New Arc Line News

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

We have excellent news for you today - we are excited to announce that New Arc Line is joining the Steam Next Fest with a free demo, available from today until October 21 - so make sure to jump in right now to get your first chance to explore a world where Technology is at constant odds with Magic!


As many of you have noticed, several journalists and influencers have tasted a sample of the game already and have shared their initial impressions (for example PCGamesN.com, SplattercatGaming, MortismalGaming or TheGamer.com). The demo version you can get your hands on right now is different, however, so even if you had read and watched the previews, it will not spoil your experience at all!

You will get to select from 2 classes and play as either a Voodoo Shaman or a Diesel Engineer of either the Human or Elven race. The events of the demo take place a little further on in the main storyline, in a small part of the Harbor Slums - you will be tasked with investigating the Leprosarium and find out why a doctor is not making her rounds, helping the poor community afflicted by the deadly Iron Plague epidemic (find out more details about the disease in our previous devlog).

We are really looking forward to seeing what you think about the short demo, and what choices you will make! Come let us know here in the comments, in the Steam Discussions, or better yet, come chat with the devs as well as fellow fans on the New Arc Line Official Discord server. We are also preparing more surprising announcements for you very soon - don't forget to wishlist and follow the game so you are always up to date!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2458310/New_Arc_Line/

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

Today we want to tell you more about magic and its place in the world of New Arc Line. As we have told you previously, there’s a duality to our world - a simmering conflict between technology and magic. And even though technologists have the upper hand at this point in history, becoming a magician can still grant you awe-inspiring powers. So, let’s peer into the magic’s glorious past, and then see what its present has in store for you as well.

[h2]Glory Days of the Arcane Arts[/h2]
In days long gone, magic and its practitioners ruled the world; and the most talented and dedicated mages could challenge and overcome the very laws of reality - imagine making a waterfall flow upwards, or constructing actual Penrose stairs leading to someone’s house. The most powerful among the arcane practitioners, those achieving the absolute pinnacle of magical excellence and performing true miracles, became known as the Weavers - godlike beings whom others worshipped and followed.

The Weavers' power was almost limitless; they weren’t just wielding magic, they were its very embodiment. With a wave of their hand, the world could change, and they ruled it without opposition. It was brimming with wonders and mysteries, but also teetered on the brink of chaos, and regular people were nothing more than shadows to the powerful sorcerers, just pawns in their grand games.

But a hero arose - Reus the Lawbringer, who wanted to bring justice and balance to the world, and while the sorcerers were blinded by their own grandeur, he worked in secret and discovered the true source of their power; he managed to erect a barrier that severely limited the power of magic and with that decisive act, caused the downfall of the Weavers. This event allowed technology to develop and thrive, bringing prosperity to the people, allowing them to shape the world by non-magical means.

Unfortunately, while magic no longer impeded technology, this only turned the situation around - as it was the spreading of new mechanical inventions that was now causing magic to fade even further from the world. And with harmonious coexistence an impossibility, the Mago-Technology Wars became inevitable - bloody and devastating conflicts from which the technologists emerged victorious, solidifying their status as the ruling class today.



[h2]Magic in the World Today[/h2]
At the time the game's story takes place, magic is but a shadow of its former self. In places where Reus’ barrier is worn thin, entropic rifts can appear and from those, a magician can glimpse a fraction of the old knowledge, growing their powers. Some say that in doing so, they can hear faint whispers of the Weavers themselves, defeated but not destroyed, trying to regain their strength and rule the world once more.



[h3]Magical Corruption[/h3]
Even the relatively limited access to magic (compared to its glory days, anyway) and its use comes at a price, however. Due to the effects of Reus’ barrier, spellcasters risk transforming into distorted, vile creatures - the abhorrent. This happens gradually and there is no clear threshold; but while using simple cantrips is relatively safe, casting powerful, devastating spells greatly increases the danger of becoming corrupted by the magical energies. Maybe the risk is worth it though, as your increasing magical corruption can even grant you unexpected benefits, even while turning you into a monstrous being of malevolence and rage.



