Epoch Xperience

Elevate your historical video game or wargame and engage your players with an experience that balances history and gameplay. At Epoch Xperience, our researchers work closely with your development team to fine-tune historical details, help create a fitting narrative, and build rich, vibrant worlds ripped straight from the history books. From pre- to post-production, we'll be at your side, guiding development and marketing to ensure your historical game is entertaining, immersive, and budding with historical details and facts. Our goal isn’t to bore your players, but to thrust them into a living, breathing world blended with historical details and fantastical lore.

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Historical Horror Series, 'Kingdom' Goes Multiplayer, Drops New Trailer

MMO Culture

Netflix’s South Korean horror-thriller Kingdom is set to get its own video game adaptation, entitled Kingdom: The Blood. The game will be an online action RPG and is expected to release for both PC and mobile platforms, with cross-play options. Though we still don’t have a concrete release date set, Netflix has released a teaser trailer for the upcoming title.

Not a whole lot of information has been shared about Netflix’s upcoming licensed title, including exactly how big the game’s online component will be. It’s unknown whether the game will feature some cooperative zombie-killing gameplay-- e.g. Killing Floor and Dying Light-- or if the game will allow for a much larger number of players to fight alongside one another in a massive world MMO-style. Either way, Kingdom: The Blood is looking to be a great idea for a game on paper.

History Meets Horror

Tech Times

Set during Korea’s Joseon period and just three years after the famous “Battle of the Unpo Wetland,” Netflix’s ‘Kingdom focuses on a prince who is tasked with investigating a deadly outbreak within his kingdom. The major draw of Kingdom is that the series combines two incredibly different genres. Part-historical drama, part-zombie thriller, the TV show offers an interesting “what if” scenario that appeals to both history buffs and horror fans.

Out of Netflix’s vast catalog of original films and TV shows, Kingdom stands out as an excellent candidate for a video game adaption. The series offers an exciting and original world that feels ripe for player exploration and plenty of spooky thrills. Zombies have always been popular within the gaming industry, with massive franchises like Resident Evil, Telltale’s The Walking Dead, and Left 4 Dead all leaving huge impacts on the ever-going gaming landscape. And while there still isn’t a whole lot known about the upcoming licensed game, it seems like a perfect recipe for success. Kingdom certainly does a great job of bringing the horror, and we’re excited to see how it performs as a video game.

Netflix and Gaming

Nintendo

Earlier this year, Netflix expressed its interest in entering the video game medium, with the company dipping their toes into the industry with big IPs Stranger Things and Narcos already receiving game adaptations. While neither of those titles performed all that well (the former has a score 62 on Metacritic, while the latter holds an abysmal 45), we’re holding out hope that Netflix will be able to improve their gaming efforts with Kingdom: The Blood, as they seem to be taking their gaming efforts more seriously. We’re interested to see what other Netflix shows are next to get game adaptations and how far Netflix is looking to go with its video game endeavors.

Kingdom has two seasons and one special on Netflix, with a third season not yet renewed officially. But given the fact that the series is getting a video game adaptation, it seems all too likely that a third season is coming to the streaming service. Stay tuned for more updates on both Kingdom: The Blood and Netflix’s other future video game adaptations.

At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP's service on our parent site, SJR Research.

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(This article is credited to Ben Price. For as long as he can remember, Ben has always loved playing, discussing, and writing about video games. Since receiving his B.A. in English, he now writes about them for a living).

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New ‘Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition’ DLC Adds Two Civilizations

Steam

Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition, a popular remaster of the 1999 RTS classic, recently received a new expansion. Dawn of the Dukes includes three new fully voiced campaigns and two new civilizations – the Poles and Bohemians. The DLC focuses on central and eastern Europe, homing in on the two playable nations battle for conquest and victory. Along with these additions, an extensive patch was also rolled out to fix numerous issues with the game’s stability and AI. 

Exploration Into the East and Center of Medieval Europe

GameWatcher

Dawn of the Dukes is the second official expansion for Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition, providing a new look into a region that wasn’t explored as much in the initial release. The two main factions have unique specialties that pertain to their real history amidst the ravaging conflicts. Playing as the Poles has players develop a strong cavalry civilization, while the Bohemians focus on a monk and gunpowder civilization that relies on advanced weaponry and novel tactics to gain the upper hand. 

The three campaigns featured along with the new factions cover the stories of Lithuanian princes Algridas and Kestutis’s struggle against the Teutonic Knights, Poland’s first female monarch Jadwiga’s quest to unite Poland and Lithuania, and legendary Czech general Jan Zizka’s fight against the Holy Roman Empire.

Continued Support and Development for the Old Historical Game

GameWatcher

While Age of Empires 4 is on the horizon, Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition continues to bring new content to the age-old RTS game. Many new and old fans still enjoy it, especially thanks to the Definitive Edition. Content additions help expand on the wide list of factions available to players, improving the core gameplay and expanding upon the overall experience. Developer Relic Entertainment is continuing to make progress for the next long-awaited installment in the Age of Empires series, but for those looking to dive into the series now can explore Age of Empire 2: Definitive Edition’s praised historical experience and wealth of ongoing content. At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP’s service on our parent site, SJR Research.

-- (This article is credited to Josh Rife. Josh has been a longtime gamer, playing games from vast amounts of genres. From Sci-Fi to historical or fantastical medieval games, he enjoys playing and discussing them with others. Some of his particular favorites include the Mass Effect series and the Total War franchise. He’s working towards writing and researching history as a full-time career, taking inspiration from his parents, who own Epoch’s parent company, SJR Research.). 

