New “Kivu” map, battles for up to 128 players, and troop transport vehicles are coming to the game

Gaijin Entertainment announces that the third stage of closed beta testing for infantry battles in the military online action game War Thunder will begin in July. Participants will be able to try out the new “Kivu” location, designed for large-scale battles with up to 128 players simultaneously.

The new map is four times larger than previous infantry locations and is inspired by the landscapes of Central Africa. It is built around battles for five capture points. During this testing phase, players will encounter a wide range of modern military hardware, including M1A2 SEP V2 and T-90M main battle tanks, AH-64A and Mi-28N helicopters, 2S6 and LAV-AD air defense systems, as well as modern small arms used by the USA and Russia.

To support large-scale engagements on “Kivu,” new gameplay rules for bigger maps are being tested. Players will be able to respawn not only at their base but also at capture points already secured by their team, making movement across the vast battlefield more dynamic. War Thunder will also introduce its first troop transport vehicles — light cars capable of carrying up to five soldiers at once — allowing faster deployment to key objectives. In addition, new UAV control range settings have been added for large-scale battles.

Arcade Battles will return to infantry combat during this third testing phase. The marker display logic has been reworked: markers are now shown only when a player has a direct line of sight to an enemy model, and they disappear when the target is obscured by smoke, explosions, trees, other obstacles, or is at extreme distance. This change improves readability in Arcade mode while preserving the importance of cover and concealment. Movement speed has also been adjusted — heavily equipped soldiers move faster than in Realistic Battles, making the mode more dynamic.

Significant changes have also been made to soldier classes. Weapon presets have been revised, and specialized equipment such as RPGs, MANPADS, and drones is no longer available to every soldier. As a result, players will need to choose more carefully between the four available classes and tailor their loadouts to the situation on the battlefield.

Players who have not yet joined the test can apply for access on the official War Thunder website.

About Gaijin Entertainment
Gaijin Entertainment is the developer and publisher of the online games War Thunder, Crossout, Enlisted, CRSED: F.O.A.D. and Star Conflict as well as other PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, iOS and Android titles across several genres. The company’s diverse portfolio has received a range of mass media and game industry awards including such as Gamescom Award and many more. Official website: http://gaijinent.com/

About War Thunder
War Thunder is a free-to-play, cross-platform, massively multiplayer military masterpiece with millions of fans worldwide, that allows players on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Mac and Linux to fight their way across air, land, and sea in the same battlefield. War Thunder offers 2000+ playable aircraft, armored vehicles and ships from the 1900s to the 2010s. The US, Russian, British, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Swedish, Israeli, South African and French military vehicles represented in game are carefully researched, historically accurate recreations of their real world counterparts. Fans can expect hundreds more added as Gaijin Entertainment commits to ongoing development via regular updates. Official website: http://warthunder.com

Developers Showcase Four Factions in New Battlefield Report Videos

10 July 2026: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV developer KING Art Games has provided a fresh look at the strategy game’s multiplayer mode with two Battlefield Report videos featuring the game’s four distinct factions. Across both matches, players can see how each faction offers a fundamentally different strategic approach, changing not just which units you command, but how you approach every battle.

Creative Director Jan Theysen and Senior Game Designer Elliott Verbiest face off in two 1v1 multiplayer matches, highlighting the unique identities of Dawn of War IV‘s factions.

This week’s Battlefield Report pits the Adeptus Mechanicus against the Necrons, spotlighting two radically different approaches to victory. The Adeptus Mechanicus expand their powerful Noosphere Network, strengthen key positions with superior technology, and excel at building devastating defensive firing lines. In contrast, the relentless Necrons methodically advance their Power Matrix across the battlefield, shrug off losses through resurrection, and overwhelm opponents with unwavering pressure. 

Watch Dawn of War IV Battlefield Report – Adeptus Mechanicus vs Necrons:

Last week’s Battlefield Report introduced the elite, adaptable Space Marines against the momentum-driven Orks. This week’s shifts to the defensive, technology-focused Adeptus Mechanicus versus the relentless Necrons, continuing the display of Dawn of War IV‘s four distinct multiplayer factions.

