Get ready to capture the wind, catch some air, and get ready to shred through a brand-new map, with a brand-new LIV CAM Follow Mode! No spoilers, but… you might want to stick the landing. Neko Atsume Colab... your chance to collect some purr-fect friends? 🐱💕 The cosmetics are so stealthy, you’ll never see them coming! trust us—when the masks drop… you’ll want to be there in a flash
It's time to embark on a new journey beyond the stars as we reveal the third and final chapter of Project Warlock II.
After starting our journey within the haunted halls of Palmer's castle and exploring Urd's time-locked dimension, we now set our sights on the cosmic horrors that await in the deep space. Chapter 3 introduces a blend of magic and the extraterrestrial, and brings forth a new, unexpected Warlock Disciple - Kirsten, the Tormented Summoner.
We've been working on Chapter 3 for some time now, but in light of the reworks made to Chapters 1 and 2 we wanted to make sure that we didn't create the need to rework the third one before it even went live. After we launched the reworked Chapter 2, we put the pedal to the metal on Chapter 3's development.
We've taken everything we've learned from working on Chapters 1 and 2, AND their respective reworks, and poured it all into Kirsten's campaign. Her combat style is a chaotic mix of destructive firepower and dark magic, making her the most unorthodox Warlock Disciple yet - starting with the fact that she is... well, a demon. Kirsten’s weapons function based on heat mechanics rather than conventional reloading. This allows for a fast-paced, almost rhytmic, combat sequences where players must manage weapon heat buildup while unleashing devastating attacks. Combined with her summoning abilities and mastery over demonic forces, Kirsten’s campaign offers an entirely new way to experience Project Warlock II.
This final chapter represents the culmination of our work, bringing together all the lessons we've learned along the way. Your feedback and support are what brought us to this point. We can't wait to uncover the rest of our secrets concerning both Chapter 3 and the 1.0 that's not that far away. We have some aces up our sleeves for when Project Warlock II leaves Early Access, so stay tuned!
But without further ado, let's get to know the third Warlock Disciple a little closer...
Meet Kirsten, the Tormented Summoner
Kirsten is unlike any Warlock you might be familiar with. She's a demon born from hellfire, chosen by the Warlock as an experiment to turn evil into good. Initially, glimpses of success suggested she could suppress her dark urges, but her brutal demonic nature always found a way to take control. No matter how hard she trained, or how much effort she put in... It just wasn't working. The Warlock ultimately accepted that the experiment wasn't going to succeed, and cast her aside. Kirsten has never forgiven herself for this failure. Deep down, she wants to be good, to control the darkness within her, but her demonic bloodline fights against her in every inch of her body.
She embarked on a lonely journey through the cosmos, searching for understanding of her own nature. She hopes that one day, she can prove herself worthy and make her former Master proud. Kirsten's emotions are intense, yet reserved. She chooses isolation out of fear of hurting the ones she lets too close to her.
A Unique Arsenal for a Unique Apprentice
Kirsten’s weapons function differently from those of Palmer and Urd as they do not have a standard reload mechanic. Instead, they rely on heat capacity, which increases when firing, and cools down passively, however pressing the reload button makes the weapon go into a cooldown state where the heat rapidly drops. As in previous chapters, background reload works similarly - if you have more than zero heat and you switch your weapons - the heat will cool down in the background - meaning you can keep weapon switching same as with Palmer and Urd. On top of that, she’s a summoner, meaning her magic revolves around conjuring demonic minions, forging unholy pacts, and even bending death itself to her will.
Chaos Staff
Since Kirsten is a demon, she can manipulate and summon pure chaos energy. One of her staff variants is designed around her chaos proficiency. Twisted, uncanny and deadly - Chaos Staff fires tracking projectiles that split into smaller, unpredictable bullets. Altfire mode brings real chaos to the game though...
Chain Reactor
Chain Reactor finally sees a comeback in the sequel, but in a new and fresh form of an upgrade to the Plasma Rifle. It’s an extension of what Chain Reactor was in the first Project Warlock. It has two firing modes - fast burst of plasma projectiles, or a devastating Chain Reaction projectile which splits into 8 smaller ones on impact.
Demonic Claws
As for melee weapons, we wanted to do something different here. Kirsten has 3 melee weapons to choose from, and one of them are Demonic Claws. They deal damage twice when attacking, and you can summon a magical field which heals you once you step into it.