[h3]Societal Implications[/h3]
Magicians in cities are, by and large, relegated to the outskirts and poor districts, living in destitute slums. This is only partly by choice, as they cannot thrive when surrounded by technology; and it is the ruling technologists who control the bustling metropolitan centers. They are also blamed for all the world's troubles, especially the scourge that is the Iron Plague (more details about that can be found in our previous devlog). Consequently, many mages choose a life outside of urbanized areas, away from what technologists would consider "civilization," congregating in secluded enclaves where technology has no place, and they are free to practice their magical and occult rituals.



Yet many still do decide to reside in cities such as New Arc, and eke out a meager living - some do their best to improve the status of mages by lawful means, but quite often, they end up so alienated that they join the various underworld, illegal (and even downright terrorist) organizations, working to undermine the system and return the world to what they see as the proper order; giving some truth to the prejudice they face, forming a vicious cycle.



[h2]Choose your Path[/h2]
Even so, perhaps this adventure of becoming a magic-wielding underdog in the world of New Arc Line is alluring to you, despite all its risks. In that case, be ready to select the arcane profession that best suits your spirit - what kind of a spellcaster will you become?



[h3]Celestial Sage[/h3]
Celestial spells are the arcane manifestation of the forces of order. The wise sages practicing this discipline prefer healing and empowering themselves and their allies with various buffs; and they like to wear bright colors. But don’t be fooled by their angelic aura - masters of celestial magic are perfectly capable of causing serious bodily harm to their (typically technologist) enemies when necessary. The power of celestial spells increases with the character’s wisdom.

[h3]Hellfire Occultist[/h3]
The most aggressive and outright violent of the magical disciplines, hellfire spells conjure forth scorching flames and all things demonic into the world. Masters of the Hellfire school of magic are not the kind to back away from a fight, and they are willing to do everything in their power to come out on top. To that end, they can often be seen sporting heavy mace-like scepters; just in case their fiery blaze alone isn't enough to obliterate their foes. Even the efficiency of the occultist’s spells relies on the character’s physical strength.

[h3]Voodoo Shaman[/h3]
Voodoo is an ancient, primeval magical discipline, connected to nature and death. Its masters can be easily identified by their macabre outfits and accessories; they specialize in cursing and weakening their enemies, and overall making their day rather unpleasant. The strength of voodoo spells is connected to the character’s "perception" attribute.



Thank you for joining us on another brief foray into the world of New Arc Line – we hope you enjoyed it! We will soon share even more details from the development of the game. We know that by far the most asked question is "When will we see some gameplay?" - well, let's just say we have a surprise for you all planned for next week.

Stay tuned, and don't forget to wishlist & follow the game here on Steam and join the New Arc Line Discord server, so you stay up to date on all news and announcements!

Until next time!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2458310/New_Arc_Line/

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

We are excited to share with you more details from the lore of New Arc Line - the inciting incident, and underlying cause of the game’s story, in fact! The protagonist sets out on a journey to save their family, and their whole village, from a terrible affliction known as the “Iron Plague.” On your quest, you will encounter many obstacles and other adventures and pursuits you can choose to undertake; but the Iron Plague is an integral, ever-present part of the game’s world. That’s why we would like to tell you more about it now.

[h3]The Plague’s Origins[/h3]
No one fully understands how the Iron Plague came to be, how it spreads or what exactly causes it. What is known is that it began spreading after the Mago-Technology Wars. Scientists believe it to be a result of the clash between magic and technology, manifesting directly inside living beings. Even though technology has long dominated the country, the Iron Plague continues to devastate all sentient races.


[h3]A Deadly Disease[/h3]
The sickness causes a person's skin and internal organs to sprout growths composed of iron. Once infected, one can only wait for their inevitable end – the Iron Plague is universally fatal, and nobody has found a cure. Even the transmission methods are not fully understood; still, many communities choose to isolate their sick in a vain attempt to stop the plague from spreading.