Watch Dawn of War IV Battlefield Report – Space Marines vs Orks:

From resilient defensive networks to unstoppable mechanical legions, every faction in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV offers a distinct path to victory.

Can the Adeptus Mechanicus withstand the unyielding advance of the ancient Necrons? Watch the latest Battlefield Report on YouTube now.

At last, back to war!

The war will continue long after launch

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV launches on September 17, 2026 (September 18, 2026 AEST), with Commander Edition players deploying from September 14 through a 3-Day Early Unlock. Both editions are available to pre-order now with a 10% discount.

The war will continue long after launch. Year One includes free updates featuring the return of Crusade Mode, new maps, modes, Commanders, and the Mission Editor, alongside two major story expansions that will deepen the conflict on Kronus and introduce a new playable faction to the battlefield.

About Dawn of War IV 

Dawn of War IV delivers an unforgettable sci-fi RTS experience set within a faithful recreation of the beloved Warhammer 40,000 universe. Take charge of four factions in an epic story that spans multiple non-linear campaigns, clash with other players in tense multiplayer combat, and enjoy fan-favorite modes including Last Stand, Skirmish and more! 

Visit dawnofwar4.com for more details.  

About KING Art Games    

KING Art is an independent game developer, celebrating 25 years of experience in creating high-quality games for all major platforms. More than 100 employees across several teams are located at the offices in Bremen, Germany and work with about as many freelancers around the globe. Founded in 2000, KING Art has since released more than 50 titles in different genres, with a focus on narrative games, RPGs and strategy games. The company and its games have received multiple prestigious awards, including Best Strategy Game and Best Development Studio, multiple German “Games of the Year” and “Studio of the Year” awards. 
 
KING Art is a licensed developer for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo platforms and member of Verband der deutschen Games-Branche (GAME). 

About PLAION   

PLAION is a dynamic and diversified business in the global entertainment sector, masterfully crafting franchises that captivate audiences worldwide. Boasting a vast network of eight game development studios, fifteen regional publishing offices, three game publishing labels including Deep Silver, and PLAION PICTURES as an independent film publisher and distributor, the company extends its influence with merchandise production and expansive distribution capabilities across the globe. Founded three decades ago, PLAION has firmly established itself within the entertainment arena. With a diverse range of services and solutions, PLAION stands as the premier publishing partner for console and PC games across both physical and digital channels. Moreover, its strong foothold in the Virtual Reality (VR) domain highlights the company’s commitment to varied gaming experiences. PLAION is an Embracer Group company.  

About Deep Silver   

Deep Silver is PLAION’s flagship publishing label, and the home of captivating gaming worlds from the gripping post-apocalypse of Metro, to the twisted paradises of Dead Island to the authentic Medieval landscapes of Kingdom Come Deliverance. For more information, please visit www.deepsilver.com  

About Games Workshop® 

Games Workshop® Group PLC (LSE:GAW.L), based in Nottingham, UK, produces the best fantasy miniatures in the world. Games Workshop designs, manufactures, retails, and distributes its range of Warhammer®: Age of Sigmar® and Warhammer® 40,000® games, miniatures, novels, and model kits through more than 570 of its own stores (branded Games Workshop® or Warhammer®), the www.warhammer.com web store and independent retail channels in more than 50 countries worldwide. More information about Games Workshop and its other, related, brands and product ranges (including our publishing division ‘Black Library’ and our special resin miniatures studio ‘Forge World’) can be found at www.warhammer.com.

Sun-Sworn Lumina Joins Umbra in the First Major Content Drop for the New Sky-Based Adventure as Survivors Play Free This Weekend and Save 75% on the Base Game 

SEATTLE, WA – July 9, 2026 – Studio Wildcard today launched the first content update for ARK: Dragontopia, an all-new dragon-focused adventure for ARK: Survival Ascended, with the arrival of Lumina, a radiant celestial dragon and sun-sworn counterpart to the shadow-forged Umbra. Today’s arrival of Lumina expands the growing dragon ecosystem, with additional included content drops coming in October and December, culminating in a boundless, map-wide skyworld. 
ARK: Dragontopia is available to download now on PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S and Steam PC.