Deep Space Exploration
Arsenal and monsters are not the only things we worked on for past year and a half. We have prepared some interesting and unexpected environments for you to explore - from Solar System planets, through interstellar travel right to the weirdest and still unexplained phenomena - Black Holes.
Also with this Chapter we have decided to go a bit different route when it comes to level navigation and overall design progression wise, it’s closer to the first game rather than Urd’s and Palmer’s chapters.
Asteroid Belt Convoy Crash
A crash site on an asteroid belt very close to Encleadus - one of the Saturn’s natural satellites.
Inside Betelgeuse
Using the Dyson Sphere, Kirsten enters the very heart of the star Betelgeuse. This level is abstract and surreal, creating a unique and otherwordly atmosphere.
The Aftermath
After a series of unfortunate events Kirsten finds herself on a mysterious planet, but whether it's safe remains uncertain. Meanwhile, something unusual looms in the sky - a reminder of what transpired.
What Lurks in the Cosmic Void?
With new chapter come new monsters, and this time, the roster is more diverse than ever before. Kirsten's campaign introduces a nightmarish mix of aliens, eldritch horrors, dangerous robots, deadly-as-ever zombies, savage mutants, and, of course, demons (apart from Kirsten, of course!). Drawing inspiration from classic games and movies, these monsters blend familiarity with a breath of fresh air, making Chapter 3 stand out from Palmer's and Urd's campaigns. Each enemy has its own set of moves, encouraging players to adapt their playstyles and try different approaches and arsenal choices. Since the setting itself is unlike anything we've done so far, we wanted the monster roster to reflect the weirdness of Chapter 3's atmosphere. The depths of space are cold, silent, and filled with terror - and Kirsten must do all in her power to survive.
Project Warlock II: Chapter 3 is shaping up to be a hell of a ride through the stars (*wink*wink*). Stay tuned for more teasers and reveals in the coming weeks.
Thank you all for the continued support. As we've already mentioned, your input helps shape Project Warlock II, and we’re excited to start the journey beyond the stars with Kirsten. Keep your eyes open for more news about Chapter 3 and beyond!
Stay sharp, Warlocks. You don't want to get lost in space. 🚀
In Age of Mythology: Retold – Immortal Pillars, our goal was to create compelling gameplay that is authentic to Chinese mythology. Last time, we explored the Chinese Myth units inspired by the Four Perils, a collection of warped and malevolent beings. Now let’s jump into more about the Four Auspicious Beasts, noble guardians associated with the elements.
With the upcoming Immortal Pillars DLC, most Chinese Myth units are inspired by the Four Perils, a collection of warped and malevolent beings, and the Four Auspicious Beasts, noble guardians associated with the elements. Today, we’re introducing the “evil” four of the Myth units available in Immortal Pillars.
Pre-Order Now!
Immortal Pillars is available for pre-order now on Steam! Coming March 4th!
*Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition Owners Already own the Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition? Immortal Pillars is yours at no additional cost – jump in and play on day one!
Baihu
Baihu is the first of the Four Auspicious Beasts, available in the Heroic Age to followers of Rushou.
Tigers are native to China so it’s not surprising that they would feature prominently in Chinese mythology. Baihu, also known as the ‘white tiger,’ is the second tiger-inspired Myth unit in Immortal Pillars. While the Qiongqi is a flying tiger, Baihu appears more conventional, but has his own unique aspects.
In Chinese mythology, Baihu is associated with the direction of the west, the color white, metal, and autumn. He symbolizes loyalty and righteousness, and oversees honorable battles. In legends, Baihu appears as a bringer of justice, punishing evil and promoting goodness and order.
In Immortal Pillars, Baihu is a powerful melee Myth unit comparable to the Greek Nemean Lion, but with additional attack and faster movement speed. This twin-tailed feline’s special ability is called Sweeping Maul. When activated, Baihu leaps toward an enemy, immobilizing it and dealing a series of rapid attacks. In addition, other enemy units near the Baihu’s landing zone are thrown aside. This makes Baihu a potent disrupter of enemy formations. It is wise to open an attack with one or more Baihu, then follow up with Rushou’s potent human units reinforced with Divine Judgement and Gilded Shields. These two technologies benefit Rushou’s infantry.
