https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC4j5bcx4Uo
In September we launched our Official Stronghold Discord Server and what a couple of months we've had. Stronghold players have entered and won multiple contests involving fan art, the Stronghold memes, poetry and even an acoustic love letter to The Pig! Now we’re all settled in with well over one thousand Discord members we’re finally ready to launch the official Stronghold: Warlords meta game.

Join the Stronghold Discord - https://discord.gg/u3ms8MK



The aim of our Warlords meta game is to generate coin for your team. The team with the most coin at the end of Phase One, which should end around Christmas time, wins access to our playable Alpha demo on Steam! Over the next few months our three teams will be presented with a map and a rough narrative we’ll be following. This will give you a number of decisions to make, voting on which path to take and dealing with the consequences of your actions.



If you haven’t yet joined the Discord now’s the time! Just follow our link in the description below, join the server and pick a side. Your team choices are: The Mongol Horde led by myself, the Japanese Shogun headed up by Natasha or Aaron’s Dynasty of China.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/907650/Stronghold_Warlords/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgWReVr3qYc
This week we continues our journey into the history behind Stronghold: Warlords. In this episode of 'History Behind Stronghold' Aaron takes a deep dive into one of the most revolutionary, progressive and bloody historical periods to feature in our 'castle sim' series, the famous 'The Warring States of China'. This fascinating time of interstate conflict and civil unrest was the foundation for the Qin Dynasty! How exactly did Qin Shi Huang actually become the ruler of this Dynasty and with it the first Emperor of China? Find out as we provide the historical context to your digital sieges.



If you enjoyed the video and even learnt something from this somewhat unqualified history teacher, then be sure to check our our History Behind Stronghold feature on the legendary Thuc Phan. In our previous episode Aaron takes you through the mythical origins of Vietnam, as well as the state of play for when you join Thuc Phan in the first part of our historical campaign. Learn about the heroes of Vietnamese legend including Lac Long Quan, Au Com and their tragic romance as the ancestors of modern Vietnam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmTCmNtDrlY
Make you're also subscribed to Firefly Studios on YouTube for future episodes, as we investigate amazing events that laid the groundwork for the epic battles and sieges you will be orchestrating in Stronghold: Warlords next year. Once complete History Behind Stronghold will cover the incredibly vast histories of the four different countries you will be able to play as in the final game.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/907650/Stronghold_Warlords/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJVcnVYpPQw
We have just revealed the first set of units for Stronghold: Warlords, our upcoming ‘castle sim’ RTS. With a range of unique troops types from Mongolia, Japan, Vietnam and China, this new trailer focuses on units from the latter two regions. With their own strengths, counters, special abilities and tactics players will need to combine them all to succeed in the game’s 24 mission campaign and online multiplayer.



As the first entry in our long-running series to venture eastward, Stronghold: Warlords features a suitably fresh roster of units to command. Gunpowder-wielding fire lancers, disciplined samurai, imperial warriors, tribal fighters and more represent the four cultures at play, with a few Stronghold classics also making the final cut of 16 units. Units from different cultures have been a feature of the series since the release of the original Stronghold: Crusader in 2002 and we intend to build on this in Warlords! With abilities ranging from morale boosting area of effect perks to arrow volleys and precision strikes, the intention is to make each part of your attacking siege army feel like a unique threat that could switch tactics at any time.



As players progress through the main single player campaign new units will become available as players journey across the Asian content to different regions and historical epochs. Outside of units Warlords will also feature experience a single player campaign split across four regions, unique warlord characters from a period of 1500 years and siege weapons made possible only through the discovery of gunpowder.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/907650/Stronghold_Warlords/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6mjtS4fHm4
We're back with another Feature Spotlight! In case you're unaware this is our Stronghold: Warlords series dedicated to highlighting the exciting new mechanics and systems coming to our brand new castle sim next year. This episode in particular features the explosive addition of gunpowder!



A key technological achievement of East Asian history, the invention of Gunpowder literally transformed historic battlefields and siege warfare forever. To honour this turning point in military history we've implemented all manner of devious and devilish ways to employ gunpowder against your foes in Stronghold: Warlords. With this new resource you can construct unique castle defences, units and siege weaponry never before seen in a Stronghold game. Change up classic Stronghold tactics and surprise even the most veteran RTS player.



From now until release we'll be using each new 'Feature Spotlight' to explore key systems and features in the game, some classic Stronghold and others completely new! So whatever part of the game interests you most there will be a Feature Spotlight for it and we’ll be paying close attention to the comments below for any suggestions you might have.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/907650/Stronghold_Warlords/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cr3Z0EvJ2A

Watch as we return to our fan-favourite series Stronghold Showcase. Firefly’s very own Aaron Hayden takes you through five different sieges, scenarios and battlefields across our legacy titles from Stronghold HD to Stronghold Crusader 2. This small selection of community maps is intended to give you some fresh options in your multiplayer and single player sessions.



Travel to Ancient Greece in ‘300 Spartans’, Slovakia in our very first Eastern European community-made castle ‘Spis Castle’ or even Australia where everything is trying to kill you, Lords and wildlife alike!

• Spis Castle
  
• 300 Spartans
  
• Surrounded By Sea
  
• Fjoord Coop
  
• Australia

To install the maps on the Steam Workshop pages, simply press the ‘subscribe’ button and it should appear in-game next time you load up. As for the Stronghold Heaven and Nation maps:

• Download them using the webpages
  
• Access your Stronghold map folders (HD, Crusader & 2) – usually found in ‘My Documents’
  
• Drag and drop the downloaded map files for each game into the corresponding map folders
  
• Load up the game and they should be there!
  
