Hello everyone,

This is our first proper post here on Steam, so first off: welcome, and thank you to everyone who’s wishlisted Kinstrife or followed the project so far!

Since we put this page up, most of our updates have been going out on social media (links below), but we haven’t really posted here. Some of you have understandably asked: is Kinstrife still in development?

Short answer: Yes. Absolutely, and stronger than ever. And from now on, you’ll hear directly from us here on Steam.

Over the past year, we’ve made serious progress on every part of the game. Here are some highlights:

• We overhauled our physics-based combat. Attacks now flow in full 360°, supported by major enhancements to character physics. A new stamina and injury system adds depth, making every battle feel dynamic and alive.
  
• We've started building the game world, beginning with a castle environment based on a real historical site.
  
• We launched a closed playtest, which we’re gradually expanding. More details on that below.
  
• Advances in performance and AI now support larger battles at steady FPS, while even small skirmishes feel intense with all the physics interactions.

We’d originally planned to release a demo in 2024, but as development progressed, we realized we didn’t just want to showcase combat. We want the demo to feel like a true slice of the full RPG—capturing the broader world and systems.
Rest assured, the demo's still coming. While we don’t have a new release date to share just yet, progress is steady. And most importantly, the extra depth and polish will make it a better experience when it lands.

• Until now, Kinstrife has been the passion project of just two developers. Now that we've officially started our studio, that’s about to change—we’re expanding our team!
  
• Later this year, we plan to open the playtest to more players. It’s something we’ve been looking forward to—finally letting more of you get your hands on the game.

We're very excited about these developments, and 2025 is shaping up to be a big step forward for Kinstrife. In the following post, we’ll dive deeper into the combat system: how it feels, what’s working, and what we’re still refining.

We really appreciate all the encouraging support and feedback—it genuinely means a lot to us. We’re excited for what’s ahead!

Christoph & Khaya