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!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVEGnIyec_w
We're back again with brand new Stronghold: Warlords content! This week we answer more than one hundred quick-fire community questions from you about our latest mainline castle sim with the help of Senior Coder Matt Smith. Watch as Matt and Nick run through some of your most pressing concerns and queries around Warlords, including but not limited to…

The Warlords system, graphical upgrades, the official soundtrack, new unit abilities, siege engines, the possibility of a beta, 2D, 3D, 2.5D, release dates, characters, campaigns and much more!



All questions have been taken from our comment section here on YouTube, but also from Facebook, Twitter, Discord and Reddit as we keep an ear to the ground for all feedback as development continues. If you have a question you don't see answered here make sure you drop it in the comment section below and you too could end up featured in a future Q&A or video down the line.

As announced last week we're aiming to release two Stronghold: Warlords videos monthly from now until release next year. So if you’d like to be first to see future trailers, new instalments in our Feature Spotlight series, dev updates and everything else related to our exciting new venture into China, Mongolia and Japan make sure you're subscribed here on YouTube!

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiNeRhU8crE
This week premiering our brand new 'Behind the Studio' series, Firefly's very own Aaron Hayden invites you behind the game dev curtain to explain our plans for both Stronghold: Warlords and Romans: Age of Caesar in 2019 and beyond.

Find out how we'll be keeping you up to date on development as we move both Stronghold and Romans into alpha, beta and eventually release. Subscribe now for multiple Warlords updates, monthly Romans updates and all-new community videos alongside our regular release trailers, interviews and live streams.



Want to get your hands on the game this month? Well if you're based in the US or Germany you might be in luck! Firefly devs will be taking our first ever playable demo Gamescom and then PAX West soon after, along with other shows later in the year. So for your chance to meet the team and go hands on with our first every playable demo grab a pass and keep an eye on our social media for further announcements!

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHCtoqeoMoI
In terms of features Stronghold: Warlords is being designed in many ways as a 'greatest hits' compilation. That said just because we're bringing back plenty of fan favourite units and options doesn't mean certain core Stronghold elements can't be improved upon. Today we delve into fan requested troop and wall changes that have been on our radar for some time now.



Returning to the classic 2D-style wall placement has been a goal of our 3D games for years now and with Warlords we feel closer than ever. Taking advantage of 3D to introduce proper unit displacement and collision has also been a goal for some time. Each of these improvements are coming in Stronghold: Warlords, along with a whole host of changes requested by the community.



After the positive reception to our previous Warlords video we've also decided to turn these Feature Spotlights into a full series! Over the next few months we'll be using each episode to explore key systems and features in the game, some classic Stronghold and others completely new. 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=M5MPKwoy68g
The Stronghold Steam Summer Sale returns and with it the continuing adventures of Dunk Slater, in a full narrative sequel to last year's Summer Sale video!

Now working a dead-end job at his father's factory, Dunk's adventures with Sir William and the Ice Queen seem all but distant memories. But something is stirring at Valve HQ...

Join Dunk as he returns once more to the lands of classic 'castle sim' action, with discounts on all Stronghold games on Steam. With up to 90% off the Stronghold series and Crusader HD available for less than a cup of coffee, you'd have to be as dim as Dunk to let these deals escape you!

If you already own these Strongholds feel free to leave a review for your favourite title and Wishlist our latest game in the series:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/907650/Stronghold_Warlords/
http://store.steampowered.com/app/40960/Stronghold_2_Steam_Edition/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/40970/Stronghold_Crusader_HD/
http://store.steampowered.com/app/232890/Stronghold_Crusader_2/
http://store.steampowered.com/app/40950/Stronghold_HD/
http://store.steampowered.com/app/40980/Stronghold_Legends_Steam_Edition/
http://store.steampowered.com/app/901735/The_Stronghold_Collection/
http://store.steampowered.com/app/47400/Stronghold_3_Gold/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qv4h39Gahc
What do Laddermen, the Scribe, Siege Towers, Strong Walls and Fear Factor all have in common? They’re beloved features of past Stronghold games returning in Stronghold: Warlords! Hot on the heels of our E3 announcement Nick returns to run through seven classic castle sim features returning in our latest Stronghold title.