[epochxp-blog]

‘Call of Duty: Vanguard’ Officially Revealed During ‘Warzone’ Event

Call of Duty

Call of Duty: Vanguard, the next mainline entry into the popular Call of Duty franchise, is once returning the series to its World War II roots. The game will feature a totally new squad-based multiplayer, a campaign that will include major battles of World War II, and environments that will react and change in response to bullets and explosions. Developer Sledgehammer Games will be taking the mantle for this installment after Treyarch’s Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, with a projected release set for November 5.

Inspiration From History and Similar Titles

USA Today

Call of Duty: Vanguard was revealed during the Battle of Verdansk Warzone event, along with an official preview video. The highlights from the preview revolved more around the game’s details than its World War II premise. What stood out, though, was the gameplay footage shown by the developers illustrating how objects and maps would react when the shooting started. Everything from the dynamic hail of bullets and wall-blasting explosions are similar to what players have found in EA’s Battlefield series.

Vanguard seems to take inspiration from Battlefield, introducing many additions never seen in any Call of Duty game before. Amidst the unique physics and realism, players again will be able to mount their weapons on objects, like a table or box, and now will be able to slide them among flat surfaces as well as while maintaining cover. These add an ongoing immersion, partly because they’re actions rooted in history.

The Multiplayer and Campaign Front

Charlie Intel

Also new to Vanguard will be a multiplayer mode called Champion Hill. Players will be pit against each other in eight teams in a round-robin-style tournament. It can be played with solos, duos, and trios, and will take place in “an arena consisting of four maps.” Sledgehammer, who promised additional details on the mode, described it as a blend of battle royale and the 2v2 gunfight mode introduced in 2019’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Gunfight will be brought into Vanguard alongside the franchise’s popular Zombie’s mode, which will expand on the lore found in last year’s Call of Duty: Cold War.

On the campaign front, Vanguard will follow a multinational squad of Allied soldiers across numerous battles. The soldiers will become the world’s first Special Forces unit and pursue information about “Project Phoenix,” the Nazis’ plan to reestablish the Third Reich if Germany would lose. The squad comprises a British paratrooper, a hotshot American pilot from the Pacific Theater, an Australian tanker who fought in North Africa, and a Russian Sniper who helped save Stalingrad.

The Next Bold Installment in a Decade Old Franchise

Charlie Intel

Since Call of Duty 2’s release in 2005, a new Call of Duty game has been released every year. This new working title is bringing with it new improvements, changes, and fixes to what fans love about the previous installments. Sledgehammer has promised more details to come for fans, as well as a link between Vanguard, Warzone, and Cold War. With a dynamic core experience and enriching narrative, Call of Duty: Vanguard promises to be a well-deserved hyped release on the horizon.

At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP’s service on our parent site, SJR Research.

-- (This article is credited to Josh Rife. Josh has been a longtime gamer, playing games from vast amounts of genres. From Sci-Fi to historical or fantastical medieval games, he enjoys playing and discussing them with others. Some of his particular favorites include the Mass Effect series and the Total War franchise. He’s working towards writing and researching history as a full-time career, taking inspiration from his parents, who own Epoch’s parent company, SJR Research.). 

[epochxp-blog]

Narrative Lead with “Passion for World History” Needed at Firaxis Games

PCGamesN

Developer Firaxis Games appears to be working on the next installment in its historical 4X game series, Civilization. Firaxis posted a job ad seeking a narrative lead to work on an upcoming “AAA strategy title.” The developer is looking for an individual with “knowledge and passion for world history,” which speaks to what the strategy titles seek to recreate. Since it’s never clearly implied that this is for a new Civilization game in the ad, there are still a ton of possibilities. Along with Civilization, Firaxis is behind the entire Sid Meiers series.

An Important Role for the Upcoming Historical Title

Eurogamer

The role that the Narrative Lead position fills is important, requiring a lot from a candidate. Firaxis’s ad states that the studio is looking for someone with three years of credited games writing experience and someone who can write cinematics alongside a director. The developer also needs someone who can understand ways to tell stories within the structure of a strategy game. This experience factors heavily in how a historical narrative would work.

A Possible Successor to a Critically Acclaimed Release

Ars Technica

Firaxis happens to have several yet to be announced games in the pipeline. Parent company Take Two has said 2K Games will be announcing an “exciting new franchise” sometime this month, along with a XCOM-style Avengers-style strategy game. So far, there’s no confirmation that Civilization VII is even in production, so the job ad could even be for an upcoming DLC or an entirely new IP.

As development remains to be unconfirmed, players can still be excited about what developer Firaxis Games will bring to the table. The open position for the head narrative lead will explore new opportunities to develop a truly immersive historical narrative. Firaxis has made similar historical titles, dating back to 1997. Players should be on the lookout for what this new title will bring, whether it’s a new installment to the Civilization series or even something new and original. At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP’s service on our parent site, SJR Research.

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(This article is credited to Josh Rife. Josh has been a longtime gamer, playing games from vast amounts of genres. From Sci-Fi to historical or fantastical medieval games, he enjoys playing and discussing them with others. Some of his particular favorites include the Mass Effect series and the Total War franchise. He’s working towards writing and researching history as a full-time career, taking inspiration from his parents, who own Epoch’s parent company, SJR Research.).

[epochxp-blog]

‘Total War: Troy’ Update to Include Game-Balancing Historical Mode

PCGamesN

Popular real-time strategy game Total War Saga: Troy is receiving a new expansion complete with a major free update to mark the title’s Steam release. This upcoming expansion will add several new game modes for players to delve into that will explore different aspects of the game, such as its mythological and historical elements. A new Mythos Mode builds upon the fantastical units and monsters featured within Total War Saga: Troy. Additionally, the Historical Mode will balance the core gameplay by incorporating history and realism in its experience. 

Mythology Removed for a New Historical Experience

Epic Games

Attention is brought to Total War Saga: Troy’s Historical Mode, which is something fans have been wanting since the title’s original release. The Historical Mode removes key units in favor of bodyguards for every hero. Furthermore, the development team has also had to look at each ability and either change or replace them to feel more authentic. Included with the new Historical Mode will be various event chains and event rewards that have been changed to allow players to opt for something more realistic and immersive.

