Suzerain
A New ARG within the Suzerain Universe
[/p][p]In case you missed it, we launched our new ARG called, THE SOURCE, at the end of 2025.
Since then, fragments of lore have been surfacing across our community channels, each one a piece of a larger puzzle, each one a clue for those determined to uncover the truth. Now, ACT II is live.
[/p][p]👉 Play ACT II: THE FINDINGS
If you haven’t yet delved into the story, you can begin with ACT I: THE FOLDER.
[/p][p]THE SOURCE is only the beginning. It is part of something deeper. Something we’ll reveal later this year.
[/p][p]Read carefully. Watch closely. Nothing is accidental.
[/p][p]The Torpor team will continue to scatter clues and hidden threads across our channels over time. Every detail matters.
[/p][p]We hope you enjoy unraveling THE SOURCE.
Until next time, dear Citizens. Take care!
[/p][p]Glovurius axa Rizia!
[/p][p]A’Morgna her Coren!
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2352340/Suzerain_Kingdom_of_Rizia/"] Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Discord and our newsletter to get the latest breaking news for Suzerain and The Conformist. [img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/5a160518e848f5b5f34d78019934320116cf5c18.png"][TAG-50][/p]
Dev Shoutout: Darts Games Releases Lunar Ascendant
[/p][p]While we’re not involved in the production or development of other titles, we’re always excited to spotlight projects that bring bold new ideas to political strategy. When we see fresh, compelling concepts in this genre, we’re proud to lend our support. One of those games is Darts Games’ Lunar Ascendant, out now on Steam.
[/p][p]We’ve been following Lunar Ascendant for some time (having previously recommended it) and we’re thrilled to see Darts Games’ dedication and vision come to fruition.
[/p][p]In Lunar Ascendant, you step into the role of David De Silva, an ordinary citizen thrust into extraordinary circumstances. After making a courageous decision in an impossible moment, he is appointed the first mayor of Artemis, humanity’s ambitious new city on the Moon.
[/p][p]Set in a near future that feels strikingly within reach, this political drama places you at the forefront of lunar colonization. You’ll navigate the delicate balance between independence and cooperation, shape the role of artificial intelligence in society, and uncover conspiracies that stretch beyond Earth itself. Every decision carries consequence, and the future of humanity among the stars rests firmly in your hands.
[/p][p]Developing and releasing a game is truly a labor of love. You can spend years shaping a project; testing, refining, and reimagining it at every turn, yet you never truly know how it will resonate until you share it with the world. The moment it reaches the community, it takes on a life of its own. Every studio that takes this leap of faith deserves recognition and respect for the courage, passion, and dedication it requires.
[/p][p]If you enjoy Suzerain or thrive on politically driven strategy games where choices truly matter, Lunar Ascendant is well worth exploring:
[/p][p][dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2547090/Lunar_Ascendant/"][TAG-30][/p][p]Until next time, dear Citizens, take care!
[/p][p]Glovurius axa Rizia!
A’Morgna her Coren!
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2352340/Suzerain_Kingdom_of_Rizia/"] Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Discord and our newsletter to get the latest breaking news for Suzerain and The Conformist. [img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/5a160518e848f5b5f34d78019934320116cf5c18.png"][TAG-50][/p]
Suzerain Wins Best Mobile Port of the Year at 12th Pocket Gamer Awards
We’re beyond thrilled (and a little surprised!) to share that Suzerain has won Best Mobile Port of the Year at the 12th Pocket Gamer Awards! 🎉
[/p][p]Award nominations officially closed just before the winter holidays, and amid all the chaos of early 2026… we’ll admit it, we completely forgot. Which somehow makes this win feel even more special.
[/p][p]Pocket Gamer describes the Best Mobile Port of the Year award as a celebration of exceptional porting achievements, honoring games that originally launched on PC or console and were later expertly adapted for mobile platforms. We’re incredibly proud to see Suzerain recognized among such outstanding company.
[/p][p]A huge shout-out to our fellow nominees as well: A Little to the Left, Pine Hearts, Hitman World of Assassination, Dredge, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, I Am Your Beast, Disco Elysium, TOEM: A Photo Adventure, and Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged.
[/p][p]You can check out a recap of all the winners from the event here. Suzerain appears at the 10:10 mark:
[/p]
Huge thank you to everyone who voted and has shown us such incredible support ❤️[/p][p]
Until next time, dear Citizens, take care!