Xuanwu
Xuanwu is the second of the Four Auspicious Beasts, available in the Mythic Age. As a water unit, it is available to all Chinese gods.
Xuanwu knows the power of friendship: it is not one but two units, joined together and inseparable. Xuanwu is a giant black tortoise intertwined with a slithering snake that has hitched a ride on its shell. Together, the two reptiles form a potent partnership.
In Chinese mythology, Xuanwu is associated with the north, winter, and the element water. Due to the tortoise’s long lifespan and the serpent’s regular shedding of its skin, Xuanwu is a symbol of longevity. With its high armor and hit points, Xuanwu will be one of the longest-living units in Immortal Pillars.
As well as being two inseparable reptiles, Xuanwu is unique in another way: it is an amphibious unit, capable of crossing both land and water. This dual role makes Xuanwu one of the most potent Myth units in the game, strong against both land units and ships. The Xuanwu is most at home in water, however, and moves much more quickly across the depths than it does on land.
Xuanwu’s special ability comes from its snake half. Venomous Spit is a ranged blast of venom that continues to damage its victim over time. Capable of moving on both land and water, well-armored, and with a melee attack and ranged special ability, Xuanwu is one of the most versatile units in Immortal Pillars.
If only every unit were two powerful units joined together! Imagine a Minotaur who rides Pegasus or Anubites jumping off the backs of Scarabs. One can dream. With Xuanwu in Immortal Pillars, you don’t have to.
Qinglong
Qinglong is the third of the Four Auspicious Beasts, available in the Mythic Age to followers of Gonggong.
Dragons are a persistent symbol of Chinese culture. Unlike European dragons who were feared and respected, but generally considered ill-omens, Chinese dragons were associated with emperors, prosperity, and good luck. In Chinese mythology, there are many dragons, each associated with different elements. Dragons are also recognized as one of the animals in the Chinese zodiac. There are two dragons in Immortal Pillars, Qinglong and Yinglong.
The Qinglong, or ‘Azure Dragon,’ is the guardian of the east and is associated with spring and the element wood. Along with Baihu, Qinglong is considered one of the main protector creatures. Because spring symbolizes the beginning of a new year, Qinglong is also associated with good fortune and prosperity.
In Immortal Pillars, Qinglong is a serpentine flying dragon who floats over the battlefield. It gracefully twists and turns its body when idle. When attacking, it shoots bursts of water that damage units. Its special ability unleashes a torrent of water damaging all units in the target area. While nothing in Chinese mythology indicates this, I’d like to think of Qinglong as a bit of a germophobe. Qinglong is just a little too eager to make sure everyone gets a shower.
Being a flying unit, Qinglong is vulnerable only to ranged units. It can fly over obstacles and attack from unexpected directions, though its slender body makes it not the sturdiest of Myth units.
Zhuque
Zhuque is the fourth of the Four Auspicious Beasts, available in the Mythic Age to followers of Zhurong.
In Chinese mythology, Zhuque is a fiery bird associated with the south, summer, the color red, and fire. In legends, it is also a symbol for the sun. Zhuque is also known as the ‘Vermillion Bird.’ Vermillion is a reddish-orange color similar to the color of a tomato. A flaming tomato of death and destruction.
At first glance, Zhuque may resemble the Egyptian Phoenix, a similarly fiery bird. Zhuque is distinguishable, however, by its long neck, glowing white eyes, and distinctive three tails. While the Phoenix rains fire down on its enemies, the Zhuque has the patience of an ancient sage. It takes its time to gather spiritual fire with its wings and then casts a fiery whirlwind below, scorching enemies and knocking them away. It pays to take one’s time.
As a protector like the other Auspicious Beasts, Zhuque has a special ability that supports friendly units. When cast, it temporarily shields itself and nearby friendly units with a fiery shield, boosting armor values. Zhurong also provides Zhuque with the Song of Midsummer technology. When researched, it grants Zhuque an additional special ability called Healing Descent. When cast, Zhuque descends to the ground, curls its wings closed and heals rapidly. The Phoenix must die to resurrect; Zhuque doesn’t plan to die… ever.
These abilities and its devastating flying attack make Zhuque one of the most powerful Myth units in the game in the hands of a skilled player.