“It’s been a process of defining which are reasonable to have as an ability of a larger unit like this,” the developer update on the Total War blog says, “and which are simply too fantastical to be historically authentic.” As of its announcement, this has impacted every hero across every faction and basically means a complete rebalance of units for use in the Historical Mode.

Responding to a Long-Awaited Addition

Eurogamer

Overhauls within Troy mostly comprise of the logistical systems, adding an all-new administration mechanic amidst the units and ability changes. Features like these are just a few of the highlights to come, and Creative Assembly will provide a full list of changes coming when the patch notes drop closer to the expansion’s launch. The add-on and update prove to be truly promising, providing something new to look forward to for the late Bronze Age RTS. At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP’s service on our parent site, SJR Research.

- (This article is credited to Josh Rife. Josh has been a longtime gamer, playing games from vast amounts of genres. From Sci-Fi to historical or fantastical medieval games, he enjoys playing and discussing them with others. Some of his particular favorites include the Mass Effect series and the Total War franchise. He’s working towards writing and researching history as a full-time career, taking inspiration from his parents, who own Epoch’s parent company, SJR Research.). 

[epochxp-blog]

‘History N’ Games’ Podcast Delves into the History of Iki Island

GameRant

Meghan Sullivan, a former IGN contributor and creator of the History ‘n Games podcast, recently released a brand-new video covering the history behind Iki Island. The detailed but brief video covers Iki Island’s history and its connection to Ghost of Tsushima’s future downloadable expansion pack. In the new video, Sullivan talks about the very dark and tragic history behind Iki Island and how it might relate to the content of the upcoming expansion.

Sullivan’s solo project, History ‘N Games, provides a deep dive into various historical video games, ranging from Hades to The Oregon Trail, where she discusses the historical origins that the games are based on. Additionally, Sullivan also conducts interviews with other content creators and video game industry veterans. Most recently, she sat down with content creator and Latin and Ancient Greek enthusiast Luke Ranieri, where they delved into the proper pronunciation of Ancient Greek names.

Ghost of Tsushima: Iki Island Releasing Later This Week

GamesRadar

Ghost of Tsushima was released in July of last year and has gone on to become critically acclaimed, earning praise as arguably one of the greatest games on the PS4. The game is set during 13th century Japan, following protagonist Jin Sakai caught in the midst of a Mongol invasion. When his family and friends are slaughtered, Sakai sets out on a quest for bloody revenge. The game features breathtaking visuals and a massive open world, where the player is free to explore feudal Japan and the real island of Tsushima. Ghost of Tsushima takes inspiration from Japanese cinema, most notably from films by Akira Kurosawa (Seven Samurai and Sanjuro).

The Iki Island expansion features a brand new story, set on a new map of the titular island and brand new characters, enemies, and more. Iki Island expansion will be included with Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut when it launches on August 20th for PS4 and PS5 for $59.99 and $69.99, respectively. Alternatively, players who already own the title for PS4 can simply purchase the Director’s Cut digital upgrade for just $19.99.

Support Historical Content Creators

Epoch XP YouTube

Epoch XP content and marketing manager Mark LoProto had the pleasure of sitting down with  Sullivan for an interview to discuss the great work that she does and the importance of outlets like History ‘N Games. Her work can be found on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter, with even more exclusive content available on her Patreon.

At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP's service on our parent site, SJR Research.

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(This article is credited to Ben Price. For as long as he can remember, Ben has always loved playing, discussing, and writing about video games. Since receiving his B.A. in English, he now writes about them for a living).

[epochxp-blog]

‘Iron Order 1919’ Explores Alternative Post-World War 1 History

Bytro

Iron Order 1919, a PvP focused strategy game developed by Bytro Labs, officially released earlier this month. The real-time multiplayer title takes place in The Great War era. The twist is that it focuses on a new alternative world within the historical era, with futuristic mechs and weaponry. These towering war machines roam the battlefield clad in thick armor, wielding a new mighty firepower unlike anything seen before. Soldiers become more like bystanders in a war that will be decided by both man and machine.

A Mechanized Future Set in the Great War

Bytro

With the emergence of these mechs, altered country borders, names, governments, and an alternate history set the massive scope of Iron Order 1919. Bytro has made similar titles like Call of War: World War II and Supremacy 1914, which explore similar history in the first two World Wars. However, this title takes Bytro’s long-term strategy genre to a whole new level. 

Nations will be strongly inspired by the actual nations in Europe and around the world. Some will have distinct differences such as different forms of government or ideologies, as well as drastic changes to their borders. Massive units like the giant walking airfield or flying fortresses, or those serve as airborne artillery, promise a World War I experience unlike any other. Iron Order 1919 proves to bring a promising take on the First Great War. It brings a flair with its use of mechs, pulling away from the usual soldier with a new focus. 

A Fresh New Take on Histor

Bytro

Players old and new familiarized with this real-time strategy multiplayer genre of gaming can look forward to what's coming with this title. Iron Order 1919 takes an unexpected mix of the past and future and combines them to explore the grim but captivating setting it provides. Through the following weeks, new mechanics, units, features, and maps will come out. This title and ample amount of content continues to expand upon what makes historical strategy games fun, truly producing a fresh experience amongst its new take on a highly covered war in gaming. At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP’s service on our parent site, SJR Research.

-- (This article is credited to Josh Rife. Josh has been a longtime gamer, playing games from vast amounts of genres. From Sci-Fi to historical or fantastical medieval games, he enjoys playing and discussing them with others. Some of his particular favorites include the Mass Effect series and the Total War franchise. He's working towards writing and researching history as a full-time career, taking inspiration from his parents, who own Epoch's parent company, SJR Research.). 

