Loyal rulers, gather around!

Thanks to everyone who's been playing the demo, leaving feedback, and helping us shape the game. We've been getting a lot of questions lately, so we thought it’d be a good idea to put together a little Q&A with the most frequently asked ones to share what’s going on behind the scenes. Let’s get into it!

When will the game be released?
We’re aiming to release it this summer, but it really depends on how development progresses. We're not quite ready to commit to a specific date yet, so no official announcement for now!

How has demo feedback influenced development?
We gathered a lot of great ideas and feedback from everyone who played the demo. First of all: thank you! We wrote a longer article about it, so feel free to check that out here: New Demo Results.
Short version? We were moving in the right direction overall, but your feedback helped us focus even more on what really matters.

(what really matters? Little goblin fishing animations, that’s what hahaha! Nah, we are joking… just a bit)

How do you feel about the current game balance?
We think it’s in a pretty good place for the current amount of content! That said, we’re keeping an eye on the wild builds you all are creating and sharing in Steam Communities and Discord. And that’s totally fine: in a roguelike, there should be ways to break the game and feel overpowered! Our goal is to make multiple strategies viable and ensure the process of discovering them through trial and error stays fun. Expect some balance tweaks in version 1.0!

Will the demo be updated again?
Right now, we're focused entirely on preparing the game for release. Updating the demo would slow us down, and we feel the current version already gives a solid idea of what to expect from the game.

Will you add more keybinding options?
Yes!

Why can’t you cast spells while paused?
At the moment, that’s a technical limitation. We’re considering it as a quality-of-life improvement after launch.

Is this a remake of a web game? I saw it on Itch.io before.
That version was a prototype for The King is Watching! The project originally started as a Ludum Dare game jam entry: Ludum Dare Page[ldjam.com].
We liked it enough to create a Steam page and release it as our first demo. You can still find older versions on Itch.io, but the game has improved a lot since then. Because both we and the players enjoyed the idea, we decided to expand it into a full game.

Will it be playable on Steam Deck?
We’re aiming to support Steam Deck by release, but if not, it should come in one of the first updates.

Will you continue supporting the game after launch?
We think almost all developers, who love what they are doing, would like to support their games after release. We are not an exception here. We’re planning at least 2–3 content updates after 1.0, adding new content based on what players are enjoying most. Whether we support it beyond the first few months will depend on how the game is received.

Thanks again for all the love, feedback, and support so far. We're super excited about what's coming next for The King is Watching, and we can’t wait to share more with you soon!

Loyal rulers, gather around!

We are overwhelmed (like by an enemy invasion, but in a good way!) by the sheer amount of feedback we received after Steam Next Fest. Not only have you shared your thoughts and strategies, but over 180,000 of you have wishlisted the game. I would bow to you but the crown would fall (and we don’t want that, do we?)

Our goal today is to share with you what's coming in the 1.0 version. We will also discuss what we want to add to the game after release. To put it simply: more content, more choices, and more ways to rule your kingdom. With the core of the game polished and stable, we’re expanding and refining it based on your feedback.

Our focus right now is fully on 1.0, but we want to make it clear: this won’t be the end of the journey. While this article is all about what’s coming in the full release, we also plan to continue developing the game beyond launch, so more on that when the time comes!

Let’s dive into the details at once!


The King’s current power is to move blocks across the battlefield. With the release version we will introduce at least one new playable King, each with his own unique powers that evolve the gameplay and change the way you strategize!


Advisors will be a major feature in the full game, not just for passive bonuses but as a way to shape your playthrough. While the core set of buildings and units remains the same, advisors will determine which blueprints and soldiers you can access, allowing you to avoid those that don’t suit your strategy. Think of them as a way to customize your kingdom’s loadout. Choose wisely, as their influence will define your reign!


Think you’ve mastered the kingdom? Think again! Once you finish with the base difficulty, you’ll unlock Ascensions, extra challenge modifiers that will push even the most seasoned rulers to their limits. Our goal is to have at least 7–8 Ascensions, including brutal changes like facing three bosses in a single run instead of two. Now THAT’s a challenge worthy of the most wise Kings!


By 1.0, we’ll be adding at least one more level, and this one comes with a chilling theme: necromancy and the undead. This cursed land will allow you to mount expeditions to unearth powerful artifacts, all while dealing with new threats, unique bosses, and dark magic. Me? Afraid? Of course not, but we will still look from a safe distance…


Currently, the demo has two fixed bosses… but we want more! In the full game, your opponent will be randomized at the start of each run, adding new challenges and twists. A fortune teller will even forewarn you of the enemy general you’ll face, each one bringing special modifiers to your playthrough. Some may freeze your buildings. Others will make each wave stronger. And some? They might just resurrect fallen enemies as skeletons. How rude of them!