And for gamers who have yet experienced ARK: Survival Ascended, there has never been a better time to jump in as beginning today, the game is free to play on Steam through Monday, July 14 at 10am pt, with the base game and most DLCs available for up to 75% off on Steam and Xbox.. 

When united in battle with her shadowedkin, their celestial synergy ignites, forging an unstoppable alliance of speed, armor, and destruction

Current ARK: Dragontopia content includes:

• Added Today! Lumina, Umbra’s sun-sworn counterpart, takes flight to restore celestial balance. Scatter brilliant celestial traps to punish pursuers, or bend light itself to vanish in a flash and outmaneuver any threat. When pushed to the brink, Lumina erupts into her ultimate sun-flare state – stripping away technological defenses and rising as a blazing sovereign of the clouds.
• Eclipsar Umbra, the legendary obsidian terror born to claim the night sky. Bound to your will through the mythic Dragon Horn, this shadow-forged executioner strikes with terrifying, unpredictable speed. Rain precision plasma from the cover of darkness, or slip through the void itself to ambush unsuspecting prey. 
• Dragon Skill Tree unlocks a brand-new progression path that lets you forge a deeper bond with your dragons. Push the limits of their gravity-defying acrobatics, amplify their shadow-forged plasma attacks, or tailor their defensive auras, as you shape the ultimate apex predator around your exact playstyle. 
• Drake Claw Grappler: Wield this essential new tool for high-altitude traversal and midair dragon mounting.
• Draconic Armor: Equip this cosmetic set and look every inch the legendary dragonrider. 
• Dragon Life: Many more dragons will be launching in the weeks and months ahead as part of this phased expansion, culminating in a massive skyworld map in December.

ARK: Dragontopia ($29.99) is an all-new premium expansion pass introducing Survivors to a vast aerial ecosystem where dragons rule the skies. To survive this new high-altitude frontier, you’ll need to grow through the Dragon Skill Trees, a new progression system built around strengthening your bond with these mythical beasts. Craft highly specialized gear and wield potent tools, and expand your base with a draconic tileset, incubator backpacks, and mysterious potion stations. 

The definitive survival experience returns better than ever with ARK: Survival Ascended! Create a Survivor, form a tribe, and then tame, train, breed & ride dinosaurs within a living ecosystem. ASA is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Epic Games Store and Steam.

For the latest updates, join the ARK Survivor’s conversation on Discord, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, visit our website at playark.com and watch us tame ‘n train leviathan dinosaurs on Twitch.TV.

ABOUT STUDIO WILDCARD
Since revealing its flagship game ARK: Survival Evolved in 2015, Studio Wildcard has tirelessly strived to bring its dinosaur-filled vision to the masses. With millions of players worldwide, the team has delivered an amazing amount of new content and leveraged cutting-edge technology to keep fans engaged. With a transmedia universe, the ARK story can be discovered on all gaming platforms, within spin-off titles, and now as a new epic narrative featuring a star-studded cast in ARK: The Animated Series on Paramount+. www.studiowildcard.com

Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe today announced the launch of Echoes of Aincrad, a brand-new Action JRPG set in the world of SWORD ART ONLINE, available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam®.

As their own character jumping into “SWORD ART ONLINE”, the first VRMMORPG in the world, players will discover this game isn’t one when they find out that every logged in user is now stuck in the game with no apparent exit. Trapped in this dangerous video game where virtual death means death in the real world, players have to face the challenges of the stunning floating castle of Aincrad. While many prefer to hide, or start to turn on each other, the storyline follows the players’ character as they step in to free everyone, exploring breathtaking sceneries through quests and missions, overcoming epic fights against powerful enemies to escape these deadly virtual dungeons.