[/p][p]Glovurius axa Rizia!
A’Morgna her Coren!
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2352340/Suzerain_Kingdom_of_Rizia/"] Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Discord and our newsletter to get the latest breaking news for Suzerain and The Conformist. [img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/5a160518e848f5b5f34d78019934320116cf5c18.png"][TAG-50][/p]
December & January 2026 Broadcast
[/p][p]Welcome to our December & January 2026 Broadcast! We’ve got plenty of exciting updates to share since we last checked in, and we’ve been eager to bring you up to speed on what we’ve been working on.
[/p][p]In this edition, you’ll hear the latest development updates from Ata, get a fresh look at how localization is progressing, and dive into our brand-new ARG.
[/p]
Development Update from Ata
[p]Hello everyone, 2026 has started with plenty of action for Torpor.
[/p][p]First off, we hit some important soft goals. Project Aperture has crossed the 50 percent mark in content development. This progress makes us very excited, and as we continue refining and improving it, we’re seeing a lot of potential opening up that we can still develop further. Two additional writers are joining the project to help refine and expand the story. As we move forward, strong narrative design becomes increasingly important, covering plot holes, strengthening structure, and exploring high-potential paths more thoroughly. There has also been ongoing development and discussion around the game systems and inner workings of the experience. This is still at a fairly early stage, but it’s advancing step by step alongside the content.
[/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/d99174e1d2587891e463b03b52ac81b831cd600c.png"][TAG-20]
Project Fulcrum has also seen strong progress. We have been fixing bugs and working toward a stable state. We are completing a first prototype balancing pass and have added new content and features to deepen the experience. On the technical side, revisions were made to help ideas fit into cleaner structures that will better support future changes. We’ve started clearing open questions around edge cases and angles we hadn’t fully considered before, supported by more precise design processes and improved implementation pipelines. A new UI/UX designer and a senior game designer have joined the project to help push things forward, and we’re gearing up for our first closed playtest soon. Art has also made progress on two Fulcrum characters, which has been very exciting to see.[/p][p][/p][p]Audio has been making solid experimental progress on both Fulcrum and Aperture. On Fulcrum in particular, experimental music design has begun as we explore new avenues and opportunities, whereas on Aperture, we made a small audio pivot to better reflect the mental state of the player character. Here’s an early glimpse into the world James has been building for Project Fulcrum:
👉 Listen to the Snippet
[/p][p]On the tech side, we’ve finally implemented a unified CSV file system that imports languages into Suzerain when provided in the correct data format. A language selection interface has been added, and language swapping has been tested successfully. This new infrastructure allows us to hot-swap languages live in the game using a shortcut key.[/p][p]The Conformist has restarted its pre-production phase. Three new staff members have joined to help define core principles and narrow things down toward a basic prototype. We’re excited to refine the concept and revisit older ideas, sorting through what worked and what didn’t so we can clear the path forward. It still feels like early days, but in a good way. There have been proposals around the core game flow and features and how they interact with the wider experience, and there’s still a lot to figure out before we can fully start building. Tackling this with new expertise and fresh eyes has been energizing, especially as it helps validate our direction. One of the new team members is an industry legend, which humbles us. It will be a long journey, but it’s good to see the project properly underway again.
All in all, it’s been a wild and fun rollercoaster so far. Being able to chase our ideas with real support from the community and backers, with momentum, means a lot to us. This year is shaping up to be an exciting one, and we’re looking forward to showing you more as things take shape.
[/p]
The Source
[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/7798dc52ea9753f18c6d44e2ca15f8472bb50b52.png"][TAG-50]
[p]You may have noticed a wave of new lore posts appearing across our community channels. These are all part of The Source, our new ARG that first appeared as a hidden Easter Egg in our 2025 recap. What began as a tease has now opened the door to a deeper mystery to unravel.[/p][p]The community is already hard at work connecting clues, sharing findings, and forming theories about where it all leads. ACT I is ready to play now! Dive in, investigate, and see what you uncover. The next ACT is coming soon.
[/p][p]👉 Play The Source.[/p][p][/p]
Localization Progress Update
[p]After a period of radio silence on the topic, we’re thrilled to finally share some exciting news: localization is making strong, steady progress behind the scenes. Getting the tools fully operational was no small feat, but that challenge is now behind us, and it’s opened the door to the next big step.
