Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, Atre Dominance Wars, a new 4X RPG/RTS, has now launched a playtest on Steam. The game, inspired by strategy classics such as Heroes of Might and Magic and Dune Spice Wars, is set for release in 2026 on Steam.

So far, more than 250 backers have pledged more than $30,000 USD to support Atre Dominance Wars, with the final days of the crowdfunding campaign to go as we went to press. Developer Ironward is now aiming to double that with a $60,000 stretch goal to improve combat. The team wishes to add more depth and definition to battles, including a new battlefield overview and UI overhaul, as well as targeted spell-casting and more combat decisions.

Atre Dominance Wars’ dynamic strategy gameplay will be playable across a main story, which features constantly changing fantasy worlds. The Merge is a great cataclysm that tears these worlds apart and crashes them together, forcing players to escape it by finding Thrones and anchoring their land, or put an end to it by investigating the reason behind it.

Key features:

Forge Artifacts: Create powerful artifacts by combining various gems. Name these artifacts using the ancient Glagolitic script, granting them unique and personalized power. 

Powerful Spellcasting: Dedicate yourself to one of the High Lords and unleash devastating spells that can reshape the land, alter structures, or even destroy entire regions. However, absolute power risks paying a high price, as entities from the other side can enter your domain when you become the most powerful Elder. 

Betray the Elders: Go beyond traditional means of victory, as defeat is not the end and there is a comeback mechanic. That includes the possibility of befriending and betraying another Elder to win.