We’re also enhancing our event system to provide clearer resolutions to your choices. Spared an enemy? Had them “removed” from the equation? The consequences of your royal decrees will be spelled out in greater detail, so you’ll always know exactly what fate you’ve sealed!
We’ve also heard your love for the witty, varied events (and their charming illustrations!), so rest assured: more are on the way!


Expect tons of additional buildings, units, and spells to expand your tactical options. This is just a glimpse of what we’re planning, so rest assured, there’s much more to come.

We’ll share more details in future updates, but for now, thank you for your support, feedback, and enthusiasm. Your kingdom awaits, and the future of The King is Watching has never looked brighter! HUZZAH!

https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2981670/The_King_is_Watching_Demo/

Loyal rulers, gather ‘round! The kingdom has never been more bustling! Over 240,000 of you have played the demo. That's a lot of ruling, strategizing, and, let’s be honest, occasional catastrophic mismanagement. But fear not! We’ve been watching (as always) and gathering your feedback to shape the future of the game.

• Loop Hero Comparisons: Many of you have compared us to Loop Hero, which is a massive honor. While we’re thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive reviews (97% positive!), we also know there’s still work to do.
  
• Difficulty Adjustments: Only 30% of surveyed players managed to defeat the boss. We've seen some crazy survival records, but we acknowledge that reaching the end is a bit difficult right now. We'll work on game balancing. But don’t worry, true masochists, we’ve got you covered: the full release will include Ascensions, with extra challenge modes for those who crave suffering.
  
  
• More Buildings, More Content, More Music: more buildings, more mechanics, more units, and more levels are on the way. And yes, your ears will be pleased with more music tracks!
  
• Resource Management Tweaks: We designed resource gathering to push players toward different strategies, but we understand that it can feel frustrating. We’ll be looking into improvements and adding clearer explanations in the tutorial and tooltips.
  
• Spells & Power Scaling: Ah yes, the Bladefall. We know it wasn’t exactly a fan favorite, and spell damage currently doesn’t scale well. Expect more powerful spells and better ways to increase their effectiveness as the game progresses.
  
• Encounters: You liked them! So we’ll be expanding on them. At the very least, we’ll add clearer descriptions of the consequences of your choices. Maybe even some long-term effects!
  
• Meta-Progression: This will be expanded significantly! Beyond purchasing upgrades, you’ll have to complete specific challenges to unlock new features. And of course, councilors will play a major role: you won’t be able to choose them all at once, meaning each playthrough will force tough decisions.
  
• More Enemies, More Bosses, More Mayhem: Expect a greater variety of enemies and multiple bosses per level. Your final showdown will be decided randomly from a pool of level-specific bosses, each bringing their own unique challenge modifier. Some will debuff extra tiles, others will try to set everything on fire (literally).

We will be revealing more details about our plans for the full release very soon, so stay tuned! Right now, we’re still collecting your feedback and fine-tuning our vision for the game accordingly. If you haven’t yet filled out the survey, now’s your chance:

Fill out the survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-bTlRxqGEgtMkxMEutqNaagRYPJ2pb2BsDYjdVAcfNwOOkw/viewform?usp=sharing

We’re also keeping a close eye on the Steam Community Hub and especially our Discord, where discussions, debates, and the occasional kingdom-wide conspiracy unfold.

Join us here: https://discord.gg/7yf97dNPV2


Your feedback is shaping the game’s future, and we’re beyond grateful. Follow the game to stay updated, and join the community to share your thoughts, strategies, and kingdom-wide conspiracies. HUZZAH!


https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2981670/The_King_is_Watching_Demo/

Loyal rulers, the Kingdom thrives!

The Steam Next Fest has come and gone, and our demo was a roaring success, placing itself in the TOP 15 most played demos![/b] (source: https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/sale/nextfestmostplayed_feb_2025) 👑

• Over 50 YEARS of combined gameplay! That’s right, you'd have spent half a century exploring, exploiting (and occasionally burning to the ground) your kingdom in every possible way.
  
• More than 8,000 of you have ruled for 10+ hours: a true sign of dedication (or a clear symptom of the “just one more run” royal fever).
  
