabric of the game.

Now, we are thrilled to share that these stunning pieces have been integrated into various segments of the gameplay. Players will experience them during intense combat encounters, poignant narrative moments, and as they explore key locations within the game world. We believe that this addition not only enriches the gaming experience but also beautifully complements the exceptional original score that Eímear and Craig have meticulously crafted. The culmination of these musical elements elevates the overall quality of Bloodlines 2, providing an even deeper and more immersive experience for players.​

Greetings, Pathfinders!

We are happy to announce that together with the latest content update 2.5.0 we are releasing the Game of the Year Edition! We will still be working on fixing bugs and you can expect some quality improvements to the game in the near future, but we have no plans to add any more new content.

Game of the Year Edition includes Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and all expansions. You can now purchase the extended adventure with the click of a single button!

Note that the Visitors from Morta DLC is not included in the Game of the Year Edition, but you can always add it to the game absolutely free of charge. There are no differences between Game of the Year Edition and Enhanced Edition with all of the expansions, and all future updates will be released at the same time for both editions.

If you're ready for the biggest and most epic adventure of your life, get the Game of the Year Edition today! Good luck on your Crusade!​

"Saturn" is a tactical RPG set on Earth and the moons of Saturn.

A mysterious signal from space causes the AI of machines to rebel against their creators across the entire Solar System. Defend Earth from the threat and connect with the robots on Saturn's moons to stop the apocalypse. You only have 3 days to save the world.

Explore the World of the Future
The year is 2062, a new era in space exploration. ARKA from Russia, Huang-Di from China, and BUF from Britain have established research stations throughout the Solar System.

The discovery of a new form of communication—ether threads—has enabled more efficient space exploration using robots and drones. From Earth, operators of the "Reflection" program remotely control machines in real time. Thanks to their work, research stations have been built on the major moons of Saturn, where international expeditions have been working for the past twenty years.

Stop the End of the World
Scanners indicate that a malicious signal is traveling through the ether threads from somewhere in Saturn’s orbit. Only through the "Reflection" program on Earth can the source of the threat be discovered, the mystery of the disaster that has struck humanity unraveled, and the world saved.

Time is running out. There is no escape from the crazed robots, neither on Earth nor in space. A civilization dependent on robots and new technologies faces disaster with significant human casualties unless the catastrophe is averted.

On Earth and Saturn
You are Akim Kovalev, a scientist and one of the top operators of the "Reflection" program. Your life's work was deemed obsolete and shut down two years ago. Stop the catastrophe and prove that both "Reflection" and you still have a place in this world.

Save your colleagues and friends on Earth while gathering information about what's happening. Connect to and control robots on Saturn’s moons through "Reflection" to uncover the mysterious signal that is driving the machines insane.

Experiment and Think Tactically
Time in combat flows only for you. Use it to carefully plan your tactics and strategy. You have a wide array of weapons at your disposal, ranging from melee to powerful laser and electromagnetic cannons. Fight on Earth yourself and through robots on Saturn.

Death is not the end. Failures along the way will return you to the start of the cycle. Use this to try different weapons and combat approaches. As many times as it takes...

Make Important Decisions
Solve emerging problems in different ways. The lives on Earth and the fate of the entire world depend on your choices. Negotiate or take an aggressive approach—the outcome of the game is shaped by your actions.

Restart the cycle, make different decisions, and experience different outcomes. Experiment and find your own way to stop the catastrophe!​

We’re just a few months away from the launch of Obsidian Entertainment’s first-person fantasy RPG, Avowed, and everyone at the studio couldn’t be more thrilled to invite players to experience the mystery and allure of the Living Lands.

Arriving on February 18, 2025, Avowed brings you to a previously unseen region from the unforgettable world of Eora, first introduced in the award-winning Pillars of Eternity. In your role as envoy, alongside your companions, you’ll uncover hidden truths and navigate delicate situations, where every choice shapes the fate of the land and the people living here.

