Dive deep into the world where the protagonist, on the brink of survival, is forced to find questionable ways to earn money. Every day, you will have to choose between following the dictates of your conscience or prioritizing pragmatism and profit. You will make these decisions through your Guild, with each mercenary serving an asset to your success.

Campaign Info

Campaign Type: Launch campaign and Play-Test campaign (exclusive early access for press & creators)

Platforms in the campaign: PC(Steam), Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PS4

Platform in the Play-Test campaign: only PC(Steam)

Regions in the campaign: Worldwide

TIMING

When will keys be distributed? Keys will be sent out two weeks prior to release

Playtest keys are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
We review requests regularly, and approved keys will be sent out promptly so you can jump in and start testing as soon as possible.

When will the playtests start? The public playtests are planned to begin Q1 2026.

When can I create content/When can I start creating content? There is no embargo on the Playtest version of the game. You are free to record, stream, or share impressions immediately once you receive your key.

Game Summary Info

№ of players: Singleplayer

Similar Games: Battle Brothers, Heads Will Roll: Reforged, Wartales, Wildermyth

Music: Cleared for streaming

Why is it good to feature on your channel?  If you enjoy tactical RPGs with deep combat mechanics, character customization, and a darker fantasy narrative, Blades For Hire offers a well-rounded experience. It’s a game that rewards strategic thinking, offers moral complexity, and provides an engaging challenge for fans of the genre.

Here are several reasons you might want to give it a try:

• Customizable Mercenaries: In Blades For Hire, you manage a group of mercenaries, each customizable with unique skills, weapons, and abilities. This offers a lot of flexibility in playstyle, whether you prefer brute-force warriors, sneaky assassins, or supportive characters. Building your team to suit your strategy adds a layer of depth that can be very satisfying for players who enjoy character customization.

• Story-Driven Campaign: The game includes a campaign where you and your mercenaries take on various contracts, facing moral choices and complex narratives. If you enjoy stories about morally grey characters, mercenaries working for coin, and the idea of shaping your reputation in a gritty fantasy world, Blades For Hire might offer the narrative depth you’re looking for.

• Challenging, Rewarding Difficulty: For players who enjoy overcoming challenges, Blades For Hire can offer a difficult, but rewarding experience. Battles can be tough, requiring you to think multiple steps ahead, utilize your environment, and manage your team effectively. Fans of difficult, strategic gameplay will appreciate the intensity of the combat.
• Contract-Based Progression: The game’s contract-based structure, with options to take jobs from various factions or individuals, gives it a sandbox-like feel. You are free to choose how you progress, which contracts you accept, and how you approach each mission. This non-linear approach adds an element of freedom, allowing you to create your own story within the game world.
• Replayability: The game's mechanics and multiple ways to approach battles ensure that there’s replay value. Whether it's choosing different mercenaries for your team, making different story choices, or trying out new strategies, Blades For Hire offers fresh experiences each time you return.

Difficulty: Moderate

Languages: English, Russia, French, German, Spanish - Spain, Polish, Portuguese - Brazil, Simplified Chinese, Turkish, Japanese

Voiceover: no

Creator Guide

You are free to make nearly any kind of content, as long as it is reasonable and follows the guidelines below. Examples include:
A. Making gameplay videos, reviews or streams on sites like YouTube and Twitch; monetizing your videos and streams.
B. Drawing some amazing fan art involving games characters and posting it on social
media.
C. Creating cosplay props and cosplaying characters from our games.
D. Taking screenshots of our games and sharing them online, or turning them into
wallpaper, or a poster for your bedroom wall.
E. Creating a community website, fan page or news group dedicated o our games. 

About The Playtest:

🏆EXCLUSIVE REWARD:

For participating in the playtest and fulfilling certain conditions, each participant will have the opportunity to receive unique body armor and a two-handed sword when the game is released.

About The Game:

What should a man do after losing everything? Family, friends, wealth, the opportunity to inherit a family title. With nothing to lose but his life, he may either humbly accept his plight or grasp with an iron grip any chance for saving, and be prepared to tear his enemies apart with bare hands or even teeth. As our hero, faced with a desperate situation, he refused to let fate have its way and tried everything he could to tip the scales in his favor. Bribery and extortion, threats, violence, murder and arson. The former noble is unconcerned about the honor of the family, so he will use any means to pay the bills and stay alive. Experience the life of a mercenary guild owner, who has little room for selflessness, valor, or heroism. Join him on the journey from pain to triumph or to an ignominious death.

Choices and Consequences

There are many things you can use when working for the Guild: diplomacy, a sense of humor, and the desire and ability to get your hands dirty. The game contains more than 150 unique tasks and events. Choosing one path or another can impact many aspects of the plot: may affect the characters you meet or manage, the Guild's reputation and fame will change, or new opportunities and plot branches will be revealed.

Combat and Tactics

Experience an engaging combat system where battles unfold with indirect control. Participants take turns and select their own targets, but you can adjust each mercenary's tactics at any moment. Master the art of combining fighters and strategies to minimize losses—after all, the dead will not yield profit.

Hero Management

Manage your mercenaries wisely—an unreliable fighter can be worse than a dead one. Loyalty varies based on personality and your decisions. Not all mercenaries will be eager to intimidate the defenseless or rescue the innocent. Your heroes gain experience, improve their stats, and learn new combat skills. Equip them with trophies or purchased gear, but remember: don’t give an expensive sword to a mediocre fighter until they’ve proven their worth.

Economy

Running a Guild is costly. You'll need to manage salaries, equipment, bribes, and church donations carefully. Proper financial management is crucial—late payments can severely damage mercenary loyalty. Initially, you’ll work to build your reputation, but soon, your reputation will work for you. Gaining support from other organizations and influential figures will help secure new contracts and unlock opportunities like faster recovery, better equipment, and additional tasks.