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The King is Watching News

Public Test of Mid-Run Save Feature

[h3]Noble Kings![/h3][p]We are excited to announce the beginning of a public test for our highly requested mid-run save feature! We believe the feature is approximately 90% ready, but some minor polishing remains. And we require your valuable assistance to ensure everything works smoothly and loads correctly. For instance, during recent internal testing, we identified that second ability upgrades for King Leo the Wise weren't saving properly (fixed now). There might be other hidden issues that we haven't yet uncovered during closed tests.[/p][p]⚠️ ATTENTION! Before participating, please create a backup of your save data as a precaution, though we don't anticipate any damage to your save files. Follow these simple steps:[/p]
  1. [p]Navigate to: %localappdata%\\The_king_is_watching_steam[/p]
  2. [p]Right-click on the "Release" folder and select "Copy."[/p]
  3. [p]Click on your desktop and press Ctrl+V to paste a backup copy.[/p]
[p]Backup created![/p][p]📌 How to Join the Test:

Right-click The King is Watching in your Steam library, then select ‘Properties’. In the new window, select ‘Betas’ and choose 'Public_Test' from the drop-down menu.[/p][p]📜 How the new save feature works:[/p]
  • [p]The game will now automatically save your progress after defeating each wave.[/p]
  • [p]Instead of abandoning your run outright, you'll now have the option to either abandon or "Quit and Save," returning later to your latest autosave point.[/p]
  • [p]When launching the game, you'll have the choice to continue your previous run or proceed directly to the Kingdom screen.[/p]
[p]Known Issue:[/p]
  • [p]The current user interface is temporary and not yet localized beyond English.[/p]
[p]Please share your feedback with us through Steam discussions and on Discord![/p][p]Most importantly - have fun![/p][p]~ Hypnohead[/p]

Update 1.0.2 – Second Royal Decree Now Live!

[h3]Noble Kings![/h3][p][/p][p]Your diligent royal masons and pest-controlling knights continue their work! Today we deliver the second patch since the game's release. [/p][p][/p][h2]📜Here’s what’s new in Update 1.0.2:[/h2][p][/p][p]Bug Fixes and Technical Improvements[/p]
  • [p]Fixed a crash that caused the game to close unexpectedly without an error message.[/p]
  • [p]Significantly reduced the memory leak issue.[/p]
  • [p]Optimized unit animations, allowing more units on the battlefield while consuming fewer resources from your PC.[/p]
  • [p]Arachnor's Brother no longer transforms into a different unit after certain encounter decisions.[/p]
  • [p]Adjusted Russian localization by decreasing text size in some instances, ensuring text remains properly within buttons.[/p]
[p]Quality-of-Life Improvements[/p]
  • [p]You can now sell blueprints directly from the trader window.[/p]
  • [p]Upgrades for sold blueprints will no longer appear in rewards.[/p]
  • [p]Powerful random seals will now prefer empty tiles rather than tiles already occupied by seals.[/p]
[p]We are actively working on the highly requested mid-run save feature and hope to launch public tests for it later this week. Stay tuned for updates! [/p][p][/p][p]Continue sharing your feedback, and join the conversation on our social media:[/p][p] Thank you once again for your noble support![/p][p]~Hypnohead [/p]

Tightly designed new city builder The King is Watching just keeps getting bigger

Overseeing an ever-growing sprawl can be a highlight of city-building games, but the truly memorable moments in everything from Cities Skylines to Frostpunk come from having to build within tight restrictions. It's this concept that new city builder The King is Watching is founded upon, dramatically limiting the space you have to work with at any moment and forcing you to make tough decisions about what to prioritize. Ironically, this formula has proved so popular that the new indie game just won't stop growing on Steam, and developer Hypnohead says there's more to come.


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Update 1.0.1 is Available Now

[p]Hear ye, hear ye![/p][p]Royal masons have patched up a few cracks in the castle walls, and the foul goblins causing pesky bugs have been chased far beyond the gates![/p][p]A huge thank you to all of you, noble kings, for your incredible support!
Since the game's release earlier this week, you've been setting new records every day for the number of simultaneous rulers in the kingdom, and we’ve been hard at work implementing your feedback and improving the realm.
[/p][h2]📜Here’s what’s included in Update 1.0.1
[/h2][p]Bug Fixes and Technical Improvements[/p]
  • [p]Fixed a crash occurring when using the Chinese input method (IME).[/p]
  • [p]Implemented a system to retroactively grant players achievements for previously completed challenges that had not triggered correctly.[/p]
  • [p]Resolved an issue where the "Lords of Graveyard" challenge would not complete properly.[/p]
  • [p]King Leonid's initial quest now correctly grants militia, as indicated in the quest description, rather than peasants.[/p]
  • [p]Fixed an issue preventing hunters from applying the slow effect to bosses.[/p]
  • [p]Updated localization and resolved issues with text cropping.[/p]
  • [p]Potentially fixed the Win32 function crash issue; please report if you continue to encounter it.[/p]
[p]Quality-of-Life Improvements[/p]
  • [p]Players can now increase game speed during combat.[/p]
  • [p]When The Graveyard is now unlocked, it unlocks with up to Threat Level 3 available.[/p]
  • [p]Reduced crystal costs for upgrades:[/p]
    • [p]Troops' Damage Levels 1, 2, and 3[/p]
    • [p]Troops' HP Levels 1, 2, and 3[/p]
  • [p]Ascension crystals are now automatically collected when advancing to the next Threat Level.[/p]
  • [p]The Kings' gaze areas are now displayed on the pre-run screen when hovering over a king.[/p]
  • [p]Troops' HP and damage popups can now be viewed even when reward notifications are hidden.[/p]
[p]We are also working on fixing excessive memory usage by the game and introducing in-run save. We hope to release them next week, but everything will depend on the first tests we will run this weekend. [/p][p]
Follow The King is Watching on Social Media:[/p][p][/p][p]~Hypnohead[/p][p]
[/p]

The King is Watching: Your Royal Adventure Has Just Begun!

