Romestead News

[p]Greetings Romans![/p][p][/p][p]Vacations are over! We've been recharging our batteries and are ready to work even harder on bringing Romestead into your hands![/p][p][/p][p]So, to bring the devlogs back around with a bang, we'll talk a bit a bout the bosses and their role in the game! Warning! This post will contain imagery of the first boss, After that, we'll talk about what remains for Romestead during 2025![/p][p][/p][p]Let's dive in![/p][p][/p][p]As mentioned, the point of this post is to explain the purpose of bosses in Romestead. [/p][p]On release, Romestead will have 4 major bosses, as well as some minibosses. The minibosses are not required to fight at all and often involve a quest from the altar (though they can be found and defeated without the quest).[/p][p][/p][p]The major bosses are important for you and your towns progression. Each boss drops a unique item that you can offer to the gods in exchange for knowledge. This knowledge manifests in the form of new item recipes, new buildings and technology, or new upgrades for your existing buildings.[/p][p][/p][p]Major bosses also drop unique crafting materials and gear, that allow skilled crafters to make boss-themed weapons and armour![/p][p]Bosses in the game are repeatable, so even if you've defeated them once you can keep doing so for more crafting materials and gear drops! [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The major bosses are designed to be a challenge, so don't worry if you don't succeed on your first try! Some may require a bit of preparation so keep leveling those citizens and cook food in order to be your very best when facing these mighty foes![/p][p][/p][p]These bosses can be found across the world, which means you can stumble onto their summon location! If not, you can always find the means to locate their summon locations in the worlds. The statues hold a clue, happy hunting![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]NärCon[/h2][p]You might have seen this on social medias already, but we attended NärCon Summer 2025! [/p][p]NärCon is an anime, cosplay, and gaming convention held in our hometown of Linköping, attracting tens of thousands of visitors all across Europe! We had the chance once again to participate in the indie dev exhibition area, where visitors could test the game![/p][p]Maybe even one of you reading this attended?[/p][p][/p][p]Overall we had a great experience! It's fantastic for us to keep hearing how much people enjoy Romestead and its potential, and really makes us feel like we have something great in our hands![/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Status[/h2][p][/p][p]Nearly half of 2025 has passed (sorry for bringing that to your attention) and approximately 4 months have passed since you got the first glimpse of Romestead at Future Games Show![/p][p]We've still got an active playtest and we're intending to go on for a while further. We know there's a lot of you still waiting for access for a chance to try it out and all we can say is what we've always said. Hold fast, be stong![/p][p][/p][p]We've kept saying that we're aiming for a release during 2025, and so far that is still the goal. At the time of writing this, we see no indication of issues that would slow us down.[/p][p][/p][p]Furthermore, we're making a new video series in the absence of Worship Wednesdays which will cover another aspect of the game and show off more of what you've only had glimpses of so far![/p][p][/p][h2]Upcoming Event[/h2][p]This will be its own separate announcement after this, but we're attending another upcoming event![/p][p][/p][p]As we return to our construction site that is Romestead, we've immediately began throwing our resources onto the pile and are hammering away at the game! [/p][p]What we're working on:[/p]

• [p]Droptable overhaul - In order to reward you properly for braving the dangers of the world, we're reworking droptables to include more and greater loot![/p]
• [p]Armour and weapon balancing - A necessary part of the game that still needs a bit of tweaking to feel juuuust right.[/p]
• [p]New elite enemy statuses - Whereas elite enemies before simply were stronger, we're not adding a new system that not only makes them stronger - but interesting as well![/p]
• [p]Controller support - a big request that we're honoring! Controller support (for PC) is coming![/p]
• [p]Intro cutscene - Our talented artists are working hard to immerse you even further into Romestead and telling you why you're there and maybe even a glimpse into what happened for Rome to fall?[/p]

[p][/p][p]That is all for now![/p][p]We're very happy to be back at the office, and are more than excited to share with you what's to come![/p][p][/p][p]Until next time,[/p][p]Roma Aeterna![/p][p][/p][p]-The Beartwigs Team[/p]