There are many other Myth units introduced in Immortal Pillars inspired by Chinese mythology. If you haven’t already seen our breakdown of the Four Perils, be sure to check it out here: The Four Perils of the Immortal Pillars. You can try out Baihu, Xuanwu, Qinglong, Zhuque, or each of the Four Perils in Age of Mythology: Retold – Immortal Pillars available March 4th.
Pre-Order Age of Mythology: Retold – Immortal Pillars Now!
Immortal Pillars is now available for pre-order on Steam – releasing March 4th!
You've done well in showing your obedience to Cthulhu and his brethren and they're making sure you know your allegiance doesn't go unnoticed.
As of today, Forgive Me Father franchise sale starts on Steam and that means you can get Forgive Me Father with a 50% discount and Forgive Me Father 2 with 40%, which is the highest discount the game has ever received. If you've been hesitating with your purchase, now is the perfect time to finally submit your will to the Ancient Ones, the sale lasts until February 28th.
If you've somehow been missing out and have not played any of the Forgive Me Father games yet, the Forgive Me Father franchise bundle still exists and it includes another discount that applies even if you already own one of the games.
And if you're among the ones who already replayed both Forgive Me Father games ten times and found all the secrets (don't forget to review the games here on Steam, by the way), check out what the developers and the publishers are working on now!
Byte Barrel have recently announced their upcoming project called TRUST, make sure to add the game to your wishlists!
Fulqrum Publishing currently have two lovecraftian games in the oven, one of them being Stygian: Outer Gods, where a brand new teaser trailer just dropped, and Decadent!
It’s me again with another development update for Gas Station Simulator – Drive-In Cinema! 🚗 In the last episode, we delved into some crucial mechanics in the DLC – the projector, popcorn machine, and Drive-In Cinema’s renown system. If you’re curious to learn more about those, click this link and enjoy reading! 🔥
Now, you might be wondering what I have in store for you today. Worry no more—I’m here to answer! Today, I’ll give you insights into the ticket control mini-game and how the Drive-In Cinema cleaning system will work. Additionally, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty details of some brand-new events that will enhance your cinema experience. And last but not least, I’m thrilled to finally share the release date with you! 🤩 Excited? Then let’s not waste any more time—let’s roll!
Ticket Control 👮
Imagine going to the cinema with a fake ticket—what do you think would happen? You’d probably get kicked out, and your chance to watch that long-awaited movie would slip through your fingers. In the Gas Station Simulator – Drive-In Cinema DLC, you’ll step into the role of a ticket inspector, ensuring that no sneaky moviegoers try to watch films for free.
Cleaning 🧹
Just like your gas station and toilets, your Drive-In Cinema needs proper cleaning too! Apart from those pesky customers leaving trash behind, you’ll also sometimes miss your shot at the Dennis dummy, right? At first, it might feel a little tedious—running between your station, toilet, and cinema to keep everything spotless. But don’t worry! As you upgrade your cinema to higher tiers, cleaning will become automated, just like most other systems in this DLC. ⚙️
Events in Drive-In Cinema 🗓️
It wouldn’t be a proper Gas Station Simulator DLC without some exciting events to boost your renown and income, right? Let’s take a look at two new events that will be available alongside the DLC.
Rush Hour ⌚
As the name suggests, a single hour between 10 AM and 10 PM will be randomly selected. This chosen hour will be visible in the projector screen UI, and if you schedule a movie for this time slot, you’ll gain special benefits—such as increased popcorn prices and faster renown growth.
Trending 📈
The Trending event is a special occurrence within the projector, where 1-3 random movies are selected to participate. These movies receive a special tag, making them more visible to you. During the event, ticket prices for these movies increase by 50%, providing a revenue boost.
Important note: All events start at 12 PM and last 24 hours until the next draw.
Drive-In Cinema is coming in March 2025! 🔥
Yep, you read that right! Soon, your beloved gas station will receive a brand-new, free expansion, bringing you exciting new ways to boost your income and popularity. So, make some popcorn, grab your favorite drinks, wrap yourself in a warm blanket, and mark March 6, 2025, in your calendars!
Stay up-to-date 📰
And that’s a wrap on another sneak peek into the Gas Station Simulator – Drive-In Cinema DLC! There’s still a lot to share, and I can’t wait to reveal what we’ve been working on. Show your excitement in the comments below, and as always, feel free to share any feedback with us.
