Kristala News

[h3]Greetings, Kristalans

[/h3][p]Legend says that when the Sacred Six Kristals rained down from the heavens, Ailur was bestowed with a curious and powerful magic. From their impact rose two rival species: the feline Anagativa and the rodent Kotakaya, their destinies forever intertwined and bound by the Kristal deities they came to worship.[/p][p] 
In our first Dev Diary - The Fractured World of Ailur - join us as we invite you into the rich histories, ancient magics, and dark secrets that help shape gameplay for Dark Fantasy ARPG Kristala. [/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]
[/p][p]
From the Mad King Edam’s brutal war to the spreading Curse that now blankets Ailur's lands, you’ll see how every level, every clan, and every skill tree is intricately woven into the very fabric of our world. [/p][p][/p][p]✨ Here’s what awaits in our first Dev Diary episode:[/p]

• [p]The origins of the Sacred Six and how magic transformed Ailur[/p]
• [p]The cultural and visual differences between the Anagativa and Kotakaya[/p]
• [p]How the Curse shapes both story and environment[/p]
• [p]Feline customization, classes, and skill trees that make your warrior truly yours[/p]
• [p]The collaboration between narrative and level design that brings the world to life[/p]

[p] [/p][p]This is more than just lore; it’s the foundation for every choice you’ll make and every battle you’ll encounter in Kristala.[/p][p][/p][h2]Come, Traveler...the Kristals are calling.

[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p]Ready to dive even deeper into Kristala? Join our Discord and follow our subreddit to stay up to date as we prepare for Kristala's upcoming 1.0 release.[/p]

[h2]Greetings, Kristalans![/h2][p]
Hey there, Travelers![/p][p]The Steam Summer Sale kicked off last week, and Kristala has officially joined the party! Save 30% on our Early Access release now through July 10th at 1pm ET / 10am PT to cap off this month's ongoing 1-Year Early Access anniversary celebration![/p][p]To keep the momentum going, we've launched a final content update for Early Access: a polish-focused patch that brings additional improvements to performance, combat, and traversal. We’re calling it our Early Access Anniversary Update, a special sendoff as we shift full focus to Kristala’s 1.0 launch.
[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]🎉 One Year of Steam Early Access![/h2][p]We’ve come a long way since our initial launch, and we’re super proud of the progress we’ve made, which wouldn't have been possible without your continued support, feedback, and passion. [/p][p]With 1.0 officially on the horizon, this Anniversary update is our way of putting a bow on everything we’ve built together over the last year as we move toward Kristala’s next big chapter.[/p][p]Here’s a rundown of features included in our final Early Access Anniversary update:[/p]

• [p]🧠 AI Improvements:  Enemies are now even more responsive and strategic in combat, and we’ve further finetuned their awareness, attack patterns, and overall behavior.[/p]
• [p]🗡️ Bug Fixes for Takedown Mechanics:  A few long-standing bugs related to stealth and takedowns have been improved to ensure your assassinations feel fluid and reliable.[/p]
• [p]🧗 Vault Traversal Fix:  Vaulting and traversal across objects and terrain should now feel smoother and more consistent, removing frustrating collision and input issues.[/p]
• [p]⚙️ Performance Boosts in Character Creation:  We’ve optimized the backend of the Character Creator for faster load times, better stability, and a more seamless customization experience.[/p]
• [p]✨ Animated Spell Previews in Character Creation:  To help you choose your path more confidently, each spell in the Character Creator now includes animated video previews to show it off in action before you commit.[/p]
• [p]🔧General Bug Fixes + Performance Enhancements:  From enemy animations to UI polish, we’ve squashed bugs and boosted overall performance to ensure a smoother, more immersive experience across the board. [/p]

[p][/p][h2]🔥 Why Now’s a Great Time to Jump In[/h2][p]
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to dive into Kristala, this is it. The 30% Steam Summer Sale discount is one of our biggest yet, and don’t forget: everyone who buys during Early Access will get ALL future Chapter DLC at no additional cost.[/p][p]That’s right, once Kristala launches into 1.0, any Chapters that aren’t included in the initial release will roll out as DLC. Anyone who supports us early (when it really matters the most) will then automatically receive every future Chapter, for free. 💜[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Whether you’re just discovering Kristala for the first time or already preparing for the epic adventure ahead, we couldn’t be more excited to have you here with us.[/p][p]PLUS! Things are still heating up this Summer. Stay tuned for more details about our upcoming console demos and launches on the Epic Games Store and Xsolla Cloud to give you even more ways to play your favorite cat-themed ARPG.[/p][p]Thanks again for being on this journey with us. Let the countdown to 1.0 commence! 💫 [/p][p][/p][p]-The Astral Clocktower Studios Team[/p]