Eager to start your adventure early? Great news—pre-order the Avowed Premium Edition on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows, Battle.net, or Steam, and you’ll get up to five days early access starting on February 13. To explore and try new ways to meet players where they are, Avowed will also be made available for pre-order and purchase on Battle.net, Blizzard’s PC platform.

In addition, players with a Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass membership will be able to play Avowed on Battle.net by linking their Xbox and Battle.net accounts. Whether you’re playing on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, or on day one with Xbox Game Pass, get ready to dive into a world where you play your way.​

November 14th, 2024 — MicroProse, the legendary publisher of simulation and strategy games, is thrilled to announce that Urban Strife, a unique blend of turn-based strategy, post-apocalyptic survival, and RPG, will be launching on Steam in Early Access on December 10th, 2024.

Developed by White Pond Games, Urban Strife combines classic turn-based strategy mechanics with modern survival elements and a thrilling storyline that promises to captivate fans of tactical combat and gritty post-apocalyptic narratives.

Urban Strife invites the player to rebuild and defend a dilapidated shelter in the southern United States, navigating a dangerous world where alliances with factions, strategic combat, and careful resource management are essential for survival. Rescued from a car crash by the kind folk of Urban Shelter, the hero brings them news of a huge zombie horde headed their way from Atlanta. To survive, one must organize the militia, secure essential resources, and rebuild the base at any cost. Along the way, you’ll get to fight ruthless warlords, recruit new friends, and bring back humanity from the brink of disaster.

The game’s Early Access release will include:

• Immersive Survival and RPG Mechanics: Scavenge, craft, and negotiate with local factions to sustain your shelter’s hunger, health, and morale, whilst managing your team’s wounds, training, and equipment.
• Classic Turn-Based Combat with a Twist: A classic Action Points system combined with a unique dynamic zombie horde movement for streamlined, challenging battles.
• Faction-Based Storyline: Navigate alliances and conflicts with three major factions: the Army rebels, a zombie-worshiping cult, and a violent biker gang.
• Real Ballistics and Combat Physics: Each weapon class—handguns, shotguns, rifles, and more— comes with simulated ballistics and offers distinct advantages and drawbacks, making the choice of hardware a strategic decision.

Players can look forward to a variety of new features, community-driven updates, and continuous content improvements in Urban Strife’s Early Access period, building on player feedback to refine and expand the game’s mechanics and storylines.​

[Austin, Texas – November 11, 2024] - The Adventurers, the turn-based tactical fantasy RPG set in a rich high-fantasy world inspired by classic tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons, is out now in Early Access on PC via Steam. Starting today, recruit new party members, defend villagers and villages, battle mythical creatures, uncover conspiracies, and more as you strive to seal your name into the legends of the land.

In The Adventurers, the high-fantasy world around you holds surprises at every turn as you explore perilous roads, ancient ruins, and dense forests. With a robust character creator, it’s easy to create the ideal party using your own unique style, and you can bolster your crew by picking up recruits from local taverns. Grow your party of adventurers and utilize their distinct classes and powerful skills to survive battles and help those in need.

Creating your party is just the start, though. You’ll need to manage morale, stamina, and health by resting at inns and purchasing drinks between intense tactical turn-based battles that test your mettle and your ability to strategize around each of your team members’ talents and attributes. With a potent combo of power and synergy, your party might just save the realm from evil lurking in the shadows of conspiracy.

Key Features:

• Turn-Based Tactical Combat: Use the full arsenal of unique abilities, spells, and skills of your adventuring party as you skillfully strategize to ensure a winning formula.
• Dynamic, Ever-Changing World: Your journey through the high fantasy land of The Adventurers brings with it random events that shape the narrative of your party that ensure unique tales for every player.
• Fully Customizable Party: With the robust character creator, you can create your ideal party to match your own unique style. Pick up recruits from the local tavern to bolster your party when you have the money to afford them.
• Commission Powerful Items: Acquire powerful items, weapons, and equipment to withstand and turn the tides of the toughest battles and help the towns stay safe from merchant attacks.