• 97% positive reviews! Proof that our kingdom is thriving. We were ready to kidnap someone’s heir to secure a good score, but it seems it was not needed!
  
• 2,000 new followers on Steam have sworn loyalty, welcome! For those who haven’t followed yet, we assume you're just waiting for a more dramatic invitation. Follow now, before we send you a storm of messenger pigeons to convince you!

🎉 PLAY THE DEMO & FOLLOW THE GAME!

https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2981670/The_King_is_Watching_Demo/

Thank you for all your royal gazing, and let’s continue building a realm worthy of legend! HUZZAH! 👑

Noble rulers,

We’re not the only royal game at Steam Next Fest! If you’re craving more intricate kingdom builders, check out our neighbouring realm - 9 Kings! A worthy addition to the festival’s noble lineup indeed! 👑🏰

https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2784470/9_Kings/
https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2753900/The_King_is_Watching/

Follow The King is Watching on Social Media:

• X[x.com]
  
• Discord[discord.gg]

~Hypnohead

Brave Kings, we’re thrilled to announce that The King is Watching will be part of Steam Next Fest! This is a huge milestone for us, and we couldn’t have done it without your support.

If you haven’t already, check out our updated demo and join us in celebrating this royal achievement. Your feedback and enthusiasm have brought us here, so thank you!


https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2981670/The_King_is_Watching_Demo/

Thank you for your royal support! 👑

Loyal rulers, your voices have been heard! Thanks to your wisdom and dedication, a grand new demo update has arrived, bringing great improvements to your kingdom:

• A Guided Start: A refined tutorial to help new rulers take their first steps with confidence.
  
• Encounters: Unique events now shape your reign, each with illustrated choices and rewards and twists!
  
• Building Upgrades: More structures now grow in power, granting greater strategy and control.
  
• Endless Mode: A true test of endurance! Rule for as long as you can and see how you compare on the royal leaderboard!

Finally, small tweaks and balance changes have been made throughout the land. The keenest rulers may uncover them in their reigns!

This update would not be possible without the kings who played, conquered, and shared their wisdom. Your reigns have shaped the future of the game!

Play the new demo now: https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2981670/The_King_is_Watching_Demo/

Loyal subjects, rejoice!

The King is Watching is proud to stand among amazing games in Idler Fest! While kingdoms thrive under your gaze, we’re preparing to unveil a major demo update in Late February, bringing exciting changes based on your feedback.

Here’s what’s coming:

• A Guided Start: A new tutorial/onboarding system to help new rulers.
  
• Encounters: Experience unique events during your reign, complete with illustrations and story choices. Each decision grants rewards: some positive, some... interesting!
  
• Building Upgrades: We expanded building’s upgrade to those that currently lack them.
  
• Endless Mode: Test your strategy and endurance in a mode where the challenges never cease! Check the royal leaderboard to see your friends and other Kings results!

The current demo is still available during Idler Fest, and we encourage you to experience it while you can. This is your last chance to enjoy the original gameplay version before the update drops!

Play the demo now: https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2753900/The_King_is_Watching/

Join our Discord for sneak peeks: tblink.co/TheKingIsWatchingDiscord

Hear ye, brave Kings of the realms!

The King is Watching hath reached a monumental milestone: 100,000 wishlists and 128,000 players! Truly, such royal support brings tears to our majestic eyes… eye? Whatever, you got what we mean.

Thy dedication is nothing short of legendary:

• The average playtime in the demo stands at 3 hours and 22 minutes. A fine start, though we expected nothing less from such noble strategists!
  
• 2,000 of thee hath spent over 20 hours in the demo, refining strategies and defending the kingdom: we salute thee, glorious warriors of endless patience and cunning!

Your feedback hath been invaluable, shaping the realm in ways even we, in our infinite wisdom, could not have foreseen:

• It has guided us in designing new levels and challenges for the full game. Truly, your minds are as sharp as the royal sword!
  
• Inspired new upgrades for existing buildings, making thy kingdom even stronger. Huzzah!
  
• Sparked ideas to make each playthrough more unique and engaging, ensuring no two journeys are alike (we would dare say, your creativity rivals even our own royal brilliance)

But this, dear Kings, is only the beginning. The realm grows richer, the challenges grander, and the surprises more thrilling as we march toward 2025. Fear not, for we shall lead you to glory!

Join our official Discord to share thy thoughts and stay abreast of the latest work-in-progress updates: tblink.co/TheKingIsWatchingDiscord

Thank you, loyal Kings, for thy unwavering support. The King is Watching, and he is most pleased! 👑