In Echoes of Aincrad, players can create their own character with a wide variety of options and truly be the hero of their own story. Customisation also continues as they level up and master their skills, managing their character attributes to build their own playstyle and become the ultimate hero of Aincrad. When survival is on the line, venturing alone could mean death at any moment, but players will be able to rely on a partner for their outings, with each of them boasting a different skill to support the player’s approach. Combat receives an added layer of strategy thanks to the switch mode, which allows their ally to step up and cover for the player or fight on their own terms, taking on their own enemies. Finally, in classic RPG fashion, players will have to learn the ropes, dodging, parrying and timing their actions perfectly to gain advantage and defeat those standing on their way to freedom.

Echoes of Aincrad is available today on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series XIS, and PC via Steam®.  

For more information about Echoes of Aincrad and other titles from Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe please visit: https://www.bandainamcoent.eu.

About Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe S.A.S.  

Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is a leading global publisher, developer, and distributor of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC.

Producing intellectual property for a global audience, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™, and production capabilities of Reflector Entertainment.

Based in Lyon, France, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is known for bringing many of the entertainment industry’s top franchises such as PAC-MAN™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, ACE COMBAT™, DARK SOULS™, and ELDEN RING™ to EMEA and ANZ markets.

For more information, please visit www.bandainamcoent.eu 

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
©2020 REKI KAWAHARA/KADOKAWA CORPORATION/SAO-P Project
©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.

Get a first glimpse at the nightmares lurking with Angel in this POSTAL franchise spinoff

Running With Scissors, developer of the infamous POSTAL series played by millions, today unleashes a new trailer for Flesh & Wire, a dark and violent return to POSTAL’soriginal theme and setting

Feast your eyes on this first look at the antiheroine’s feline companion and otherworldly creatures lurking in a nightmare world brimming with secrets. Watch The New Trailer below.

Meet Angel, a normal college student with her whole life ahead of her, and Solomon, her loyal sphynx cat. In a sudden muzzle flash of horrific violence, the two find themselves swept up in a waking nightmare of blood, conspiracy, and retribution.  Pursue all-consuming vengeance as the duo seeks answers, no matter the cost. Go on a bloody tear, crossing paths with law enforcement, the National Guard, and a sinister cult that will stop at nothing to prevent Angel from finding the truth – and how it all connects to franchise protagonist the Postal Dude.

Getting revenge on the Postal Dude won’t be easy. Beyond the armies standing in her way, Angel has to deal with her own darkness – inner demons born out of an act of wanton carnage that upended her life.  Press forward through real-world enemies and into the Dreamscape, where locations like the Megachurch turn into a new world shaped by fear and rage. Within the Megachurch’s Dreamscape location known as Deception, ungodly bosses like the Heavy lie dormant, festering with anguish and terror.

“Angel is the first time we’ve introduced a new protagonist to the POSTAL series, and she’s already resonating with both new and long-time fans,” said Vince Desi, founder of Running With Scissors. “Her story taps into the darkness that characterized the first game in the series, and today’s new trailer gives our community a first look at Angel’s feline companion, and the atrocities awaiting
in Dreamscape.”

Flesh & Wire will be launching on PC via Steam, GOG, and PlayStation 5 in 2027. For more on Running With Scissors and the POSTAL universe, check out the official website, and follow Running With Scissors on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Discord.

About Running With Scissors

Founded in 1996 and still defiantly independent in Tucson, Arizona, Running With Scissors makes the games your mom warned you about. Best known for the long-running POSTAL series—an unapologetic blend of dark satire, slapstick ultraviolence, and free-speech mischief—RWS has steered the franchise through bans, cult fandom, a Hollywood adaptation, and more than two decades of community-driven mayhem. With a mantra of “pure, politically incorrect entertainment,” the studio continues to self-publish on PC and consoles, stream weekly dev shows, and license fresh spins on the POSTAL Universe. 

LOS ANGELES – JULY 9, 2026 – Netmarble, a renowned developer and publisher of high-quality games, has announced a new update for its AFK RPG THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK, featuring Aqua Splash style Mai Shiranui and limited-time events.

Starting today, players can obtain Aqua Splash style Mai Shiranui, a Legendary seasonal fighter available during the Summer Festival. A female ninja and successor of the Shiranui style of ninja arts, Mai captivates opponents with her graceful movements, fascinating attire, and signature large fans. Her Aqua Splash style brings a refreshing summer look to the battlefield while retaining her elegant and powerful combat style, featuring [Rush] synergy.