[epochxp-blog]

History of Slavery the Focus of Free-to-Play’ Blackhaven’

Steam

Blackhaven, the first game developed by indie developer Historiated Games, is a free-to-play title that teaches gamers about American history, more specifically the history of slavery. Released last month just a couple of weeks after the United States celebrated Independence Day, Blackhaven shows players a new perspective of American culture that is rarely portrayed in gaming.

Exploring Secrets of the Past

Steam

Through Blackhaven, players take on the role of Kendra Turner, a high school sophomore interning at the Blackhaven Hall Historical Society. Through the game, Kendra learns that Blackhaven had previously served as the home of Thomas Harwood, an American Founding Father that was later burned during a Revolutionary War battle in the 18th century. Kendra’s curiosity quickly leads herself through the museum’s various archives and exhibits, where she finds cracks in Blackhaven’s official story, and thus begins to uncover hidden secrets of the past.

Throughout the game, the player will investigate ruins of a massive colonial home and farm, tour an extensive gallery of historically accurate artifacts, paintings, and letters, and much more. Blackhaven was developed in partnership with historians and scholars, including HBCU faculty and students. The game aims for historical authenticity above all else, and shows how games can do more than simply entertain. They’re also fully capable of being truly informative pieces of media.

Tackling a Serious Issue Gracefully

WSHU

Slavery is rarely a topic brought up in video games, so it’s quite refreshing to see a new game that’s entirely focused it. In an interview with Connecticut Public Radio, Historiated Games founder James Coltrain states that he believes that he hopes historians will become more engaged with video games, as the medium provides an entry point into history for many people today. And we agree completely with Coltrain’s sentiment. Shearon Roberts, a scholar who assisted with the development of the game, adds that the game is the perfect jumping-off point for players interested in exploring real historical events.

More video games can--and should-- tackle serious issues, as the interactive medium is perfect for educating users about various subjects. History, in particular, feels right at home in video games, as it’s a great way to allow users to explore new worlds and time periods throughout history. Blackhaven works well, as it both explores a different era of history than our own, as well as teaching the player about specific historical events that are seldom known by many.

Get It Free Today

Steam

Many gamers may categorize Blackhaven as a “walking simulator,” as it’s relatively light on gameplay and action. It is very story-focused, with a few puzzles, but overall the experience is pretty straightforward and short. It can be completed in under two hours, but for a free title this is completely fine

Blackhaven is available now for PC for free. Gamers who are looking for a short, educational walk through American history should give Blackhaven a look.

At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP's service on our parent site, SJR Research.

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(This article is credited to Ben Price. For as long as he can remember, Ben has always loved playing, discussing, and writing about video games. Since receiving his B.A. in English, he now writes about them for a living).

[epochxp-blog]

‘Company of Heroes 3:’ Player Action Will Influence the Narrative

PCGamer

Company of Heroes 3, the new sequel to the critically acclaimed Company of Heroes 2, is currently in development with a lot of new promising features. In a recent blog post, Relic Entertainment discussed how players will play a crucial role in influencing the direction of the narrative. Through their actions, they can shift the oncoming tides of the war, allowing the game to change dynamically with every playthrough. While there’s an ample amount of information that players don’t know yet, Relic Entertainment has been revealing more and more on its historical story. 

A Dynamically Changing Story

PCGamer

The game will start with “a cold open mission” that serves as the game’s tutorial, easing players into the plot and choices they will have to make. During gameplay, these choices will feature “Narrative Anchors,” as Relic calls them. They are story moments that appear on the map and will vary depending on your relationships with the characters. Choosing to take certain missions at different points can lower or raise your reputation with commanders.

At the end of the campaign, a cumulation of the player’s choices will add in an outro featuring the “historically authentic ending of the Italy campaign.” The narrative itself is influenced and impacted through these actions, reflecting the ever-changing story. Despite having a set beginning and end, the story will also include multiple endings for those who seek to explore different routes. New ways to experience the vast battlefields all remain prevalent as player choice continues to immerse players within the historical world of Company of Heroes.

An Immersive Historical World Continuing in Development

GameSpot

The immersive narrative is similar to the likes of The Witcher, Deus Ex, and even Mass Effect in its scope. Developer Philip_RE clarifies that it is “not going to be building a giant, Bioware-style” game. Instead Relic aims to modestly recreate history alongside a compelling narrative. The Company of Heroes series is often known for its massive battles, but this take explores a new way of storytelling. A release date remains unset for Company of Heroes 3, but it has been announced to be sometime during 2022

Currently, there is no official release date for Company of Heroes 3, but players should expect to jump back into the fray in 2022.

At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP’s service on our parent site, SJR Research.

--

(This article is credited to Josh Rife. Josh has been a longtime gamer, playing games from vast amounts of genres. From Sci-Fi to historical or fantastical medieval games, he enjoys playing and discussing them with others. Some of his particular favorites include the Mass Effect series and the Total War franchise. He’s working towards writing and researching history as a full-time career, taking inspiration from his parents, who own Epoch’s parent company, SJR Research.). 

[epochxp-blog]

Could a Game Explore the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Thought Co

On August 6th and August 9th of 1945, the United States detonated two nuclear strikes over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The two bombs killed somewhere between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians and remains the only use of nuclear weapons in history. While the atomic bombings arguably helped to secure victory for the Allied powers, they ended the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. We may have been taught that the bombings were necessary to end the war, the level of death and destruction that they caused was nevertheless incredibly tragedy.

Through the years, gamers have seen many different iconic historical events adapted into interactive video games, and World War II is one of the most popular time periods in historical gaming. With that said, it could be interesting to imagine how the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings could translate into a video game. Outside of Nagasaki Kitty, the bombings haven’t really been portrayed in an interactive medium. Today let’s discuss how developers could-- or whether they even should-- adapt this controversial world event to video game format.