[p]Greetings Romans![/p][p]We've told you about the nature and animals of Romestead. We talked about worship and the gods. About dungeons and about raids. We even told you about the various weapons and defensive structures you'll need to protect your town.[/p][p]But we've yet to talk about the town itself. What's in it? What is it that is so precious to defend?[/p][p]Devlog IV: "The City Must Survive" touched a bit on citizens and why you want them alive, but the citizens do little without a place to stay where they can help your empire grow and prosper.[/p][p][/p][p]Buildings in Romestead fill a variety of purposes to aid you on your journey. They are nothing but decorations without a citizen inside, but a citizen is only as good as the building they're working with. In order to get the best out of your new empire, you want to keep leveling and upgrading both![/p][p][/p][p]While there is a good mix of buildings in Romestead, they can be summarized by the following categories:[/p][p][/p][h2]Gatherers[/h2][p]The gathering buildings, like the Lumbermill for example, exist to provide you with new resources in a world where they can be finite. While trees might grow back, rocks and ores don't, and when you want to save some time or take a break from gathering you will still have a steady income of materials. [/p][p][/p][p]A unique type of gathering building is the Farmstead. It doesn't gather resources for construction, but rather harvests your crops and replants any seeds it gathers from this. You can control what the farmstead plants by placing specific seeds inside its storage chest.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Crafters[/h2][p]Crafters are those that take the items and materials you gather all over the world and combine them into armour, weapons, equipment, furniture, food, and anything in between![/p][p]The crafters are a crucial addition to your town, and will make you ready to take on the dangers of the world (or the struggle of a well decorated home). [/p][p][/p][h3]The Carpenter & Building Tiers[/h3][p]A unique crafter is the carpenter, who not only crafts furniture, roads, or constructions for you, but it also is the main building for upgrading your other buildings. [/p][p]As of the time of writing, each citizen can only level up to a certain level before they're capped. This cap can be raised by upgrading the building they're working in. So for example, the blacksmith can only get to level 4 before they need their building upgraded. After that they can reach level 7 before the next upgrade, etc.[/p][p][/p][h2]Logistics[/h2][p]Logistics buildings are what makes your town run autonomously, like clockwork. They allow you to connect supply lines and connect buildings to each other, making you able to prioritize and customize what you want done and when.[/p][p]Want to create a wine farm? Connect the grape farmstead to the watermill, then the mill and pottery to the dolium, before connecting the dolium to the material storage. Done![/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Self-sustaining [/h2][p]These are the tiny category of buildings that doesn't require a citizen to operate. Provided they have the right conditions, they automatically produce items for you. An example would be the various Dolium![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Much like last devlog, we're still working on the next big content drop! Most of us are working on the same things like last time, but we're doing some new things as well![/p]

• [p]A new boss - New bosses take time to make feel just right, so we're letting this one cook a bit further![/p]
• [p]New Equipment and Appearances - We're overhauling the armour appearances to be more varied, as well as adding new ones to find across the world![/p]
• [p]Treasure and Crafting recipes - With new materials and items comes new items to find and craft![/p]
• [p]New UI - The UI is getting a facelift with new textures and reworked functionality, like the ability to toggle crafting windows and the ability to move more UI elements.[/p]

[p][/p][p]That is all for this week! Stay tuned to the steam page and Discord for some exciting news in the near future![/p][p][/p][p]Until Next Time, [/p][p]Roma Aeterna![/p][p][/p][p]-The Beartwigs team[/p]

Greetings Romans!
During your journey through the lands of Romestead you'll come across remnants of the old empire. Dungeons, ruins, and more are dotted throughout the landscape, with treasure for you to reclaim.
In this post we talk about the different types of dungeons you'll encounter, how they work, and what you can expect from entering one.


As of the time of writing, there are currently two (technically three) different types of dungeons you will encounter. Dungeons, challenge dungeons, and boss dungeons.
[h2]Dungeons[/h2]

"Regular" dungeons are usually big and consists of multiple connected rooms and enemy varieties. They are designed with a purpose, often aiming for environmental storytelling to some capacity.

These dungeons are not randomly generated, and will usually have a set name hinting at what you can find inside. Stop the fallen protecting an altar of Orcus, infiltrate and interrupt a cruel satyr ritual, or explore the remnants of a mysterious volcanic workshop.

