Master of Piece News

[p]Hello Commanders,[/p][p]This is I M GAME.[/p][p]Today, we’d like to introduce two new features coming with the Early Access launch: the Hall of Fame and the Archive.[/p][p][/p][h3]Hall of Fame[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The Hall of Fame is one of the three buildings located at the Outpost.[/p][p]While it does not directly affect gameplay, completing achievements will unlock Steam achievements and reward you with new decorations displayed in the Hall of Fame.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Once an achievement is completed, its corresponding decoration is automatically placed in a designated spot inside the Hall of Fame. If you enter without having achieved anything, it will feel like nothing more than an empty house. However, as you continue playing, watching the Hall gradually fill with decorations brings a strong sense of accomplishment.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]There are a total of 32 achievements available in the game. Today, we’ll briefly introduce just two of them. The rest are waiting for you to discover in-game.[/p][p]Hoarder: Collect 9 or more relics.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Ferocity: Increase a mercenary’s Speed to 15 or more.[/p][p][/p][h3]Archive[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p]The Archive contains stories about the world of Master of Piece that commanders can discover throughout their journey.[/p][p]You’ll uncover why expedition leaders gathered mercenaries and set out on their journeys, learn more about the various factions that appear in the game, and explore deeper lore behind buildings and card events. These stories are found gradually as you progress.[/p][p]When you return to the Garrison to rest, you can visit the Archive and take your time enjoying the fascinating stories of the world of Master of Piece.[/p][p][/p][h3]Looking Ahead[/h3][p][/p][p]The Early Access launch is now just one day away.[/p][p]Throughout development, we’ve been fortunate to receive overwhelming support and encouragement from the community. Thanks to that, working on the game has always been a joy, and it allowed us to fully focus on how we could deliver a better experience in return.[/p][p]As an Early Access title, there are still many areas that need improvement, and we understand that some players may prefer to wait for the full release.[/p][p]For us, therefore, tomorrow’s launch is not an ending—it’s a beginning.[/p][p]Moving forward, we’ll continue refining and improving our systems while preserving the unique charm that defines Master of Piece, so that even more players can enjoy the experience.[/p][p]We’d greatly appreciate your feedback through Discord and the Steam discussion forums,
and we hope you’ll continue this journey with us.[/p][p]Thank you.[/p][p][/p]

[p]Hello Commanders, [/p][p]Master of Piece is launching in Steam Early Access on February 4, and to celebrate the upcoming release, we’re running a small pre-launch Steam key giveaway on our official social media.[/p][p]We’ll be giving away 5 Steam keys in total.[/p][p]How to participate[/p]

• [p]Follow our official X account[/p]
• [p]Repost the giveaway post[/p]
• [p]Wishlist Master of Piece on Steam[/p]

[p]Winners will be announced before the Early Access launch.[/p][p]Thank you for your continued support. We’re excited to share the full experience with you very soon.[/p][p]— I M GAME[/p]

[p]Hello Commanders,[/p][p]This is I M GAME.[/p][p][/p][p]With the Early Access release just around the corner, today we’d like to introduce one of the features that will be revealed for the first time in the Early Access version: the Garrison.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The Garrison is a place where the expedition commander and mercenaries return during their exhausting, repetitive journeys to rest, sharpen their blades, and prepare for the next expedition.[/p][p][/p][p]At the start of your journey, it’s nothing more than a barren clearing. However, as you complete multiple expeditions and gather sufficient supplies and resources, you’ll be able to construct various facilities that will aid you in future runs.[/p][p][/p][p]There are a total of 8 types of buildings that can be constructed in the Garrison, but only 4 buildable tiles are available.[/p][p]In other words, players must carefully choose and construct 4 buildings they consider the most useful out of the 8 available upgrades.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Now, let us introduce a few of the buildings you’ll be able to construct.[/p][p][/p][h3]Church[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Church: Gain 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 additional Hourglasses at the start of each expedition.[/p][p]The Church is a facility that amplifies the expedition’s faith, enhancing the effects of Hourglasses that rewind time.[/p][p]By constructing the Church, you’ll begin each expedition with more Hourglasses than before, reducing the pressure of mistakes during difficult battles.[/p][p][/p][p]This can be an especially useful choice when experimenting with new mercenary combinations from the Guild, or when switching commanders and adapting to new systems.[/p][p][/p][h3]Barracks[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Barracks: Mercenaries offered as battle rewards for the next 1 / 2 / 3 battles receive a Mercenary Upgrade.[/p][p]Once the Barracks is constructed, mercenaries are able to stay in stable lodgings and a better environment. This naturally attracts strong and experienced mercenaries, allowing the expedition to recruit more powerful new members.[/p][p][/p][p]After constructing the Barracks and setting out on an expedition, mercenaries that appear as battle rewards during the journey will be provided in an upgraded state.
(The type of upgrade is random.)[/p][p][/p][h3]Designing Background[/h3][p][/p][p]The Garrison is a classic meta-progression system designed to partially ease the penalty of failure in repeated roguelike playthroughs.[/p][p]However, in typical meta-progression systems, players are often required to unlock all content and upgrades through repetition, eventually gaining access to every stat and upgrade once everything is unlocked.[/p][p]We felt that this structure could force players into dull, repetitive gameplay with poor stats while pursuing 100% upgrades.[/p][p][/p][p]As a result, we chose to reduce the number of unlockable elements and instead allow players to directly choose their upgrades.[/p][p]In the current Garrison system, rather than constructing all 8 buildings, players select and build 4 core buildings they consider most important. This design encourages strategic thinking by having players reflect on and choose the upgrades they truly need.[/p][p][/p][p]We’re also very excited to see which buildings end up with the highest pick rates in real gameplay statistics.[/p][p]Try finding the buildings that best suit your playstyle.[/p][p][/p][p]Moving forward, we’ll continue improving our systems while preserving the unique identity of Master of Piece, striving to create an experience that satisfies even more players.[/p][p][/p][p]We’d love to hear your feedback through Discord and the Steam discussion boards,
and we hope you’ll continue this journey with us.[/p][p]Thank you.[/p]