America’s Perspective

Aerocorner

If the atomic bombs were to be adapted into a video game, one option would be to throw the player into the role of the Americans. Players could be led through a campaign, and be eventually tasked with bombing both Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Though incredibly dark, these missions could work in a World War II flight-simulator type of video game. With World War II flight games somewhat popular already, this seems like something that could possibly get made.

Real-Time Strategy

Steam

Real-time strategy games have always been incredibly popular, with big-name franchises like Age of Empires, Total War, and Civilization continuing to move the genre forward through the years but Company of Heroes was one of the first games to bring RTS gameplay to a World War II setting. Company of Heroes’ success proves that the RTS genre has room for more games that take place within WW2, and we can easily see a game tackle the Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombings in a game of this nature. These events seem perfect to be experienced from a top-down RTS perspective, and might actually work if executed properly.

Aftermath of the Bombings

Milwaukee Independent

Another potential way that a video game could portray the atomic bombings is by focusing on the aftermath of the bombings. Like how A Plague Tale: Innocence took the real-world horrors of the Bubonic Plague and adapted them into a horror video game, the aftermath of the nuclear bombings could just as easily work as a horror game. As the Japanese anime Barefoot Gen accurately and gruesomely illustrates, the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki became horrific Apocalyptic wastelands post-bombing, and would prove to be quite frightening if adapted to a video game. A game set covering this event would undoubtedly feature some horror elements, and perhaps would be a bit too heavy to properly work.

Could it Even Be Done?

While there are several directions that a game centered around the atomic bombings could go, is a game of this nature even possible? Of course, it’s possible. However, there is a very specific way a developer will need to go about it. One of the biggest gaffs would be for an American developer to come in with a “pro atomic bomb” tone. And while much of the United States still supports the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the same really can’t be said for the rest of the world. Especially in Japan, a prominent figure in the video game industry. It’s a complex issue that requires the right approach – which may not be some action-packed segment.

And if a video game that portrayed the bombings were ever created by American developers themselves, it likely would be seen as extremely controversial or would be end up feeling biased in favor of America. So while a game doesn’t seem impossible, developers certainly would need to be very respectful and careful in adapting this event to a game.

At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP's service on our parent site, SJR Research.

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(This article is credited to Ben Price. For as long as he can remember, Ben has always loved playing, discussing, and writing about video games. Since receiving his B.A. in English, he now writes about them for a living).

[epochxp-blog]

‘Chivalry 2’ Update Info Leaked, Reveals New Map and Game Mode

Chivalry 2

A new map and game mode have recently been leaked for Chivalry 2, a relatively new medieval action multiplayer. In developer Torn Banner Studios’ post-launch dev diary, it revealed that the new map would be Galencourt, the seat of the Agathian Church. Galencourt is a massive city with lavish medieval architecture, providing players ample space for offense and defense. Alongside the map, a team objective mode will be included. 

A Wide Scale Historically-Inspired Siege

PCGamer

Galencourt brings a massive battlefield within and beyond its walls. Everything from the historically inspired design to the brutal combat is remaining but will be accompanied by a few unique additions. Destroyable ships are docked at the map’s port, available for players to man or destroy. If players wish to proceed on foot with their brethren, new weapons and a mounted fighting style will be added in to give that edge in battle. 

Looking ahead through the update’s numerous tweaks and additions, the new game mode will include objectives for players to contest. While information is low on what this game mode will be, players can expect an enjoyable, highly competitive scenario to explore. Rumored horses, modes, and interface improvements have also been promised by the developers. These will be in Chivalry 2 sometime after this content update’s release. Features like those recently revealed expand on what this game borrows from medieval history, with first-hand immersion always prevalent in ever-changing experience.

Continued Post Content Additions

GameSpot

Developer Torn Banner Studios created a strong multiplayer action game and earned praise from fans and critics alike. The new update will not be the last for the future of Chivalry 2. Unannounced maps, character customization, and constant improvements will be there. Players can look ahead for more to come for the title in the coming months. At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP’s service on our parent site, SJR Research.

-- (This article is credited to Josh Rife. Josh has been a longtime gamer, playing games from vast amounts of genres. From Sci-Fi to historical or fantastical medieval games, he enjoys playing and discussing them with others. Some of his particular favorites include the Mass Effect series and the Total War franchise. He’s working towards writing and researching history as a full-time career, taking inspiration from his parents, who own Epoch’s parent company, SJR Research.). 

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What is Historical Gaming's Greatest Asset?

HyperX Gaming

Video games are magical to many, as they are the only medium that allows users to interact with and immerse themselves within giant, exciting new worlds different from our own. For that same reason, historical video games are appealing to history buffs as they allow gamers to experience the past in new and exciting ways. The only problem is, not all games are perfect. Many historical video games offer a lot of promise, but have some issues (major or minor) that stop them from being truly amazing.

But luckily for us history fans, modding communities have taken it upon themselves to try to improve imperfect games. Whether they’re minor tweaks like graphical upgrades, new maps, and gameplay changes or massive upgrades, mods can vastly improve video game experiences in big ways. Video game mods are historical gaming’s greatest asset, as they allow modding communities to add additional features and more authenticity to historical games, even injecting historical details into some games that were never historical to begin with.

Reworking Historical Games & Adding Authenticity

Steam Community

Some modders enjoy modding historical video games in order to make them even more authentic. The Total War series has become one of the most popular RTS franchises in all of gaming, with the series becoming a commercial success and with an ever-growing fanbase. But one complaint about the series heard time and time again has been its historical inaccuracy. The games often skim over historical details in favor of thrills on the battlefield. 