[/p][p]We’re officially gearing up to bring in our community leads for the QA phase, working together to make sure the new CSV format integration plays nicely with existing volunteer work and coordinating with leads on how to integrate languages into the game. While we’re not ready to lock in timelines just yet, momentum is building fast. Keep your eyes peeled for what’s coming next.
[/p][p]Want to be part of helping to shape the future of localization? Be a part the Suzerain Universe Discord and join the community-led localization channels.
[/p][p]👉 Join here.[/p][p] [/p]
Starting 2026 in the Spotlight
[p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/452fe1c50ed4e0ccba17d968e6eda67126ec02b3.png"]We’ve kicked off 2026 on a high note, with some excellent online coverage for Suzerain. We were thrilled to discover that British economist Gary Stevenson, better known as Gary’s Economics, is not just a fan of political games, but a Suzerain enthusiast. On an episode of the Serious Danger podcast, he discusses how Suzerain simulates taxation and the real economic and political consequences that flow from those choices.
[/p][p]A big thank-you to askythatsmoreblue for sharing the clip on the Suzerain Universe subreddit.
[/p][p]👉 Watch here (timestamp: 52:06)
[/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/91277c09f110d4a13de075457eb57698cdb48681.png"][TAG-100]
Secondly, Ata sat down with Theo Dezalay, a journalist at the independent, nonprofit French outlet Mediapart, for an in-depth conversation about how Suzerain captures the corrosive nature of power, and the immense difficulty of governing responsibly within a deeply divided political landscape.
[/p][p]The article is in French, but it’s well worth reading with the help of a translation app. Here’s a translated snippet:
”Depending on the chosen method and the electoral promises made at the start of the game, each session will be very different and will not offer the same challenges: players will face different obstacles to rebuild the army, accelerate economic recovery, or quell the crisis of the Bludist secessionists. Nevertheless, Suzerain defends a point of view, a conclusion that is always reached naturally: that politics is a world of compromise, an enemy of radicalism and change.”
[/p][p]👉 Read here[/p]
The Road to Political Research
[p]As part of our political research, Ata will be meeting with key figures across Europe, from Human Rights Watch directors in Berlin to former 10 Downing Street communications leaders in London, as well as representatives of the Albanian government. He’ll also be in conversation with a well-known pollster who successfully predicted the 2024 U.S. elections. These are exciting research opportunities for the team.
[/p]
Celebrating, Torpor-Style
[p]It’s not all fun and games. Sometimes, it’s just fun. To mark the end of the year, and welcome a new one, we got together for a couple of team outings. You may notice a recurring theme: good food and good drinks.[/p][p]One highlight was a visit to Berlin’s Le Petit Chef, where we tried a truly unique dining concept. Over the course of three hours, the team enjoyed four courses, each introduced by an interactive tabletop projection that brought the meal to life before it arrived. It was a one-of-a-kind evening, where the laughs easily outshone the food.[/p][p][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/96b9222b844afbc0a0fde6398a6dc96901eabf5d.jpg"]
For our 2026 gathering, we decided to switch things up and lean into something a little more refined. Naturally, it still began with dinner and drinks. With full bellies, we headed out for a dose of culture at the Berliner Philharmoniker, taking in a live performance of Dvořák’s From the New World. Hearing it played in person was a fitting way to spark inspiration for the year ahead.
[/p][table equalcells="1" colwidth=","][tr][th][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/7ae6486f49e492b0092e94bf653455da6b509b45.png"][/p][/th][th][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/a4af6c2b5e134ac9ba37f2c39408506f9da6f272.jpg"][/p][/th][/tr]
Falling Into Place
[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/f18027aa45d9d9baddfdd95ec8d4ba57986474ac.jpg"][TAG-150]
[p] IX: 20
[/p][p]Until next time, dear Citizens. Take care!
Glovurius axa Rizia!
A’Morgna her Coren!
Check out our Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, Reddit, Discord and our newsletter to get the latest breaking news for Suzerain and The Conformist. [img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/5a160518e848f5b5f34d78019934320116cf5c18.png"][/p]
Unrest Builds in Nibiya as Political Divides Split Nation
[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/6c922e879213f2a54f636b070238e1be26037b65.png"]
Geopolitico
UNREST BUILDS IN NIBIYA AS POLITICAL DIVIDES SPLIT NATION
[p]Nibiya, 1948 — Tensions are escalating across Nibiya as left-wing demonstrators take to the streets in opposition to President Mutele’s increasingly liberal rhetoric. Protests erupted following the president’s recent address, in which he outlined his foreign policies to shift away from Valgsland’s influence and the broader Contanan Security Pact, framing the move as a reclaiming of national sovereignty.
