Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown - Early Access Starts Today!
Greetings fellow Nysians,
Today marks a huge milestone as we prepare to release our first major title, Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown, which has today launched into Early Access on Steam. We’re also offering a 20% discount for players that pick up the game before 10AM 13 November PST/ 7PM 13 Nov CET/ 5AM 14 Nov AEDT, so jump in and start your reign of the Kingdom of Nysamor now.
Our hearts are full of gratitude, excitement, and, honestly, a little disbelief. Four years ago, a team of passionate friends came together with a dream to bring Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown to life. We believed in a story and a world that we hoped would mean as much to you as it does to us. Every part of Thrive: HLTC was crafted with love, and knowing that you've been there cheering us on has meant the world.
To those of you who have followed us from the very beginning, thank you for believing in us. Your encouragement during the tough times, your feedback, and every single message kept us going. We couldn’t have reached this milestone without your support and dedication.
To new players just joining us, welcome! We’re thrilled to have you here, and we can’t wait for you to step into this world we've spent years building. We hope it brings you joy, sparks your imagination, and maybe even inspires you in some way.
As you explore the game, know that you’re part of something special, a community that helped make this dream a reality. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of this journey. We’re excited to hear your stories, your adventures, and to share this world with each of you.
With endless gratitude, - Branden, CEO/Creative Director
Early Access FAQ
Why is Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown coming out in Early Access?
We’re releasing Thrive into Steam Early Access so that players can experience all the game already has to offer, with up to 20+ hours of single player campaign gameplay! We also hope to incorporate player feedback into our updates in the leadup to 1.0 to make the game as best it can be at full release in 2025.
What can I expect in the Early Access launch of Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown?
Collect and harvest resources and build your legacy through effective planning, advancement and a detailed tech tree.
Place city structures, set up road networks, build defenses, and assemble a powerful military to exert your will.
Secure your kingdom’s reputation through choices in the narrative event system across three distinct Acts, that allow you to make tough decisions that can permanently alter the lives of your people, your settlement, and the world around you.
Choose whether your reign is Benevolent or Tyrannical. A Benevolent ruler shows compassion, while a Tyrannical ruler takes pleasure in exploitation and torture - both paths have their advantages and challenges. Be mindful of the legacy you want to leave behind.
Adventure in a single-player experience for solo play or play in up-to-four-player Co-Op or PVP multiplayer.
Siege castles, plunder trade routes, or confront fantastical Waelgrim creatures in RTS combat, alongside or against other players.
What languages will be available in the Early Access launch?
We’ve localised our game in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian and Simplified Chinese.
What are my goals in the Early Access launch?
As you begin your journey to take over your kingdom in Nysamor, we want players to enjoy the fundamental building blocks of survival city building games - build, fail, optimize, admire and progress! Make moral choices during your reign that impact the lives of your civilians; take your open lands and turn it into a bustling kingdom as you accomplish progression goals and unlock new features.
Can I pause/quit at any time and come back later?
Yes, in both single player and multiplayer modes, it is possible to make incremental saves and exit to return to your game.
How will I know when I’ve reached the ‘end’ of the game (for now)?
Even in Early Access, Thrive is designed to be played as long as you like. As you dominate neighbouring provinces in the world of Nysamor to take over Wymaxia, you’ll progress through the challenges and succeed at achieving the goals of the type of rule you wish to become - will you be a Benevolent ruler, or a Tyrannical authoritarian? Whatever way you choose to pursue, each has their own exciting outcomes.
Is there somewhere I can find more information about how to play Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown?
Yes! Visit our YouTube channel for developer walkthroughs, trailers and deep dives on our gameplay mechanics and more, including our upcoming Steam blogs.
What are the PC System Requirements for Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown?
The minimum requirements are a 64-bit processor and operating system, plus:
You may encounter some minor gameplay/visual issues that will be addressed during Early Access. Here is our initial list of known bugs to keep in mind:
Tutorial gets completed without completing the 'Destroy the nearby Grimrot Camp' objective
Military Units will sometimes not maintain order of position in a Formation
Enamored mastery doesn't appear in keep after activating it
'Battle Report' pop-up appears for all players when any one player defeats the 'Grimrot Camp' during multiplayer session
"Deploy Trader's Hut from the Caravan" Objective can't complete if Player Removes Trader's Hut before completing construction
Troops/units can sometimes fail to patrol across the selected destination
Troops/units can sometimes fail to follow and defend the 'Caravan' when assigned to it Two (2) users are able to place 'Traders Hut' simultaneously in the same small province and capture it Trade Route Caravans sometimes don't pick up correct amount of planks
Duplicate portrait appears for 'The Envoy' during the Owed and Tithed event of Act 2
If you’d like to report a bug or provide feedback on the latest build, you can do so by joining our Discord or posting in the Steam Discussion forums. We plan to release some smaller patches and bug fixes post-launch, so please keep an eye on our Discord and social channels for those updates as they become available!