[h3]Inequality and the So-Called Treatment[/h3]
There is one remedy that can at least slow down the progress of the disease, but it is extremely rare and expensive, only the rich can hope to obtain it – dragon blood. It is a cruel and deeply ironic twist of fate that a magical substance is the only hope for life that a wealthy technologist has. For those who can't afford such luxuries, the government pretends to control the epidemic. It even tells panicked citizens that they are being treated – all lies, of course. In the game, hospitals have separate blocks for plague patients, and there's even a fully separated Leprosarium. In these institutions, automatons are used to… Provide care to patients.

(Spoiler! wink-wink) A special quest awaits particularly interested players in this location.

[h3]Mages or Technologists? Indiscriminate Killer[/h3]
Our main goal was to highlight the game's core conflict: the clash between magic and technology and class inequality. We focused on how both groups react to the epidemic, possible clashes, and the myths surrounding the disease. In the slums, you can hear all kinds of dubious gossip about the Iron Plague. Irritated technologists blame the mages, while desperate mages look for unlikely cures or simply escape reality with an illicit drug made from pixie dust. The truth is, the disease doesn’t discriminate and kills members of both groups equally – yet not even this great equalizer is enough to bridge the chasm between the distinct social groups and make them work together. And when we say “indiscriminate,” we mean it - even the player character may get infected and feel the effects of the plague.

[h3]Inspiration and Narrative Purpose[/h3]
We drew inspiration from medieval epidemics such as the Black Death, particularly conceptually - the visuals, crafted by our artists, blend classic steampunk aesthetics with reimagined looks of plague doctors and patients. Narratively, we wanted to infuse the game with a sense of uncertainty and anxious anticipation in society;. To that end, the ongoing Iron Plague epidemic serves as a catalyst, highlighting the many other problems inherent in New Arc’s society.

Thank you for joining us on this brief foray into the world of New Arc Line – we hope you enjoyed it! We will soon share even more details from the development of the game. Until then, we will be glad if you share all your questions or even speculations about the Iron Plage here in the comments, the Steam Discussions, or better yet, join the official New Arc Line Discord server! We do reserve the right not to give any spoiler-containing answers though, of course.

And don't forget to wishlist & follow the game here on Steam, so you stay up to date on all news and announcements!

Until next time!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2458310/New_Arc_Line/

Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!

We have revealed a brand-new story trailer, focusing on one of the many storylines you may encounter while exploring the world of New Arc Line. Let's watch it together now and then for all your inquisitive minds, we have added more details below!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
We don't want to spoil too much, since you will have a chance to meet the heroine of the trailer yourselves during your playthrough, so we’ll keep it short and sweet - the aftermath of the events shown in the video is a subject of one of the many side-quests in the game, and the tragic story of the mother and daughter is actually just a small fragment of a larger conspiracy. What we can tell you however, is that the heroine's transformation is a manifestation of the conflict between magic and technology in our world. Mages who cast spells in places saturated with technology can become distorted, abhorrent, warped; and vice versa, in locations with strong magical affinity, technology will be inefficient, stop working or experience catastrophic failures.

Thus, the central conflict of New Arc Line is inevitable - where magic thrives, technologists cannot prosper, and where technology and science prevail, mages cannot survive. This dynamic allows you to experience many stories, adventures and quests; some dark and terrifying, such as the fate of the family we have shown, but some wondrous and joyful. And your choices will help shape the world and write the complete story of New Arc Line.

So the question remains - which side will you choose?


Thank you for watching, we will soon share even more details from the development of New Arc Line! Until then, don't forget to add the game to your wishlists, follow it on Steam and join the official New Arc Line Discord server to stay up to date and never miss any news!

Until next time!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2458310/New_Arc_Line/

Fulqrum Publishing have just released a story trailer for New Arc Line, a new steampunk fantasy RPG in which dragons rub shoulders with zeppelins, and dwarves are as abundant as air pollution. I hadn't heard of it before and am quite interested, partly because the game sports some wonderfully mangled and colourful dystopian maps, and partly because it's a story of immigrants trying to find their way to an inevitably deceptive "shining city of progress", rather than the typical Chosen One fare.

Your family specifically are afflicted by a fatal disease. Your initial and perhaps overall goal in New Arc Line is to find a cure, of course, but who knows, along the way you might have to "get your hands dirty", "rise from the bottom" and become some sort of absolute bastard. Take us away, trailer!

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