The Adventurers is available now in Early Access on PC via Steam for $12.99, with a 25% launch discount. To stay up to date on the game, please follow the official YouTube channel and the Steam Community page.​

Greetings and salutations, friends and dear backers!

Today, we are very excited to share our final update before Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy is released into Early Access.

This long-awaited milestone is scheduled for December 12, 2024, when the game will finally arrive on both Steam and GOG.

There is still a lot of work to be done before we achieve the desired build quality, and everything is continually being tweaked, updated, and bug-fixed to provide the best experience possible. Here are some of the features we are currently working on.

First of all, let's discuss the stealth mechanics. As you know from the demo, we aimed to make stealth a more active and influential system than in our previous games. Now, stealth includes the ability to see enemies' detection zones and features a covert strike mechanic that allows you to land the first blow in combat for double damage.

We've added many more diverse special encounters to the world map, including additional battles, hunting and foraging options, and text-based adventures. They not only serve as a distraction from your main goals in the game but also provide special items, experience, and loot.

New locations are also in the works. We have added an extra layer of polish to the background-specific dungeons and improved those that every player will encounter.

We have also introduced new mini-bosses and enhanced the existing enemies with new skill sets and animations to provide a better overall combat experience.

Ironing out kinks is as important as introducing new content, so we've improved several features of character creation. We also added new combat and mundane animations, weapons, armour, crafting recipes, and much more.

Backer-exclusive content is also being finalised, so prepare to use your special codes to unlock whatever special items that come with your reward!

See you on the 12th of December 2024!​

"Dawn of the Ashen Queen" is a classic grid-based, first-person dungeon crawler reminiscent of 90s RPG games. Set out with your party to reveal the legacy of a millennia-old curse in a narrative-rich experience. Explore the colorful world of Eshavon, unearth its many secrets and fight dangerous foes sent out to stop you on your mission.

Explore your Fate

Three years have passed since Eshavon was devastated during the Grand War. A shaky truce has been concluded between the Darok tribes from the north and the Imperial Kingdom south of the Blistering Mountains. As an Emissary of the Grand Marshal, you are spreading his will, tasked with overseeing the reconstruction.

But as you visit one of the border towns, a surprise attack devastates the city and cuts you off from the rest of the empire. Together with a band of unlikely allies coming to your aid, it is now upon you to avert the danger to the empire and uncover a plot that threatens not just your earthly kingdom but the very existence of the entire continent itself.

Key Features

• In-depth RPG character creation with multiple races, classes and traits, a point-based ability system and several class-based skill trees.
• 3 NPCs join your party throughout the game, all with their own personality.
• Fleshed-out narrative driven gameplay with text-based cutscenes, dialogues and party banter bringing life to the world and let you experience an immersive story with twists and turns.
• Plenty of secrets wait for you to get discovered: secret doors, illusionary walls and puzzles to test your wits. But beware of devious traps, which lure careless explorers into their death.
• Real-time based combat where you fight your foes with a wide array of sharp weapons, powerful spells and cunning abilities.
• Explore the diverse world of Eshavon: Travel through lush forests, deep dark caverns, blistering ice mountains, mysterious crypts, fog-covered woods, ancient halls of a long-forgotten race and plenty of other colorful environments.

Welcome, Kindred, to our latest Bloodlines 2 Dev Diary from the team at The Chinese Room.

Tonight’s diary is about the different outfits you can collect and wear. A vampire’s clothing is an important tool in their hunting arsenal: do you wish to blend in unnoticed, lure your victims with your beauty, or intimidate others into submission? What you wear sets a first impression so choose your dinner attire wisely.

