New Arc Line News

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!

Read more

"Welcome, travelers from the Old World… and beware!"

You are about to step into New Arc, a city where the arcane and the mechanical don't simply coexist but, in fact, clash in an epic struggle for supremacy; two titans on the edge of a cliff, each trying with all their might to throw the other off. A precarious balance that could be toppled by even a small push from an unexpected direction. Every nook and cranny whispers secrets here, and every step you take could either drown you in trouble or shower you in gold.


[h3]Magic vs Mechanics: When Worlds Collide[/h3]

Forget everything you thought you knew about magic — in New Arc, it's not just a bunch of spells, cantrips and incantations. Here, magic is a faith, a bona fide religion with various branches and sects, each vying to pull you into their embrace. And the technologies? These range from billowing steam engines to bone-shaking electromagnetic gadgets. It will be up to you to select which you master, how you use them to change the world around you, and which side you join. Will you endeavor to make New Arc a technologists' utopia or help the magic users reshape it into a haven for the arcane arts?


[h3]New Arc: A Small Part of a Bigger Picture[/h3]

Beyond the confines of New Arc, other cities and regions await, scattered across the continent of the New World. Journey through biomes ranging from enigmatic, fog-covered swamps to expansive prairies trodden by cowboys and gunslingers. Delve into mysterious crevasses where daylight doesn't reach, or scale the snow-capped mountain peaks where the echo of icy winds guard ancient legends. Explore underground labyrinths and celestial cities; every corner of the continent contains secrets, mysteries, and dangers.


[h3]The Spectrum of Life[/h3]

Our world teems with races, each with its unique characteristics, cultures, and quirks. Numerous and diverse, from the prolific dwarves to pixies suffocating in the pollution of industrial cities. Take the elves, for instance: forget the stereotypical forest-dwelling, bow-wielding culture… the elven people of New Arc are the eldest of races, from which all others are descended. Though in decline after the collapse of their ancient empire, they chose not to fade silently into the night nor to take vengeance on the younger races. Instead, they focus on communicating with their ancestors in voodoo-like magical rites and restoring the foundations of their culture. Perhaps more than others, they are torn between progressive ideals and established traditions.


[h3]Of Sea Monsters and Politicians[/h3]

Traveling through the New World, you'll face not just trolls, gigantic kraken, or dragons guarding their hoards, but you'll also get swept into the whirlpool of political intrigue. Elections here are not just a game of musical chairs but a battle of minds and ideals, where magic and technology become but pieces on the board of a grand game.


[h3]Your Decisions – Your Destiny – Your Game[/h3]

New Arc Line is full of opportunities and adventures, and every action you choose leaves a mark on the map of the New World… and can lead to unexpected outcomes! Whether supporting a particular faction, developing technologies or magic, and then finding a balance between them… all of these decisions affect the balance of power and the lives and the fate of ordinary citizens. Be ready to take responsibility for your actions and expect many unforeseen twists in the plot.


[h3]Adventure Awaits![/h3]

In New Arc Line, every legend can come to life, and every fairy tale can become reality. Join us on this thrilling journey, where your choices, skill, and a roll of the dice determine the future of an entire world. We cannot wait to see what stories you will carve out for yourselves once the game launches. For now, don't forget to wishlist it so you don't miss more of these updates that are on the way, and if you'd like to hang out and chat with us, we will be happy to see you on the official Discord server!

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

Greetings, esteemed Mages and Technologists alike!

Excuse our short period of silence, we have been tinkering with the technological marvels of game development. And you know how easy it is to lose track of time like that, it's almost like being under some kind of a spell.

Either way, this absolute laser-focus on work allowed us to make great strides forward in making New Arc Line. While the game is by no means ready yet for the full public spotlight, we will be running a closed, private playtest soon. We are at a stage when we need to gather feedback from a smaller group of players and fans, and we want you to be a part of it!

If you would like to be present even in these early development stages and leave your mark on New Arc Line, we cordially invite you to join Fulqrum Publishing's Champions program - this will allow you to play the alpha version of our game soon, when we start our closed playtest. Just send an e-mail to [email protected] and they will prepare you to embark to the New World!

CURRENT STATUS: There is currently no New Arc Line playtest happening nor is another one scheduled yet. There are however playtests of other Fulqrum Publishing games happening regularly in the Champions program, so if that is of interest to you, feel free to contact the mentioned e-mail address.

Whether or not you join the Champions program, rest assured - we will have much more info and content to share with you soon. As a small token of things to come, here is an automaton to keep you company:



If you don't want to miss out on any future news and updates about New Arc Line, don't forget to wishlist the game now! And of course, if you'd like to chat with us directly, you are most welcome to join the official New Arc Line Discord server as well.

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