Greetings Romans!
This week, we take a stroll into the wilds of Romestead and explore the beings that inhabit it.

Civilization may have been wiped out to near extinction during the cataclysmic fall of Rome, but life finds a way. The natural life of Romestead is thriving, so let’s lift some rocks and rustle some bushes to see what’s really going on!

In Romestead, life doesn’t stop just because you do. There’s predators and prey, all with their own agendas, constantly interacting.

For example:
Wolves will work together bring down enemies. Bears will fight to the death if you get close to their cubs.

But not all creatures are out for blood. On your journey, you’ll encounter plenty just trying to get by.
Goats, Deer, and critters of all kinds litter the world - each with their own quirks and behaviors.

In the wake of the apocalypse, strange things have begun to roam the land.
Maybe you find your cart is suddenly missing some resources. Maybe a rock stares back.
Or maybe that bush you walked past... wasn't a bush at all.

Imagine where you will be, and it will be so.
The time for the playtest is fast approaching!

We’re kicking off things in three weeks, and there is still time to sign up on the Steam page. Playtest access via Steam will be random. We cannot pick or choose who gets in. But don’t worry, you’re not just rolling the dice once.

Here’s what to know:

• Keys will be distributed in waves. If you don’t get in right away, you’re still in the running.
  
• We will also be giving out playtest keys in our official Discord[discord.gg]. Be there.
  
• We will be testing a new Steam feature that lets playtesters invite a friend.
  
• All testing will be under NDA. That means no streaming, screenshots, recordings, or public discussions. Keep it in the Discord.

The team is working hard to get you an unforgettable playtest experience! Some things we’ve got going on right now are:

• More Dungeons - Challenges Galore! We’re adding more dungeons and filling them with enemies for you to fight!
  
• Group Spawns - Previously, you’d encounter enemies either one at a time or all at once - like ketchup. Now, you’ll be able to meet a horde of the Fallen, a herd of boars, a scout patrol of [REDACTED], or why not a whole family of frogs?
  
• Logistics - A town can't work without proper logistics! We set our best leather worker on making a fancy new tent, outfitted with everything you need to run a city!
  
• Translations - You’ve asked for it, and we’re working on it! We’ve got a list of a few languages to be added. Want your language in? Let us know.
  
• Fixed a bug that would spawn an ungodly amount of angry boars (placeholder art).

Our legions grow stronger by the day. A big thank you to everyone who has wishlisted and signed up for the playtest already.

We will be back in two weeks with more information and behind the scenes!

Until then,
Roma Aeterna!

- The Beartwigs Team

Greetings, Romans!
Welcome to our first devblog from the team at Beartwigs! 🐻

We’ll be sharing these every other week, quick peeks into what we’re building, what’s changing, and what’s quietly getting weirder. Let’s begin.

When we revealed Romestead at the Future Games Show, we hoped it would spark something. And judging by your response… it did.

There's not just a handful of you. You're a legion*.

*(Technically several legions' worth🤓)

Over 45,000 of you have wishlisted the game, with 20,000+ signed up for the playtest. These aren’t just numbers. It's thousands of you curious about something we’re building. We don’t take that lightly.

So here’s what you’re walking into.

When Rome fell, the gods were forgotten. Their altars crumbled. With no one to worship them, their power vaned.

But silence isn’t death. Not for them.

One of the first buildings you’ll construct in Romestead is the Altar, the gateway to divine reconnection. The gods have begun to stir again, reaching out in fragments.

“You have called, and I have answered. I am Minerva, Goddess of Wisdom. My mind is clouded, but I see potential in you. There is work to be done.”

She’s the first to reach you. But not the only one.
Other gods are watching. And not all will be so kind.

You’ll give offerings at these altars, items tied to each god’s preference: cooked food, crafted gear, or materials from the hunt. These raise your Worship Level, unlocking new buildings, upgrades, decorations and occasionally… side effects.

Worship shapes the world. Favor shapes you.

As you explore, fight, build, and grow, you gain experience in specific skills. That experience earns you Favor Points, which unlock god-specific skills and abilities.

One we’re having a lot of fun with right now:

Shield Slam - Dash straight into the horde with your shield raised. The heavier your armour, the harder they fall. Just look at them go.

We know a lot of you are eager to jump in, and we’re excited to get you playing.

Playtesting is planned to begin in about a month. If you’ve already signed up, you’re already on the list. If not, you can still sign up on the Steam page.

We’re taking our time because we want this to feel like Romestead, not just a prototype of it. Thanks for your patience. It’s going to be worth it.

We’ll be posting these every other week, and if there’s something you’re dying to know, tell us.

Drop your suggestions in the comments, and if one catches our eye, we might just build a whole devlog around it.

We’re deep in playtest prep, building out systems and content across the board. This includes:

• Items &Treasure - new weapons, enchantments, decorations, and gear. If it glows, hums, or makes your house look cool, it’s going in.
  
• A New Boss - one of the playtest bosses is in development now. No spoilers, but something to keep an eye out for in the future.
  
• The Ruined City - a late-game biome where Rome’s collapse is still visible, and still dangerous.
  
• Also fixed a bug where entering and exiting buildings too fast would sometimes teleport you to a random doorway somewhere in the world. That should no longer happen.

Thanks to everyone who’s wishlisted, signed up for the playtest, or joined the Discord[discord.gg].

We’ll be back in two weeks with more behind the scenes, maybe a new feature, maybe a mistake we’re still recovering from. Could go either way.

Until then…

Offer wisely.

– The Beartwigs Team 🐻