[p]Loyal rulers, your patience has been legendary… and now, your reign truly begins![/p][p][/p][p]After conquering the hearts of over 8,000 brave monarchs during our demo and earning a splendid 97% positive rating, the gates to The King is Watching stand wide open. As of July 21st, the kingdom awaits your royal decree![/p][p][/p][p]But for those who’ve already set foot in the kingdom, whether in the demo or on day one of release, the adventure has only just begun. The realm grows richer, deeper, and more unpredictable the longer you rule. Allow us to show you what lies ahead when you keep your royal eyes upon the kingdom![/p][p][/p][h2]Meet Your Majesties![/h2][p]In The King is Watching, no two rulers are alike. Each King shapes your royal strategy in unique ways. Let us introduce three noble sovereigns among the 7 the game is offering[/p][p][/p][h3]King Spellus[/h3][p]
[/p][p][/p][p] A wizard-king through and through, Spellus boasts a pointy nose, a snowy beard, and spectacles perched like royal jewels. His magic flows endlessly: he passively generates 1 crystal every 3 seconds, fueling your arcane power. For 25 water, he conjures a random simple spell, and for 10 petrol he’ll grant you a random powerful spell.[/p][p][/p][h3]King Leo the Wise[/h3][p]
[/p][p][/p][p] Don’t be fooled by his enormous eyes: though they’d look perfect on a royal tapestry, they’re built for seeking secrets. Leo is your master of blueprints. Complete his royal quests and he’ll reward you with three precious building blueprints of Basic, Established, and Advanced quality for the corresponding defeated bosses.[/p][p][/p][h3]King Alucard[/h3][p]
[/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][p]Pale and mysterious, Alucard’s comfort with coffins might concern the court, but his undead armies speak for themselves. His reign revolves around death and rebirth: his living troops slain in battle have a 50% chance to rise again as undead. He can resurrect up to two fallen soldiers (plus more with upgrades), or elevate two undead warriors to the next fearsome level.[/p][p][/p][p]As for the others… Well, we’ll leave those surprises for you to discover in your royal journeys! Each King wields unique royal powers, unlocked by conquering the in-game challenges![/p][p][/p][h2]Face Monstrous Foes
[/h2][p]Beyond your castle walls, danger grows sharper with every reign, bringing you face-to-face with three mighty bosses, randomly drawn from a roster of many monstrous adversaries.[/p][p][/p][p]In the Village Kingdom, you might battle Gorzog, the towering goblin warlord who believes subtlety is for the weak; Margra, his sharper and even more terrifying counterpart; the Hungering Maw, a horrific creature spewing goblins onto the battlefield like a nightmarish fountain; or Venoxia, the terrifying three-headed menace where one head lies, one tells the truth, and the third eats anyone who dares ask the wrong question.[/p][p][/p][p]But that’s not all, because now you will be able to rule over a new kingdom (and face his powerful enemies)! In the Graveyard Kingdom, where undead and spooky creatures room the land, face sinister enemies like the Coven of Eternal Envy, vampiric Lord Draven, the scholarly-yet-lethal Sir Mortifax, or Araknor, the monstrous spider sorcerer.
[/p][p]Each boss fights with unique tactics and devastating powers, ensuring no single “meta” shall rule the realm. Adapt, improvise, and survive![/p][p][/p][h2]Build, Expand, and Experiment[/h2][p]Your kingdom’s arsenal has grown mightily since the demo. New royal tools await:[/p]
  • [p]Fuel Pump: Turns wood and water into petrol to fuel powerful new units.[/p]
  • [p]Archmage University: Unlocks mightier spells than your humble wizard towers ever dreamed of.[/p]
  • [p]Sacrificial Stone: Convert black sheep (literally!) into spell rewards.[/p]
  • [p]Ninja Temple: Train silent assassins to slice your foes.[/p]
  • [p]Lion Circus: Raise magnificent griffins—fierce and feathered.[/p]
  • [p]Goose Hydra Nest: Transform goose knights into terrifying hydra monstrosities.[/p]
[p][/p][p]Your production buildings and troops’ barracks have three tiers of quality, growing in power and rarity as your reign advances!
[/p][h2]Events, Progression, and What Lies Ahead[/h2][p]Prepare for new and improved encounters, where your choices have clearer (and sometimes long-lasting) effects on your realm.[/p][p][/p][p]Your kingdom grows across countless runs thanks to expanded meta-progression. Unlock new Kings, advisors, upgrades, and secrets to make each future attempt more formidable.[/p][p][/p][h2]Your Throne Awaits![/h2][p]So, noble ruler: if you’ve already sampled the kingdom’s delights in the demo or your first hours of release, know that even grander trials and treasures await. The enemies grow fiercer, your royal toolbox grows broader, and new secrets wait to be uncovered.

And fear not: The King is Watching’s story is only beginning. We’re planning 2–3 post-launch updates, shaped by your royal feedback![/p][p]
Will you press onward and forge your kingdom’s name into legend? Play The King is Watching today![/p][p][/p][p]Join our community on Discord to share strategies, conspiracies, and tales of royal triumphs.[/p][p][/p][p]The crown is yours to take. HUZZAH![/p][p]
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