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Meet our Player Experience Designers

The image shows promotional art for the game "Towerborne." The background features a scenic landscape with lush greenery, rocks, and a distant windmill atop a tower, all under a bright blue sky with fluffy clouds. The text "Towerborne" is prominently displayed in large, white, stylized letters across the center of the image. Below the game title, the text "WISHLIST TODAY" appears in bold white letters. At the bottom of the image, there are logos for "Game Pass" and "Steam," indicating platforms where the game will be available. Small text at the very bottom reads, "Game in development; footage representative of expected gameplay. Game Pass catalog varies by plan. xbox.com/gamepass."

 

Meet some of our talented designers shaping Towerborne’s gameplay – Isaac Torres, Lead Combat Designer; Mckenna Bearce, Lead Player Journey Designer; and Tyler Bearce, Principal Systems Designer – as they give us snapshots of Towerborne’s world, combat and player experience.

 

Watch the Dev Diary HERE.

Becoming an Ace: A Hero’s Journey in Towerborne

In Towerborne, you step into the role of an Ace—a hero charged with defending what remains of civilization. As the City of Numbers falls, your mission becomes clear: protect the survivors journeying back to the tower. Isaac Torres, Lead Combat Designer, breaks down what it means to be an Ace:

“It’s all about mastering different weapon classes and figuring out how you want to play. You’re not locked into one path; you can switch classes and experiment with the playstyle that feels right for you.”

The image is a screenshot from a game, featuring a colorful and detailed marketplace or town square setting. In the foreground, two characters are prominently displayed. The character on the left is an older man with glasses, dressed in ornate robes with intricate patterns. He is holding and examining a large abacus, suggesting that he might be a merchant or scholar. The character on the right is shorter, wearing a green cape and golden armor with a helmet that has ear-like protrusions. This character is standing thoughtfully with one hand on his chin, as if contemplating something. Behind them, the setting includes various market stalls with hanging clothes, baskets of produce, and a wooden sign with indecipherable text. A large blue fountain with cascading water dominates the background, and behind it, there are stairs leading up to a grand building with arched windows and vibrant decorations. The overall atmosphere is lively, with bright colors and a blend of medieval and fantastical architectural elements, suggesting a rich, immersive environment within the game.

Whether you prefer to brawl up close or take a more tactical approach from a distance, Towerborne gives you the freedom to adapt and evolve. It’s a game where flexibility is key, and the more you explore your options, the stronger you become.

 

The Belfry: Your Hub of Adventure

The Belfry isn’t just your home base; it’s where your adventure begins. From interacting with NPCs to gearing up for your next mission, the Belfry is the heart of Towerborne. Mckenna Bearce, Lead Player Journey Designer, shares how this central hub ties into the game’s core loop:

“The Belfry is where you come back after a hard-fought battle to regroup, upgrade your gear, and plan your next move. It’s your connection to the story and the key to growing stronger over time.”

From the Belfry, you’ll embark on missions, fight enemies, and collect loot. Each return makes you more formidable, with better gear and new quests waiting to be discovered.

 

Explore a World of Mystery: One Hex at a Time

Towerborne introduces a unique hex-based world map that encourages exploration at your own pace. Tyler Bearce, Principal Systems Designer, on how this system lets players uncover new treasures and quests:

“The world map is where the magic happens. You’re not following a straight path; you can explore wherever you want, finding hidden rewards along the way. It’s that ‘just one more mission’ feeling we all know and love.”

This isn’t a linear journey. Instead, the game gives you the freedom to choose where to go next, whether that’s chasing a treasure chest or diving into a new mission.

The image is a screenshot of a game map, displaying a stylized, fantasy-themed world. The map is divided into hexagonal tiles, with various terrains, including lush green hills, forests, and icy regions. There are distinct landmarks, such as a large windmill tower on the right side and a giant red mushroom structure in the center-left, surrounded by darker, ominous terrain. Characters and creatures are positioned on some of the hexagonal tiles, including humanoid figures, possibly player-controlled units, and various monsters or enemies. The tiles and units are highlighted with blue outlines, indicating selectable or interactable elements. The map is surrounded by thick, fluffy clouds, giving the impression that the map is floating in the sky or viewed from a high vantage point. Scattered chests and other items are visible on some tiles, suggesting objectives or lootable resources within the game. The overall visual style is colorful and detailed, with a whimsical and adventurous tone.

