Former BioShock and Borderlands Developers Announce Chaotic New Game

Stray Kite Studios Unveils "Wartorn," a Real-Time Strategy Roguelite

Stray Kite Studios, a Dallas-based developer boasting industry veterans from titles like BioShock, Borderlands, and Age of Empires, has announced its first original game: Wartorn. This real-time strategy roguelite, slated for Steam and Epic Games Store early access release in Spring 2025, promises destructible environments, challenging moral dilemmas, and a striking painterly art style.

Wartorn follows the journey of two elven sisters striving for family reunification amidst a deeply fractured and chaotic fantasy world. Their quest will be fraught with peril, demanding strategic combat prowess and difficult moral choices that shape their narrative.

Dynamic Destruction and Strategic Depth

The game's physics-driven environmental destruction ensures high replayability. No two playthroughs will be identical, as the battlefield itself evolves with each engagement. This dynamic element complements the core gameplay loop, emphasizing the search for purpose amidst chaos. As co-founder and creative director Paul Hellquist states, "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."

Tough Choices and a Flexible Magic System

Beyond combat, players face difficult decisions between battles, such as resource allocation and life-or-death choices that impact the narrative arc. This story-driven roguelite experience is further enhanced by a dynamic magic system. Players can creatively combine elemental forces (fire, water, lightning) to exploit environmental weaknesses and overcome enemies. For example, shocking foes in water or igniting tar-covered mobs.

Progressive Gameplay and Painterly Aesthetics

Wartorn incorporates a classic roguelite progression system, allowing players to carry over upgrades between runs, gradually easing the challenge. The game's painterly aesthetic enhances the dramatic narrative, while a customizable slow-motion feature ensures precise command control during intense battles. This accessibility feature balances the chaotic gameplay, making Wartorn accessible to a broad audience.

The game is set to launch in early access on Steam and the Epic Games Store in Spring 2025.