Former BioShock and Borderlands Developers Announce Chaotic New Game

Stray Kite Studios, a Dallas, Texas-based developer founded in 2018, has announced their latest project, Wartorn. This upcoming game marks the studio's first original title and is set to launch in early access on both Steam and the Epic Games Store in spring 2025. Comprising around 30 employees, including industry veterans from BioShock, Borderlands, and Age of Empires, Stray Kite Studios has previously worked on the standalone version of Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep and various Creative maps for Fortnite.

Wartorn is a unique blend of real-time strategy and roguelite gameplay, set in a fantasy world torn by chaos. The game follows the journey of two elven sisters striving to reunite with their family, facing numerous challenges and moral dilemmas along the way. The narrative delves into themes of finding purpose amidst chaos, with players making tough decisions that impact the story and gameplay, such as choosing which character to feed or whom to save from death.

Wartorn: A Chaotic Blend of Strategy and Roguelite

The game's setting is characterized by a deeply divided world, where environmental destruction plays a significant role. Unlike scripted events, Wartorn's destructible environments are driven by physics, ensuring that each encounter is unique. This feature adds to the game's chaotic nature, challenging players to adapt and strategize on the fly.

Combat in Wartorn is dynamic, featuring a magic system that allows players to mix and match elemental forces like fire, water, and lightning. These spells interact differently with each other and the environment, offering various tactical advantages, such as shocking enemies in water or setting fire to tar-covered foes. The roguelite progression system ensures that upgrades carry over between runs, making each attempt at completing the journey progressively easier.

Visually, Wartorn aims to captivate players with its painterly aesthetic, enhancing the dramatic feel of its setting. To ensure accessible gameplay, the game includes a feature to slow down the action, allowing players to issue precise commands amidst the 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.

With its innovative blend of real-time strategy, roguelite elements, and a compelling narrative, Wartorn promises to be a standout title when it launches in early access in spring 2025 on Steam and the Epic Games Store.