[p]Hello Commanders, [/p][p]This is I M GAME.[/p][p][/p][p]We’re excited to announce that Master of Piece will officially launch in Steam Early Access on February 4, 2026.[/p][p](As most of you know) Master of Piece is a chess-inspired roguelike deckbuilder set in a dark, gothic medieval world. Instead of cards, you command mercenary pieces on a tactical grid, combining traits, relics, and positioning to build powerful synergies and overcome brutal encounters.[/p][p]Since our first demo in March last year, tens of thousands of players have joined us, helping the game grow through feedback, balance changes, and new content. Early Access marks the next major step in development—and the beginning of a longer journey toward the full release.[/p][p][/p][h3]Take a look at our brand-new Early Access Launch trailer![/h3][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h3]What’s coming with the Early Access launch[/h3][p]The Early Access release of Master of Piece introduces major new content and systems, including:[/p]

• [p]A new playable commander, Libius, with unique mechanics and playstyle[/p]
• [p]Two new playable regions, expanding the world and enemy variety[/p]
• [p]The Outpost system, which grants permanent upgrades to your runs[/p]
• [p]The Hall of Fame system, featuring achievement-style challenges[/p]
• [p]A revamped narrative and storyline, complete with an ending[/p]
• [p]A new Record system to track your progress and accomplishments[/p]
• [p]Expanded Ordeal systems, adding multiple layers of difficulty and challenge[/p]

[p]We plan to continue development for 6 months to 1 year until the full release, expanding content and refining the game based on your feedback.[/p][p][/p][p]📅 Early Access Release Date: February 4, 2026
💰 Price: $14.99 USD
🎉 Launch Discount: 10% off during the first week[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you for supporting Master of Piece. We can’t wait for you to take your first move.[/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[p]Greetings Commanders,[/p][p]This is I M GAME.[/p][p][/p][p]A manifestation that craves war enters Master of Piece.[/p][p]The Orc Warmonger is a being who continues endless battles across the Duskwind Plains, dedicating even his own life to combat. In this developer diary, we introduce the Warmonger’s combat tendencies and key mechanics.[/p][p][/p][h3]A Manifestation of War That Brings Down a Massive Axe[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Consumed by an unending thirst for slaughter, the Orc Warmonger worships the battlefield as if it were paradise itself. [/p][p]For him, peace is excruciating agony, and only within battle does he feel truly alive.[/p][p]Forever seeking worthy opponents, he identifies the strongest mercenary the moment the expedition enters the battlefield.
Until that target falls, he unleashes relentless and indiscriminate attacks.[/p][p]This behavior is represented through his traits, ‘Aiming’ and ‘Giant Axe’.[/p][p][/p][p]With the ‘Aiming’ trait, the Orc Warmonger marks a single enemy mercenary with the highest HP at the end of each round.[/p][p]When attacking, he brings down his massive axe upon the marked target, dealing damage to all surrounding mercenaries as well.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]If the marked target survives, his assault grows even fiercer.[/p][p]Each consecutive attack on the same target increases his attack power, until the strongest mercenary is brutally slain and a new target is chosen.[/p][p]To prevent him from focusing on a single unit, it is crucial to deploy additional mercenaries to spread out the damage.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Unlike the agile Orc Decimator who excels against multiple foes, the Orc Warmonger defeats enemies one by one with heavy, decisive blows.[/p][p]To match this combat style, we emphasized a sense of weight and power in his massive axe swings.[/p][p]The thick, layered steel armor he wears bears the scars of countless battles endured over time.[/p][p][/p][h3]Prisoners Forced Onto the Battlefield[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p]The ruthless Orc Warmonger uses prisoners captured in previous battles as living shields to display his brutality and strength.[/p][p]The prisoners are forced onto the battlefield under the watch of the warlord and his underlings. Bound in spiked chains, they are immediately executed for disobedience if they refuse to attack the enemy, serving only as expendable tools to turn the tide of battle. [/p][p]The Warmonger himself shows no concern for their safety when unleashing his attacks.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The prisoners possess the ‘Throes’ trait, dealing 5 damage to the unit that kills them just before they die.
Carelessly attacking them under the assumption that they are enemies may result in severe damage to your own mercenaries due to this effect.
Careful positioning is required to prevent allies from attacking prisoners directly.[/p][p][/p][p]However, this trait can also work to the player’s advantage.
Prisoners can be damaged by the Warmonger’s axe attacks, and if they die as a result, ‘Throes’ will still trigger.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]By adjusting ally positions so that prisoners fall within the Warmonger’s attack range,
players can turn the tide of battle by using the prisoners’ throes to damage him instead.[/p][p](Though in the end, the prisoners’ fate remains grim no matter the choice.)[/p][p][/p][h3]Conclusion[/h3][p][/p][p]As Christmas has passed, 2025 is now drawing to a close. This year has been filled with challenges and experiments through Master of Piece.[/p][p]As we prepare to officially release the game next year, we find ourselves filled with excitement and anticipation.
We eagerly await the day when we can finally share the completed journey with all of you.[/p][p][/p][p]Moving forward, we will continue refining our systems while preserving the unique identity of Master of Piece, striving to create an experience that satisfies as many players as possible.[/p][p]We welcome your feedback through Discord and the Steam discussion forums, and we hope you will continue to join us on this journey.[/p][p]Thank you.[/p]