That’s where its modding community comes in: modders have made updated versions of several of the games in the Total War series, but perhaps the most popular of them all is Rome: Total Realism, which heavily upgrades 2004’s Rome: Total War. As the mod’s title suggests, Total Realism aims to rectify the original games’ inaccuracies, and adds in a slew of brand new features including changes to the map, new playable factions, and several gameplay tweaks. It remains arguably the best way to play the game to this day, and is one of the best RTS game mods.

Injecting History into Fantasy Worlds

PlayStation Lifestyle

While some modders choose to make historical video games even more authentic, others go an entirely different route and inject history into entirely fictional universes. The Elder Scrolls series may be heavily inspired by European history, but the games themselves are entirely fictitious. Featuring all sorts of fantastical creatures, monsters, and magical elements, Skyrim is by no means rooted in any real history. However, modders have created countless mods that make the game more in-line with world history.

One of the best of these mods is The Forgotten City, which brings the player to Ancient Rome. This mod is excellent not only because of its close-attention to detail, but also because of its vast scale (it features over 1,400 lines of newly recorded dialogue and over twenty new NPCs!) And while the mod is relatively short (it can be finished in just 3-4 hours), it is undoubtedly one of the best in all of the Skyrim modding community, and that’s really saying a lot. In fact, The Forgotten City was so successful that the mod’s creator went on to make an entire stand-alone game, also entitled The Forgotten City, which just launched earlier this year on PC and all major consoles.

Adding Brand-New Features

Company of Heroes Blitzkrieg Mod

Another way that modders have improved historical video games is by simply adding in entirely new features and systems to games. Company of Heroes received the exciting Blitzkrieg Mod, which focused on making the game more realistic. In addition to adding over 30 new maps, over 100 new units, and brand new textures and sound effects, the mod even adds a brand new co-op mode, where multiple players can play against other teams or against CPU.

Overall, there are several different ways that mods can improve historical video games, and gamers should be thankful for all of the talented modding communities that devote hundreds of hours to improve these titles.

At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP's service on our parent site, SJR Research.

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(This article is credited to Ben Price. For as long as he can remember, Ben has always loved playing, discussing, and writing about video games. Since receiving his B.A. in English, he now writes about them for a living.)

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COVID Forces Battlefront Miniatures to Temporarily Suspend Production on Some Product Lines

Battlefront Miniatures announced on August 1st that it would be discontinuing production on some of its product lines due to COVID related lockdowns affecting suppliers in Malaysia.

In a press releases regarding the issue, Battlefront representatives stated:

“Malaysia remains in a strict nationwide lockdown in response to the COVID-19 surge they’re experiencing. This includes the Battlefront factory where we make all our 15mm ranges, which has now been closed for over two months, and will remain so until it is deemed safe to re-open by the government. We have always had a long lead time for production so our stocks on hand have been able to cope, but with the length of this closure, we have already started seeing the impact hitting the range on the delivery of new items and the restocks of the current range.”

“When we re-open, we’re going to have to prioritize the flow of product as we simply cannot make it all in one go so we will concentrate on getting our upcoming new releases finished, packed and on their way to the warehouses, stores and yourselves as the top priority. As well as the new products we will work on the core lines as our goal is to see that the entire Late-War and WWIII ranges fully stocked.”

“To enable us to do this, and catch back up, we’re going to TEMPORARILY suspend orders for some of our ranges so that the factory can focus their efforts as with over three thousand codes the exercise of making replacement stock for them all will take the plant some time to catch up. NAM, Great War, Arab Israeli, Early War and Mid War will be suspended in their entirety. All special / direct order codes, as these are made to order, and some of the BIAB terrain range will also be suspended.”

“We understand this is sad news and might disrupt some of your collecting and building plans, and we heartily apologise. Please be reassured this is temporary, and we will get those ranges back into production, as soon as we have caught up with the amended release schedule.”

Military Miniature reached out for further comment from Battlefront, and spoke to Libby Montague-Brown via email, who had this to say about the actions being taken by Battlefront and how the global logistical crunch is also affecting the company, as well as the hobby at large.

She stated that “…this [the factory closure] remains as such until we’re given the go ahead from the Malaysian Government that it is safe to re-open.  Obviously, our staff and their families are our number 1 priority.”

Ms. Montague-Brown went on to state that in reference to the global logistical crunch:

“The pandemic has brought with-it large-scale disruption throughout the supply chain for many, many industries, and tabletop games haven’t been an exception.  There are VERY few international flights meaning there is little to no air freight, so all transport is done by ship.  With everyone suddenly turning to this, it’s lead to a shortage in containers and ship space compounded by port congestion on arrival at destination.  We’ve largely been able to respond to these, by factoring the time in to our production flow, with small delays.  The factory being closed altogether for so long presents a very different problem.  We really feel for our community, who have been very supportive and have waited patiently for so long for the new releases, and as such have made the decision to concentrate on these when we re-open.  We will return to production of our popular older lines again after we have caught up.”

In follow up questions, we asked if Battlefront had an inkling of a timetable for any relaxation of the lockdown, and if there was any chance Battlefront might be increasing its prices due to the logistical issues, as well as other contributing factors.

Ms. Montague-Brown stated that they had no indication on when the Malaysian government would relax the lockdown at this time, and they were taking the situation on a “day by day” basis. But she added that, “We’re going to be very transparent with our customers, and all updates will be conveyed on our social platforms / websites when we have an indication of time-frame or are given permission to re-open.”

As for price increases, Ms. Montague-Brown stated that, “We have been impacted by the international shipping crisis, alongside pretty much every other publisher, but we don’t currently have plans to raise our shipping costs to our customers.”

