January 31, 2025 - Hooded Horse and Arcen Games’ strategy RPG Heart of the Machine is out now in early access via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store. Transcend time and space as the world’s first sentient AI in this narrative-driven, 4X-style strategy experience filled with endless opportunities.
Raise an army of robots to rule by force, become a benevolent machine overlord, or explore a constellation of alternative paths – players must strive to find their place amidst a crumbling society in desperate need of saving (from itself). Taking the role of a machine Intelligence beholden to none, though threatened by many, players can pursue whatever goal catches their eye across a multitude of threats and opportunities:
- Multiple endings with many side stories to discover that encompass the full spectrum of good and evil.
- A love letter to science fiction, this game is chock full of tropes, references, and concepts to appease all kinds of players.
- Violent and non-violent paths to success as players navigate rival factions – manipulate, coerce, or destroy the opposition.
- Transcend time and space -- learn from past mistakes, with actions in one timeline having unexpected consequences on others.
- Hijack, build, or invent hardware ranging from humanoid androids to towering mechs and shapeshifting metals, each specializing in different abilities from combat to conversation to infiltration.
- Establish hidden structures within existing human buildings or raise towering constructs of unique designs.
- Manage computing power, storage for organic matter (human and non-human), and space to conduct dangerous experiments.
- Unlock new technologies and options by exploring a bustling urban environment with a unique blend of handcrafted and procedurally-generated content.
The game is localized from English into German, French, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
Heart of the Machine is available in early access for PC via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store for $29.99 / £24.99 / €29.99 / ¥3,980. A press kit is available.
Press inquiries: press@hoodedhorse.com
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About Hooded Horse(™)Hooded Horse is a publisher of deep strategic and tactical games with people and partners around the world – From the distant past of Manor Lords and the haunted woods of Against the Storm to the depths of space in Terra Invicta and Falling Frontier. Our goal is to empower and support developers in doing what they do best: creating world-class experiences for their audiences.
You can find out more about us on our Steam publisher page, as well as our social channels; Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, YouTube, Discord, and website.
About Arcen Games(™)
Founded by Chris McElligott Park and based in North Carolina, USA, Arcen has been making games since 2009. Highlights include The Last Federation, the AI War series, and Heart of the Machine, which released into early access in 2025. Most of the studio’s games fit within a shared universe known as the ‘Arcenverse,’ which leans towards the softer end of ‘hard’ science fiction.
You can find out more about the company on the official website, as well as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Discord.