These dungeons also have a chance to drop unique loot unique to them, like the Sacrificial Dagger from the Altar of Orcus.

[h2]Challenge Dungeons[/h2]

Challenge dungeons, much like regular dungeons, can be found across the world, but works a bit differently. As you can tell from the name, challenge dungeons are intended to provide a more difficult experience.

Where normal dungeons allow players to rest and exit at any point, challenge dungeons requires you to stop and consider "will I be able to take on the next room?".

Each challenge dungeon consists of several rooms that you go through one at a time. Room design, destructible objects, and enemy placements are randomized, so each room will have a new experience - one that gets harder for each room progressed.
When you enter a challenge dungeon, all exits will close - trapping you in the room until every enemy inside is dead.

But greater risk brings greater reward! Glimmering treasure awaits those who braves the waves of enemies!

[h2]Boss Dungeons[/h2]

The third type is a special one you'll only encounter a few times, for these are the dungeons that hold a boss inside them. What bosses they are, you will discover in time.


The next chunk of content being added is going to be a big one, so there's lots going on behind the scenes! Listed below are but a few of the things brewing:

• A new boss - Tremors shake the ground as a new challenge arrives to the world.
  
• A new type of enemy - strange robed figures, each devoted to a different god, have begun to appear across the world.
  
• New buildings, upgrades, and resources - With new bosses comes new levels of progression, and that includes more ways to upgrade and expand your towns!
  
• Citizen Quests - Want to increase your citizens loyalty to you even further? Why not help them out with some errands?
  
• New character creation options - We're adding some missing visuals to character creation, as well as some new ones!
  

As of today, Romestead has reached over 100,000 wishlists!
A massive thank you to everyone for your support and interest in Romestead and all it has to offer! We can't wait to show you all the things to come!

Until that time,
Roma Aeterna!

- the Beartwigs Team

Greetings Romans!
We're currently testing town raids in Romestead, so this week we’ll dedicate the devlog to taking a dive into how it works, and what you can expect from the future. We also take a moment to talk about feedback regarding the first few steps in Romestead.

[h2]Hold the Door![/h2]

The town raids of Romestead will occur every few days, as the mysterious forces behind Rome's fall test your defences. That, or they just want to take your stuff.

Once the message appears in your chat window, you'll have a bit of time to run back home before the raid begins. The raids are set to last for a few minutes, during which you'll have to use all the tools in your arsenal to fight off the incoming hordes.

You'll have a set amount of time to repel the invaders. Failing to do so, or skipping the raid by sleeping through the night will result in a successful raid, causing lasting effects on your town.

[h2]No Cost Too Great[/h2]


If the worst comes to pass, your town can lose resources, citizens can suffer lasting wounds, or even worse. Die.
To see a summary of rewards or consequences, you can open and view a "Town Report" page, that will detail what resources you lost (if any) or what citizens sadly didn't make it through the night.



While your building keeps its upgrade, when a citizen dies they are gone forever, and any levels they had are lost. So make sure you protect them well!

Originally posted by Bridget

I would die to protect each and every citizen of this New Rome. For without them, I would be lost in the wilderness, surviving only on what I can forage and loot. Without them, there is no New Rome.
-Bridget, Discord Citizen

[h3]Not All Doom and Gloom[/h3]
If you feel the dangers are too great to handle alone, fear not!
While not in the game yet, you will eventually be able to construct a barracks, intended to let you get aid from your own citizens in combat.

We also added the possibility to give gifts to your citizens in order to increase their loyalty. Their personalities dictates what they like, so make sure to speak with them to get an idea of how to best serve your people!

[h2]The Watchers on the Wall[/h2]
While your citizens rely on you to save them when larger hordes of enemies arrive, they'll do their best to defend the town during the night when you are out adventuring.

When you build your town, every fortification counts. Walls, traps, ballista, everything has a "defence value" as can be seen in the workbench. You can also view your towns total defence value in the Town Core.
The higher the better! This value is what determines how well your citizens will do without you!



Much like the town raids, you can read a report every day about what your citizens are up to. Here you can see if they've leveled up, and if they've repelled any invaders during the night.