 

Combat: Easy to Pick Up, Fun to Master

Towerborne’s combat system is designed to cater to both casual players and those looking for more depth. Isaac Torres explains:

“We wanted to make combat fun for everyone. Whether you’re here for some button-mashing or want to master complex combos, the system gives you the tools to play how you want.”

Each Ace comes equipped with light and heavy attacks, focus skills, and Umbra companions—spirits that grant unique abilities to enhance your combat style. While solo play offers plenty of excitement, co-op unlocks a new level of strategy. One player can launch an enemy into the air while a teammate follows up with a crushing blow, creating a dynamic and collaborative experience

In Towerborne, teamwork isn’t just about surviving—it’s about crafting unique strategies with your friends, building on each other’s strengths, and unleashing powerful combos that make every battle feel fresh and exciting.

 

Loot and Progression: The Thrill of Discovery

The Towerborne loot system ensures every mission is rewarding. From enemy drops to end-of-quest treasure chests, the variety keeps you coming back for more. Mckenna Bearce talks about the joy of discovery:

“You never really know what you’re going to find. Maybe it’s a new weapon, a piece of armor, or a special ability that changes how you play. There’s always something exciting waiting in that next chest.”

The image is a screenshot from a game, showing a character class selection or loadout screen. The top of the screen displays a blue navigation bar with options like "Loadout," "Class," "Inventory," "Emotes," "Store," and "Settings." Below that, the player's in-game name "sam" is shown, along with some stats or icons on the left. On the left side of the screen, there is a list of character classes, including "Sentinel," "Pyroclast," "Rockbreaker," and "Shadowstriker," with "Pyroclast" currently highlighted. The main panel on the right describes the "Pyroclast" class: "Pyroclasts use their mighty Warclub to smash and burn enemies with flame blasts. This powerful class has the unique ability called Sear, which ignites the Warclub with a flame that makes all attacks Burn for a limited time." On the right side of the screen, there is a stylized character in armor, holding a large war club, which matches the description of the "Pyroclast" class. The background shows a blurred scene with some large sacks and barrels, suggesting a medieval or fantasy setting. At the bottom, button prompts for "Equip," "Info," and "Exit" are visible.

The randomness of loot ensures that every session feels fresh, while the progression system makes sure you always feel stronger with each adventure.

 

A Living, Breathing Game: Shaped by You

At Stoic, we’re committed to making Towerborne a living game—one that evolves with your feedback. With regular updates, new content, and constant tuning, we’re building a game that stays fresh for everyone. As Tyler Bearce puts it:

“This is just the beginning. We want Towerborne to grow and change with our players. Their feedback is crucial in making this the best game it can be.”

With the Steam Early Access launch on September 10, 2024, we’re inviting you to jump in, explore the world, and help us shape the future of Towerborne. Whether you’re tackling new enemies or unlocking fresh gear, this adventure is one that will continue to evolve for years to come.

The image shows promotional art for the game "Towerborne." The background features a scenic landscape with lush greenery, rocks, and a distant windmill atop a tower, all under a bright blue sky with fluffy clouds. The text "Towerborne" is prominently displayed in large, white, stylized letters across the center of the image. Below the game title, the text "WISHLIST TODAY" appears in bold white letters. At the bottom of the image, there are logos for "Game Pass" and "Steam," indicating platforms where the game will be available. Small text at the very bottom reads, "Game in development; footage representative of expected gameplay. Game Pass catalog varies by plan. xbox.com/gamepass."

Join Us on the Belfry and Beyond

We’re just getting started. Towerborne is more than a game—it’s a world we’ve built with love, and we can’t wait to share it with you. Join us on this journey, become an Ace, and help us make Towerborne the best it can be. We’ll see you on the Belfry and beyond!