To celebrate her arrival in this seasonal style, the Aqua Splash Style Mai’s Arrival event will be available from July 9 to July 22. The [Rush] Synergy Pick-Up event will take place during the same period that increases the chance for players to obtain Fighters with the [Rush] synergy.

The new Kensou’s Dumpling Delivery mini-game will also be added from July 20 to July 28. In this swing-action mini-game, players help Kensou deliver dumplings while riding across ropes. Players can participate daily to earn daily rewards throughout the event period.

Additional limited-time events will also be available. The Lucky Elpy event will run from July 13 to July 17 that offers players the opportunity to obtain the Legendary Supporter Lenny Creston. From July 16 to July 29, players can also take part in the Splash Splash Vacation event, featuring the addition of new Legendary pets Umine and Belly Bear. Additionally, the Hot Summer! Check-In event, running from July 16 through August 19, will grant valuable rewards such as Origin, DNA Selection Box, and  Arrival Pick-Up Legendary Fighter Selection Ticket, for logging into the game during the event period.

THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK is based on SNK’s “THE KING OF FIGHTERS” IP. The game features iconic fighters from “THE KING OF FIGHTERS” series reimagined in pixel art graphics that gamers are familiar with from THE KING OF FIGHTERS R-2 on NEOGEO POCKET COLOR, allowing players to build their own team of favorite Fighters and enjoy dynamic combats. Players can strategically create their decks by combining at least 5 and up to 25 different Fighters and formations.

For the latest news and information on THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK, visit the official website.

“THE KING OF FIGHTERS” is an iconic fighting game series that led the fighting game craze in the 1990s, with over 15 titles released to date. THE KING OF FIGHTERS and its Fighters have been receiving strong support among fans around the globe for decades as the series’ systems and stories have evolved over time. 

About Netmarble Corporation

Founded in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading global game developer and publisher. Through acclaimed franchises and strategic partnerships with top-tier IP holders, the company delivers innovative and engaging gaming experiences to audiences worldwide. As a parent company of Kabam, SpinX Games, Jam City, and a major shareholder of HYBE and NCSOFT, Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Solo Leveling:ARISE, Seven Knights Re:BIRTH, RAVEN2, MARVEL Future Fight, and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com.

ⓒ SNK CORPORATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ⓒ Netmarble Corp. & Netmarble Neo Inc. 2024 All Rights Reserved. 

The hit real-time strategy game’s powerful third faction is playable during TactiCon with a brand-new demo – “The Veti’s Wrath” expansion will launch later this year featuring a surge of new content for single-player and multiplayer

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – July 9, 2026 – Tempest Rising, the acclaimed best-selling real-time strategy game from Saber Interactive’s 3D Realms publishing label, Knights Peak, and developer Slipgate Ironworks, has released a new demo today on Steam for TactiCon featuring the first two missions from the new full-fledged single-player campaign for the game’s upcoming third playable faction: the Veti. Experience the next chapter in Tempest Rising‘s ongoing story in command of a unique force designed around subjugating and sacrificing its fallen enemies to power its conquest.

With Tempest Rising‘s new TactiCon demo, players can experience the first two missions from the enigmatic Veti’s upcoming story campaign, as well as the first two missions from the previous Global Defense Force and Tempest Dynasty campaigns. Players can also get a taste of the Veti faction on the battlefield in skirmish mode and custom multiplayer games.

The complete Veti faction, including a dedicated 11-mission single-player campaign and full integration in multiplayer, skirmish mode and custom games, will arrive later this year in “The Veti’s Wrath” expansion. Players will be able to experience the final chapter of the Tempest Rising saga, as the ancient and brutal Veti battle to reunite their technologically superior forces, turn the tide against humanity, and reclaim their place in a world they once ruled.

Nominated for Best Sim/Strategy title at The Game Awards, Tempest Rising transports you to a battle-scarred 1997 in an alternate timeline where the Cuban Missile Crisis went nuclear. From epic single-player campaigns to ranked multiplayer and skirmish mode, you’ll experience fast, hard-hitting gameplay with classic RTS base building and unique asymmetrical factions. Take command of the battlefield, lead your armies in all-out warfare, and execute bold strategies to emerge victorious.