Mutele’s ideology of “Rika for the Rikans” has drawn mixed reactions across the political spectrum since his re-election, with several organizations expressing concern over a possible move toward a Pan-Rikan bloc. Government officials, however, insist that the current course reflects long-standing national priorities. Still, the response on the streets suggests his positioning has struck a nerve, as mounting unrest fuels fears of further escalation.
Mutele Stands Firm: “Rika for the Rikans”
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2352340/Suzerain_Kingdom_of_Rizia/"][TAG-20] Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Discord and our newsletter to get the latest breaking news for Suzerain and The Conformist. [img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/5a160518e848f5b5f34d78019934320116cf5c18.png"][/p]
Unconfirmed CSP Aid Stirs Fears of Renewed Tension in Wehlen
[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/d6dbf62bcb4853397521f4ee915b3c1865bb6653.png"]
Geopolitico
UNCONFIRMED CSP AID STIRS FEARS OF RENEWED TENSION IN WEHLEN
[p]Wehlen, 1948 - A whistleblower from within the diplomatic circles suggests that President Wiktor Smolak may have secured undisclosed military aid from the Contanan Security Pact. While party officials have rejected confirmation, the mere hint of foreign armament has already stirred unease along the Wehlen border. Observers caution that, if the rumors prove true, the fragile balance between Wehlen and its neighbors could face its most severe strain in years.
United Contana’s peacekeeping mission has been credited with helping to stabilize Wehlen in the fragile aftermath of its civil conflict. Yet President Smolak’s alleged pursuit of military aid has raised questions about his motives. If such modernization efforts are indeed underway, analysts warn that additional military assistance could further bolster Smolak’s position against political rivals and rekindle anxieties among a population still haunted by civil war.
Smolak modernizes Wehzek Military. War is Coming?
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2352340/Suzerain_Kingdom_of_Rizia/"][TAG-20] Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Discord and our newsletter to get the latest breaking news for Suzerain and The Conformist. [img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/5a160518e848f5b5f34d78019934320116cf5c18.png"][/p]
Nines Delivers Address in Run Up to AN President Elections
[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/2da749c1225b168db7ac3256770fffd001c76318.png"]
Geopolitico
NINES DELIVERS ADDRESS IN RUN UP TO AN PRESIDENT ELECTIONS
[p]Kyrute, 1948 - Kyrute’s candidate, Ephraim Nines, delivered his opening statement yesterday to delegates from across the globe as campaigning for the AN presidency formally began at the organization’s headquarters in Konstantium. Nines opened by reflecting on the organization’s origins, stating: “More than two decades ago, the precursor to our AN, the World Peace Concord, oversaw the signing of the Treaty of Konstantium, a victory for sustainable peace in East Merkopa.”
[/p][p]Nines stressed the Alliance’s purpose, urging member states to uphold the treaty through concrete AN frameworks as global tensions rise, prompting renewed reflection on the Antacean. “I will strive to preserve a firm foundation of peace across this globe,” he said, calling on members to reaffirm the AN Charter and the principles of sustainable peace.
[/p][p]“We must not only remember those lost in the devastation of the Rumburg–Agnolia War, but also recognize the lives saved by conflicts the AN has helped to end, and the lives we might have saved where we fell short,” Nines added. “If we are serious about preventing future wars, we must strengthen fair, sustainable intergovernmental action, and commit ourselves anew to resolving tensions and peacemaking before conflict takes root.”
Nines in AN Election Speech: Peace Must Be Upheld
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2352340/Suzerain_Kingdom_of_Rizia/"] Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Discord and our newsletter to get the latest breaking news for Suzerain and The Conformist. [img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/5a160518e848f5b5f34d78019934320116cf5c18.png"][TAG-30][/p]
Alvarez’s Push for ATO Entry Sparks Debate Over Lespia’s Future
[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/526778a002254943e146ab08749bb9d454905517.png"]
Geopolitico
Alvarez’s Push for ATO Entry Sparks Debate Over Lespia’s Future
[p]Lespia, 1948 - Debate is mounting across the political establishment as speculation grows over whether Lespia may seek entry into the Arcasian Treaty Organization. Prime Ministerial contender Patricio Alvarez has placed the prospect at the forefront of his campaign, arguing that closer alignment with the ATO is necessary to contain the spread of communism in Eastern Merkopa and to strengthen Lespia’s nuclear defense. His position has drawn mixed reactions, prompting a broader national conversation about how joining the Organization could shape Lespia’s future.
