Scholar of the Arcane Arts – Out Now! Discover the Power of Magic!
Greetings, Scholars!
The wait is over! Don your fanciest cloak and your pointiest hat, and ready your spell tome as you step into Scholar of the Arcane Arts 1.0, which is available now on Steam.
New Features in the Full 1.0 Launch
🔥 Spell Rebalancing – Fireball can now combine with other spells, Seren’s Falling Star evolves faster, Tar’s Rock has a reduced cooldown and more! ⏩ Faster Gameplay – Domains reduced to 2 floors instead of 3, cutting playtime from ~1.5 hours to ~40 minutes per run. 💥 Bigger Damage, Bigger Impact – Damage numbers grow in size based on how much power you unleash! 🛍️ More Quality-of-Life Tweaks – Vera’s Shop now displays monster levels, and Sky Castle puzzles can be completed with walls.
What Awaits You in Scholar of the Arcane Arts?
🔮 Unleash the power of magic – Explore procedurally generated realms and upgrade spells to create devastating new combinations. 🕵️ Solve ancient puzzles – Unlock dungeons filled with hidden secrets and forgotten lore. 🛡️ Battle monstrous foes – Face relentless hordes and the demi-gods that rule the magical planes. 🎨 Beautiful hand-drawn pixel art – A dark fantasy aesthetic blended with modern visual effects.
“If you would have told 10-year-old me that I’d be launching a video game, I would have said, ‘What took you so long? This is a dream come true, and I want to thank all the Scholars who have supported me along the way. Let’s combine some spells!”
Scholar of the Arcane Art 1.0 arrives on March 11, 2025
Greetings, Scholars!
Don your fanciest cloak and your pointiest hat, and ready your spell tome as you step into Scholar of the Arcane Arts 1.0, available March 11 on Steam.
1.0 Launch Key Features
Spell rebalancing: Fireball can now combine with other spells; Bubbler can be cast while moving; Seren’s Falling Star requires half as many spell hits to change form; Decaying Touch will always poison; Tar’s Rock cooldown has been reduced; and Solaris absorbs more spells per level.
Less floors, quicker gameplay: Each domain has been reduced from 3 floors to 2 floors. This significantly reduces the time it takes to complete each run ~ 1.5 hours to ~ 40 minutes.
Bigger damage, bigger numbers: Damage numbers increase in size in relation to how much damage you’re doing
Additional updates: Vera’s Shop now displays current monster levels, and the Sky Castle puzzle can now be completed with walls.
Oh, and feel free to wishlist and buy Scholar of the Arcane Arts! It’s really fun, okay?
Scholar of the Arcane Arts | Devlog ‘A Unique Spell System’
Greetings, Scholars!
Long time no hear, huh?
Well, there’s a good reason for that—I’m still deep in production, but trust me, big things are coming! Today, though, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on how Scholar of the Arcane Arts came to be and tell newer players what makes it so exciting. And it all started with…
A Unique Spell System
There are certain mechanics I believe every character class should have. An archer should deal more damage the longer they pull back their bowstring. An assassin should get a bonus for backstabbing their target. And a wizard? A wizard should be rewarded for combining their spells.
Yet, for some reason, I struggled to find games where spell combinations were a core mechanic. Most treat spells like ammunition—you just keep spamming fireballs until the enemy drops. That doesn’t make me feel like a wizard. That makes me feel like a machine gunner whose ammo just happens to be on fire.
This frustrated me so much that I had to make a game myself to see if it was possible. And thus, Scholar was born! There’s something deeply satisfying about understanding how your spells interact with each other. It gives you true ownership over your magic. You and I might have the same spells on our hotbar, but depending on the order we cast them, we can achieve wildly different effects. That was my vision for Scholar. After watching hundreds of hours of gameplay, seeing players post their builds in Discord, and studying speedrun after speedrun, I can confidently say: Scholar hit that goal. To beat Scholar, you need to truly understand how your spells work.