• Remember, if you have any maps yourself, or know of any knockout sieges or battlefields that you’d like featured on the Showcase. Leave a comment below with a link!

To celebrate this most unhallowed time of year the cruel coders at Firefly have cursed your peasants, cows, pigs, jesters and even the poor chickens of Stronghold Crusader 2! Reduced to little more than dust and bones (poor ghost Bessy isn't even that lucky) these lifeless subjects wander your decrepit castles in a dire state of disrepair. Tomb stones, rotting pumpkins, cobwebs and more adorn once magnificent castle structures, along with corrupt colours and unholy flames in the workshops of your medieval minions.



Terrify your workers with horrifically twisted peasants or purge them from your castle with green wildfire. Keep them working to fight back against the curse or cower and wait for the horror to pass...



Our Stronghold Halloween update is now available on Steam for players with the latest version of Stronghold Crusader 2. This event will last for one week with the above spooky changes in place until November 5th. After this the curse will fall, your peasants and livestock returning to normal, fire to its natural non-demonic colour and castles to their former splendour!

Happy Halloween!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/232890/Stronghold_Crusader_2/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHYR9BcFHd0
This month Firefly Studios flew across the globe! Taking the first playable alpha demo of Stronghold: Warlords to fans at Tokyo Game Show, we were able to showcase our brand new East Asian 'castle sim' full of exploding fire oxen, gunpowder traps and the game-changing warlords system.



After four days of Stronghold vets and strategy newcomers alike getting their first hands-on taste of our new strategy-simulation RTS, the pair then travelled across Japan to the city of Nagoya for location shooting and research. Soaking in the amazing feudal history, filming these medieval monoliths and documenting the features and layouts of incredible castles such as Gifu and Kiyosu, their mission was to provide first hand insight into our move east for Stronghold fans everywhere.



So sit back, relax and let Nick walk you through a brief account of the fascinating histories of Japan, China, Mongolia and Vietnam as we prepare to recreate some of the most incredible castles, battles and warlords of our time!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/907650/Stronghold_Warlords/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OQbIjzxiGU
Our first ever playable demo of Stronghold: Warlords made it across the world this month as we flew from Gamescom to PAX West, finally letting fans get their first hands-on experience with the game courtesy of our hardworking developers. Stronghold players of all ages and experience levels gathered at our booths to try out the new Warlords system, gunpowder-fuelled siege equipment, East Asian units and devious castle traps!



Why only allow the lucky few who were fortunate enough to be at these massive shows the chance to see our brand new Stronghold in action? Good question! Off the back of the warm player reception we received in both Cologne and Seattle we thought it would be a great idea to let the entire Stronghold community feast their eyes on the Warlords System and our Alpha demo in action!



In the demo Firefly's very own Aaron Hayden walks us through the titular Warlords System, also showcasing new buildings, units, siege equipment and castle defences as we present the first 'vertical slice' demo of Stronghold: Warlords.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/907650/Stronghold_Warlords/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eNVx_c41yU
Playable for the first time ever stateside at PAX West 2019, Stronghold: Warlords is the latest in Firefly Studios’ classic ‘castle sim’ series. Today we reveal the first ever Warlords gameplay taken direct from our PAX alpha demo, in a brand new gameplay trailer that hints at the power and depth of the new Warlords system. Watch our latest trailer now for an early look at some of the new units, siege weapons and castle defences coming to Stronghold in 2020!



In Stronghold: Warlords victory is decided by players who effectively target and recruit AI Warlords in each mission or map. By recruiting specific Warlords at the right time players can send themselves extra resources, buff their army, launch sieges from Warlord castles or even team up for a pincer attack! By unlocking more powerful castles, armies and abilities each Warlord has the potential to disrupt the flow of battle and turn the tide in your favour.



Protecting your stronghold has never been more important with attacks possible on multiple fronts from enemy characters and Warlords. Players will need to utilise new gunpowder-based siege weapons, units and castle defences to hold off their advances, as AI characters recruit and lay siege to players supported by their own set of powerful Warlords. The rocket tower, gunpowder trap, fire lancer, fire oxen and more will be invaluable tools the next time you find yourself under siege and backed into a corner. Just remember Warlords can always be swayed to your side. Build up enough Diplomacy points, form the right alliances and you may conquer the battlefield without raising a single sword of your own.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/907650/Stronghold_Warlords/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKNsL74JwUE
While you wait for the next entry in the Stronghold series Aaron delivers another five choice custom maps in our latest episode of Stronghold Showcase! Returning to completely original player maps and scenarios after our recent forays into Middle Earth and Westeros in previous episodes, this week’s Showcase once again delivers the medieval goods.



From feudal urban warfare and holiday resorts to the Black Sea and monkey eating islands, there’s something for everyone regardless of which Stronghold game you load up this weekend:

- Henn Dommen
- Requiem
- The Black Sea
- Cold Harbour
- Monkey Eating Island

Do you have a multiplayer battlefield, siege scenario or cosmetic map you think deserves to be in a future Showcase? Then comment and let us know! We’re constantly on the lookout for cool fan-created content and love spotlighting lesser-known creations that go under the radar, so show us your moves!