For more Tempest Rising, visit https://tempestrising.com, and follow the latest news and updates on X/Twitter and Discord.

About Saber Interactive

Saber Interactive is a worldwide publisher and developer consisting of 15 studios in the Americas and Europe. Creating games for all major platforms based on original and licensed IPs, Saber’s titles include Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, Jurassic Park: Survival, Turok: Origins, Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, World War Z, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead, Bus Bound, Docked, SnowRunner, Expeditions: A MudRunner Game and RoadCraft. Founded in 2001, Saber is known for two decades of development partnerships with leading developers and publishers, including producing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for Nintendo Switch, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Crysis Remastered, and many others. Learn more at https://saber.games.

About 3D Realms

Redefining AAA – Action, Attitude, Adrenaline, 3D Realms has rocked the world for almost 30 years by publishing unforgettable, iconic games like Duke Nukem, Terminal Velocity, Shadow Warrior, Death Rally, Max Payne, and more recently, Ghostrunner, Ion Fury, Tempest Rising, CULTIC and RIPOUT.

Led by industry veterans, 3D Realms is a proud member of Saber Interactive, with a mission of publishing games for grownups. Unapologetic and uncompromising, we’re not afraid of being who we are and being damn good at it – for everyone’s benefit. For more information, visit 3drealms.com.

About Knights Peak Interactive

Knights Peak Interactive, a division of MY.GAMES, is a game publisher partnering with diverse developers worldwide. Committed to equality, it supports both emerging and established studios in reaching new heights in global markets and brand development. Knights Peak views games as portals to immersive stories, offering players a multitude of adventures in a welcoming environment. For details, visit: https://www.knightspeak.com.

About Slipgate Ironworks™

Industry veterans with two decades’ worth of indie and AAA experience, Slipgate Ironworks™ has contributed to popular titles, including Ion Fury, Ghostrunner, Phantom Fury, and most recently, Tempest Rising. Proudly old-school, the team all shares the same vision: “Crafting Intense Gaming Experiences: Bold, Thrilling, Unmatched!”

For more information on Slipgate Ironworks™, please visit the official company website.

Toronto, Canada – July 9, 2026- In an age of sprawling empires, City States: Medieval bets on the underdog: a lone merchant city fighting to survive and profit between powers far larger than itself. The hybrid strategy game will leave Early Access and launch its full 1.0 version on July 24, 2026. Developed by Reverie World Studios and published by indie.io, it casts players as the leader of a merchant republic navigating the turbulent 12th century across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, on Steam and the indie.io Store.

Players assume the role of a leader guiding a merchant republic rising from the currents of history. Spanning from Tripoli and Granada to Novgorod and Genoa, the game focuses on establishing a trade empire while defending against powerful neighboring kingdoms. The objective is to shape the history of one such city-state, bringing it to glory or watching it disappear into obscurity.

Distinct from traditional grand strategy, the title emphasizes surviving between larger powers as an individual city-state rather than building continent-spanning empires. New hero mechanics require fresh strategic approaches for both newcomers and veterans within the dynamic 12th-century setting featuring unpredictable challenges.

Across six major updates, Reverie World Studios worked alongside its community to sharpen the strategic core during Early Access, and the 1.0 release brings that work together.

Key features include:

• Build a Mighty City: Grow through economy, military, faith, trade and building chains, and defend your wealth with fortifications and an all-new siege system featuring real-time tactical combat.
• Command Through Heroes: Historic leaders grant full control of your city and armies. In their absence, you govern with limited orders, turning a hero’s location into a constant strategic calculation.
• Chart Trade Routes: Establish outposts across the known world to trade twelve commodities, backed by a refined trade-balancing economy and a Global Market for emergency deals.
• Shaped in Early Access: Six community-driven updates added systems like Lord’s Armies, Academy-gated research limits and city-happiness productivity, plus a fully reworked tutorial, overhauled trade and resource interfaces and major performance gains.
• A Single-Player Campaign: Play solo with adjustable difficulty, accessibility options and support for five languages including English, French, Italian, German and Spanish.