Thank you for being on this journey with us.
We sincerely hope you will enjoy the result of our work for the last 2 years. Thrive is the biggest project we've undertaken so far, and it wouldn't be possible without the support of our fans and players. From all of us, thank you.
To learn more about Zugalu Entertainment, please visit its official website.
Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown - Early Access Coming November 6th!
Greetings, fellow Nysians!
We’re excited to announce the Early Access release date for Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown! Get ready to jump into the world of Nysamor on November 6th, 2 PM PST / 3 PM MST / November 7th, 9 AM AEDT.
First off, a huge thank you to our incredible Thrive community! From the early days of the announcement to the closed betas and Next Fest Demo, it’s been amazing sharing this journey with you. Your feedback and bug reports have helped the Zugalu team build something truly special.
Our goal has always been to create a survival city builder that's fun to play with friends, and we’re pumped to have multiplayer co-op and PvP modes to Early Access—alongside all three narrative acts. It won’t be long before you jump back into Nysamor and start your reign as Ruler.
Here’s what you can expect in Early Access:
Collect and harvest resources, and build your legacy through smart planning, advancement, and a detailed tech tree.
Place city structures, set up road networks, build defences, and assemble a powerful military to exert your will.
Shape your kingdom's reputation through narrative-driven events across three distinct acts. Your decisions can permanently impact your people, settlement, and the world around you.
Choose between ruling with Benevolence or Tyranny. A Benevolent ruler shows compassion, while a Tyrannical one takes pleasure in exploitation and torture. Each path comes with its own advantages and challenges, so be mindful of the legacy you want to leave behind.
Adventure solo in a single-player experience, or play with up to four players in Co-Op or PvP multiplayer.
Siege castles, plunder trade routes, or confront fantastical Waelgrim creatures in RTS combat—either alongside or against other players.
It’s been quite the journey so far, but it doesn’t end on November 6th! We can’t wait to keep the conversation going on our Discord. Jump in, share your thoughts, and let’s continue shaping Thrive together.
Also, don’t forget to check out our Thrive YouTube channel at launch for developer live streams and walkthrough videos to help you get the hang of things.
With less than two weeks to go, what will your choices say about your reign?
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Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
To learn more about Zugalu Entertainment, please visit its official website
Play Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown during SimFest
Greetings Nysians,
We're thrilled to announce our participation in SimFest 2024, a grand celebration of all things simulation! As part of SimFest we're giving existing Thrive fans, and those discovering us for the first time, one more chance to dive into the demo. We know some of you missed out in February, or have recently only discovered Thrive, so this is the perfect opportunity to jump in, or get back into the game ahead of our launch later this year.
Our team has been hard at work over the past six months, and have made significant performance and game improvements, alongside major systems and art overhauls. Our latest updates have brought some exciting changes to the world of Nysamor, which we detailed in our latest Dev Diary.
While these changes have not been reflected in the demo - please note that the demo remains the same as the one shared back in February - we’re excited for players to see these soon!
Our full focus is on the release, and we're so close! We can't wait to share more details with you in the coming months.
Enjoy the demo, and don't forget to join our Discord to stay up to date on upcoming announcements. Long may you Thrive!
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Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
To learn more about Zugalu Entertainment, please visit its official website
Thrive Dev Blog: Battle for Nysamor
Greetings Fair Nysians,
It's been a while since our last dev diary, and we’ve got some pretty epic updates to share on our recent development progress on Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown. Our team has been hard at work over the past few months on a ton of new content that will be coming to the game at launch later this year, and we’re excited to share a sneak preview of what is to come!
Our demo earlier this year provided an amazing opportunity to watch you all jump into the world of Nysamor, and allowed us a chance to really observe how players interact and play Thrive: . From your feedback, and your experiences with the demo, we have overhauled, tweaked, and tuned Thrive across the board to improve the overall gameplay experience for our players. We’re excited to share our plans for release in the coming months - we promise! Thank you again for all your support. Our new Dev Blog provides a deep dive into some of our latest features, alongside a closer look at our overhauled combat systems, and the unique military units you’ll unlock and encounter as your journey progresses.
Fog of War We have now implemented Fog of War, which obscures unexplored terrain from your sight until you’ve acquired the confidence and resources to explore the Nysian lands. The system operates on two tiers: black and grey. Black fog covers all that has yet to be explored, giving no indication as to what lurks beneath its shadows. Grey fog is found in areas you’ve perhaps driven a caravan through but have yet to build or settle. While you will gain a bit of insight into the terrain, nearby military units and threats will still remain hidden, so tread carefully, or settle these areas to truly enhance your visibility.