So, how does the spell system work? If a spell can be combined with others, it will have unique interactions with each school of magic. Take the spell Thornpatch, for example. Cast a Pyromancy spell at Thornpatch, and it will catch fire, dealing more damage—but it will burn up quickly and disappear. Cast both Geomancy and Hydromancy, and Thornpatch will grow. Geomancy makes it muddy, Slowing enemies that walk through it, while Hydromancy causes vines to lash out and Snare foes. This is where strategy comes in. Some spells gain bonuses based on an enemy’s status—so do you have the right spells to trigger transformations and take advantage of Snaring or Slowing? Or maybe you need a quick burst of damage, making Pyromancy the better choice? And down the rabbit hole you go.
If Scholar makes you pause to think about your spells instead of just spamming them, then I consider the system a success. Because, like a true wizard, research is time well spent.
And you know what else is worth spending time on? That’s right—game development. So, it’s time for me to dive back into the sorcery behind Scholar.
Let me know if you enjoyed this format, and stay tuned for more updates on Scholar of the Arcane Arts!
Oh, and feel free to wishlist and buy Scholar of the Arcane Arts! It’s really fun, okay?
Scholar of the Arcane Arts Casts a Spell on Steam Scream Fest with 25% Off!
Scholar of the Arcane Arts has joined the eerie lineup for Steam Scream Fest with a 25% discount! From October 28 to November 4, tap into mystical powers, face dark creatures, and explore enchanted realms in this thrilling adventure. Seize this magical Halloween deal before it vanishes!
We’re thrilled to announce that ESDigital Games is heading to Tokyo Game Show 2024! From September 26th to 29th, we will be presenting a wide selection of exciting titles from our portfolio. With support from our distribution partners, we’ll have hands-on demos available for attendees, along with the chance to take photos with cosplayers inspired by our games! We will be present across four booths at the show, with demos in multiple languages. Whether you're a fan of action, strategy, or adventure, we have something for everyone.
We’re also excited to announce that a representative from Dark Pigeon Games, the team behind AWAKEN - Astral Blade, will be at our booths during the business days (September 26 and 27) and will be available for interviews and questions. Come visit us, try our games, and don't miss the chance to connect with our amazing development teams!
Scholar of the Arcane Arts Featured in Steam's Isometric RPG Sale!
We're excited to announce that Scholar of the Arcane Arts is participating in the Isometric RPG Sale on Steam!
From August 26 to September 1, you can explore this magical world, alongside other fantastic isometric RPG titles.
Don’t miss your chance to dive into the arcane mysteries and add Scholar of the Arcane Arts to your wishlist. Stay tuned for more updates!
ESDigital Games Reveals Exciting Gamescom Line-up!
We are thrilled to reveal our 2024 Gamescom lineup, with some stellar titles showcasing never-before-seen gameplay in both the Business and Consumer halls at this year’s event!
Gamers heading to Gamescom will have the chance to get hands-on with some truly exciting titles covering all kinds of genres! Located in the bustling Indie Arena Booth (Hall 10.2, Booth F010g - E019) we will be showcasing brand new game demos for AWAKEN - Astral Blade, Steel Seed, Island of Winds, BattleJuice Alchemist and Sky of Tides.
There will also be the chance to snap a picture with two awesome cosplayers portraying the protagonists Tania from AWAKEN - Astral Blade and Zoe from Steel Seed as well as grabbing some cool branded merchandise after trying out the hands-on demos.
In addition to the Indie Arena Booth, our team will also have playable demos for Cats on Duty, Memory Lost, and REMEDIUM on the Polish Indie Booth (Hall 10.2, F-041) for fans to try out!
More information on the great games available to play at Gamescom:
Steel Seed (Storm in Teacup Studio) is a single player stealth-action adventure game set in a dark sci-fi world. In her epic journey inside a hostile underground facility run by AIs, Zoe is alone with Koby, a flying drone, as her only companion. Use Zoe's parkour skills to traverse the underground facility and gain a tactical advantage. Don't forget about stealth-based techniques to explore the facility's hostile environment undetected by robotic entities and guards. Some confrontations can be avoided through efficient movement. Also, get acquainted with KOBY, because he is the master key of Steel Seed and Zoe's guide on her lonely and dangerous journey inside the underground facility. By working together, they create a formidable duo and bring something new to every fight.