[h2]Greetings, Kristalans![/h2][p]
Kristala released into Early Access on this day exactly ONE YEAR AGO—and we’ve got some exciting updates to share in celebration as we journey toward our full release. This exciting milestone is the perfect time to let you in on a few important changes coming to our development plans.[/p][p]First and foremost: thanks to a recent investment win, we’re officially fast-tracking Kristala’s 1.0 launch across all platforms! 🎉[/p][p]While we can’t say just yet exactly when 1.0 is coming, this exciting news allows us to deliver the Kristala experience to both PC and console players sooner than originally anticipated. And, with this welcome acceleration comes a few shifts in how we’ll be wrapping up our Early Access phase of development.
[/p][h3]Let’s dive in…[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]✨ Chapter 3 Launching With 1.0[/h2][p]
While our third installment was originally slated to drop in June, our accelerated shift from Early Access into 1.0 means we’re now rolling Chapter 3 into the full 1.0 release.[/p][p]Not only does this move ensure that all planned content arrives in 1.0 with maximum polish, performance, and impact (across all platforms!)—but it also guarantees that the drop includes tons of fresh, never-before-seen content for all players at launch.
[/p][p][/p][p]We know you’re eager to explore the wilds of Tandar, and we’re incredibly hype to unveil it in all its open-world, steed-riding glory come 1.0. Get ready for a rich and immersive experience—packed with plenty of gameplay hours—that we can’t wait for you to fully devour.[/p][p]We’ve created a revised Roadmap graphic to help you visualize these changes. As always, you can find this on our store page and on the website, too.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]🗝️ Epic Deal for Early Supporters: Free DLC[/h2][p]
Currently, Kristala’s 1.0 release is slated to include Chapters 1 through 3—but it may include additional Chapter content as we explore even more investment opportunities. The more funding we secure, the more Chapters you’ll have at 1.0.[/p][p]But regardless of how many Chapters there are at the 1.0 release, the story doesn’t end there. Our full 7-Chapter vision is still very much alive, and all Chapters that aren’t initially included in 1.0 will be released as DLC following the launch.[/p][p]Here’s the best part: anyone who’s purchased Kristala during Early Access will receive all future Chapter DLC at no additional cost. Yup, that’s right! You’ll automatically own the Deluxe Version of Kristala just for being an early supporter.[/p][p]It’s our way of thanking you for supporting us when it mattered most—and a great reason to pounce in now while we’re still in Early Access to receive the full saga, start to finish, at the most affordable price.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]🎮 And SO MUCH MORE Coming This Summer[/h2][p]
Summer is almost here and we’re ready to CELEBRATE. We’ve got several exciting initiatives coming in the next few months that you’re definitely not gonna want to miss. We’re talkin’ console demos, new ways to play, and a full-on Early Access anniversary celebration to kick it all off![/p][p]We’re also exploring plans for tons of community events, including a special Developer Q&A session to help answer any questions you may have about what’s ahead for Kristala this year. Let us know if that’s something you’d like to see happen.[/p][p]In the meantime, don’t be shy! Drop any questions you have in the comments or the Discord. You can also send us an email at [email protected] to chat directly with our team. We’re here to help!
[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]
Thank you once again for joining us on this epic journey. Your support and hype keep our forges lit and our hearts full. The past year has been absolutely incredible, and we can’t wait to show you what we've got in store next...[/p][p]Here’s to a thrilling new chapter—and many more to come. 💫
[/p][p]—The Astral Clocktower Studios Team[/p]

[h2]Happy Friday, Travelers![/h2]

We’re insanely hype to add even more epicness to your weekend with the launch of a new Kristala demo. That's right! A reimagined introduction to the world of Ailur is officially LIVE MEOW, right here on Steam! 🎉

Why now? Kristala has evolved over the last year, and many players have expressed that the old demo no longer truly matches the overall quality and experience of Kristala today, despite still serving as a solid introduction to the game.

