Citadelum News

Ave, citizens of Citadelum!

Today, we want to speak to you from the heart. Being an indie studio isn't easy. The journey has been tough, full of challenges, but also full of learning. We face a world where big names dominate the industry, and that has pushed us to pour all our passion and effort into Citadelum. Every line of code, concept, model, animation and design idea has been created with dedication and love for what we do. But none of this would be possible without your support. Today, more than ever, we need you to stay with us.

We are thrilled to announce that the prologue of Citadelum is now available on Steam. This free version isn’t just a demo. It’s a window into the future, a first glimpse of your own Roman Empire.

[h3]What’s new in the Prologue?[/h3]

• Battles: Immerse yourself in our new combat system.
  
• Gods: Roman deities watch from the pantheon, ready to reward devout citizens or punish rebels.
  
• Improved construction and management: New buildings and improvements in the labor recruitment system, fire, maintenance and storage system.
  
• Larger Cities: Now, you can expand your city even further, building a more extensive and thriving metropolis
  
• 2 complete missions: you will be able to fully enjoy the first two missions of the campaign and save your progress for the game's release.
  

We know we’re small, but every download, review, comment, and word of encouragement drives us to keep going. We’re a studio fighting to make a dream come true, and your participation is crucial in this journey. The prologue is just the beginning. With your support, the future of Citadelum will be glorious!

What’s next?
The prologue is just the beginning of what’s to come. In the full release, you’ll dive deeper into the world of Citadelum with new and complete mechanics such as city defense, more units and bigger combats, complete trade system, enhanced entertainment options, and more complex societal challenges throughout Rome's various historically accurate periods.

There will be 10 levels of prestige, each offering unique upgrades, new functionalities, and higher status. Additionally, a Sandbox Mode will be available, allowing you to explore the game without restrictions, infinitely expanding replayability. We’re also excited to introduce a map and missions editor, mod support, and numerous UI improvements, feedback integration, and quality-of-life enhancements.

Download the prologue on Steam. Wishlist Citadelum and leave us a review. Your feedback is gold to us.

See you in Citadelum, citizens! May the gods be kind to you. From Abylight dev team to you.

Ave, Romans! Today we will see how the gods influence the fate of your city in Citadelum.

[h3]The Roman Pantheon[/h3]

In Citadelum, the gods are more than mere background elements, they are active participants in the destiny of your city. Six powerful deities stand watch over your city, each with the ability to shape its future through their divine will:

• Minerva: Goddess of wisdom and the arts, guiding your city's intellectual and cultural advancements.
  
• Mars: God of war, strengthening your legions and empowering your military endeavors.
  
• Jupiter: Supreme god and king of the gods, bestowing prosperity and stability upon your citizens.
  
• Pluto: God of the underworld and brother to Jupiter.
  
• Apollo: God of the arts, music, and medicine, inspiring creativity and happiness among your people.
  
• Ceres: Goddess of agriculture and fertility, ensuring bountiful harvests and food security for your population.
  

[h3]Divine Favours and Consequences[/h3]

As the ruler of Citadelum, your relationship with these deities will be pivotal. Through devotion and offerings, you can earn their favor, which in turn will bless your city with unique advantages:

• Minerva can accelerate technological and cultural advancements, providing building materials.
  
• Mars will enhance the strength and effectiveness of your armies, motivating them to train faster.
  
• Jupiter might grant general prosperity, increasing the favor of your populace.
  
• Pluto will provide money in your coffers and jars of wine to satiate your people.
  
• Apollo with a gesture of his hand will fill all the food reserves of the houses in your city.
  
• Ceres can boost agricultural output, ensuring your citizens are well-fed and your economy thrives.
  

However, the gods are not to be trifled with. Forgetting a deity can incur their wrath, bringing misfortune and calamity upon your city. The consequences of divine disfavor are as potent as the blessings.

• Minerva, with her divine justice, will take away essential materials for your development.
  
• Mars will destroy military buildings, causing the soldiers in training to perish.
  
• Jupiter will unleash his wrath by burning several of your service buildings.
  
• Pluto will steal the wine and money from your coffers.
  
• Apollo will empty the reserves of the houses, leaving them in need.
  
• Ceres will devastate your farms and crops.
  

[h3]Interacting with the gods[/h3]

To gain divine favor, you can engage in various religious activities, such as constructing temples, offering sacrifices, and organizing grand festivals in honor of the gods. The more elaborate and frequent your offerings, the greater the potential for receiving their blessings. However, be mindful that excessive devotion to one god can make another one jealous.

You can also find relics in the territory maps through exploration. Once you find any of these powerful items inspired by roman mythology you can offer them to the gods. Depending on which god you are giving relics to, you will be granted with their blessing, but that may cause the wrath of some rival. Choose wisely.



Are you prepared to navigate the complexities of divine politics? Can you maintain the favor of the gods while steering your city toward prosperity? The fate of Citadelum rests in your hands and in the whims of the gods.


Until next time, See you in Citadelum citizens! May the gods be merciful to you. Wishlist Citadelum on Steam and prepare for the free Prologue, coming very soon.

Ave, Romans! Welcome to our latest update on the progress of Citadelum. Today, we're excited to dwelve into the intricacies of our combat system, the various enemy types you'll encounter, and the strategic depth that awaits you on the battlefield.

[h3]Combat System: Rock, Paper, Scissors[/h3]

At the heart of Citadelum's combat is a rock-paper-scissors system. This classic dynamic ensures that no single strategy dominates, forcing players to adapt their tactics based on the enemy they face. Each unit type has a damage multiplier against another, encouraging thoughtful decision-making and diverse army compositions.