Last but not least, you can expect another development update next week—where we’ll be talking about… movies! (Maybe even your own? That depends on how many comments this announcement gets! 😉)For now, have a fantastic rest of your day, enjoy your weekend, and I’ll see you in the next devlog! 👋
P.S Oh… Did you know our friends from the world of car dealerships have released Car Dealer Simulator Prologue: Early Days? If negotiating, repairing, and selling vehicles is your cup of tea, then I strongly recommend to check this one out!
You've done well in showing your obedience to Cthulhu and his brethren and they're making sure you know your allegiance doesn't go unnoticed.
As of today, Forgive Me Father franchise sale starts on Steam and that means you can get Forgive Me Father with a 50% discount and Forgive Me Father 2 with 40%, which is the highest discount the game has ever received. If you've been hesitating with your purchase, now is the perfect time to finally submit your will to the Ancient Ones, the sale lasts until February 28th.
If you've somehow been missing out and have not played any of the Forgive Me Father games yet, the Forgive Me Father franchise bundle still exists and it includes another discount that applies even if you already own one of the games.
And if you're among the ones who already replayed both Forgive Me Father games ten times and found all the secrets (don't forget to review the games here on Steam, by the way), check out what the developers and the publishers are working on now!
Byte Barrel have recently announced their upcoming project called TRUST, make sure to add the game to your wishlists!
Fulqrum Publishing currently have two lovecraftian games in the oven, one of them being Stygian: Outer Gods, where a brand new teaser trailer just dropped, and Decadent!
As promised, a deep dive into Santorini before it lands in the Steam Next Fest demo!
In this blog post, we’ll dive into everything that makes Santorini such an exciting addition to Hotel Architect, from the new gameplay features to the challenges and opportunities you’ll face as you create a luxurious hotel on this picturesque Greek island across 3 floors on a much larger map than Gothenburg!
Whether you're playing in Career Mode or Sandbox Mode, here’s what you can expect when the Santorini location opens up on February 24th (only a few days away!) in Steam Next Fest:
A Stunning New Setting!
Santorini is one of the most visually captivating destinations in the world, and this new location fully captures its charm. With its breath-taking views of the Aegean Sea, dramatic cliffs, and iconic architecture, this location brings a fresh and exciting challenge to Hotel Architect. You’ll have the opportunity to design your hotel while keeping in mind as your map is set on the beach front, and your guests will be able to take a dip in the sea!
New Guest Types
Santorini attracts a diverse range of tourists, from luxury vacationers, sunbathers and more. This variety of guest types means you'll need to design a hotel that caters to different needs. Whether it’s crafting private suites for the brats, or creating an area for sunbathers to tan in those sunrays on the beach. Your hotel must meet the expectations of every visitor whilst dealing with the heat in this location!
New Zones and Items
The new update includes all the zones that came before and a new one, the bar zone! Time to party it up and entertain with a surf and golf simulator and even a light-up dance floor. There are some Items that are inspired by Santorini’s unique culture, history and architecture, while others are essentials like air con units and fans! These additions will give you more variety to customize your hotel but don't forget the necessities or you might end up with some unwanted guests in your hotel, or worse, bad ratings!
We know you've been asking for it.. a bigger map and more floors!
Building on an island like Santorini comes with different challenges to Gothenburg. However, after learning the basics in Sweden, this map allows you to create on a bigger scale and on an additional floor for more adventurous building!
The Upgrade Tree!
This is totally new and we haven't even hinted at it before! This update brings you a new gameplay feature called the upgrade tree. You'll need to learn and research about specific items and topics to unlock better items and improvements such as fancier furniture, bigger capacity bins and combination washer/dryers for towels and sheets!
Staff Moods
Your employees are the backbone of your hotel, and keeping them happy is just as important as keeping your guests satisfied. In this update, staff moods now play a significant role in your hotel’s success. If your employees are overworked and stressed, expect some complaints.. and even the possibility of them quitting! Staff mood notifications will alert you to potential issues, so be sure to balance their workloads and create a positive work environment to ensure smooth operations.
So mark your calendars, gather your tools, and get ready to build your dream hotel on one of the world’s most famous islands!
Wishlist and join Hotel Architect’s Steam Next Fest demo from February 24th to March 3rd, and let your hotel tycoon journey take you to the shores of Santorini. If you fancy, you can join us in the Discord while you wait too!
See you all on Monday, 6pm GMT sharp for Next Fest! - The Hotel Architect Team