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With 1 million copies sold on Steam already, Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era reveals big changes coming this year…
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era has achieved one million sales on Steam since its early access launch. Developer Unfrozen has released a roadmap detailing planned updates for the rest of the year, including rebalancing, new features for the Random Map Generator, teamplay mode, and reworks for matchmaking and the Elite class. Future updates for the full release include additional campaign acts, a PvE roguelike mode, and map sharing support.
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era teases a roguelike mode as it hits 1 million sales
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era has achieved 1 million sales in less than a month, building on the success of the 1999 classic Heroes of Might and Magic 3. Developer Unfrozen and publisher Hooded Horse have revealed a roadmap for the game's early access period, including upcoming features like teamplay, observer modes, and a roguelike mode.
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era reveals early access roadmap as publisher Hooded Horse celebrates 1m copies sold during its first month
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era has sold over 1 million copies since its April 30th launch. Publisher Hooded Horse and developer Unfrozen Studio have released an extensive early access roadmap detailing planned features for the latter half of 2026 and beyond, including co-op modes, map generation improvements, and campaign acts leading to a full 1.0 release.
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era early access roadmap revealed!
Unfrozen Studio and Hooded Horse have revealed the early access roadmap for Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, celebrating over 1 million copies sold in its first month. The roadmap outlines immediate plans for teamplay mode, hero skill rebalancing, and random map generator improvements, with future goals including an observer mode, elite class reworks, matchmaking improvements, and the introduction of underground terrain and a map editor. Long-term objectives involve completing the single-player campaign, adding map-sharing, and introducing a new PvE mode.
C-Beams Announced
Hooded Horse has announced C-Beams, a science fiction action RPG developed by Distant Light Games. The game is slated for a "soon" release on Windows PC via the Epic Games Store and Steam. An announcement trailer has been released showcasing gameplay elements.
Hooded Horse is launching C-Beams – a space action RPG that has shot to the top of our wishlist
Hooded Horse is preparing to launch C-Beams, a top-down space action RPG where players pilot a ship in a newly discovered black hole system. The game features realistic ship handling, tactical combat with various weapon systems, and a scavenging loop. Players can upgrade ships, build reputation with factions, and choose between roles like explorer, trader, or space menace.
Explore an unforgiving frontier in space-based Action RPG C-Beams
Hooded Horse announced that Distant Light Games' space action RPG C-Beams will launch into early access for PC on May 26, 2026. Players will pilot upgradable ships through a perilous black hole system, engaging in ship-to-ship combat and specializing in roles like mining, hauling, trading, or combat.
9 Kings Multiplayer Update Lands as it Crosses 1 Million Sales
The early access rogue-lite 9 Kings has received a major update introducing asynchronous multiplayer, allowing players to compete against others globally. Publisher Hooded Horse also announced that the game has surpassed 1 million sales and will be launching on mobile platforms later this year.
Face off against rivals in 9 Kings' new multiplayer mode
Hooded Horse and Sad Socket have released a new multiplayer mode for their kingdom-building auto-battler game, 9 Kings. This update introduces a competitive asynchronous mode where up to nine players can battle for supremacy, alongside a new ranking system and cosmetic rewards. The game also surpassed one million sales since its early access launch.
Your allies in turn-based tactics game Menace can now be completely wiped out by the [REDACTED], but at least the new patch gives us battle tanks
The latest update for the turn-based tactics game Menace introduces new features including tanks and wheat fields, alongside significantly increased difficulty. Players now face the risk of losing entire allied factions on planets, and new game over conditions have been added, such as losing all squad leaders or having all planets overrun by the Menace.
"Seven or eight years is not that unusual": Diablo 4 lead says AAA games are taking longer to make, which is bad news for junior applicants
Diablo 4 lead engine engineer Marcin Undak stated that AAA game development cycles are lengthening, often reaching seven to eight years. This trend leads to fewer junior positions being available as companies prefer to hire less experienced staff at the beginning of projects. Undak emphasized that balanced teams with all seniority levels are crucial for success, bringing both fresh ideas and seasoned expertise.
Far Far West publisher says "We don't work with partners that are relying on generative AI"
Fireshine Games, the publisher of Far Far West, has stated it will not partner with developers who rely on generative AI for game art, though it permits the use of AI development tools like code completion. CEO Brian Foote emphasized this as a firm 'red line' for the company. This stance echoes similar declarations from other publishers regarding the use of AI in game creation.
War is coming to Whiskerwood: the city builder's next patch brings ship construction, naval combat, and island defences
The city builder Whiskerwood is set to receive a major update that will introduce ship construction, naval combat, and island defenses. Developed by Minakata Dynamics and published by Hooded Horse, the patch aims to give players the tools to fight back against their feline overlords. This significant gameplay leap will require a longer development cycle than the game's previous bi-weekly updates.
Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era publisher starts $100M fund for ‘promising indie games’
Hooded Horse, the co-publisher of the successful early access title Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, has announced a $100 million fund dedicated to supporting promising indie games. The company, which has seen its own title sell over 500,000 copies, will manage the fund and has already invested in several titles within its portfolio, including ARPGs and a bullet-hell shooter.
The Manor Lords trade rework is on hold while Slavic Magic sorts out systems "that had quietly degraded over time"
Slavic Magic has postponed the planned trade rework for Manor Lords to address underlying systems that have degraded over time. Instead, the next update will focus on a pathfinding rework, with a rural traditions update to follow. CEO Tim Bender apologized for the delay in communication and assured players that technical improvements are being prioritized for a better overall game experience.
Rally Point: What's it like to be in charge of the Xenonauts? Um. Two?
The director of Xenonauts 2 discusses the game's design, which aims for a more granular and simulationist approach to turn-based tactical combat compared to Firaxis's XCOM series. Key features include a detailed Time Unit system for actions, dynamic mission objectives, and a focus on individual soldier development rather than rigid classes. Despite some criticisms regarding streamlining and narrative elements, the game is seen as an entertaining success in the niche genre.
Griffin Gaming Partners launches $100M fund to support indie developers
Venture capital firm Griffin Gaming Partners has launched a $100 million fund, the Special Opportunities Fund, to provide revenue-sharing financing for indie game developers. This initiative aims to offer fair funding solutions by eschewing equity-based investments. The fund has already invested in 15 titles, including several published by Hooded Horse.
Griffin Gaming Partners launches new $100 million fund to champion world-class indie games
Griffin Gaming Partners has launched a new $100 million Special Opportunities Fund (SOF) aimed at providing project-based revenue-sharing financing for indie games. This initiative offers an alternative to traditional equity investments, seeking to better support smaller studios. The fund has already invested in fifteen titles, including nine announced projects across various genres.
Griffin Gaming Partners launches $100m indie dev fund, led by Hooded Horse CEO Tim Bender
Griffin Gaming Partners has launched a $100 million fund, the Special Opportunities Fund (SOF), to support indie game development. Led by Hooded Horse CEO Tim Bender, the fund will provide financing through a revenue-share model rather than equity. This approach aims to protect developers by aligning interests and sharing success evenly, with Griffin already having invested in fifteen titles.
Another $100 million to indie games: new fund led by CEO of Manor Lords publisher and strategy powerhouse Hooded Horse praises "breakout hits with comparatively modest budgets"
Griffin Gaming Partners has launched a new $100 million "Special Opportunities Fund" for indie games, managed by Tim Bender, CEO of Hooded Horse. The fund has already invested in 15 titles, including the turn-based tactics game Menace, with a focus on breakout hits that have modest budgets.