Revealed earlier this month at E3 2019, Stronghold: Warlords is a step forward for Stronghold gameplay but also something of a greatest hits in terms of features. A new version of the Scribe will return in several areas of gameplay, Fear Factor and other castle life features will allow you to customise your economy as you please and both Laddermen and Siege Towers make their glorious return! Walls have also been completely reworked to build better, feel more customizable and stronger than ever before.



The idea with Stronghold: Warlords is to deliver a fresh experience in a new setting, but also a really fully featured and polished version of the Stronghold players know and love. Even the titular Warlords system is an evolution of a classic Stronghold feature, taking Estates far beyond their humble beginning to something approaching proper grand strategy. The very best Warlords players will combine mastery of this new mechanic with classic Stronghold tactics to crush their enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentations of their peasants.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocU7-o6gsWQ
We've announced a brand new Stronghold game! Besiege Great Khans, Imperial warlords and Shōgun commanders in Stronghold: Warlords, the latest in our 'castle sim' series. Command AI warlords across the battlefield as you build a castle economy and new gunpowder-fuelled siege weapons.



For the first time ever Stronghold: Warlords allows you to recruit, upgrade and command AI lords across the battlefield in the form of in-game ‘Warlords’. Each warlord under your command boosts your strategic prowess with unique perks, characteristics and upgradeable abilities. Put them to work for your industry, fortifying borders, forging weapons or team up for a pincer attack! Each campaign mission, skirmish game and multiplayer battle means a fresh set of warlords to command and new strategic depth to discover.



The next chapter in our real-time strategy series, Stronghold: Warlords is Firefly's first game to recreate the castle economies of the Far East. From 3rd century BC China through to the coming of the Mongol Empire in 1200 AD, Stronghold: Warlords allows players to relive famous historical battles and sieges from across the Asian continent. Recruit warlords to your cause and conquer each new kingdom using Mongolian bowmen, imperial fire lancers, disciplined samurai and classic laddermen.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8rBcwNsN_o
We're celebrating Firefly Studios' 20th Anniversary with a feature length documentary about the history of the Stronghold series! Featuring 12 interviews with our founders, producers, artists, programmers and marketers, we take you through the entire history of the series. From the first alpha build of Stronghold in 1999 through to Stronghold Crusader 2 and our upcoming project Stronghold Next, set to be revealed at E3 2019.



So whether you're a hardcore Stronghold fan who's been with the series since day one or an RTS fan looking to find out more about Stronghold Next, this documentary tells you everything you need to know about our medieval strategy games. From the brutal and bloody sands of the Crusader games to the grandiose magic of Legends and the new setting of our next game in the series, this is our entire development history as told by the creators themselves.



So relax, pour out an ale and treat yourself to double rations as we recount the game dev tales of the Stronghold series in preparation for the grand reveal of our brand new castle sim next week at E3 2019.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjGMt9b3ats
The biggest gaming show in the world is soon upon us and Firefly Studios will be revealing the next Stronghold game in June at E3 2019. Check out our final Stronghold update before the show to learn how Nick and company will be unveiling our brand new RTS. Just to tide players over we also reveal a whole host of new information regarding the reveal itself, our post-E3 plans and when you'll be able to get your hands on the game!

With the help of a bunch of white cards with poorly written notes on them Nick explains among other things how you can get your hands on exclusive Firefly merchandise. Find out where we'll be taking our Stronghold Next demo, when you can wishlist the game and whether we've left any clues as to the setting...

If you find this final Stronghold Next update just isn't enough to fulfil your strategy gamer curiosity then check out our full playlist below. Featuring Q&A's, interviews, developer updates and all the behind-the-scenes goods you could hope for related to our next entry in the 'castle sim' series.

Want more?

1. Be the first to see our full Stronghold Next gameplay reveal by subscribing to Firefly Studios on YouTube.
   
2. Check out our Stronghold Next playlist, which we'll be updating with new videos in the coming weeks and months.