Hello Rebels!
We’ve just wrapped up our latest Black Week sale while also taking part in a major event for indie developers, where we had the chance to showcase our work together with the well-known YouTuber and Twitch streamer Pirate Software.
So what was the outcome of the past two weeks?
Unfortunately, we’re still stuck in a negative trend when it comes to getting enough players online at the same time to fully enjoy Striden. We are selling copies and we are attracting more new players to try the game, but honestly, we’re failing to get the multiplayer experience to work the way we want. And that’s not something we’re proud of.
There are of course many things we can improve, but it’s a tough time at the studio right now. Our matchmaking system didn’t give us the improved results we hoped for—if anything, it almost had the opposite effect compared to the old server list we used before.
Because of this, our rating has dropped from mostly positive back to mixed during these past two weeks.
This is why we are now considering releasing a free demo of Striden, since we haven’t been able to get a free weekend approved by Steam.
What’s happening at the studio?
We’re working at a very high pace with full focus on our new PvE experience. We’ve made major progress in a short time on new gameplay mechanics, level design, vehicle systems, NPCs, and a new server solution (P2P), where the player hosting the PvE mode owns the server and can invite friends to join.
So what will PvE be about?
The setting remains northern Scandinavia in the late 1970s. You and your fellow rebels find yourselves in a harsh mountain region. You’ve taken shelter in an abandoned house—your Stronghold. Across from your Stronghold lies a small village with other rebels who need your help gathering resources, completing missions, and finding important items that strengthen both you and the rebel community against the occupiers.
Your neighbors are:
Kent Andersson – Former farmer and factory worker. Provides building materials.
Lennart Johansson – Home Guard officer now working undercover through Stay Behind. Supplies military resources.
Ulla Bergman – A chain-smoking, cozy homebody with a cat. Gives you useful tips, equipment, and food for surviving the harsh environment.
Gördis Utsi – A reindeer herder of Sámi heritage. Grants you supernatural abilities to transform into Scandinavian animals.
The world and story
In our fictional timeline, the Cold War turned hot. A major conflict erupted between the Eastern Bloc (Soviet Army) and the West (NATO). Neutral Sweden—situated between the two—became a battlefield. After both sides deployed tactical nuclear weapons, a ceasefire was declared. Nearly everyone living in the region evacuated—except a small band of rebels who stayed behind to resist before moving on.
You, alone or with friends, must survive in the vast open world. Complete missions given by your neighbors, explore a map full of hidden secrets, and fight the Soviet forces occupying parts of the region. Some zones remain irradiated, requiring extra effort to explore and survive.
Discover abandoned Cold War bunkers and facilities, fight through deserted industrial areas, find driveable vehicles to travel more efficiently, and deliver items to your neighbors in exchange for valuable rewards. The more missions you complete, the stronger you and your base will become.
Because in the end, a major battle awaits—one that will determine your survival and your victory.
Guard Dog NPC
The guard dog patrols key areas and belongs to the Soviet Army. The moment it hears or sees an intruder, it immediately raises the alarm by barking, alerting nearby soldiers. If you get too close, it will attack—an intense, up-close encounter that can easily turn into a jumpscare.
Replicated Vehicle Progress
In a large open-world map, vehicles are a must. You’ll be able to find drivable vehicles throughout the world, but you’ll need to produce your own fuel for them—specifically ethanol.
Enemy Alert Flair
When night falls, navigation becomes much harder—both for you and your enemies. If the enemy spots you at night, they will use alert flares and other tools to illuminate the area and track you more easily.
New Inventory UI/UX System for PvE
Since our new game mode is more focused on items and inventory management, we need to redesign our current system, which was originally built for fast-paced PvP. Here’s a rough sketch of what the new system will look like.
Level design Progress ( Work In Progress )
The Rebel Village
Resource Drop-Off / Pick-Up Zones
This is where you deliver and collect resources after completing missions.
Industry Area
High-Value Resource Sites
Areas where you can find essential materials for upgrading your base. These zones are heavily guarded by enemy forces.
Military Areas / Bunker Systems
Military Stashes
Hidden locations where you can find military gear, weapons, and ammunition. These are well concealed in nature and not directly marked on your map—you’ll need to search carefully.
Horizons / Views
Finally, here’s a small tease showing just how large the new map is. You’ll absolutely need a vehicle to travel efficiently across the world.
Our goal is to release the new PvE/CO-OP in Q1 2026.
We also want to give a big thank you to our community on Discord. If you haven’t joined yet — do it! And don’t forget to play some Striden PvP this weekend. Try to gather a group if you can; it would mean a lot to us and to the new players who have just bought the game.