Armory Updates Creating units at the Armory is now streamlined. No longer will you need to select individual citizens and have them convert to military troops. Instead, the Armory’s UI allows for the selection of the desired unit type and quantity. Once the order is placed, provided the correct resources are available, citizens are automatically called to the armory to take up arms and join your kingdom’s guard. As soon as they arrive, their training begins. Once that’s complete, units will then head to the desired Rally Point, which can be adjusted via the Armory’s UI.
Benevolence, Tyranny, Wyrmaxa, and the Battlefield No matter the path you walk, a fresh batch of military units awaits you. These troops, in addition to those found during your settlement’s beginnings, provide a much-needed boost to your growing kingdom and your quest for reigning over the entirety of Nysamor.
Benevolent players will work toward a peaceful, honorable inheritance of the land, with access to the following unit types: Knights, Spearmen, Longbowmen, Heavy Cavalry, and a Waelgrim Crystal type known as the Champion.
Those who favor Tyranny, bent on exploitation and dominion, find their enforcers in these unit types: Berserkers, Spearmen, Crossbowmen, Heavy Cavalry, and a Waelgrim Crystal unit type known as the Ravager.
Nysamor’s reigning kingdom, Wyrmaxa, is also featured in this new Vlog. These formidable foes will do all they can to defend this ancient land. Testing their might and dominance will be a formidable challenge for even the most seasoned of rulers.
Unit Commands Control commands have been added to Thrive’s Military Units, and these will be familiar to many RTS players. Attack keeps your selected units ready for a fight as they journey to your desired target. Whomever dares to cross their path will be swiftly dealt with, ensuring no threats remain between them and their destination. The Defend command offers protection for a selected target, be it a caravan or fellow military unit, keeping threats at bay while goods are delivered, and allowing one unit to continue their onslaught without the threat of a surprise attack from behind or their flanks. Lastly, Patrol is a bridge between the previous commands, providing players with a means to secure greater strips of land around their settlements. Selected units will move back and forth between their starting position and the targeted one, keeping an eye out for potential threats and vanquishing would-be foes.
Strategic Damage Each Military Unit has now been assigned a Damage Bonus, giving them an advantage against another unit type. A Swordsman, for example, is more effective against a Spearman, while the Spearman excels at taking down Cavalry units. This subtle but effective addition has a ripple effect on the battlefield. Strategic planning can see one’s foes swiftly dealt with if these bonuses are kept in mind.
Altered Landscapes Updates to Nysamor’s map have resulted in a land now covered in a wide variety of terrain types, adding complexity to the landscape and challenges for would-be attackers. Some provinces have limited points of entry, whether due to rocky escarpments or lengthy rivers. These changes bring diversity to the landscape, adding an element that must be considered when navigating offence and defence.
Walls Walls provide one’s kingdom with an added layer of defence, and we felt our approach needed a bit of a revamp. The new wall-building system is not constricted by set sizes or sections. Every wall begins with a 1x1 tile, which can be dragged and clicked into place as you desire…or as far as your resources will allow. Towers and ladders are now automatically placed along the wall’s length, providing easy access for your units to defend your kingdom.
We hope you enjoy this long-awaited new Dev Log, as we move ever closer toward the game’s release, which should be announced sometime in the near future. Thank you for continuing to follow our journey.
Long may you reign, and long may you Thrive!
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Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
To learn more about Zugalu Entertainment, please visit its official website
Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown - Game Con Canada
Greetings Nysians old and new,
We’re happy to share with you great news - Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown will be showcased at Game Con Canada, which is being held June 14-16 in Edmonton, Alberta. We’d like to extend a big thank you to Asus for their support, who have helped us with our booth and setup at GCC.
For those unfamiliar with Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown, it is a medieval fantasy city builder with weighted decision-making and RTS-like combat. You and a small group of survivors come to Nysamor hoping to start again, building the foundations of your settlement in this strange land. Make tough choices with the aid of your Curia, establish systems of production, and encourage healthy trade relations. Explore and expand across Nysamor’s vast terrain, encountering allies and foes as you extend your influence. Rise above the fears of your past and embrace the ways of the Nysians, that your might find your path, be it one of Benevolence or Tyranny.
If you’re located in the Edmonton area, please come by and pay us a visit! Delve into the world of Thrive with our live, playable demo, which features a variety of updates, including a fresh take on our combat system. Once you’ve challenged those who dare to threaten your kingdom, we’d greatly appreciate your feedback.
Our team at Zugalu have been hard at work to make Thrive a unique and memorable experience, and have several updates we look forward to sharing over the next few weeks, including another dev vlog.
Long may you reign, and long may you Thrive!
Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
To learn more about Zugalu Entertainment, please visit its official website
Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown - Demo Closing Soon!