[h2]About The Romestead Tutorial[/h2]
Thanks to all you testers, we've received tonnes of excellent feedback regarding many various aspects of Romestead. One of the points that is unanimously mentioned, is getting started in the game. The tutorial, and the steps required to get into the game are poorly explained, vague, or nonexistent.

We are currently actively working on making the game easier to understand, as well as making the tutorial more extensive and better explained in order to make the initial steps into the world smoother. Thank you to everyone who's submitted feedback and ideas regarding this so far!

If you have access to the playtest, and want to submit your own feedback, please do so in the playtest application forums, found here!

At the moment the scope of testing is ranging up to the first boss, as well as a little bit beyond and around that. We're testing multiple biomes, enemies, and dungeons that you'll come across later in the game, as well as items, armours, and weapons.

[h2]What We're Working On[/h2]
Seeing all the new towns being built, strategies being formed, and bosses biting the dust invigorates us all with energy! Here's some things currently in the works!

• Tutorials - As mentioned above, we're hard at work making the onboarding process a smoother experience for you all.
  
• New Buildings - New buildings and constructions are constantly being added to the game, be it new roads or a new type of resource gathering building!
  
• New Enemies - New foes lie in the shadows, waiting to strike when you least expect it. This one uses a type of damage no other enemies do... magic.
  
• New Crops / Items - Much like buildings and enemies, new items and crops are always being added to the game. Introduced in one of the most recent patches were mint and bay leafs, mainly used for cooking.
  

[h2]Until Next Time[/h2]
We hope you're as excited as we are to gear up and defend your town from evil.
We will be back in two weeks with more information and behind the scenes!

Until then,
Roma Aeterna

- the Beartwigs Team

Greetings Romans!
With the playtest fast approaching, we're covering some of your options when fighting to defend your new empire.

[h2]To Arms![/h2]
You already know about the favor system and what it can do.
But what would a shield bash be without a shield?
Have a look at some of the weapons you can expect to encounter and craft on your journey.

Gladium
The old trustworthy. A weapon capable of keeping several enemies at bay.


Hasta
A spear that keeps your enemies at a distance. While this weapon locks you in a direction, it can combine with the shield to offer extra protection.

Shield
A strong defence. Timing your blocks perfectly can stun enemies and give you a small damage boost.

Daggers
Fast strikes at low damage, this weapon has been favored by those that seek to quickly take care of singled out foes, or prefer to attack distracted enemies.

Hammers
A new form of weapon, granted by one of the yet to be revealed gods of the pantheon, allows for slow but heavy hits that knock back and stun weaker enemies.


Pilum
A one time use thrown spear that inflicts heavy damage but must be wielded in the off hand.

[h2]The City Must Survive[/h2]
Offence is important, but when the Fallen end up on your doorstep you'll need more than swords and armour to repent the vicious hordes.

Traps
Why do all the heavy work yourself? Save some trouble and time by building automatic defences like coal pits or automatic ballistae to defend your town for you.


Pots
Building the pottery allows you to craft special pots, filled to the brim with destructive intent! Throw them, shoot them, or strike them. The uses are endless for these capsules of chaos!


[h2]The Alpha Is Nearly Upon Us[/h2]
The wait has been long, but it is finally (almost) over.
Starting mid next week, we'll be opening the gates to our lovely world.
This will be happening gradually, and randomly. We do not control who gets access through steams system.

We once again want to remind you all that this is a closed alpha playtest and that no sharing outside of the official Romestead Discord dedicated channels is allowed.

[h2]What We’re Working on Right Now[/h2]

• New enemies - We've been adding a new couple of enemies for other regions in the game not covered by the Alpha playtest! While you may not see them, know that they'll be there....watching.
  
• Town Raids - While we won't divulge how they'll work just yet, after this devlog you should know that defending your town is just as important as exploring the world.
  
• Art Polish - Out with the old, in with the new! We're updating a lot of the art assets to look as crisp as possible!
  
• Bug Fixes - It has to be done! We're taking out the big ones so you can focus on the small ones!
  

- Fixed a bug that made every living creature hate birds.




Stay strong just a little while longer. Only a few days remain.

We will be back in two weeks with more information and behind the scenes!

Until then,
Roma Aeterna

- the Beartwigs Team