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 choices, and a unique painterly aesthetic.
• The game is set to launch in early access on Steam and the Epic Games Store in spring 2025.

Wartorn is the latest project from Stray Kite Studios, a team of seasoned industry professionals who have contributed to major titles such as BioShock, Borderlands, and Age of Empires. This tactical roguelite, slated for a PC release in spring 2025, will be the studio's first original game.

Established in 2018 and based in Dallas, Texas, Stray Kite Studios employs around 30 people as of 2025. The studio has previously worked on the standalone version of Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep: A Wonderlands One-Shot Adventure and created numerous Creative maps for Fortnite.

With Wartorn, Stray Kite Studios introduces their first original title, blending real-time strategy with roguelite mechanics. The game follows the journey of two elven sisters striving to reunite with their family, navigating through a world filled with intense battles and morally complex decisions.

Wartorn Is Chaotic in More Than One Way

Set in a fantasy world engulfed in chaos, Wartorn challenges its protagonists in multifaceted ways. The game's environment is not just a backdrop but an interactive element, with physics-driven destruction ensuring that no two encounters are the same. The thematic focus of Wartorn is on finding 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

Between battles, players of Wartorn will face tough choices, such as deciding which character to feed or whom to save from imminent danger. These decisions enhance the game's narrative-driven roguelite experience, ensuring each playthrough is unique. Combat in Wartorn offers similar freedom, with a dynamic magic system that allows players to combine elemental forces like fire, water, and lightning. These spells interact differently and have various situational uses, such as electrocuting enemies in water or igniting tar-covered foes.

As with any roguelite, Wartorn includes a progression system where upgrades persist across runs, making each subsequent attempt at completing the journey progressively easier. The game's visuals adopt a painterly aesthetic, enhancing the drama of its setting. To ensure accessible gameplay, Wartorn allows players to slow down the action and issue precise commands amidst the chaos.

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