Firefly Studios’ Designer Stephen Richards and series creator Simon Bradbury have revealed four major improvements to AI behaviour found in their upcoming ‘castle sim’ sequel Stronghold: Warlords. This new entry in the historical real-time strategy series will usher in major improvements and refinements in how computer controlled opponents interact with the player, each other and any warlords present on the map.

AI behaviours related to castle management, skirmish combat and city building have been completely revamped for Stronghold: Warlords, in addition to being able to work with the new warlords system. Much like the archetypes of the warlords themselves – such as the Ox, Tiger and Crane – each enemy AI will adhere to a distinct style of play over a set of predetermined behaviours. The decisions made by computer opponents will now be made according to map layout, tactical positioning of warlords, available resources, current army composition and their priorities at different stages of gameplay.

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Available on Steam during the weeklong the Autumn Steam Game Fest, our new beta Stronghold: Warlords demo can be downloaded right now. That’s right! Between October 7th and 13th players will be able to try out our latest build, a brand new mission from Warlords’ Vietnam campaign starring the warlord Thuc Phan. After October 13th the demo will no longer be available, so move fast if you want this chance to play our upcoming ‘castle sim’ before launch and let us know what you think on Discord.

What better way is there to pass the time waiting for that demo to download, than by watching one of our handsome developers play through it for you? Follow our resident Videographer Aaron Hayden as he walks players through some of the new features, visuals and challenges offered by our latest Stronghold: Warlords demo. Expect new info, laughter and perhaps a few tears as Aaron attempts that precarious balance between achieving a perfect run and voicing a full mission walkthrough for the uninitiated. Continue reading →

We have released new gameplay footage revealing four brand new units coming to our upcoming ‘castle sim’ RTS Stronghold: Warlords. Each with their own special abilities, counters and tactics, the Ninja, Warrior Monk and mounted cavalry all make their Stronghold series debut in this new video.

The Ninja, Warrior Monk, Imperial and Auxiliary Cavalry join the game’s roster of 16 units and 10 siege weapons accessible to all players in skirmish mode and multiplayer. With more special and mounted units than ever before, Stronghold: Warlords’ new units aim to mix up the core series gameplay for long-time fans and newcomers alike.

We’re spotlighting Stronghold: Warlords‘ economic campaign segment with 20 minutes of fresh gameplay footage! Featuring new developer commentary and insight from Senior Programmer Matt Smith and marketing lead Nick Tannahill, this new developer diary features plenty of classic Stronghold gameplay in our new setting.

From medieval events and the distinct possibility of fire… To new changing weather conditions and map hazards, Stronghold: Warlords’ ‘Path of Peace’ campaign will give you plenty to think about while growing your castle economy.

Following The Scribe, Warlords’ economic-centric missions will test your city builder and sim skills as you’re tasked with gathering resources, growing your population and fulfilling unique objectives as you fight against the clock (or in this case – tiger attacks).

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As shown during the Gamescom Studio show, we’re giving you a first look at our Japanese campaign missions following Toyotomi Hideyoshi! This new developer commentary footage shows details on the new ‘Warlord System’ and provides a closer look at some of the new units coming to Stronghold: Warlords at launch on March 9th, 2021.

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Today we’re showing half an hour of brand new Mongolian campaign gameplay footage! Featuring developer commentary from Stronghold: Warlords Lead Programmer Tony DeLibero, this new video features hitherto unrevealed units, warlords and castle structures. A snapshot of the later stages of Warlords’ Mongolian campaign segment, today’s campaign preview takes players to 1227 AD as the great Khan moves to crush rebelling Xia forces. Surrounded on all fronts by hostile warlords and a well-protected enemy lord, players must first rush to bring each warlord under their command, before launching an all out siege on the enemy. Attacking immediately would be foolish, however with enough warlords pledging their gold, resources and troops, players can amass an army powerful enough to take down the enemy stronghold. Continue reading →

We’ve just released new single player gameplay footage for Stronghold: Warlords, the latest RTS ‘castle sim’ from Firefly Studios. Taken from the Chinese portion of the game’s 31 mission campaign, the ‘Armies of Yan’ occurs toward the end of the Warring States period in 226 BC. Over the course of 40 minutes of uninterrupted gameplay, Senior Programmer Matt Smith walks us through the latest additions to the castle building RTS series. Showcasing new units like the Fire Lancer, the titular warlords mechanic and castle sieges, this video is the first in a new series providing an early look at the game’s main single player game mode.

As Warlords approaches launch new campaign previews will be released on our YouTube to tease game features and improvements, but also to collect feedback from players. With particular attention to community requests, new Warlord abilities and of course ‘wuselfaktor’, we’ve been paying close attention to player suggestions since the game’s E3 reveal. For over a year now our designers and devs have been processing feedback on the game’s visuals, sound effects and most recently gameplay using our Steam Game Fest demo.

Castle builders will be able to journey from ancient China and Vietnam to feudal Japan and the Mongol Empire when Stronghold: Warlords launches on Steam later this year.