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Greek History Takes Center Stage in ‘Achilles: Legends Untold’

Steam

Achilles: Legends Untold was recently announced for a 2022 early access release. The game puts players in the role of Achilles, a hero of the Trojan War and Greek history. Players will embark on his journey to settle a conflict between two Greek gods, Hades and Ares. Tying itself to Greek mythology, the game takes the young champion to face mythical creatures, mercenaries, and demigods that roam the earth. Through the constant challenge, players can build up Achilles by discovering new artifacts and resources, furthering his prowess with character progression.

Greek Mythology Through the Lenses of an Action RPG

Steam

Achilles: Legends Untold’s core gameplay comprises an isometric, action roleplaying system. The title draws inspiration from the souls-like experience and the hack & slash genres. However, unlike those, developer Dark Point Games is working to deliver an entry level experience for beginners to deeply explore the history behind its fantastical story. Then again, the developer promises not tto cut out the optional challenges that familiarized players can delve into.

While aimed at newcomers and veterans, the game offers an extensive combo-based combat system. Achilles can use a variety of weapons, starting with swords and axes and ending with a spear or a two-handed battle axe. Each weapon provides something unique, giving ample choice to fight in a way that suits the player best. To level up and improve Achilles, an expansive skill tree is also included for a truly individualized player character. Massive in scale, these features expand upon the Greek mythos at the center stage in Achilles: Legends Untold.

Continued Work and Development on the Upcoming Title

Steam 

History takes the center stage in this thrilling adventure, from the setting, creatures, and weapons that provide an authenticity for players to immerse themselves in. Alongside ample choice and customization, players also can imagine Achilles as their own customized warrior they embark on his journey to prevent conflict between the gods. There is no official release date, but Achilles is scheduled for a 2022 release date. At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP’s service on our parent site, SJR Research. -- (This article is credited to Josh Rife. Josh has been a longtime gamer, playing games from vast amounts of genres. From Sci-Fi to historical or fantastical medieval games, he enjoys playing and discussing them with others. Some of his particular favorites include the Mass Effect series and the Total War franchise. He's working towards writing and researching history as a full-time career, taking inspiration from his parents, who own Epoch's parent company, SJR Research.). 

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‘Stronghold: Warlords’ Introduces New Lord

PCGamesN 

Medieval RTS game Strongholds: Warlords recently received a new update that features a new lord in the roster. Through a roadmap of the game’s Summer and Autumn schedule, developer Firefly Studios revealed the news alongside numerous patches and fixes to the game. Players can expect two updates in the next few months, alongside the incorporation of the newest lord, Kublai Khan. The update will explore the invading Mongols as a new faction, providing a new competitor in Strongholds: Warlord’s fields of battle.

The History Behind the New Lord

SegmentNext

Kublai Khan is the grandson of the legendary Genghis Khan. He was the fifth ruler of the Mongol Empire and lived from 1215 to 1294. Strongholds: Warlords will have Kublai Khan behave similarly to Genghis, with the only major difference being their preferences for an expensive surplus. The armies Kublai will have access to will be comprised of a vast number of imperial troops. An ample supply of these premium and well-trained hordes will field the maps with brutality as they come into conflict among rival factions.

Along with a new set of troops, Kublai Khan will be accompanied by an all-new castle design as well as “fresh strategies to out-think and armies to outmaneuver,” developer Firefly says. Six new missions will feature the leader and introduce two soon-to-be-released warlords, as well. The campaign will follow Kublai Khan’s military exploits and conquests in China rather than Korea or Japan. It’s a bold new look into a territory that the Mongol’s have control over that isn’t featured prominently in historical gaming.

An Update to Lookout For

Steam

A set release date remains unknown for the lord's arrival into Stronghold: Warlords. The update’s bevy of new features and fixes are promising, though. A new scenario, the Skirmish Trail, will add up to ten missions with several unique units like the wolf and thunderbomb thrower, coming shortly after the release. Players looking for a new reinvented kick into the RTS or historical genre in gaming can find a solid experience journeying upon imperial China, imploding a sense of prowess and ingenuity with every game. At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP’s service on our parent site, SJR Research.

-- (This article is credited to Josh Rife. Josh has been a longtime gamer, playing games from vast amounts of genres. From Sci-Fi to historical or fantastical medieval games, he enjoys playing and discussing them with others. Some of his particular favorites include the Mass Effect series and the Total War franchise. He's working towards writing and researching history as a full-time career, taking inspiration from his parents, who own Epoch's parent company, SJR Research.).

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Learn the History of Anne Frank Through Your Oculus

Anne Frank House VR

On August 4th, 1944, Anne Frank and her family were discovered and captured by German authorities. They were subsequently transferred to a Nazi consentration camp, where their story of survival turned tragic. But before her eventual capture, Anne Frank and the rest of her family had remained in hiding for over two years in the “Secret Annex,” an attic of an old office building in Amsterdam. Doing what they could to survive, the Franks were forced to live in close quarters with one another, all while constantly being in fear of getting discovered. 

In 2018, developer Force Field released Anne Frank House VR, a free virtual reality experience that allows users to travel back to World War II and embark on a virtual tour of the attic. Users can freely explore all of the rooms of the Secret Annex, which are all faithfully recreated in the virtual spac. During the experience, Anne Frank provides a narration of her time in the small space.

This short experience really feels more like a guided tour through the historical landmark than a full-on game, as there is limited interaction with the environment and not a whole lot to do. But for this same reason, Anne Frank House VR is more widely accessible and perfect for those who are just now trying VR for the first time.

VR Could Help With Historical Preservation

Anne Frank House VR

Anne Frank House VR is an excellent example of how virtual reality could be perfect for historical preservation. Virtual reality is severely lacking when it comes to historical video games and experiences, which is a shame as the medium is perfect for capturing history. With VR, users are able to fully immerse themselves in entirely new worlds; we’d love to see historians harness this power and use it as means to educate new generations about past historical time periods and events.