- Project Creative Director Alex Skidmore

Unlocking and Equipping Outfits

As you play through the game, you’ll gain access to a wide variety of outfits. These outfits not only allow you to set the fantasy you might want to play as but also have an effect on the inhabitants of Seattle.

One of the goals we had for outfits was to really lean into and reflect each clan’s style and personality while also offering lots of dress-up options; after all fashion is king!

With that in mind, we decided to unlock the outfits based on what abilities you have gained access to. Because it's possible to play as Brujah but still gain access to Ventrue abilities, you can unlock and wear all the outfits in the game simply by playing, but you will naturally unlock the outfits for your chosen clan earlier.

Honestly, some of the outfits are so cool that I sometimes choose the order in which I unlock abilities based on the outfits I’ll gain from the unlock. I’m partial to some of the streetwear of the Banu Haqim (who doesn’t love a good hoodie). But with a wide range of options to unlock, I’m confident there’s plenty of fashion to suit everyone's tastes.

- Lead Game Designer Gavin Hood

Fashion Matters in chatter, too!

Prey can be scared off by sudden movements, loud noises, or things that don’t seem quite right… So, for Phyre, if they want to feed on the right Blood Resonance, they need to keep that in mind. Just knowing that the angry sex worker nearby is full of choleric blood and ready for a fight is just step one. Step two is making sure that you’re wearing something that will push them over the edge and really make that blood boil. Dressing and acting like a wealthy John could get them talking, but if you approach looking like someone who likes it rough? That might scare them right out of their angry mood, and then all that delicious choleric potential goes away.

Many people in Seattle judge a book by its cover, but a Kindred knows that it's what you have inside that counts. You know. The blood.

- Senior Narrative Designer Arone LeBray​

We know many of you have been eagerly awaiting this day. Whether you became fans of our first game, Lost Eidolons, demoed the game at some live events like Gamescom or PAX, or just recently discovered us during last month’s Steam Next Fest, your support has brought us to this exciting moment: the Early Access launch of Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch!

Our team of nine developers are die-hard fans of turn-based strategy games and consider it an honor and a privilege to be able to expand the Lost Eidolons franchise. This time, we’ve built on the foundation of a turn-based tactical RPG and added a roguelite twist to keep gameplay fresh and engaging!

Through closed betas and multiple demos, we’ve gathered valuable feedback from you, our community, which have guided us in refining the game. We recently shared a dev log looking back on our journey to Early Access, which you can read up on here. But this is just the beginning of our Early Access journey. Join us in polishing the game by playing and providing more feedback. Let’s make Veil of the Witch the best it can be, together!

Did you know that many player feedback and ideas we received for the original Lost Eidolons were incorporated into Veil of the Witch, as well as the beta and demo feedback?
To show you how seriously we take your input, we’re starting a new blog series to go over all the major changes made (or are being made) to Veil of the Witch based on your suggestions. Stay tuned!

Our Early Access game is priced at $19.99, with a special 20% launch discount running now until November 18th! Don’t miss the chance to grab Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch at this discounted price!

Here’s some of the content that we are sharing for Early Access:

• Complete game from Act 1 to Act 3 with all 3 boss fights
• Fully unlockable Altar of Fire system
  • 3 tiers of Altars, each with 7 levels of blessings (persistent stat boost)
  • 3 types of blessings (Judgemental, Miraculous, Guardian)
• 33 battle scenarios including the prologue
• 207 skills across all characters
• Multi-language support:
  • English, Korean, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (simplified), Spanish (Spain)
• And more!

You can see the full content list from the patch notes here. We also plan to share the plans we have for the future in a roadmap soon, so keep an eye out for that as well!
But we can tell you right now that more bosses and voice acting is in the plans!
We hope that you’ll continue to support our studio and team as we journey through Early Access! Please feel free to share your feedback, suggestions, and concerns with us through the Steam Discussion Boards or our Discord channel. We look forward to developing this game with our community.​

​

​