Lespia’s strategic position and expanding economic weight could soon make it a sought-after partner in any wider military alignment. Analysts caution that, as neighboring powers embed their positions, the nation may be pulled into a far more delicate geopolitical balancing act.
Nation Confronts Question: Should Lespia Join ATO?
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2352340/Suzerain_Kingdom_of_Rizia/"] Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Discord and our newsletter to get the latest breaking news for Suzerain and The Conformist. [img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/5a160518e848f5b5f34d78019934320116cf5c18.png"][/p]
Cadenza Constructions Inc.
[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/1bcdbcb3d08f7823278231a5b718587bb8d6c11e.png"]
CADENZA CONSTRUCTIONS INC.
[p]Building a Modern Eastern Merkopa Mission 179141124123
Supplying the Blueprints for:
Cities & Municipalities, Federal Agencies, Industrial Plants, Manufacturing Facilities, Utilities and Transportation Authorities
Catalog No. 312215919/3
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2352340/Suzerain_Kingdom_of_Rizia/"] Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Discord and our newsletter to get the latest breaking news for Suzerain and The Conformist. [img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/5a160518e848f5b5f34d78019934320116cf5c18.png"][/p]
A Moment to Reflect: Torpor in 2025
Dear Citizens of the Suzerainverse,
[/p][p]As we close up for the holidays, we wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your continued support, enthusiasm, and the ongoing conversations surrounding the Suzerain Universe. Whether you’ve been sharing theories, offering feedback, or simply spending time exploring the world we’ve built, your passion has not gone unnoticed.
[/p][p]The Suzerain community is at the heart of everything we do. Your curiosity, thoughtful discussions, and unwavering interest push us to keep refining, expanding, and imagining what comes next. We’re incredibly grateful to have such a dedicated and engaged community alongside us, and we’re excited to continue this journey together in the years ahead.
[/p][p]Looking back over the past year, it’s been a busy and rewarding time for the team. We launched the 3.1 Sovereign update, delivering new improvements and refinements, and finally gave the Nintendo Switch version the attention it deserved by bringing its content fully up to date. We also took a major step forward by launching Suzerain and Rizia on PlayStation and Xbox, opening the door for even more players to experience the Suzerain Universe. Along the way, we continued rolling out updates, performance improvements, and bug fixes to ensure the best possible experience across all platforms.
[/p][p]On the studio side, it was a milestone year for us. We relocated to a new office space, expanded the team with talented new faces, and were honored to see Rizia win the Games for Change award for ‘Best in Civics’, a recognition that means a great deal to us and to our mission of creating inspiring, immersive experiences. Another highlight was witnessing the live recording of the Sordland and Rizia themes by the renowned Filmorchester Babelsberg, as part of our collaboration with AudioCreatures and BIMM. It was a truly special moment for the studio, and one we’re excited to share more about in the year ahead.
[/p][p]We also secured our minority seed investment round, giving us the resources and stability needed to continue building ambitious, meaningful experiences and to fund the projects we’re excited to share next.
[/p][p]With that in mind, here’s Ata to talk more about what we’ve been working on and what lies ahead:
[/p][p]“Years of building Suzerain through uncertainty have taught us how to build, publish, and sustain our games with greater clarity and discipline. Next year, we are focused on delivering Project Aperture and Fulcrum, while laying out how production on Project Vanguard and The Conformist will begin. This moment marks an evolution for Torpor Games as we grow into an IP studio, developing multiple games and DLCs in parallel, a difficult but welcome new challenge. We have been a good games company, now we aim to become a great one, and together as developers and community, united in purpose, we will make that leap. As these stories take shape, we look to you, the community, as the source."
[/p][p]Until next time, dear Citizens. Take care!
[/p][p]Glovurius axa Rizia!
[/p][p]A’Morgna her Coren!
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2352340/Suzerain_Kingdom_of_Rizia/"] Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Discord and our newsletter to get the latest breaking news for Suzerain and The Conformist. [img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/5a160518e848f5b5f34d78019934320116cf5c18.png"][TAG-60][/p]