Island of Winds (Parity Games Studio) is an adventure game set in a fantastical world inspired by 17th century Iceland and its folklore. Experience the story of Brynhildur, a Balance Keeper who embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Core gameplay involves intriguing puzzles, spellcasting, and a focus on empathy encounters. The core gameplay involves spellcasting, intriguing puzzles, fantastical lore, and a special focus on approaching encounters with empathy. Island of Winds features a semi-open world environment that explores themes of self-doubt, violence, regret and empathy, as well as the conservation of nature.
AWAKEN - Astral Blade (Dark Pigeon Games). Weave your own story in this dark fairy tale 2D action-platformer metroidvania. In the mysterious ancient ruins, you will adventure with Tania to reveal her origins and fate. Is there any chance of survival in the darkest and desperate place? Slain your foes with a wide range of combos: from fastest to slowest. Parry enemy attacks to gain an advantage, use Fast Stand Up ability to get back into the fight and dash into enemies while they're attacking to slow the world around you and gain damage immunity. Combos and Skills will also help you to break through hordes of enemies and defeat bosses. Control the course of the story, help Tania make choices at the crucial moments of the game and take your own path to reveal mysteries of the past and present. Different routes may lead you to different endings. Search the Horace Islands for clues and information about mysterious and dangerous world of the AWAKEN - Astral Blade.
Sky of Tides (Lofty Sky Entertainment Studio) is a sci-fi narrative game set in a technologically advanced universe on the brink of war. Play as Rin, who must search for her missing father and heal the broken planet of Numen. Explore the world while your choices shape your character.
BattleJuice Alchemist (Alchemical Works Studio) is a complex alchemy RPG that adds a unique item and skill system to the classic aRPG formula. Focus on isometric combat or opt for JRPG-style one-on-one fights. Explore the wilderness, learn ritual magic, build a tower and craft potions to fight the demonic hordes of Samhain. Juice, the alchemist, is called to Caribou Creek to fight the demons that roam the lands. As your unique version of Juice you explore the wilderness that once was New England. Fight evil in classic action RPG isometric top down view and in bullet-time close combat. Find and craft items with game-changing powers. Master BattleJuice Alchemist's deck-building mechanics by arranging your compilation of flasks to suit your playstyle. Accentuate your character beyond character customization by using ritual magic as long-term buffs. Meet strange creatures from the Crossroads while the dark plot of BattleJuice Alchemist unravels.
Additionally, there are opportunities for hands-on with these titles:
REMEDIUM is a fast-paced twin-stick shooter set in a grim post-apocalyptic Renaissance setting. A special build for journalists, with all acts available + some never before seen new acts.
Cats on Duty is a purr-fect blend of match-3 and real time strategy with tower defense mechanics. The full build of the Deluxe Edition will be available.
Memory Lost is a story-driven cyberpunk twin-stick action shooter where players will have to capture the minds and bodies of their enemies to survive during combat.
Plus, if you feel like talking to the devs, we have good news for you! You can meet the lead developers from "Storm in TeaCup", "Parity Games", "Lofty Sky Entertainment", "Sobaka Studio" and "Alchemical Works" at our booths at Gamescom!
Our team is looking forward to welcoming all gamers to the Indie Arena Booth from 21-25 August, so head over to Hall 10.2, say hi and play some awesome games!
It's Time to Defend Your Homeland as Cats on Duty Launches!
Fall in line feline fighters and prepare for battle! We are excited to announce the launch of Cats on Duty, the purr-fectly hilarious and action-packed blend of real-time strategy, tower defense, and match-3 mechanics from developer Prikol Team. Cats on Duty has launched with a paw-some 20% launch discount for a limited time.
https://youtu.be/BlQBN8760DI
Patch 0.4 Sunobius Edition!
Hey Scholars!
Welcome to the Storm Domain. After 8 months of early access you will finally be able to wield lightning! There are a ton of new enemies to fight and a brand new DemiGod to take down. Good luck out there, this may be the toughest boss yet!
New Spells
Spark Bolt. A Bolt of lightning shoots out and has a 50% chance to SHOCK monsters. Shocked monsters will deal damage to all nearby enemies for 1 damage.
Thunder Ball. Conjure a slow moving ball of lightning which will electrocute nearby monsters. Can be combined with other spells.
