Introducing Steadfast

Engraving of a squadron of sailing ships under way

Greetings, and welcome to our first announcement of Steadfast: an upcoming real-time tactical strategy game set during the naval battles of the Age of Sail, between 1793 and 1815.

Steadfast started as a passion project. We wanted a game where you command your own fleet, from small-scale skirmishes between cutters and brigs all the way up to recreating the Battle of Trafalgar at true scale.

Steadfast takes you from a bird’s-eye view of the whole battle right down into the action, where weather, formations, morale and your tactical decisions will make or break your fleet. Period tactics and historically modelled ships are at your disposal.

A line of ships in close order seen from above, cloud drifting beneath — in-game: a squadron in line ahead, seen from high above.

A Royal Navy cutter under full sail, crew on deck and a headland on the horizon — in-game: down at sea level with a cutter under full sail.

Our hope is to build a game that blends realism with gameplay, into something that players who care about historical accuracy and tactical decision-making can both enjoy. Here is some of what we are building:

Fleet action. Command anything from a handful of vessels in a skirmish to a full line of battle.
Rule the waves. Use formations and your flagship to overwhelm the enemy and break their line.
Weather. Changing wind, waves and cloud that shape how every battle plays out.
Realistic damage. Spring leaks, lose masts and watch crew morale waver under fire.
Historical accuracy. Ships and scenarios recreated from extensive research into the period.
Alone or together. Fight online fleet battles against friends and foes, or play on your own.

Two fleets exchanging broadsides on open water, powder smoke drifting between the lines — in-game: two fleets engaged, powder smoke drifting between the lines.

Painting of a small armed cutter heeling in a storm as damaged French and Spanish ships of the line run for harbour — The Royal Navy armed cutter *Entreprenante* shadowing the remnants of the Franco-Spanish fleet as it runs into Cádiz after the disastrous defeat at Trafalgar, by Thomas Buttersworth.

If any of these games stand out to you, Steadfast is certainly one to keep on your watch: Sea Power, Task Force Admiral, Age of Sail I and II, Naval Action, Ultimate Admiral: Age of Sail, Grand Tactician: The Civil War, Empire: Total War, the Silent Hunter series, Caribbean Legend, Sid Meier’s Pirates! and Ahoy.

A brig and two ships sailing through driving rain and heavy seas — in-game: a chase through driving rain and heavy seas.

Who we are

We are a two-man team at the moment! I’m Erik, the game director, and my background is in software engineering. Igor is our 3D artist.

Steadfast began a year ago as a hobby project of mine. Once I realised I needed help in the art department, I found Igor, a talented 3D artist who has worked on many familiar titles like Ultimate Admiral: Age of Sail and Naval Action.

Between us we bring experience from both the games and technology industries, and our previous work includes IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover (Team Fusion), Post Scriptum, the Ultimate Admiral and Ultimate General series, and Naval Action.

Painting of a British frigate firing a broadside into a French ship of the line, with more ships at anchor beyond — *Imperieuse* (first from right) at the Battle of the Basque Roads.

We are excited to be working on Steadfast, which is currently in pre-alpha. Every screenshot you see is already in-game, and as of writing, many of the core gameplay mechanics are in place.

Three British ships of the line leading, an enemy line strung out across the horizon — in-game: bearing down on the enemy line.

There is no release date for Steadfast yet, but we will share more about that in the future.

Ships closing in darkness and rain, lanterns glowing on the decks — in-game: ships closing at night, lanterns glowing through the rain.

What’s next?

This is only the beginning of our adventure, and we are looking forward to sharing our progress with you as we go. Expect more journal entries and updates as work on Steadfast continues. There is lots of exciting stuff to show you in the near future!

In the meantime, enjoy a glimpse of the cover art for Steadfast, by the talented illustrator Antonis Karidis.

Stay tuned, and be sure to wishlist Steadfast on Steam and join our Discord to stay up to date!

Enjoy our announcement teaser as well!

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