Ex-BioShock, Borderlands Devs Unveil Wild New Game

Summary

• Stray Kite Studios has announced their new game, Wartorn.
• Wartorn is a real-time strategy roguelite featuring destructible environments, challenging moral decisions, and a unique painterly aesthetic.
• The game is set to launch in early access on Steam and the Epic Games Store (EGS) in spring 2025.

Wartorn is the highly anticipated debut original game from Stray Kite Studios, a talented team of industry veterans based in Dallas, Texas. Scheduled for a PC release in spring 2025, this tactical roguelite promises to deliver a fresh and engaging gaming experience.

Founded in 2018, Stray Kite Studios boasts a team of around 30 employees as of 2025, including former developers from acclaimed titles like BioShock, Borderlands, and Age of Empires. The studio's previous works include the standalone version of Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep, titled A Wonderlands One-Shot Adventure, and a variety of Creative maps for Fortnite.

With Wartorn, Stray Kite Studios introduces their first original project, blending real-time strategy with roguelite elements. The game follows the journey of two elven sisters striving to reunite with their family, navigating through a world fraught with perilous battles and tough moral choices.

Wartorn Is Chaotic in More Than One Way

Set in a fantasy world engulfed in chaos, Wartorn challenges its protagonists with more than just combat. The game's innovative feature of physics-driven environmental destruction ensures that no two encounters are the same, adding a layer of unpredictability to the gameplay. The thematic focus of Wartorn revolves around discovering purpose amidst chaos. "We’ve poured our hearts into creating a game that not only entertains but also makes players think deeply about sacrifice, survival, and the bonds that unite us," said Paul Hellquist, co-founder and creative director at Stray Kite Studios.

Wartorn Will Require Players To Make Tough Decisions

In Wartorn, players will face critical decisions between battles, such as choosing which character to feed or whom to save from death. These choices enhance the game's narrative-driven roguelite experience, ensuring that each playthrough is unique. The combat system offers flexibility, allowing players to combine elemental forces like fire, water, and lightning, which interact uniquely and have various tactical applications, such as using water to conduct electricity or igniting tar-covered enemies.

As with any roguelite, Wartorn includes a progression system where upgrades carry over between runs, making subsequent attempts more manageable. The game's visuals stand out with a painterly aesthetic that heightens the drama of its setting. To enhance accessibility, Wartorn also features the ability to slow down the action, allowing for precise command inputs amidst the chaos.

Wartorn is set to launch in early access in spring 2025, and will be available on both Steam and the Epic Games Store.