Stray Kite Studios, a Dallas, Texas-based developer founded in 2018, has announced their latest project, Wartorn. Comprising around 30 employees as of 2025, the studio is made up of industry veterans who have worked on high-profile titles such as BioShock, Borderlands, and Age of Empires. Before Wartorn, Stray Kite Studios developed the standalone version of Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep, known as A Wonderlands One-Shot Adventure, and created numerous Creative maps for Fortnite.

Wartorn marks Stray Kite Studios' first original game, blending real-time strategy with roguelite elements. Set to launch in early access on both Steam and the Epic Games Store in spring 2025, the game follows the journey of two elven sisters striving to reunite with their family. This narrative-driven adventure will immerse players in a fantasy world torn by chaos, challenging them with intense battles and morally complex decisions.

Wartorn Is Chaotic in More Than One Way

The setting of Wartorn is a deeply divided world engulfed in chaos, which will test the protagonists in numerous ways. One of the game's standout features is its physics-driven environmental destruction, ensuring that no two encounters are the same. This chaotic element adds a layer of unpredictability to the gameplay. The game's thematic focus is on finding purpose amidst chaos, as articulated by Stray Kite Studios co-founder and creative director Paul Hellquist: "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."

Wartorn Will Require Players To Make Tough Decisions

In Wartorn, players will face tough choices between battles, such as deciding which character to feed or whom to save from certain death. These decisions contribute to the game's story-driven roguelite experience, ensuring that each playthrough is unique. Combat in Wartorn offers similar freedom, with a dynamic magic system that allows players to mix and match elemental forces like fire, water, and lightning. These spells interact differently with each other and have various situational uses, such as shocking enemies in water or igniting tar-covered mobs.

As a roguelite, Wartorn includes a progression system where upgrades carry over between runs, making each subsequent attempt at completing the journey easier. The game's visuals aim to evoke a painterly aesthetic, enhancing the drama of its setting. To ensure accessible gameplay, Wartorn features an option to slow down the on-screen action, allowing players to issue precise commands amidst the chaos. Scheduled for an early access release in spring 2025, Wartorn will be available on both Steam and the Epic Games Store.