And, well...we couldn't agree more. There's so much that's changed when it comes to Kristala's gameplay, which is why we’re insanely excited for you to experience the new demo and dive into your next big adventure (fo' free!).

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]



[h2]So, What’s New in The New Demo?[/h2]

In short? Well, almost everything.

You’ll still experience the same content as before—the first half of Chapter I, including the epic boss battle against fan-favorite fish mage Lophi the Lost—but the systems that power this magical experience have been overhauled since we initially launched the old demo last year.

Here’s a little taste of everything that's changed between then and now:

• ❄️ New Clan & Magic Tree:
  Harness the ancient powers of the newly added Tandara clan, including the ability to unlock and level powerful, ice-based spells on a brand new spell tree. This addition also introduces new class dynamics and expands your arsenal with powerful, ice-infused weapons and abilities.
  
  
• ⚔️ Overhauled Combat:
  Better responsiveness, smoother animations, smarter enemy AI, and an expanded arsenal of weapons and abilities. Plus! Get ready for improvements to all weapons & spells, including refined combat VFX, more powerful weapon abilities, and more diverse combat style.
  
  
• 🕵️ Enhanced Stealth Systems:
  Enhanced stealth tools for those silent assassins among you, including improved enemy perception and a new detection system to make sneaking even more satisfying.
  
  
• 🌍 World & Environmental Immersion Upgrades:
  More dynamic lighting, refined VFX/SFX, new enemy spawn animations, and overall environmental detailing to immerse you deeper into Ailur.
  
  
• 📜 More Intuitive Menu/UI Systems:
  Our entire UI is getting a complete overhaul. Get ready to enjoy redesigned menus and HUD for better clarity and accessibility.
  
  
• 🐞 Major Bug Fixes & Optimizations:
  Faster load times, higher framerates, and an all-around smoother performance experience.
  

[h2]More Exciting News Comin' Soon[/h2]

Whether you're a seasoned Early Access player already or totally new to the world of Kristala, this new demo reflects the true quality and direction of the game as we head closer to a full 1.0 release.

We want our new players to experience an accurate and authentic first look at what Kristala is really like while simultaneously allowing returning players to see just how far we've come. So GO, GO, GO! Download the new demo, check out the changes, and let us know what you think!

This is just the start of some incredibly exciting new initiatives we’ll be rolling out for Kristala this year, so stay tuned, Travelers! As always, thank you for being on this epic journey with us. Your feedback, support, and passion mean the world.

With claws bared and spells at the ready.

—The Astral Clocktower Studios Team

[h2]Hey there, Travelers! 👋[/h2]
We’re kickin' off the work week with some exciting news from the world of Ailur!

We've been quietly working behind the scenes on a new gameplay teaser to showcase the current state of the game, including some of the new goodies and refinements featured in our recent April 1st content drop—and we’re finally ready to show it off.

This new trailer highlights how things are lookin' in the game following our most recent round of polishes, refinements, and fresh implementations. From revamped combat and stealth mechanics to more detailed environments, new menu implementations, and TWO NEW epic bosses, it’s a proper preview for the magic we’ve been brewing.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]



[h2]💸 40% Off Kristala — FINAL Full Day![/h2]

If you’ve been thinking about grabbing Kristala or know a friend who’s been curious, now is the time! Today is the last full day to get the game at 40% off as part of our limited-time discount.

This is the biggest discount we’ve offered so far, and every purchase helps support the continued development of Kristala as we gear up for the next chapter.

📅 Sale ends: Tuesday, April 15 at 1:00pm EST / 10:00am PST

If you've already snagged the game and have been enjoying it so far, don't forget to drop us a review right here on Steam! Your feedback matters, and we're constantly scouring the reviews to ensure we're making impactful changes to the game based directly on your thoughts. Keep 'em comin', friends!





[h2]🫶 Thank You for Your Continued Support![/h2]
As always, thank you for being here, for supporting our journey, and for helping us build something truly special. Whether you’ve just joined the community or you’ve been with us since the beginning, we’re incredibly grateful for you. 🖤

More exciting updates are just around the corner—we can’t wait to share them with you.

—The Astral Clocktower Studios Team