Journal #1 - Beat to Quarters!
1 November 2026
Introduction
Welcome to the very first development journal for Steadfast!
Just a few weeks ago, we officially introduced Steadfast, an upcoming Age of Sail real-time tactics game set during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Since then, we've had plenty of questions about what exactly Steadfast is and what players can expect.
In this first development journal, we'll take a closer look at some of the core mechanics that bring naval warfare to life, from commanding entire squadrons and maneuvering for the weather gage to unleashing devastating broadsides and keeping your ships afloat under enemy fire.
So, without further ado, beat to quarters!
Beat to Quarters!
At its heart, Steadfast is a real-time naval tactics game that puts you in command of a fleet of warships during the Age of Sail, with a focus on the time period of 1793-1815 amidst the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
Whether you're commanding a lone frigate or an entire squadron of ships of the line, every decision matters. Positioning, timing, wind direction, and the coordination of your fleet can mean the difference between a decisive victory and a crushing defeat.
Battles unfold in real time, with players able to issue orders to individual vessels or coordinate the movements of entire squadrons. The game camera goes between top-down, bird's eye view with the ability to zoom in to see individual cannons fire, while zooming out to have a complete overview of the battlefield.
Our goal is to capture the scale and spectacle of historical naval engagements while giving players meaningful tactical control over their ships.
Command Your Fleet
Every vessel in Steadfast can be individually commanded, from setting its course and managing its sails to selecting targets and determining how and when to engage the enemy. Each deck feels alive with its crew, each with their own responsibility. Gun crews keep the cannons operated, reloaded and fired while the ship's carpenters run through the ship to make quick repairs.
The various classes of vessels each bring their own advantages and disadvantages to the battlefield. A small cutter armed with a handful of 6-pounder guns may stand little chance in a direct confrontation with a frigate, but its superior maneuverability can make it invaluable in the right circumstances.
Likewise, a powerful ship of the line may deliver a devastating broadside, but its size and handling characteristics require careful consideration when maneuvering in confined waters or changing winds.
Understanding the strengths and limitations of each vessel is key to building an effective fleet and using it to its full potential.
Flagship Orders
In Steadfast, each squadron has a designated flagship that serves as an important part of the game's command system.
Orders originate from the flagship, allowing players to coordinate the movements and engagements of vessels under their command while maintaining squadron cohesion.
This adds another layer to fleet command. Rather than simply sending every ship into battle independently, players must consider how their vessels operate together as a fighting force.
The assigned flagship serves as a vital link between your squadron, both for the leadership of your vessels and also in keeping the spirits and morale of the crews and officers who are under your command.
On the Weather Gage
In Steadfast, wind and weather play a central role in every engagement. Changing wind direction and speed can dramatically alter the course of battle, giving the advantage to one fleet while leaving another struggling to maneuver.
Holding the weather gage-positioning your fleet to windward of the enemy-can offer a significant tactical advantage, allowing you greater freedom to dictate when and how to engage.
Wave height, direction, and speed also influence how vessels perform at sea. Heavy seas can affect a ship's handling and combat effectiveness, forcing commanders to adapt their tactics to the conditions.
A well-positioned fleet may find itself at a disadvantage when the weather changes, turning what appeared to be a straightforward engagement into a desperate fight.
Man the Cannons!
Each vessel in Steadfast carries its own historically inspired armament, ranging from smaller naval guns to the heavy cannons and carronades found aboard larger warships.
Players can choose between several types of ammunition, each suited to different tactical situations:
- Round Shot: The standard ammunition for naval engagements, designed to smash through enemy hulls and inflict structural damage.
- Chain Shot: Particularly effective against sails and rigging, reducing an enemy vessel's ability to maneuver.
- Grape Shot: Designed to inflict casualties among exposed enemy crews at close range.
- Double Shot: Loading two round shot together for a devastating close-range attack, at the expense of range and performance.
Behind every broadside are the gun crews working their stations, loading, aiming, and firing their guns.
Choosing the right ammunition, maneuvering into an effective firing position, and delivering a broadside at the right moment can make all the difference.
Sprung a Leak, Broke yer Mast!
Naval combat in Steadfast goes beyond simply reducing an enemy ship's healthbar to zero.
Individual cannonballs can strike different parts of a ship, causing damage that has real consequences for its performance and ability to remain in the fight.
A cannonball striking the hull may tear through wooden planking, opening a leak below the waterline. Left unattended, these leaks can allow water to accumulate inside the ship, potentially flooding compartments. Other conditions like torn sails, broken rigging, and split masts threaten the vessel and the morale state of the crew.
Damage control becomes an important part of keeping your ships afloat, as crews must contend with the consequences of enemy fire. The rigging, masts and sails are equally vulnerable to damage.
Masts consist of multiple sections, each susceptible to damage from incoming cannonballs. Losing a section of mast can severely impact a vessel's speed and maneuverability, leaving it struggling to maintain formation or escape a dangerous situation.
A ship may still have plenty of guns capable of fighting, but without its masts or with water pouring into its hull, its fate may already be sealed. These conditions can pile up, which can quickly cause the ship's crew morale to waver. Striking colours and surrendering a vessel can be the most likely outcome for a severely damaged vessel.
We want damage to feel consequential, creating situations where commanders must decide whether to press an attack, withdraw a crippled vessel, or risk losing it entirely. By adding component-based damage between the masts, rigging, sails and hull, many different states of damage are possible in Steadfast.
What to Expect in Steadfast
Our ambition with Steadfast is to recreate the drama, tactical depth, and spectacle of naval warfare during the Age of Sail.
Beyond the core combat systems, we're working towards a range of historical content, including:
- Historical battles and scenarios: Experience engagements inspired by some of the most famous naval encounters of the period, including the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
- Historically inspired vessels: Command recognizable ships and vessel types of the era, including HMS Victory, the French privateer Le Renard, and the infamous HMS Surprise.
- Large-scale fleet engagements: Command large squadrons of vessels where positioning, coordination, and tactical decisions determine the outcome.
- Dynamic naval combat: Experience battles shaped by changing weather, realistic sailing considerations, ammunition choices, and detailed damage systems and crew conditions.
Our focus is on creating an experience that rewards thoughtful command and captures what made naval warfare during this period so fascinating.
Watch our latest trailer
Until the next fair winds!
Steadfast is still in active development, and there's plenty more we look forward to sharing.
This first journal only scratches the surface of the systems we're building. In future development journals, we'll explore individual mechanics in greater detail, share progress from behind the scenes, and take a closer look at the ships and battles that will feature in the game.
As an independent project, your interest and support mean a great deal to us.
If you haven't already, consider wishlisting Steadfast on Steam. It helps enormously and is one of the best ways to support the game's development.
We'd also love to hear your thoughts. What aspects of Age of Sail naval combat are you most excited to experience?
Thank you for following the development of Steadfast. Join our Discord to stay up to date!
Fair winds and following seas!