People of Nysamor,
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the players that joined us for the journey through Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown during Steam Next Fest and beyond. Your feedback has been incredibly valuable and your support has been greatly appreciated. Your insights shared via Discord and our demo survey have helped shape the future of Thrive: Heavy Lies The Crown.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to play our demo. We know there are countless ways you could spend your time, and the fact that you chose to explore Thrive: HLtC means the world to us.
Your support is not just motivating—it's invaluable. Each playthrough, comment, and piece of feedback is a building block in the foundation of our game. We're not just creating a game; we're crafting an experience. And that experience is made richer and more meaningful with your participation.”
Branden Sloane, Founder/CEO Zugalu Entertainment
As the demo period draws to a close on March 11th, 4PM MST, this serves as a final call for those eager to revisit Nysamore, or for those who have not yet explored the lands and delved deep into the world. Seize this last chance to immerse yourself in Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown before our Early Access launch later this year!
Join our Discord to stay up to date on future updates, announcements, and our regular dev diary content - and we look forward to sharing further details on Early Access soon.
Will you choose kindness or cruelty? The fate of Nysamor awaits your decision!
Until our paths cross again, farewell for now.
Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
To learn more about Zugalu Entertainment, please visit its official website
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Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown - Demo Extended!
People of Nysamor,
We've been overwhelmed by the response to Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown during Steam Next Fest, and would like to take a moment to thank every single one of our players for taking the time to explore the world of Nyasamor, and for sharing feedback with our team via Discord and our demo survey. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and will truly help to shape the future of Thrive: Heavy Lies The Crown.
If you missed us during Next Fest (we know it’s a busy time of the year), we have some exciting news - we’re extending the demo period beyond February 12.
Our goal is to make the demo available for at least one more week, giving both players who missed out, and those keen to continue their adventures in Nysamor one more chance to experience Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown before our Early Access launch later this year!
Download the demo NOW via Steam and join in the conversation on Discord!
If you’ve played the demo, we'd love to hear your feedback! Let us know your thoughts here, it only takes 5 minutes!
You can find our Next Fest Demo FAQ here for more information.
Will you be a kind or cruel ruler? It’s time to find out!
Until we next meet…
Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
There is a whole world of content to explore in Nysamor, including Multiplayer, Waelgrim Surges, our first Waelbeast encounter, the Wyrmaxa Kingdom, and a ton of updated and improved gameplay systems.
To celebrate Next Fest, Greg (Lead Game Designer) and Steve (Community Manager) will be guiding new players through the basics of Thrive: Heavy Lies The Crown in our latest Dev Diary - sharing helpful tips for new players, and showcasing some of the exciting new additions to the game for Next Fest, including our new Waelgrim Surges and Adderbeast.
This is your final chance to experience Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown prior to our Early Access launch later this year!
Download the demo NOW via Steam and join in the conversation on Discord!
Next Fest will conclude on February 12. We will have more exciting details to share on Early Access in the coming months, but we hope you enjoy this slice until then.
You can find our Next Fest Demo FAQ here for more information.
Will you be a kind or cruel ruler? It’s time to find out!
Until we next meet…
Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
There is a whole world of content to explore in Nysamor, including Multiplayer, Waelgrim Surges, our first Waelbeast encounter, the Wyrmaxa Kingdom, and a ton of updated and improved gameplay systems.
To celebrate Next Fest, Greg (Lead Game Designer) and Steve (Community Manager) will be guiding new players through the basics of Thrive: Heavy Lies The Crown in our latest Dev Diary - sharing helpful tips for new players, and showcasing some of the exciting new additions to the game for Next Fest, including our new Waelgrim Surges and Adderbeast.
This is your final chance to experience Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown prior to our Early Access launch later this year!
Download the demo NOW via Steam and join in the conversation on Discord!
Next Fest will conclude on February 12. We will have more exciting details to share on Early Access in the coming months, but we hope you enjoy this slice until then.
You can find our Next Fest Demo FAQ here for more information.
Will you be a kind or cruel ruler? It’s time to find out!
Until we next meet…
Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown is available to Wishlist on Steam now!
To learn more about Zugalu Entertainment, please visit its official website
Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown - Steam Next Fest Demo Now Live!
People of Nysamor,
We’re super excited to share that - ahead of our participation in Steam Next Fest next week - our first public demo for Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown is now available!
There is a whole new world of content to explore in Nysamor, including Multiplayer, Waelgrim Surges, our first Waelbeast encounter, the AI controlled Wyrmaxa Kingdom, and a ton of updated and improved gameplay systems.
The Next Fest Demo includes over ten hours of gameplay, alongside countless fixes and enhanced AI encounters for those that experienced our Closed Beta in December. Importantly, this is your final chance to experience