Spark Starter. During the duration of Spark Starter you do not take contact damage from monsters. Your movement speed is increased. You tag every monster you touch with an electric orb. Monsters can be tagged multiple times. At the end of Spark Starter the orbs explode dealing damage.
Conductor. Electrocute nearby monsters for a duration. At the end of the duration you will summon lightning bolts onto every monster of the screen, dealing 20% of the total damage you’ve dealt with Conductor.
Wind Cutter. Slice through multiple monsters. Can be combined with other spells.
Jaxal Gate. Double the size of any spell that passes through the gate. If the spell is a projectile it will pierce through multiple monsters before exploding. This does not work on homing projectiles. Needs to be combined with other spells
Lightning Bolts. Strike lightning bolts in an area. Each bolt can be combined with spells.
Lightning Shield. Arc lightning in front of you to protect you from spells. This will rotate with your mouse.
Thunder Wall. Create a wall of dark clouds that will block monster’s spells.
Spell Updates
Every spell can be combined with Aeromancy for new, shocking effects!
Nekra’s Scythe Instant Cast. Level 10 => Level 5
Serens Falling Star. Now falls quicker. The number of spells needed to transform the falling star has been decreased.
Null Hour. Increase of Damage. 50% => 100%
New Equippable Items
Legendary items will now be found in Treasure Chests. These can be a pair boots, a ring, or an amulet. You can equip these items for special effects! There are 33 items currently in the game which will do everything from increasing the health of summoned monsters, creating lava wherever you walk, drastically changing how spells work, and much much more!
These items are strong enough to plan your build around and can completely change your run. Good luck finding them!
Gameplay Update
The Final Boss will appear after 3 DemiGods have been defeated. This will make runs feel more unique and quicker.
A statue has been added to the Villa. This is to honor the scholars who solved the lightning puzzle in the previous patch. Thank you all for your support!
If a monster’s melee attack hits a wall, it will no longer damage you.
The Map Page in your Spellbook has been altered. It now shows the map and the strengths and weaknesses of each school of magic. The Focus/Book you have equipped has been moved to the new Stats Page
Opening your Spellbook has a new tab. The Stats Page will show you the Focus Book you have equipped, what temporary damage boosts are in effect, and what Artifacts you have equipped.
Tootsie now purrs when you pet her.
Once Seren is defeated, all the flames on the ground will be destroyed.
Opening cutscene added when you start a new game and enter the tutorial.
Drifter has its own theme song.
New zone, the Mountain Peaks, has been added. This will house monsters who can wield lightning magic. Good luck!
New boss fight, DemiGod Chaax. Born out of chaos, this lightning boss will test your skills.
Two new puzzles have been added.
Codex has been updated. The Codex will sort all the spells you’ve found to the top of the list, while putting all the ??? spells you haven’t found to the bottom of the list.
Bug Fixes
A secret in the Sky Castle had an almost non-existent chance to spawn. This has been fixed.
After talking to a NPC you’d have to press TAB twice to open the spellbook. This has been fixed.
Monster melee attacks would sometimes hit you, even after they died. This has been fixed.
Numerous tweaks and bug fixes made to the spell codex.
Monsters were only dropping fireballs in chests. Their loot pool has been adjusted so they’ll drop a wide range of spells now.
Drifter option wasn’t showing up sometimes for villagers, this has been fixed.
The Card Babung could not be slowed in Drifter. This has been fixed.
The Card Mudball wouldn’t attack after being combined with Hydro Cards. This has been fixed.
Monster Cards that were frozen or muddy could still shoot down Defensive Spell Cards. This has been fixed.
Seren would sometimes summon the meteor twice in a row. This has been fixed.
There were inconsistencies in the stats of cards within the shop, the deck builder, and the game itself. These have been fixed, but if there are any I missed please let me know!
Scholar of the Arcane Arts to Participate in Pixelated Festival on Steam!
Exciting news, Scholars!
Scholar of the Arcane Arts is set to participate in the Pixelated Festival on Steam! This event is a celebration of pixel art games and offers players a chance to discover and enjoy a variety of visually captivating titles.
In addition, the game will soon receive a major content update, bringing fresh new experiences and challenges!