Both your forces and the enemies you'll face in Citadelum fall into these strategic categories:

• Melee Infantry: The backbone of any army, strong and sturdy. Effective against cavalry.
  
• Centurions: These master strategists provide additional motivation to nearby troops, boosting their power.
  
• Cavalry: Mobile and capable of flanking maneuvers. Effective against archers.
  
• Archers: Provide long-range support, weakening units before melee combat. Effective against infantry.
  
• Explorers: While not a combat unit, these soldiers are crucial for scouting and expanding your territory.
  

The inclusion of a centurion granting benefits in your ranks can mean the outcome of a battle, although you must be very careful that he is not the first to be defeated.

[h3]Enemy Factions[/h3]

Players will encounter several enemy factions, each with unique characteristics and visual effects:

• Barbarians: Wild units with unpredictable attacks. Usually large in number but less disciplined.
  
• Egyptians: Exotic units with unique tactics and weaponry, bringing a touch of the Nile to your battlefields.
  
• Rebel Romans: Similar to the player's troops but employing guerrilla tactics, presenting a familiar yet challenging foe. You will fight them as part of the Roman Civil Wars.
  

[h3]Battle Formations[/h3]

Set up your troops by defining formations, battle positions, how to structure your army against the enemy army. Once combat has begun, lead your army in the best way to emerge victorious from the battlefield



[h3]Battle Actions[/h3]

In Citadelum, strategic control of your units is crucial to winning battles. Each unit can perform three different actions:

• Attack: Order your unit to engage the enemy. This action directs your troops to attack opponents within range, using their specific strengths (e.g. archers attacking at range, cavalry charging against vulnerable units).
  
• Move into position: Maneuver your units into the optimal position on the battlefield. This may involve advancing towards the enemy, taking high ground to gain a strategic advantage, or placing archers behind infantry lines for protection.
  
• Defensive Posture: Order your units to hold their position in a defensive posture. In this posture, your troops will wait for the enemy to come into range before automatically engaging them. It is especially useful for controlling key areas of the battlefield and protecting critical units.
  

We're excited to see how you'll lead your legions to glory. Until next time, may Mars favor your battles!

Ave, Romans!

Welcome to our latest update on the progress of Citadelum. Our team has been hard at work, and we're excited to share the progress we've made. First, let’s review some of the core functionalities that are now complete:

• Imperium Building: Players can build and expand your cities from the ground up.
  
• Resource Gathering & Refinement: You can gather and refine various resources essential for your city’s development and survival.
  
• Trade with Different Villages: Trade with different civilizations is operational, giving you access to a range of goods and strategic alliances.
  
• World Exploration: The world is open for exploration, revealing new territories, resources, and opportunities.
  
• Punishments and blessings: Your worship of the gods is very important for the prosperous development of your city, you must maintain their approval or face fatal consequences.
  

At the moment, we are consolidating these core mechanics and entering an exciting phase of expansion and content refinement. We have several thrilling updates to share with you, introducing new systems and expanding existing ones to enhance your experience in Citadelum.

[h3]City Defense System[/h3]

The City Defense System is now in development, allowing you to fortify your cities with walls, towers, and other defenses against invasions.


This system will add a new layer of strategic depth, requiring careful planning and resource management to ensure your city can withstand external threats.

[h3]Army Battles[/h3]

We're introducing large-scale battles where you can train and command legions. These battles will occur near your city and on distant battlefields, requiring strategic management of formations, unit types, and tactics for victory.



[h3]Gladiator Fights & Circus Races[/h3]

Enhance your city’s entertainment with gladiator fights and chariot races. Build arenas, train gladiators, and host thrilling events to boost prestige and experience the excitement of the Circus Maximus.



[h3]Campaigns[/h3]

Our team is also working on a series of campaigns that will bring rich narratives and varied challenges to the game. These campaigns will immerse you in the world of Citadelum with compelling storylines and strategic missions.

[h3]Map Editor[/h3]

We are developing a map editor that will allow you to create and customize your own game maps. This tool will give you the freedom to design unique scenarios and share your creations with the community.



[h3]Mod Support[/h3]

To further enhance player creativity, we're adding support for mods. This will enable you to modify game content, introduce new features, and tailor your Citadelum experience to your preferences.

See you in Citadelum, Citizens!

When we were designing Citadelum campaign we wanted the player to experience the expansion of Rome, in different years and biomes. Our goal was not only visiting several locations of the Peninsula Italica, but also Hispania and Egypt. To do so we also had to keep in mind the actual timeline of events.

That’s why we chose the late Republic and early Roman Empire. This era allows the player to have an impact on several events, such as roman civil wars, conquest and even some conspiracies. Remember these events also have to fit our city building mechanic.

For example, if you could play our first level in the demo. That level is set during the Perusine War fought by Lucius Antonius and the forces of Octavian (who would become emperor). We also wanted to give the campaign some sense of continuity. To give you an idea, we wanted to give the same feeling you get when watching the Band of Brothers series, in which you follow the 101st Airborne Division, from Normandy to Germany through different European battlefields.



For us, it was not so easy, as you will have to create different settlements, which later will become cities. But we found the events around Octavian first, later Augustus, were a great History background for the variety and depth we were looking for.

But, now you are thinking, if this is a historical game, what about the gods? This is a question we asked ourselves a lot. There are some elements in the game that maybe not true to ancient History, because they serve gameplay and fun over accuracy. First, Citadelum is a videogame, keep that in mind. As for the gods or other licenses we took, what we did was doing them the best we could, so we went back to the classical works by Ovid or Virgil to understand their personality and behavior.



We want everyone to “feel Rome” when they see our characters. And sometimes this means not to be accurate but to show something that is already imbued in our culture, such as statues without painting, some uniforms… or the looks of our gods in the pantheon.