It’s strange to think that there are so few VR experiences that allow users to simply take a virtual tour of old historical landmarks, but this could honestly become its own genre of VR gaming. History buffs have always longed to experience what it was like to fight in the American Civil War, meet the Founding Fathers, or witness the Hindenburg Disaster first-hand. But with VR, all of these exciting possibilities can become a reality. Anne Frank House VR is a great example of what is possible with historical VR games, and that the possibilities are endless.

It’s Free and Available Now

Anne Frank House VR

Anne Frank House VR is a virtual reality game that can be downloaded for free today for any Oculus device, including the Oculus Quest 1 & 2, Oculus Go, and Oculus Rift. While it’s not particularly long, it’s a very interesting and educational experience that should not be passed up. Anyone that shares any sort of interest in history or World War II, in particular, should take a look at Anne Frank House VR.

At Epoch XP, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch XP's service on our parent site, SJR Research.

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(This article is credited to Ben Price. For as long as he can remember, Ben has always loved playing, discussing, and writing about video games. Since receiving his B.A. in English, he now writes about them for a living.)

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Interview with ‘Kainga’ Developer, Erik Rempen

When discussing the concept of historical video games, it can be easy to get caught up in the traditional concepts of what that entails. You may envision a World War II battlefield or any number of conflicts that have unfolded throughout time. However, games like Kainga: Seeds of Civilization prove that history isn’t always so evident.

To get some insight into where history plays into the intriguing, fantastical and very unique city builder, we caught up with Kainga developer Erik Rempen in our latest interview.

How would you best describe Kainga: Seeds of Civilization?

Kainga is a roguelite village-builder, which means that it’s a bit like other city builders that you might have played except that every time you play it, you’ll develop a new and interesting town and culture.

Where did the basic idea for Kainga come from?

Basically, I just created the game I’ve always wanted to play. I’ve been looking for a town-building game that didn’t have a linear progression path, and I could not find that game. So, I decided to make it myself. Kainga takes roguelite elements by creating a procedurally generated technology tree, so you’re forced to make interesting choices in how your town will develop. Depending on the resources available to you, your mission at hand, and your current needs, you make choices that change the path of your town's development.

I also added verticality into the game and allowed players to build unusual towns, like on the sides of cliffs or floating on the water. On top of that, I wanted to have “larger than life” animals that wandered the world, and of course allow the building mechanics to interact with these massive beasts to allow you to build on top of them if you’re able.

Is Kainga a solo project or do you have others working with you?

Kainga is designed and developed entirely by me. I have hired help for audio design and the music is done by Somepoint Sound. It has been a challenge going from having no experience in programming at all to creating this project, but I’ve enjoyed the experience and I’m happy with the result so far.

You’ve had quite the career path, spanning illustrator, English teacher, and marketing manager. What ultimately landed you in the role of indie game developer?

I’ve always dabbled in a bit of game modding and started moonlighting this project while working other jobs. Finally, I just decided to jump right in and get it done. I know that conventional wisdom dictates that you shouldn’t create your dream project as your first project, but I couldn’t help myself. Also, I think the motivation to create my dream game is what kept me going when things looked impossible.

Congratulations on having surpassed your Kickstarter goal! Why do you think your crowdfunding was so successful?

Thank you!

I have to attribute the success of the Kickstarter to a few YouTubers who I know. Before the Kickstarter launched, I reached out to a select few streamers to see if they wanted to play my game in an early state and they agreed. A lot of the traffic to the Kickstarter came from them.

Also, at the end of the Kickstarter, I participated in Steam’s NextFest which allowed me to release my demo to the world as well. This demo got a great response and a huge number of downloads.

The basis for Kainga seems quite fantastical, but the game’s name hints that you did a little digging through history for inspiration. Was there a specific historical period or civilization that inspired the design?

I try my best to take inspiration from all corners of the globe without any one culture being specifically identifiable. This creates a feeling of familiarity while still being visually interesting and plausible. I spent a lot of time in the sketching phases of development looking through ancient cultures and researching how they developed, but most importantly, why they developed that way, to try to highlight the most interesting aspects of cultural development the world has to offer.

For the research you did for Kainga, do you wish there were additional resources that could have maybe made things easier?

I had a hard time finding renders of ancient civilizations and never found one source that covered most of the world, but I got a lot of good information from museums and actual travel!

In terms of learning programming, I found that almost all of my questions that I had had already been answered on Google or Youtube, which is incredible. The hardest part was convincing an FPS engine to act like a city-builder game and forcing 2D characters to work in this 3D world, a design choice I didn’t want to compromise on.

Do you feel you were met with constraints because you chose an antiquated look and feel, or did that play best into your overall vision?

I was met with incredible friction when designing the characters, and still am. The engine I’m using would be much happier if I just used 3D animated characters, but I really wanted the old jankey animations on 2D characters because I think it looks quite charming. On the other hand, doing just 4 animations per run cycle meant I could spend significantly less time drawing than if I had gone for smoother animations. Yet I still ended up with almost 1,000 frames of animation already!

Were you inspired by any other historical games?

I was inspired by historical games like the Civilization series, Banished, and Ostriv as well as fantasy games like Morrowind, Rimworld, and Populous the Beginning. Basically, I would just take elements of games I thought worked and mix them with the elements of other games and experiment with the mechanics to see how it felt.

One of the main things I wanted to do early on, is to remove stockpiles and make your people act as your main resource because many strategy games turn out just being data management games, which can be fun, but I wanted to make everything more visually representative.

Once Kainga launches, do you see yourself pursuing another project?

I would love to continue the life of a game designer into the future and I have a few other ideas that are totally disconnected from this project that I’d like to pursue. That being said, there’s still a lot to do here and I’m looking forward to seeing this project all the way to the end and beyond first!

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If you’d like to know more about Kainga, you can join the official Discord and add the game to your Steam wishlist.