One city, a world of larger powers, and a single question of whether it can outlast them. City States: Medieval leaves Early Access and reaches 1.0 on July 24, 2026, priced at $19.99 USD with a 20% discount on Steam and the  indie.io store.

RipRed’s pen-and-ink tactical RPG, where choose-your-own-adventure nostalgia meets deeply strategic roguelike combat, arrives on Steam this July

COLOMBIA — July 9, 2026 — Mark the date on your ruled notebook paper: Graphite, the stylized roguelike RPG from developer RipRed, is set to launch on Steam on July 27, 2026, published by indie.io. A free playable demo covering the game’s full first act is available now, giving players an early look at the pen-and-ink world and timeline-based combat that await.

Graphite lives inside a kid’s school notebook, drawn into existence one late-night sketch at a time. The world is ruled by paper and household junk, where everyday objects are repurposed by imagination into items. The heroes are beautifully crafted pen-and-ink characters who embark on quests, forge alliances, face prophecies, and take every bit of it completely seriously. The monsters they face are drawn with the same care and conviction, every one of them wholly unaware they are figments of a child’s mind. That dramatic irony is Graphite‘s beating heart: a world of genuine craft and consequence, held inside something as humble as a spiral-bound notebook.

For anyone who dog-eared a choose-your-own-adventure book, rolled dice for a homemade tabletop campaign, or filled notebook margins with characters and maps, Graphite speaks a familiar language. Its tarot-inspired adventure deck presents illustrated, narrated events across each run, with branching choices shaped by your current party, items, and the decisions you have already made, where some paths reward, some come back to haunt you, and some change everything.

Behind the fantasy, a deeper story unfolds. A mysterious figure known as The Scribe has tasked seven heroes with growing stronger and gathering allies before Death arrives. Each of the seven has a distinct personality, backstory, and reason to fight, their paths intertwining across runs as choices, tragedies, and truths accumulate.

Combat plays out on a dynamic timeline where every action has duration and every decision has consequence. The Break system lets players deplete enemy actions further down the line by depleting their poise, but enemies wield those same tools, meaning every tactical advantage is also a vulnerability waiting to be turned against you. Artifacts are powerful stackable items with no upper limit, letting builds grow from methodical to gloriously chaotic across a run. The catch: enemies can pick them up too. Every choice is a calculated risk, because in Graphite, both sides of the battlefield are playing the same game.

Key Features:

• Seven Heroes: Seven playable heroes, each with a distinct personality, playstyle, and narrative arc
• Timeline Combat: Timeline-based tactical combat with a Break system that rewards reading enemy intentions and striking with precision
• Limitless Builds: Unlimited artifact stacking for builds that range from methodical to beautifully chaotic, and enemies who can build right alongside you
• Choose Your Path: A tarot-inspired adventure deck of illustrated, narrated events with party-influenced branching choices
• Ever-Evolving Runs: Procedurally generated enemies and encounters that grow alongside your progress across every run
• Story Rich: A layered narrative where the fantasy world and the real world quietly reflect each other

“We wanted to make something original, something weird and appealing in a way that felt true to the RPGs and roguelikes we love,” says Lead Developer Juan Rodriguez. “ Graphite is a game we are genuinely proud of, and we believe the experience we have built, the world, the characters, the way every run feels different, will give players something they haven’t felt before.“

The notebook opens July 27.

ABOUT RIPRED

RipRed is an independent game development studio based in Colombia, founded by a small team of developers with a shared passion for crafting original indie experiences. Graphite is the studio’s debut commercial release, drawing on the team’s background in indie game development and a commitment to building games that balance mechanical depth with emotional storytelling.

ABOUT INDIE.IO

indie.io is a game publishing platform dedicated to helping independent developers succeed. With more than 40 years of combined industry experience, the indie.io team provides marketing, PR, distribution, and strategic support across all stages of a game’s lifecycle, from development through launch and beyond. indie.io distributes games across more than 60 channels worldwide.